Queensland mum-of-16 Jeni Bonell shares why she buys new pillows for her family every year
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Mom of 16 Jeni Bonell (pictured) has shared her family’s New Year’s Day tradition
A mother of 16 has shared the New Year’s Day family tradition of getting all the kids fresh pillows for their beds, and reveals how she uses all the old ones.
Jeni Bonell, from Queensland, has made a name for herself online sharing her life with sixteen children between the ages of seven and 32, nine of whom still live at home.
in a facebook to postshe told her followers about the family ‘tradition’ of January 1st, where she buys all the new pillows and uses the old one for a variety of things, including emergency supplies and camping trips.
“One of our traditions is to give all children a new pillow on January 1. So every year they get at least one new pillow for their beds,” the 52-year-old wrote.
Every member of the Bonell family receives a new pillow every New Year’s Day. Jeni revealed where she buys the cheap pillows and what she does with the old ones
“With so many kids, that’s a LOT of pillows (that means every couple of years all the pillows are replaced).”
Jeni said the kids get ‘excited’ about their ‘new and fresh’ pillows every year.
She usually buys the Tontine brand, which starts at $18 from Big W, but is currently on sale for half price.
“It’s a wonderful way to start the year to be able to lay your head on a new pillow,” Jeni said.
It’s so fresh and clean. All set for a deep sleep and happy dreams.
Jeni puts old pillows in the family ‘BESS’ or Emergency Supply Bag for Sickness or as bedding for pets.
Kids also use them on camping trips or on long bus rides and road trips and then, Jeni said, “at the end of the day, the really old ones get thrown away.”
Health experts recommend that people replace their pillows every one to two years to keep them supportive and hygienic.
Many of the Bonell family’s followers were impressed by his ‘simply brilliant’ idea and shared their own New Year traditions.
“We do the same thing and also buy new towels every year at the Boxing Day sales,” said one mother.
‘Santa bought seven new pillows for Christmas. And I bought two lavender-infused ones that he wanted to try… It sure is nice not to sleep on pancakes,’ another chuckled.
Jeni (pictured center left with her husband and children) has made a name for herself online sharing her life with 16 children ages seven to 32, nine of whom still live at home.
Parents on a tighter budget shared their tricks to make their pillows last longer.
“I can’t afford to replace ours every year so we use a pillow protector like you do a mattress,” someone wrote.
I keep mine in pillow protectors. I have bought some that can be washed and are refilled. I use the clean filling as sofa cushions and in dog beds and also to stuff other cushions’, recommended a second.
Previously, Jeni revealed how she managed to get nearly $600 worth of groceries for her huge family completely free.
on a youtube videosaid she saved $580.90 in Woolworths coupons that she redeemed for cash after turning in thousands of bottles at her local recycling center.
Recyclable bottles can be redeemed for 10 cents each at a bin redemption point and are redeemable for cash or retail coupons in most states and territories.
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The 52-year-old said she saved $580.90 in Woolworths coupons that she redeemed for cash after delivering thousands of bottles to her local recycling center.
“I saved all our 10-cent bottles and collected other people’s bottles, took them to the recyclers and got our redeemable coupons,” Jeni explained in the clip.
“I took them to the grocery store, then I redeemed them for cash, and that paid for my purchases.”
The thrifty mother received $580.90 in scrip for all the bottles she redeemed for cash that paid off her $579.55 grocery bill in full.
“We had two carts loaded and the groceries were $579.55, which means free groceries and a handful of change at the end of the day,” he said in a YouTube clip.
“We had two carts loaded and the groceries were $579.55, which means free groceries and a handful of change at the end of the day,” he said.
“I’m really very pleased with it, I had a lot of fun doing it today, it was amazing to see all those coupons go by.”
Included in Jeni’s gigantic tent were two roast pork shanks, two roast chickens, 10 cans of corn kernels for salads, and six three-liter bottles of milk.
The pantry is pretty empty right now. We’ve been using everything, making sure nothing expires, so I’m on a mission to restock the pantry,” he said.
To replenish the pantry, Jeni bought a variety of sauces, a five-kilo bag of rice, and 12 packages of pasta.
Toiletries included four bottles of shampoo and conditioner, three bottles of bubble bath, three boxes of tissues, and 24 rolls of toilet paper.
Jeni also stocked up on snacks with 11 packs of crackers, four bunches of bananas, Jatz crackers, and French Onion Avocado Dip.
For work and school lunches, the saver shopper bought eight cans of tuna, instant noodles, and eight cans of baked beans.