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“I WANT THE food I buy to stretch as far as it can,” says Karen Manning, mum-of-three, savvy shopper and bargain-hunter at Mother of All Deals.
Karen lives in Co Meath with her husband and three children, and has built an extensive following online by sharing smart ways to save money on a daily basis.
Planning your food shop in advance is a key money-saving tip from Karen, who chooses her family’s meals for the week based on in-store promotions and money-off vouchers available on supermarket loyalty apps, like the SuperValu Real Rewards app.
“The SuperValu Real Rewards app helps me to save regularly on our food shop with weekly money-off vouchers, weekly coupons and monthly ‘scan to win’ prize draws,” she says. “For things like vouchers, I set a reminder on my phone to make sure I use them before they expire.”
Karen also looks out for ingredients she can use in multiple meals, buys own-brand products wherever possible and makes sure to take advantage of any leftovers: “I always use leftover ingredients in other meals and recipes wherever I can. It’s all about being mindful with your money and the food you buy.”
To see how Karen sticks to her budget while creating delicious meals for her family, we asked her to share a food diary for a week, complete with a cost breakdown. From “hidden veg” meatballs for the kids to quick and easy breakfasts, here’s how Karen fed her family for a week for less than* €120…
(*all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated, prices correct at time of publishing)
Sunday
After doing her food shop on Sunday morning, Karen made a roast chicken dinner for the family. “I like to cook one big dish over the weekend when I have a bit more time because it helps me to have leftovers ready for extra dinners during the week,” says Karen. “It also means that any unexpected visitors on Sunday are fed too.”
Doing one big shop per week allows Karen to use any money-off vouchers she has, and prevents impulse purchases: “It stops me from popping into the shops and picking up items I don’t need.” The total cost for Sunday’s dinner was €18.01, and leaves plenty of chicken for lunch and dinner the following day.
Shopping list for roast chicken with stuffing and vegetables (all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated)
Monday
To start the week, Karen opted for a frozen smoothie mix for a quick and easy breakfast. “During the summer months, I love making smoothies with frozen fruit for breakfast,” says Karen. “That way I know the fruit won’t go off within days, and pre-mixed packets mean I can throw something together quickly in the mornings.”
Lunch for the kids included wraps with leftover chicken, a yoghurt and blueberries. “I buy punnets of blueberries, rather than raspberries, as they don’t get squashed as easily in lunchboxes,” she says. Dinner was chicken fried rice, which was made using the last of the roast chicken. The total cost for the day was €14.13.
Shopping list for leftover chicken wraps, fruit and yoghurt (all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated)
Tuesday
To save money and to reduce food waste, Karen makes sure she uses up all of the ingredients she buys by using whatever is left over to make other meals. On Tuesday, she uses the leftover egg whites from a carbonara to make a tasty Eton mess for dessert.
“When I make a carbonara with egg yolks, the egg whites are left over,” she says. “So I pop them in the blender with caster sugar and quickly make meringues.”
Breakfast on Tuesday was another frozen smoothie, while lunch for the kids consisted of bagels with ham, and fruit and yoghurt. Karen and her husband enjoyed carbonara for dinner, with the kids having fish fingers, waffles, chips and beans. The total cost for the day was €23.54.
Shopping list for Eton mess (all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated)
Wednesday
On Wednesday, Karen made ‘hidden veg’ meatballs and pasta for the kids, and spaghetti bolognese for the adults. “I hide a lot of vegetables in my meals so the kids will eat it,” she says. “I do a lot of batch cooking and freezing too, and portion out things like meatballs without sauce before freezing them.”
Breakfast on this morning included croissants from the freezer aisle, while lunch for the kids was made up of leftover pasta from the night before, mixed with sweetcorn and ham. The total cost comes to €26.41.
Shopping list for kids’ dinner of hidden veg meatballs and pasta (all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated)
Shopping list for adults’ dinner of spaghetti bolognese (all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated)
(Note: Make extra sauce to use later in the week)
Thursday
For Karen, a successful food shop includes meals that are easy to make and satisfy everyone in the family. A curry is her go-to, as well as fish fingers, waffles and chicken nuggets for her six-year-old son who has sensory needs when it comes to dinners. On Thursday, Karen used a mango, kiwi and pineapple mix to make a smoothie for breakfast, with tuna bagels, oranges and yoghurt drinks for the kids’ lunches. Dinner was an Indian chickpea curry, which is “full of flavour”.
“I like to cook one meal a week without using poultry or meat,” says Karen. “A curry is a great way to use up items in the cupboard, and you’ll be able to use up the spices you buy for ages afterwards.” The total cost for the day came to €17.76.
Shopping list for Indian chickpea curry (all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated)
Friday
For Friday’s dinner, it was ham pizzas. They were made with the leftover sauce from the spaghetti bolognese, making for a “stress-free” dinner at the end of the week, says Karen. The family enjoyed pains au chocolat from the freezer aisle for breakfast – “this means I don’t need to worry about fresh produce being forgotten about” – while the Friday treat in the kids’ lunchboxes was a packet of rice cakes with yoghurt. The total for the day’s ingredients was €11.59.
