Feed your family for just $21 a week!

WHO'S BEHIND THE CHALLENGE?
Perhaps not surprisingly, two mums are behind The $21 Challenge. Fiona Lippey is the frugal mind behind Simple Savings, full of resources to help families become savvy shoppers. Her $21 Challenge co-author Jackie Gower writes under the name Penny Wise for that's life!, blogging her way to savings success. You can buy The $21 Challenge at leading retailers, RRP $24.99.

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?
The $21 Challenge is like a seven-day financial boot camp for the modern family. It makes a quick and positive impact on the household budget, at the same time leaving mums and dads with lots of tips, lessons and recipes to continue saving money in the long term. The average Australian family of four spends $320 a week on groceries - that's almost $17,000 a year!

The aim of the challenge is to spend just $21 on groceries for an entire week by using what you already have in your pantry and fridge and only purchasing a few extra essentials. You don't have to do this every week - just for one week. It will show just how much you can save when you put your mind to it!

BUT WHAT ABOUT CLEANING PRODUCTS AND TOILETRIES?
The $21 Challenge is purely focused on feeding a family. It doesn't include petrol, cleaning products, nappies or toiletries, although you'll soon discover that your new saving ethos will spill over into these areas too.

I'VE GOT BIG EATERS AND FUSSY EATERS. WILL THEY STARVE?
Definitely not. If anything, the $21 Challenge should expand rather than restrict your diet. You'll be introduced to new and creative ways to use up the food in your kitchen - and you'll be amazed at just how much of it there is!

There's no need to reduce portion sizes when you simply replace some meat with more vegies. As for fussy eaters, there are even some great toasted sandwich recipes that should hit the spot.

HOW TO GET STARTED
1. Set your target The $21 Challenge was originally created to feed a family of four, but larger families have successfully adapted the plan to feed more. Feel free to add an extra $5.25 per person to your overall budget goal. But many families have finished the week having spent much less than $21!

2. Pick your time There's no point taking the challenge when you're hosting visitors, on holidays, moving house or nursing sick family members.

3. Do a stocktake Immerse yourself in the pantry, dig deep into the freezer and explore every inch of the fridge. Get rid of anything past its use-by date. Jot down everything else - no really, everything! Use the categories 'Regulars' (items you buy and use all the time) and 'Bonuses' (things you bought ages ago and don't really know what to do with). When you stocktake the fridge, note any items that need to be consumed within the next week.

4. Menu plan This is really the key to conquering the $21 Challenge. Unlike traditional menu plans, this one works backwards, starting with what you have and then working out what wonderful things you can do with it.

5. Find some super-saver recipes Use your own family-friendly recipe books, consult The $21 Challenge book or check out simplesavings.com.au OR that's life!'s great selection of recipes - click here. Many recipe websites also allow you to type in an ingredient and then provide a selection of recipes using that item.

6. Make your shopping list It's easiest to do this while you're filling in your planner, jotting down any recipe ingredients you don't already have. Estimate the total cost and make adjustments where you can.

7. Go shopping! Won't it be great to only do this once a week? Stick to your list and don't be tempted by any of the sneaky tricks supermarkets employ to try to take your hard-earned cash.

Visit simplesavings.com.au for more information and share your stories of the $21 Challenge by leaving a comment below.

Ilike things like this it helps to try and cut back on spendingspecially if you are trying to save and pay of a home Im always looking for articles that saves me money as I dont have that much money after all the bills are paid I use to buy a magarzine once every two months that just had tips and recipes and ideas of how two cut down on every day living and ways to save I miss that cause it was very handy and helpful. Im going to try this so I could save some money thankyou

Posted by dallas from NSW on 30/09/2009 8:43:11 AM

The girls are right, it can be done, i have done it before, and i have 4 big eaters, its just a matter of being a little creative, as long as you have the basics you can do so many things

Posted by Kaye from VIC on 30/09/2009 12:23:47 PM

I can't wait get my copy and I will definately try the callenge.
Robyn

Posted by Robyn from NSW on 1/10/2009 8:11:34 AM

I just finished reading about the $21 challenge and I am shocked at the amount of Carrie's grocery bill every week.
I have a husband (big eater) and 2 pre-teens (fussy eaters) and I spend $150 - $200 a week on food, vegies and meat. I only use name brand if it is necessary. Thanks to that's life I can cook healthy meals within a budget.

Posted by kathleen from QLD on 1/10/2009 4:05:22 PM

Sounds great, andI would love to try, but one concern I have is fresh fruit and veg. I spend at least $50 per week at my fruit and veg store, and can't see how I can buy all the bananas, apples, oranges and broccoli etc that my family of 4 eat in one week for under $21. My vegie garden doesn't grow enough and the fruit trees are bare.

Posted by Catherine from SA on 1/10/2009 8:42:00 PM

very interested in trying seems impossible

Posted by fay from QLD on 19/10/2009 9:37:41 PM

One large chicken is $9 (at least)at the supermarkets where we live. we eat in one sitting. notwithstanding the veggies.
there are no left overs.
vegetables, fruit, cheese, cereal, milk, bread for the rest of the week?
even if we ate our own fresh eggs for the entire week, the margarine and bread alone would be at least $10...
one banana cost me over $1..

cant see it working in my house

nice thought

and yes i make lots of soups and casseroles, one pot wonders....

Posted by KARINA from SA on 10/11/2009 2:28:01 PM

Carrie Cox fed her family on $ 21 a week ?? I don't think so, reading her article, if was obvious she a head start, with hundreds of dollars of groceries stocked up already ?. Is there something I am 'missing' here?.. Try feeding a family on $ 21 a week, when they have no backup. It would make for more interesting reading.

Posted by Stephanie from QLD on 27/11/2009 9:00:43 AM

Am now retired but have always been fascinated by these "three or more meals from one chicken" articles. Only ever managed to save the carcass for soup stock. Suggest larger families (we had five children) better off with chicken pieces, thighs etc. to extend budgets. p.s. we always needed two chickens for a roast meal.

Posted by Denise from QLD on 10/02/2010 6:45:56 AM

I believe it can be done. They do state that you can still buy top up things and use things you already have in your pantry. I love these type challenges as I have lived with them and survived in the past :) good work ..

Posted by Julie from NSW on 28/06/2010 6:12:29 PM

The recipes taste great hope to have more soon. I like th budget to!

Posted by Lachlan from NSW on 13/07/2010 1:52:57 PM

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