Single mum shares tricks to keep her summer holiday spending down & why she ONLY takes her kids out to eat on a Friday
A SINGLE mum-of-four has shared the top tips that she's sworn by to keep her spending over the summer holidays down to the bare minimum.
The woman, known on her social media pages as Mummy Budgets, took to her TikTok page to post some of the ways she's kept the costs down.
This included making sure her "stockpile" is full at the start of the month, as she noted: "Little trips to the shop add up, and it helps with impulse buying."
She takes "daily walks" with the kids - who are 14, 13, six and one - adding "this helps me when I'm feeling overstimulated" and "also helps the kids burn off energy".
She does her best to avoid eating out, going for picnics in the park and packing snacks ahead of going out.
But she does treat the kids to a meal out on a Friday, as they go to IKEA.
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"Meatballs and mash is only £2.45 and a kids' pasta is only 45p," she explained.
"This is actually cheaper than cooking at home and gives me a break.
"The kids' meal is decent and comes with a drink and a piece of fruit also."
There are also two play areas at the IKEA she goes to, which her kids "love".
She does meal prep on a Sunday and plans dinners for the rest of the week, which she said makes her life "so much easier".
And she also uses paper cutlery and plates when the "housework gets too much".
"There's some days I just can't deal with washing up constantly," she sighed.
She also doesn't put pressure on herself when it comes to housework.
"I take breaks and do what I can," she noted.
And when it comes to self care time, she always prioritises it, "even if it's just a nice coffee".
"Prioritising yourself is so important," she concluded.
People in the comments section were quick to praise the mum, with one writing: "You have really put me on to the stockpiling, makes so much sense.
Where can kids eat for free this summer?
THE summer holidays are here, but entertaining the kids need not cost a fortune.
Here, we reveal where you can get free and cheap meals for your little ones during the ‘endless’ summer holidays.
ASDA CAFE: Nip into an Asda cafe to feed the kids after the weekly shop.
Under-16s get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day.
Little ones are covered, too.
Kids under 18 months get a free Ella’s baby food pouch with any purchase.
BEEFEATER: This family-friendly pub chain makes mornings a breeze.
Two kids under 16 eat for free with the purchase of an adult breakfast for £10.99.
It’s available from 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am to 11am at weekends.
BELLA ITALIA: Book a table and order an adult meal at the Italian eatery for kids aged two to 11 to get three courses and a drink for £1.
Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm on Sundays to Wednesdays.
On Thursdays, kids eat free all day when an adult meal is ordered from the a la carte menu.
DUNELM: Make homeware shopping a fun day out.
Dunelm’s Pausa Cafes are offering free kids’ meals for every £4 spent on their food or drink.
Available all day, every day.
BILL’S: Dine in at a Bill’s restaurant to get up to two free kids’ meals (normally £6.95 each) with an adult meal.
Valid weekdays only until August 30.
IKEA: Make it a food day at the Swedish home store.
On every day except Fridays, enjoy a pit stop at their famous cafe from 11am to get a kids’ pasta or mac and cheese dish for 95p.
Other mini meals are available for £1.50.
PIZZA EXPRESS: Kids up to age ten can get a free three-course Piccolo meal including dough balls, pizza or pasta and dessert with every adult meal purchased.
The offer runs every day until August 11.
TESCO: Pop to the supermarket cafe from Monday to Friday until August 30 for free kids’ meals when an adult buys any item in the cafe.
You must have a Clubcard to redeem the offer.
THE RANGE: Kids under 16 get one free meal per adult main purchased at The Range cafes.
Options include sandwiches, a cooked breakfast and fish and chips.
All kids’ meals come with a piece of fruit and a drink.
"Hate running out things and then impulse buying because of the panic."
"Honestly, it's a game changer!" the mum replied.
"Love love the plastic plates idea for busy days," another said.
"The paper plates are actually genius, why haven’t I thought of that?!" a third commented.
"I feel like I do dishes about ten times a day!"
"Amazing!" someone else praised.
"I use paper plates when I get overwhelmed with my twins.
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"I have no dishwasher at the moment and the washing up sat there makes me so down.
"It works!"
