A thrifty mother has revealed how she saves £420 per month on food shopping thanks to savvy meal prepping.
Carrie Durbridge, 40, from Mitcham, Surrey, used to fork out £150 per week on food for her family but she’s now slashed her spend to just £45 for herself, her husband and the four of her five children who still live at home.
Every Saturday the bakery operator fills 66 tubs full of seven meals, all ready to go for the coming week.
It takes her three hours to prepare food, and she always has at least two dishes boiling away simultaneously.
Her efforts have paid off, saving the savvy mum almost £5,000 over the course of a year by checking the freezer ahead of shopping on a Friday to see what she already has and making sure it gets used, thus saving on her groceries.
Carrie Durbridge, a savvy mother-of-five from Mitcham, Surry, 40, revealed she saves £420 on food per months thanks to meal prepping (pictured: some of the meals she makes in batches for her hungry family)
Carrie is now a home cook and has cut back on eating at restaurants.
Carrie stated, “I could not go back to cooking every day again.”
‘At one stage, I was making three meals per night because Jordan, 21 years, Summer, 13 year old Annaliese, 11-year-old Gabrielle, and Jordan, 21 years, are on different timetables.
Tommy, my 19-year old son, doesn’t have a home. I cook for three people and three children.
“But now, I spend three hours a day in the kitchen and still have lots of time throughout the week.
Pictured: tubs with the meals for the family including courgette pasta with meat balls and curries
Carrie devotes three hours each Saturday cooking seven different meals and filling 66 tubs.
‘I used to spend £130 to £150 per week on food and my kids were always raiding the cupboards.
“But now I go to the fridge before I shop on Friday, and I make a list.
“I base my menu from what we have in order to make sure it is used, and save money when buying food.
‘Now, I spend £40 to £50 and we are all satisfied.
“We also make our snacks like homemade cakes and biscuits, which are much healthier.
The savvy mother, pictured with Summer, 13, Elise, 11 and Gabriel, three, said she took her weekly shop from £150 to £45
Pictured is Carrie with Matthew, her husband 37 years old. They are cooking in the same kitchen. Every day, the mother ensures that everyone in her family enjoys a different meal.
“Being on budget does not have to mean eating the same thing every day.
Carrie fills containers with delicious chicken curries and jacket potatoes.
Summer, Annaliese, and Gabriel help her in the kitchen.
Her comments include: “My previous menu was burgers, chips, and chicken nuggets.
“But after 14 month of batch cooking I have approximately 100 meals everyone loves.
She said that her older children and husband can simply grab something from the freezer upon their return home.
Carrie shared that the family was able to repay some of their credit card debt thanks to meal prep (pictured).
“It’s great because my kids, and my husband Matthew (37), can get their lunches and dinners out of the freezer after they return from school or work.
“Sometimes Matthew (a fire- and leak technician) used to arrive from work at 9:00pm so that I could make him dinner in the kitchen.
“But now, I work evenings so it is better for everybody.
Carrie’s bank account has improved, as have her kids.
Some of Carrie’s meals are shown here. Carrie said that she makes about 100 dishes per family member. This batch cost £36.12 for all meals, 86p per person per per meal
Matthew and Carrie have taken the children bowling after long cooking sessions.
Pictured: Pepper pasta, Hassleback pizzas, Tuscan chicken, Jackets & chilli con-carne, chicken lasagna, meatloaf Beef, quesadillas. This batch cooking cost 42, and £1 per person per meal
Elle adds that there are many advantages, such as the ability to save time and money.
“We are able to repay some of our credit card debts, and we now have enough money to take the kids bowling or the movies with us.
They are happier and more cheerful than they used to be.
“They don’t seem to be getting sugar highs any more and are eating less. This is something I recommend to other mothers.
“Every family has their unique tastes and different budgets. But, after some time you will be able to find what is right for you.”
“I began with lunches, and then worked at my own speed.
“I recommend to others that you double up on your meals and put half in the freezer.
Pictured is Carrie making pasta, broccoli, and chicken to prepare one of her meals. Carrie says her kids eat less after she started meal prep.
Mother-of-five, she also makes homemade treats (pictured). These homemade treats are also healthier than those purchased in stores, according to her.
Carrie made bagel sandwiches filled with raisins and grapes for her students.