18 Children, 600 Euros and 1,300 Cookies: Life inside Spain’s Largest Family. Rosa Pich-Aguilera runs one of the most prolific families in Europe. She explains how she manages to spend just 600 euros on groceries, why there are always 240 liters of milk in the house, and how 15 children live together under the same roof. The family’s daily routine demands strict discipline and doing without the unnecessary.
Rosa Pich-Aguilera knows the price of every product: to feed 15 children, she has to buy 1,300 cookies, 240 liters of milk, and seven dozen eggs every month. The family budget is 600 euros a month, made possible only through strict planning and choosing the simplest goods.
After her husband’s death in 2017, Rosa has managed the household alone and openly shares about family life on social media. There’s no room for spontaneity in the Pich-Postigo home: every shopping trip follows a list, every dinner is scheduled. The children know that sweets and soda are rare, and fruit is bought only in season and when it’s on sale.
Budget and shopping
The family spends 600 euros a month, favoring supermarket brands and basic products. Their daily diet includes 12 baguettes bought at a discount from the local bakery. Fruit is only purchased if it costs less than one euro per kilo. There are no stocks of delicacies in the house: everything is strictly by necessity.
Rosa emphasizes that saving isn’t just about cutting extras, but also about clear organization. The children learn from an early age to share space, help each other, and follow simple rules. Bedrooms and bathrooms are assigned by floor, and guests are a normal part of life: there’s always room for friends.
Family traditions
Dinner is the most important moment of the day. Everyone gathers at the table, discussing concerns and sharing news. Rosa makes sure each child gets to speak. The hardest part, she says, is the noise: “It seems our quota for children’s screams has long been exceeded,” she jokes.
The family did not escape loss: three children passed away, and the eldest daughter died at the age of 22 from a congenital heart defect. After her death, her organs were donated. Despite these trials, Rosa and her late husband, both from large families, maintained their belief in the value of support and mutual assistance.
Limitations and leisure
Entertainment is limited to free or very low-budget options: walks in the park, free museums, educational events. Going to the cinema as a whole family is impossible — tickets for everyone would cost 140 euros. At Christmas, up to 100 relatives gather, and the family rents a farm to celebrate.
Rosa is convinced: the main thing is not the amount of money, but the ability to share and care for each other. She teaches her children not to chase after perfection, but to appreciate simple things and help loved ones. This approach helps the family cope with difficulties and maintain warmth even in the most challenging circumstances.
Family stories where everyday life becomes a challenge are not unique to Rosa. For example, retirees from Mallorca gave up their apartment to live in a motorhome across Europe — you can learn more about their experience in the article about life on wheels and saving on housing.
