Hello!

How do you survive on $600 per week with a family of 6? Including rent of $250 a week , budget, kids banking, fuel for 2 cars , preschool. Do you have any tips mums on a tight budget?


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  • we use the local community pantry, cheap meat, free veggies and sometimes a few treats on the side


  • Think you have some wonderful answers here – I even learned a few tips myself and I thought I was doing well.! Thanks everyone for your tips and advice.


  • Meat is one of the most expensive grocery items, along with fresh fruit, which usually goes bad. So I suggest working out meals that use little meat. The other night I cooked three chicken thigh fillets sliced them up and we ate pita bread “tacos” “the pita bread was on clearance for that day” it fed 2 adults and 2 children. All of whom were satisfied. Last night I made a creamy pasta with very little chicken. It was still tasty and delicious. Some night we just have eggs in toast/fried egg sandwiches. As for fruit, if you can try and substitute some for tin fruit. It eats well and is very cost effective! Look at what is on special and if it’s a usual item buy it even if you don’t currently need it. If you are prone to impulse buying I’d suggest ordering online and doing click and collect. And above all write up what you spent and where. It’s the best way to work out where you can cut costs. Also if you have a 7-eleven fuel station near you, download the app and use the lock in price, it can save a fortune. My husband and I just worked out that if we fill up both cars at the same time and pay for it in the one transaction we can both use the cheap price, which again saves us money. Best of luck


  • Go to woolies or coles just before school pick up for the marked down meat and meals.
    Eat vegetarian when you can, we do every second night.
    Shop at aldi and the reject shop for cleaning.
    Take cash out for splurging, put it in a zip lock bag and whatever isn’t used one week can be used the next.


  • Create a meal plan using as many meals that’ll contain potatoes, rice or pasta and buy as many products in bulk as you can. Homemade freezer meals are great when your on a budget & busy too, use public transport as often as possible


  • Fuel for 2 cars, so 2 adults in the house? Increase your income. My partner works full time and has a second casual job, I work 2 part time jobs and study. Deliver pizzas at night, walk a paper round each week. Hustle to increase your income a little to give yourselves financial security.


  • I definitely find Aldi to be a lot cheaper and just as good.


  • I always write out a shopping list before I go out shopping but do I ever stick to that List NOPE lol


  • Buy groceries and supplies in bulk, or when on sale. It saves in the long term.
    Review insurance and health funds to make sure you’re getting the best deal


  • You need to stop and think what you are doing and change things. First of all stop the banking for the kids let them collect bottles and cans for the money for banking as you can’t afford to keep doing the things you have been. You need to start putting so much money away each week for electric water insurances and any other bills that you have. First all you need to put away the rent as that is your first major bill, then you work out once everything is taken out like petrol for the cars and are 2 cars needed and shopping you need to sit down and work out your meals for the week and if you go every fortnight shopping write a list and stick to it. The kids are going to have to help to as they are going to not get everything they want. Try and bulk buy your fruit and veg and try and buy your meat do slow cooker meals. Grow your own vegetables to help and that will help in a big way as well cook your own cakes and biscuits.


  • I try to buy meat when it’s been marked down & freeze it. With 5 hungry mouths in our house that’s one of the best ways I can save some money on groceries.


  • I do surveys and get the kids to collect cans and bottles. I also shop at Aldi…every little bit helps!


  • making bulk meals and buying in bulk and only things on special is helpful. Selling any unused/un wanted things around the house.


  • I am a single mum on a super strict budget.
    Food wise, I have it down.
    I have 3 pets (2 kelpies & a cat) and 2 kids still at home.
    I menu plan and only buy what I need for the fortnight, plus hygiene/cleaning and pet supplies.
    I make what I can from scratch and buy bulk where possible, especially meat. It’s not easy, but I average $350 over the 2 weeks for the 6 of us.


  • I’m a solo parent with 3 kids and no contributions from their dad, so I know what living to a tight budget means too. I echo what many have said about budget and meal planning, and I do my food shopping online every few weeks for most stuff and have it delivered. I have chosen NOT to have a car, as the cost of fuel and insurance etc was a burden on the food budget. YES, it makes tasks like school oshc and childcare drop offs take longer, and I take public transport to work instead. But the upside to this is I walk more so get more exercise, and do my tiny bit towards climate change. Perhaps you can work out a rota to share one car rather than run both?
    good luck, sounds like you are doing a grand job already.


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