How to feed your family on a budget: tips from a TikTok influencer

Feeding a family of 4 without breaking the bank

WARREN, Mich. – As many are discovering, feeding a family can be pricey. However, cooking at home isn’t the only way to save money. One local TikTok influencer is debunking that theory by showcasing to her million followers how to save money with restaurant family meal deals.

What you see is what you get with Autumn Lucy, a TikTok influencer from Warren who has gained a massive following in recent years.

Autumn began her social media journey by documenting her fertility experiences.

“I got a job at Starbucks, and I started documenting my journey to paying for IVF with the Starbucks insurance,” Autumn said. “And so that’s how I got my start.”

Now, Autumn has two beautiful children, Lordy and Stellar, with her husband Gary, who frequently appears in her TikToks.

Feeding her family of four is the focus of her TikTok page, where she updates her followers every Wednesday with a new family meal deal.

I don’t cook on Wednesdays,” she said. “Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week.”

That’s when she orders takeout and shares all the details -- good or bad about the offer

“I really like to show everything that comes and the exact price I pay, and kind of let everyone form their own opinions,” Autumn said. “Nobody’s budget is the same, and what’s expensive to one family is really reasonable to another.”

Autumn notes that many meal deals she finds aren’t always advertised by restaurants but can be more cost-effective than fast food options.

“A lot of families think of places like McDonald’s or Burger King as the best budget options. Sometimes it’s restaurants that are offering full meals that you can get for a really affordable price, that can last your family a couple of days and might cost you less than groceries,” she explained.

Autumn’s relatable approach stands out in a world where much of social media is heavily edited and unrealistic. For those looking for budget-friendly meal ideas, follow her on TikTok under the name Autumn Jackpot.

Top 5 Family Meal Deals

Pita Way

  • Mini Combo feeds 4-6 for $44.99
  • Platter of 6 servings of meat over rice, Fattoush Salad, pita bread & hummus

Panda Express

  • 5 Personal Family meal for $35.00
  • 2 large sides & 3 large entrees

Texas Roadhouse

  • Family-sized Chicken Critter meal feeds 4 for $39.99
  • Large pan of 24 chicken tenders, family-sized salad, 2 large sides and 6

BJ’s Brewhouse

  • Pasta Feast serves 4 for $45.00
  • 1 large deep dish pizza, family sized pasta, family sized salad and 6 garlic breadsticks

Panera Bread

  • Family Feast feeds 4 for $36.00
  • 4 half sandwiches, 1 whole salad, 1 quart of soup and a baguette

PF Changs

  • Chef’s Feast for 4 for $79.96
  • Soup or salad, 2 appetizers, 4 entrees of your choice with rice

About the Author
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You can watch Kim on the morning newscast weekdays from 4:30 to 7 a.m., and frequently doing reports on the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts.