Kanimbla woman Beth Lavington shares her budget friendly hacks

A Far North woman has found how to make almost 60 meals from just $90 worth of groceries — while maintaining nutrition. Learn the tips and tricks behind how she does it.

MEALS don’t have to break the bank as this Far North woman has found how to make almost 60 meals from just $90.

Beth Lavington, a self funded retiree in Kanimbla, is using incredible budget hacks and Flybuys points to pay it forward to Far North’s homeless community through Wheels of Wellness.

Through her savvy methods, Ms Lavington has been able to make around $90 stretch to create 57 meals which she donates — each costing less than $1.50.

Cairns retiree Beth Lavington has shared her tips on how to make budget family meals that are still healthy and delicious. Beth cooks up bulk meals to donate to local charity Wheels of Wellness, with each meal costing only $1.50 to make. Picture: Brendan Radke

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One of her cheapest meals is a hearty pasta with pumpkin, onion, chicken stock, coconut milk and pasta adding up to $8.20 and at 11 servings comes to 75c per meal.

How she does it is through meticulous planning, keeping an eagle eye on her spending and taking advantage of cost-friendly meals using cost-friendly ingredients.

“Make choices that can spread out a meal,” she said.

“For example, I personally love risotto and in regards to the economics of risotto, arborio rice is $2.80, you can add in a whole bag of Coles frozen mixed vegetables to that and make about 10 meals.

“What’s highly underrated is rolled oats, a bag of rolled oats at 1.2kg for $2, there’s a months worth of breakfast.”

Cairns retiree Beth Lavington has shared her tips on how to make budget-family meals that are still healthy and delicious and she’s a big fan of risotto. Picture: Brendan Radke

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Buying food in bulk and then freezing them up was essential to creating cheap meals, according to Ms Lavington.

“If you’re spending $50 a week you can build up a large variety of meals in the freezer and then you can rotate lunch and dinner, but who says you can’t have it for breakfast too,” she said.

“Once you get your head around cooking in bulk … you can save an enormous amount of money.”

Cairns retiree Beth Lavington reckons once you get your head around buying in bulk, you can save big dollars. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Lavington spilt her secrets to tighten budgets — with tins of tomatoes and frozen vegetables a staple for savvy saving.

“Never pay anyone to do anything you can do yourself, wash the dog, wash the car, mow the lawn and cook your food – that includes takeaways,” she said.

“Have a budget … I track every single cent so that no money is spent without me knowing where it’s gone.

“It’s the little things — the coffees, the lunches the takeaways, your streaming services.”

Originally published as Kanimbla woman Beth Lavington shares her budget friendly hacks