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I've recently discovered there are a multitude of blogs and websites dedicated to being more resourceful, some would even say frugal.

We are no different to many other families who constantly see our grocery bills going up. In our home for some time I've been trying to cut back on waste (or avoid it altogether) and think more ahead of time what I'm going to cook, how I can use what I have, rather than what I fancy tonight.

I'm not sure I'll be dedicated enough to manage as well as this lady does but I'm going to try and focus on what we spend for at least a couple of weeks and see how easily it comes. I'm not sure if I'll be able to price things too accurately, as I don't know how much a portion of rice (which is already in my pantry) costs, so don't make me sign my name to these prices, but let's see how it works out.

We don't always eat the same meals as our girls - but that's another story. For today let's just concentrate on the dollars and cents. Ella and Leila - Beef schnitzel with pasta and vegies

• Beef schnitzel $3.34


• Green beans $0.60


• Corn on the cob $1.33


• Fusilli pasta


• I haven't priced the breadcrumbs, parmesan, lemon zest and parsley (from the garden) that go onto the schnitzel. Olive oil dressing the pasta also isn't included.


• Total price for the girls dinner $5.27

Geoff and I - Roasted cauliflower salad with stuffed zucchinis

• Whole cauliflower $2.29


• 1/2 jar of large capers $1.10


• 4 x zucchinis $1.84


• 1 onion $0.33


• Jarlsberg cheese $2.00


• I haven't included oil and spices in the cupboard for the salad, parsley again from the garden. I haven't included leftover cooked rice for the zuchs, garlic from the pantry, or fresh basil, oregano and parsley again from the garden.


• Total price for our dinner $7.56 Family fed tonight for $12.83 (without pantry inclusions)