Shopping list for ham pizzas (all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
On Saturday, it was a “BBQ party” for the family out the back garden after spending the morning and afternoon out and about. “BBQ salads are a great way to use up whatever is left in the fridge, and cooking outside means there’s less cleaning up in the kitchen – plus the kids love it,” says Karen. She took advantage of a 3 for €10 deal on BBQ meat to create a variety of dishes, while the day was rounded off with ice cream for everyone. The total for the day came to €19.12.
Shopping list for BBQ (all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated)
Shopping list for ice creams (all products are SuperValu own-brand unless otherwise stated)
Overall, Karen’s food shop for the week in SuperValu cost €113.91. Using a voucher on the Real Rewards app for €11 off a €75 spend, her total came to €102.91.
“If I run out of any items or essentials, I run in and do a quick basket shop,” says Karen. “As a busy mum running around to after school activities and other commitments, doing one big shop saves me time – and gives me more time to get organised for everything else!”
Whether you are a weekly trolley shopper or just popping in for daily essentials, you can scan your Real Rewards App for weekly money off vouchers and coupons resulting in great savings and better weekly budgeting when it comes to being a savvy shopper. Download the app and save on things that matter to you now.
*This article was updated on 17/06/2022
At first I thought who would bother making two trips to the airport! But if you live near the airport and drive your bags the night before,you may be more likely to take public transport the next morning instead of a taxi saving some cash. Or also avoiding extras in a taxi. Not for everyone, but helpful for some.
I’ve just read through it in full and it’s only for those travelling from 6am and 8am the following morning. It’s an odd one, I guess it’s to ease the queues in the morning when they are their peak but I can’t really see it being any kind of game changer for them.
Imagine the stress alleviated for families and large groups being able to dump the bags the night before. Well played Aer Lingus.
Nice to see them thinking outside the box. Saw a great idea in Hong Kong, you could check into your flight and check your bags in at the metro station , thought it was a brilliant idea.
Now all we have to do is build a Metro.
That actually used to be more common. Until the late 90s, you could check in for a flight from Gatwick at Victoria Station. Security concerns saw that kind of service rapidly withdrawn.
The service in Hong Kong is handy though. I was able to give them my bags at 11am for a flight that was close to midnight.
You can do the same at British Airways desk at Victoria train station London for years now…
Swiss also offer the same service from mainline stations anywhere in Switzerland. So much more relaxing
Cracking idea!
Great idea, especially as you could do it for elderly parents or for families with a lot of young kids. One less thing to worry about on the day.
Not sure I’d trust that my bags were on the same flight as me the next morning though!!
I hate standing at the baggage belt after arriving wondering will my bag appear!
Great idea… Kudos to Aer Lingus, super handy to drop the bag, stay at an airport hotel and not have to lug it down semi-conscious in the morning. It’s great I can pre-order lunch for the flight now too. Sure it saves them costs and helps customers.
Good idea if you spend the night close to airport and don’t have to travel from too far away
Driving to the airport TWICE to save hassle ????
Is it April 1st.?
My thoughts exactly Magoo…………
People who live outside Dublin often stay at airport hotels the night before if they have an early flight. That means just a short walk to the terminal and an easier morning the day after.
Wouldn’t work for me because I the amount if crap I forget and have to put in last minute
Thinking ourside the box!
Yeah, fantastic idea. It’ll save so much hassle.
Pretty good idea. But what about the toiletries that you need that would be packed? I’d need every single thing in that bag :-)
Yea, but I need loads to keep me at least presentable lol
The world’s favourite budget airline will soon follow suit with a mandatory 24 hour advance baggage check-in, or a large fee per bag to check in any later than that.
Ba dom Cha!
…. FAIL
That idea is absolutely spiffing. Be great to just saunter into the airport and head straight for the duty free bypassing the queues
If only one person brings the bags to the airport for the check-in, surely they can’t honestly answer the baggage security questions?
I don’t see the value of this to be honest. Schelp to the airport the night before and then schlep back the following morning to get the flight?
Great if you’ve to stay in an airport hotel the night before or leaving car in long-term parking. 45 mins of extra rest rather than stress of morning departures.
Hats off to aer fungus, leading the way :)
True it would be a hassle.. They should offer curbside check in, paying to park and finding a space would be a hassle.
Do not see the benefit..
Fine if you live at the airport..
Why in gods name would you want to drive twice to the airport.
I would guess The thinking behind this is not about the consumer.
It takes me 10 mins max to get to Cork airport, it’s a handy service for some obviously but not all.
I’d like to think the marketing people at Dublin airport hotel had a hand in coming up with this idea… kudos if they did!
Used this two weeks ago and it worked really well and there was no extra charge for it
Nice idea, hope they are charging nothing for this? Great especially when going on holiday with flights very early that dreaded two hour rule just to spend it on blooming queues. Hope it takes off with all air lines:-)
How about proper self-service check in facilities.
