Jump directly to the content
STOCK TO IT

Mum-of-16 shamed for buying ‘too much’ toilet paper amid coronavirus stockpilers – but it was just her weekly shop

A MUM-OF-16 has hit back at supermarket shoppers who thought she was stockpiling on toilet paper when she was actually just going about her weekly shop.

Earlier this month, Jeni Bonnell, 49, from Queensland, Australia, recalled how she bought 24 rolls of toilet paper as she does every week as part of her enormous £232 shop.

Mum-of-16 Jeni Bonnell bought 24 rolls of toilet paper as part of her normal weekly shop when another shopper made a snide comment
4
Mum-of-16 Jeni Bonnell bought 24 rolls of toilet paper as part of her normal weekly shop when another shopper made a snide commentCredit: Facebook/ The Bonell Family

But as she was going to pay for her shop, Jeni - who has 16 children aged between 29 and four - heard a woman behind her making a snide comment after mistaking her for a coronavirus stockpiler.

Writing on her Bonell Family , Jeni raged: "OH NO YOU DON'T!!!

"No lady, you don't get to stand behind me in the checkout line in the grocery store, with your voice dripping sarcasm and your crinkled brow, as you 'loud-enough-for-me-to-hear-you' say 'Wellllll there goes ALLL the toilet paper now.... hmmmmmmpfffff.'

Insisting that she shouldn't be made to feel guilty for buying enough for her big family, the mum added: "I will not apologise for buying toilet paper for my family which is undoubtedly bigger than yours.

The mum spends £232 every week to keep her family fed
4
The mum spends £232 every week to keep her family fed
Jeni says she can't leave a supermarket without buying a pack of loo roll
4
Jeni says she can't leave a supermarket without buying a pack of loo roll

"And I will not let you make me feel guilty about it one little bit. Perhaps taking a deep breath would help. Or try smiling."

The mum then urged others to be kinder towards one another.

She added: "I think the world is definitely suffering from a pandemic. Yes, a viral one has now surfaced.

"But there's another one that's been brewing for a long time and that's a worldwide lack of good manners with a symptom of unkindness that seems to accompany it.

"Let's just stop it folks and remember that we all live on this planet together. Let's be friends instead."

In a YouTube video last month, Jeni explained how she will buy toilet paper every single time she goes to the supermarket.

Jeni has 16 children aged between four and 29
4
Jeni has 16 children aged between four and 29Credit: Refer to Caption

Inside Jeni's weekly food shop:

  • 4kg potatoes
  • 500g mushrooms
  • 2kg carrots
  • 2kg apples
  • 2 bags of grapes
  • 400g green beans
  • 12 packs of sultanas
  • Thai salad kit
  • Noodle coleslaw kit
  • 1.5kg spaghetti
  • 1.5kg beef mince
  • 700g pasta sauce
  • 36 white rolls
  • 4 tins of corn kernels
  • 2 tins apricot nectar
  • 500g peanut butter
  • 500g legs of ham
  • 2 80g roast beefs
  • 10l water
  • 24 rolls of toilet paper
  • 18 hot dog rols
  • 280g Vegamite
  • 36 litres of milk
  • 125g salmon spread
  • 250g cream cheese
  • 250g mustard
  • 120g gravy
  • 2 tins of instant coffee
  • 2kg vanilla yoghurt
  • 250g cheese
  • 12 pack chocolate mousse
  • 6 dozens of eggs
  • 3 Ritz dips
  • 1kg bacon
  • 30 chicken drumsticks
  • 6 boxes of cereal
  • 3 bottles of lemonage
  • Pack of 24 biscuits
  • 750ml canola oild
  • 400g spread
  • 4 1l bottles of cordia

What's more, Jeni's normal weekly food shop also typically includes 72 eggs, 36 litres of milk and 30 chicken drumsticks.

Last month, the mum-of-16 gave her 18,600  a peak inside her weekly shopping basket... or more like several trolleys.

Kicking off the 13 minute video, the 49-year-old mum explained: "I don't shop just for food that week. I actually stockpile."

To avoid spending a fortune every week, Jeni buys meat and fresh fruit and vegetables in bulk - but then stocks up on products when they're half price.

She added: "So I tend to buy up whatever we need to make meals for that week to add to our supplies or I will buy up on that product and we will stock pile it."

In more parenting news, this thrifty mum made an incredible "clam pram" for £25 using budget buys from Facebook Marketplace and Wilko spray paint.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

And this Dad shared a snap of his messy stairs after his son did a "cheeky dump" before bum shuffling down them.

Plus this thrifty mum-of-two revealed she's ALWAYS stockpiled to give her family "security" - and it could save you thousands.

Parents are using the pepper and glitter method to show kids the importance of washing their hands
Topics