IGA’s eight course Christmas feast costs just $150

Australian families can create a luxurious eight course meal for an estimated $150 using festive buys from IGA this Christmas.

The supermarket has relaunched its ‘Signature Collection’ to assist families preparing for the festive season and features its famous smoked leg ham for just $9.50 per kilo, which has all been locally sourced to support Australian farmers. 

With inflation soaring, you’d be best to start thinking about Christmas now, as most of the range can be kept until Christmas.  

For a light entrée or first course, the store is offering smoked salmon for just $6.20 or pork belly bites for $13.

Australians can create a luxe eight course meal using produce from IGA’s new ‘Signature Collection’. The range launched in stores nationwide on November 1 

The range sees the return of IGA's award-winning naturally smoked bone-in leg ham priced at $9.50 per kilo (pictured), which has been locally sourced to support Aussie farmers

The range sees the return of IGA’s award-winning naturally smoked bone-in leg ham priced at $9.50 per kilo (pictured), which has been locally sourced to support Aussie farmers

How to create a lavish eight-course feast for Christmas for just $150:

Course 1: Smoked salmon 

Course 2: Pork belly bites 

Course 3: Naturally smoked ham 

Course 4: Beef wellington 

Course 5: Crackling pork 

Course 6: Brandy infused mince pies 

Course 7: Six-month matured Christmas pudding 

Course 8: Shortbread and gingerbread cookies

The delicate and delicious handmade beef wellingtons, priced at $15 for two portions, are another stand-out dish that’ll be sure to impress family members at the dinner table. 

A popular choice for main course will likely be the new pork crackling, priced at $20 per kilo.

It’s easier than ever to prepare the roast because all that’s required is to put the pork in the oven covered in salt.

Customers can also pick up handmade beef wellington pastries (pictured), $20 pork crackling, brandy infused mince pies and a matured Christmas pudding

Customers can also pick up handmade beef wellington pastries (pictured), $20 pork crackling, brandy infused mince pies and a matured Christmas pudding 

A popular choice for main course will likely be the new pork crackling, priced at $20 per kilo. It's now easier than ever to prepare the roast because all that's required is to put the pork in the oven covered in salt

A popular choice for main course will likely be the new pork crackling, priced at $20 per kilo. It’s now easier than ever to prepare the roast because all that’s required is to put the pork in the oven covered in salt 

What’s the best time to grocery shop?

In the morning – shoppers can save between 10 and 20% off goods about to expire

Before dinner – shoppers can save up to 50% off goods about to expire

Just before the store closes – shoppers can save up to 90% off goods about to expire 

* Markdowns are determined based on store policies and times and may vary

For dessert, Aussies can choose from delicious brandy infused mince pies, buttery shortbread and gingerbread cookies, and a decadent gold dusted Christmas pudding finished with Australian wildflower honey.

The Christmas pudding is available in two sizes – 400g for $9 or 800g for $15 – and is dusted with gold.

The tasty homemade fruit mince pies are all made by a passionate local bakery and sold in stores across the country. 

The pies are made with a brandy-infused spiced fruit mince filling encased in a buttery shortcrust – and are perfect to serve with a dollop of ice cream on top. 

Customers can opt to serve shortbread and gingerbread cookies for snacks to enjoy. 

The Christmas pudding is available in two sizes - 400g for $9 or 800g for $15 - and is dusted with gold. Customers can opt to serve shortbread and gingerbread cookies for snacks to enjoy

The Christmas pudding is available in two sizes – 400g for $9 or 800g for $15 – and is dusted with gold. Customers can opt to serve shortbread and gingerbread cookies for snacks to enjoy

How much does everything cost? 

IGA Naturally Smoked Bone-In Leg Ham ($9.50 per kilo)

Six Month Matured Christmas Pudding (400g RRP: $9.00 / 800g RRP: $15.00) 

Brandy Infused Mince Pies (RRP: $11.00 for a 6 pack) 

Decorated Shortbread Cookies (RRP: $9.50 for a 6 pack) 

Shortbread Cookie Shapes (RRP: $4.50) 

Gingerbread Cookies (RRP: $7.00 for a 6 pack)  

Beef Wellington (RRP: $15.00 for 2 portions) 

Signature Pork Crackling Roast (RRP: $20 per kilo)

To save money ahead of time before the festive season, Aussies have turned to an ‘old school’ tactic of using cash to budget. 

‘Cash stuffing’, also known as the envelope method, involves placing physical notes of money into different envelopes categorised by outgoing costs such as petrol, groceries, health insurance and memberships costs.

The latest money trend, seen by more than 500,000 on TikTok, has helped one Aussie woman save nearly $30,000 in one year.

'Cash stuffing', also known as the envelope method, involves placing physical notes of money into different envelopes categorised by outgoing costs - such as petrol, groceries, health insurance and memberships cost

‘Cash stuffing’, also known as the envelope method, involves placing physical notes of money into different envelopes categorised by outgoing costs – such as petrol, groceries, health insurance and memberships cost

The latest money trend has helped one Aussie woman save nearly $30,000 in one year. Caroline, who runs the CAROCASH YouTube channel, started cash stuffing last year and in one video divided her $700 weekly income into two different binders (pictured)

The latest money trend has helped one Aussie woman save nearly $30,000 in one year. Caroline, who runs the CAROCASH YouTube channel, started cash stuffing last year and in one video divided her $700 weekly income into two different binders (pictured) 

Caroline, who runs the CAROCASH YouTube channel, started cash stuffing last year and has been sharing her journey with thousands online.

Unlike internet banking and transferring funds from one account to another, the envelope method helps people physically see how much is being spent or saved. 

In one YouTube video, Caroline divides her $700 weekly income into two different organisation binders – one for spending and one for saving. 

The simple method means anyone struggling with budgeting can give it a go for the added benefits, such as feeling in control of your money and not having the need to get a credit card. 

But there’s the disadvantage of not generating any interest while the excess amount of cash is out of the bank.

Simple tricks to save money before Christmas:

1. Cut back on meal delivery services by walking to get takeout or meal prep and ditch the takeout entirely.

2. Rather than having multiple streaming services at once, subscribe and binge one service every three months.

3. Consider replacing more expensive fitness memberships with cheaper alternatives or free outdoor exercises.

4. Automatically transfer money to a savings account each month to pay off credit card bills before they rack up interest.

5. Find and download apps  that round up each transaction you make and automatically transfer it into a savings account.

6. Purchase normal household items where they are cheaper, which can be found by an internet search. For example, Chemist Warehouse sells cleaning products for much cheaper prices than supermarkets.

7. Holiday closer to home rather than paying fuel costs for a long trip. 

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