Mum saves incredible £10,800 with simple cooking trick - and says anybody can do it
Mum-of-two Tara Goble has explained her money-saving tricks to cooking healthy food for her whole family for far, far less - and reckons that over the years it's saved her thousands
- 14:29, 21 FEB 2020
- UPDATED14:38, 21 FEB 2020
Tara saves time and money
A mum-of-two has shared the tricks she uses to cut down her family's food bill - estimating that over the year's shes' saved an incredible £10,800.
Tara Goble, from Kent, knocked £60 a month from her family's bills - and by keeping it up for 15 years that adds up to more than £10,000.
The secret? Making food in bulk, then freezing it until needed.
"I've prepped food for the freezer since my children were small and I worked evenings in a supermarket, so they had a nice quick dinner before I went, so I’ve been batch cooking for about 15 years," the 50-year-old told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.
And cooking in bulk means she can get better deals without fear anything will go off.
"I batch cook minced beef that I like to buy (better quality and leaner) when it's on offer for 3 for £10. I make a basic bolognese, turn some into lasagne and cannelloni, and add mixed beans and chilli to make chilli con carne," Tara said.
Tara's been cooking in bulk for 15 years
She estimates it saves her £60 a month
"Some mince gets made into cottage pies (our favourite) and I buy seasonings when they are on offer."
But you can save money on far more than mince by doing this.
"I bulk buy chicken and make curries, cut some into strips, add mixed peppers and red onion and freeze in individual bags to add to stir fry or make fajitas or enchiladas,” Tara said.
But to get it right you need to be organised too - with Tara making sure everything is labelled with what's inside and when it was made.
Labelling is key
She also explained how to save on the containers she uses.
"I bulk bought foil trays and lids from Amazon, spending about £8 for 100, and buy plastic tubs and lids from the local pound shop," Tara said.
“Some things are OK for plastic tubs and microwaving but we prefer cottage pies, lasagne and cannelloni cooked in the oven so they go in foil tubs."
And as well as saving money, she's saving time.
"For the sake of spending one afternoon prepping it saves so much time several days a week when you have a go to dinner,” Tara said.
"I’d definitely recommend it - I usually prep one afternoon every other weekend."
It also means she's never caught unprepared for visitors.
"I have one shelf in the freezer with all my full tubs in and it's great when you have visitors and can dish up a lovely meal without spending hours in the kitchen!"
https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/mum-saves-incredible-10800-simple-21547822