KEEPING the kids entertained over the summer can see family budgets disappear.
It costs £127 a week to keep each child busy during the six-week break, according to research from pizza brand Goodfella’s, with food being one of the biggest costs.
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However, one mum has revealed how you can cut the price of your kids’ food in half this summer – and you can even feed them for free.
Mum-of-two Elizabeth Buko, transformational financial mentor and founder of Wealth From Little, spoke to PoundToy about how she cuts costs when it comes to feeding her children.
With the average weekly grocery store bill up nearly 10% per household (8.5%), Elizabeth shares her top tips for meal planning on a budget this summer.
“Preparing nutritious meals for your kids on a budget is totally possible – and cooking or preparing meals at home is usually cheaper than buying ready meals,” she says.
“For example, if your kids love sandwiches, a homemade tomato, ham and cheese sandwich could cost as little as 40p compared to a ready-made £2 pack.
“Eggs on toast, baked potatoes and tuna, pasta with tomato sauce and cheese, chicken or tofu, salad, fries and fish, sausages and mashed potatoes, spaghetti bolognese, rice and curry are other quick home-cooked meal ideas that can cost between £0.20 and £1 per person.”
To make sure you stick to your budget, here are three tips…
1. Make a meal plan to cook and write down a list before you go shopping.
2. Avoid waste by properly storing leftovers in sealed bowls in the fridge or freezer (if needed) and eating them quickly.
3. Where you can cook in bulk and divide portions into bowls and freeze them. This will reduce cooking time and energy costs.
If you fancy treating your child to a meal, here are some places kids can eat for free or for £1 this summer 2022.
- Asda Coffee – £1 per day
- Yo! Sushi – kids eat free
- Sizzling Pubs – £1 between 3pm and 7pm
- Bella Italia – £1 between 4pm and 6pm Monday to Thursday.
- Angus Steakhouse – One free child meal per adult meal.
- Preto – Kids under 10 eat free every day with a paying adult.
- Morriston – A free kids meal after 3pm when you spend £4.99.
- Dunelm – Free kids meal with £4 spent.
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