Thrifty Melbourne Couple Manages to Keep Weekly Grocery Bill to Just $37.50

A decade ago, the Gowers were crowned “Australia’s thriftiest family” after showcasing their extreme frugality on national television, managing to keep their monthly grocery bill at $270. Fast forward ten years, Wendy and Darren Gower from Narre Warren in Melbourne’s south-east, continue to exhibit their money-saving ways, now spending even less on groceries.

When A Current Affair featured them in 2014, the family of four was surviving on an extremely tight budget. Despite both losing their jobs in 2005, Wendy and Darren managed to pay off their $100,000 mortgage in just five years through careful budgeting. Today, as empty nesters, their grocery bills are significantly lower, but their frugal habits remain intact.

“We’re still living the way we were in 2014. Although some things have changed, we remain very thrifty,” Wendy shared with 9news.com.au. “As my husband says, there’s no cost-of-living crisis in our house. There is a cost-of-living pressure, but we manage it well.”

Despite the rising supermarket prices, Wendy and Darren now spend just $150 a month on groceries, which amounts to $37.50 a week. This budget covers not only food but also toiletries and cleaning supplies. Earlier this year, their grocery bill was around $120 a month, but inflation has forced even Wendy to adjust.

Wendy acknowledges that many families are struggling due to high inflation and interest rates but insists it’s possible to live well on a low income. “Everyone is under financial stress, but there are ways to stretch your income and make every dollar count,” she said.

Even though Darren now works full-time in hospital administration and part-time at their church, the Gowers still live on a modest income. Wendy supplements their earnings through house cleaning but hopes to retire in a few years.

How to Slash Your Food Bill

Wendy’s super-saving strategies revolve around her principles of “make, bake, sow, and grow.” The couple grows much of their fruit and vegetables in their backyard, including lemons, apricots, plums, and raspberries. “We harvest around four kilos of raspberries each season, which would cost a fortune if bought by the punnet,” Wendy said. “From these, I make almost free jam using just the fruit and some sugar.”

Their winter garden currently produces potatoes and silverbeet, planted from sprouting supermarket potatoes. Wendy avoids processed foods, opting instead to buy basic ingredients and make meals from scratch. “Processed food prices are outrageous, so I buy basics like flour, sugar, milk, and cheese,” she said. Treats are reserved for special occasions.

Wendy purchases spices from a wholesaler and avoids expensive cuts of meat, favoring stews, casseroles, and lasagna. She buys in bulk and freezes leftovers, significantly reducing their gas usage.

Cleaning for $1 a Year

As a professional cleaner, Wendy was astonished at how many expensive products people use unnecessarily. She cleaned her home and some clients’ homes for a year with a single bottle of Aldi dishwashing detergent, costing just 99 cents. The diluted detergent sufficed for windows, surfaces, and even bathrooms.

“For household cleaning, kitchen detergent and water are effective enough. Fancy sprays aren’t necessary,” Wendy said. She also makes her own laundry powder and a multipurpose “miracle spray” with vinegar, dishwashing liquid, eucalyptus oil, and soda powder.

The ‘Two-Light Rule’ and Solar Lanterns

One of their cost-saving rules is using only two lights at night, a habit they’ve now replaced with solar lanterns. “We put the lanterns outside during the day and bring them in at night. They’re fantastic,” Wendy said.

Other habits include boiling a full kettle of water in the morning and storing the excess in a thermos for later use, reducing the need to re-boil, and saving on energy costs.

Making Do with What You’ve Got

Wendy acknowledges some expenses, like insurance, have become harder to manage. However, she emphasizes making wise spending decisions. “You can either increase your income or reduce your spending,” she said. Despite tough times, consumerism persists, but contentment comes from making do with what you have.

The Gowers’ approach to frugality showcases that with careful planning and smart choices, living well on a low income is achievable.