I have found, during my time as a frugal SAHM of 4, plus as an international homestay parent, that I need to be on the ball when it comes to grocery shopping.

By following these rules on auto pilot I don’t need to add extra thinking to my busy, sensory overloaded weeks, plus I know that I am always getting a good deal and I can feel good about that.

To be honest, I didn’t realise how much we had actually received as host parents until a journalist from Kidspot interviewed me one day and asked for the exact figure—or close enough. I went back through the bank statements, added it all up, and... I was floored. Truly. I had no idea it added up to that much