The high cost of living is making it difficult to feed your family healthy, nutritious meals without breaking the bank, especially if you’re on a fixed budget.

The secret is to effectively manage your “food” budget. It’s best to plan ahead by deciding on a weekly meal menu, create a shopping list, buy in bulk and seasonally, and embrace leftovers. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of useful website and apps which offer great advice, tips and ideas to stretch your budget. Banks also offer amazing ideas. On a cold and dreary day, make it your mission to search the web for more information.

Make it a fun family activity (a family that plans together saves together 😊)

‍Affordable Living – Hints and TipsStuck for recipe ideas?

‍Try https://myfridgefood.com/ where you tick the ingredients you have in your fridge and pantry and receive meal ideas and recipes. I love this quick and easy snack idea - https://myfridgefood.com/recipes/appetizer/homemade-mozz-sticks/

‍Comparing food pricesThe Grocer App - https://grocer.nz/ - is really useful to compare grocery prices. Download the app and select your preferred stores, search for a specific item, and follow the instructions.Tim Hong and Murray Wong have created Grosave, a grocery price comparison app designed to empower New Zealanders to save money on their weekly shop.https://grosave.co.nz/Grocery stores offering useful information

Pak ‘n Save have great money saving tips, recipes, ways to reduce food waste and plenty more ideas. Explore their website, especially the 15 ways to save money on groceries. Click on this link and explore -https://www.paknsave.co.nz/money-saving-tips/ways-to-save-on-groceries?srsltid=AfmBOoqSrTm0IolRIfhuEaR1RUU0BXQBBjqfgckWF9MlS7P3ILQ_bMKH

‍Woolworths has an informative article on weekly meal planning.https://bunch.woolworths.com.au/s/article/a0KOm0000084xBNMAY/how-i-meal-plan-each-week?New Worldhttps://www.newworld.co.nz/recipes/mealplanner‍

Savemore at Papanuihttps://papanui.savemore.nz/

‍How do other people do it? Read Stacey Scott’s inspiring story and how she set herself a goal and stuck to it.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/kiwi-mums-budget-cooking-challenge-goes-viral-on-youtube-a-years-meals-for-5000/L6N3HAXP3BAU5MP7AT5J4NF7OY/#google_vignette

‍Claire has many tips for big households and how to save on your food budget. https://becomingtraditional.com/meal-planning-on-a-budget/

‍W&I published an informative, practical booklet to help everyone on a tight budget. It's is no longer available, however, Emma downloaded it and you can find the pdf here – click on the link for The Great Little Cookbook.

Emma’s website has many other useful ideas. Please check it out - https://mumsmoney.co.nz/

‍Sal Claire shares her cheap grocery shops and recipes for dinners and lunches with her followers.https://www.tiktok.com/@salmakescheapfood

‍Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingcheaphttps://lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/

‍If you would like more information or wish to engage with a Financial Mentor, please contact us to talk about your situation. Phone 03 315 3505 or email: servicemanager@bsnc.org.nz

‍We’re on Facebook and www.bsnc.org.nz‍

Our office is in the War Memorial Hall, 1 Albert Street, Rangiora.