Hong Kong airport has a very convenient city centre check in desk. No need to drag your bags all the way to the airport.
This is so poorly thought out.
Location: If it’s only for Dublin airport then it’s not like it’s easy to just call by and drop off your bags.
If you live nearby you will either need to live on the very few domestic bus routes that go near the airport or you will need to drive. If you do drive, you will obviously be forced into parking in the DAA’s rip-off car park. You won’t be allowed to use the set-down lane and you’re not going to use the independent Quickpark just to drop off some bags. It may not be the reason, but I’m sure best buds Aer Lingus & the DAA considered the extra revenue they would get from parking fees.
For visitors, it’s too far out with sh*t transport, and our taxis are more expensive than many other European destinations. It would could work in other more central airports though.
Timing: Only for flights 6am-8am? Why would you get rid of your bag the evening before you go to bed, then have a shower and put on a new change of clothes the next morning? You’d want to be bringing another small suitcase with you. So this narrows it down to people carrying two or more bags.
And to be honest, the majority of people I see when I go through at that time are going for short-haul trips (a lot of day trippers) and I don’t see much luggage being checked in anyway. The more holiday type flights where you would really need a big suitcase seem to go later.
If they let you drop your bag off in the morning for evening flights, it would be more popular because you’d already be dressed for the day and wouldn’t need as much of your stuff. You could do whatever you wanted without being weighed down. But people already use hotel luggage facilities, so if you’re a visitor, you’re going to be a lot closer to the hotel you just woke up in than a crappy airport in the sticks. Going out there and back to Dublin to do some sightseeing would be pointless.
I just don’t see what’s in it for them, let alone the passengers, apart from parking fees. Maybe it’s just to redeploy check-in staff somewhere else during the busy morning period. Which is understandable, but let’s not act like Aer Lingus are doing us a favour.
I’m sure that this would be a great service for families or people lots of luggage, both of which are a thorn in the side of us single, one bagged passengers! It may not be convenient for all passengers to do it but it would benefit everyone!Reduce queue time and less likelihood of screaming children in the queue at that hour of the morning! I won’t complain!
Used this two weeks ago and it worked out really well and there was no charge for it
Good idea.Saves stress.
The only benefit I could see in this is for transatlantic passengers (passengers flying transatlantic are more likely to have lots of luggage) and transatlantic passengers also have the extra headache of having to do US immigration as well as security, but since Aer Lingus’ first transatlantic flight isn’t until 10:45am and this is only valid for passengers travelling between 6-8am, I can’t see much use in it to be honest!
Personally I believe the biggest headache at airports for families is security, rather than luggage check in. More than likely you’re going to have to cue up at the airline desk to get boarding cards and resolve seat assignment issues(luggage or no luggage)
Yes it would be a great idea we used it in Canada and it takes away all the pressure on travel day especially if you are travelling with children
Jaysus dearg doom, it may suit some people, even if its only a few and if it does no harm done and fair play, hardly think the extra few euro for parking from the limited number of people availing of the service is a major concern for either parties! Most airport hotels have free shuttles for guests so it wouldn’t cost them a penny to take it up and back to the airport and as many people said, if you’re travelling with kids it’d be a great help. You’d swear there was a charge for it or you had to do it! Chill out my friend….
People travelling with Aer Lingus in Europe should be aware that if you pay for a second check-through bag, you don’t get any extra weight allowance. Pay €15 for 1 bag – get 20kg, pay additional €15 for second bag – no additional weight allowance. i.e. You can have two bags, but between them you can only have 20kg.
This isn’t very clear at all when booking… if the cumulative weight is more than 20kg, the weight of the second bag is charged as “Excess Baggage Fees” (despite the fact that you’ve already paid for a second bag…..). The Excess Baggage charge is €15 per kg!!! :O
This is a really non-sensical and unfair policy to begin with, but the fact that people don’t know about it means you can get very, very stung at the check-in desk!
Travel all the way to our airport that has no underground or rail link twice in two days!! I don’t think so thanks.
Schlep….. I love it!
Why only dublin. What bout cork and shannon!!!!!!!!!
Crown Plaza Hotel Singapore do this. Go downstairs and check your bags in. Go back upstairs and watch TV from the bath in your room until gate opens. Get out of bath, put on clothes, go through efficient security and board flight. Sweetness.
Great idea… How much extra does this cost?
Yes…I am sure they would charge you fot that sadly…
I think it’s a great idea you could park in the set down area in the departures one stay in the car the other person bring the bags in and checks in and you don’t have all that hassle next morning it’s a winner for my family
I think this is a great idea! For motorbike users, it’s great to be able to use public transport at sociable hours to drop off luggage, and then get the full benefit of driving a motorbike in early morning traffic to the airport without worrying about luggage.
Although the return journey… Hmm
Brilliant idea
they have lost my luggage twice so i would not be trusting them to do it,, if they cant get in on plane same few hours i have checked in ,, god only knows where it could end up over nite,, that’s a no from me,,,
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