I'm a mum – my tips keep family day-outs cheap with an app to slash your petrol bill & you'll have cash for ice cream

The Sun

4 hours ago

SUMMER school hols need not burn a hole in your pocket.
With summer activities costing around £500 per child, many families are choosing to spend time together instead - but even cute day-outs can end up costing a fortune.
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Luckily, one cash-savvy mum has come to rescue with easy tips that will slash the costs - and turns out, there's even a simple way to get petrol for less when driving around.
Offering a helping hand to fellow parents, mum Kelly, from Portsmouth, took to TikTok to share hacks to keep the expenses as low as possible.
One of these, she recently revealed in the video, is preparing lunch and taking it with them when out and about - saving a fortune on going to a cafe or a restaurant for some grub.
''I can't tell you the last time I didn't pack a picnic and that's just because they're really expensive.
''That can whack on an extra £40 - and I don't want to spend that on food.
''The kids never ask to eat and they're used to having a backpack - and actually, if you're walking around, it doesn't restrict you, you can just eat on the go.''
The same, she added, goes for drinks as well, with the mum carrying three to four water bottles to keep the brood hydrated.
As well as having their food ready, the parents also avoid popping into gift shops - unless it's someone's birthday.
''I don't buy anything from the gift shop and the kids have never wanted that because they've never known it.
''And that's probably got even easier as they've got older cause now they understand the value of money more.''
My dream pool was £40,000 so I DIYd my own 18ft version in February all for this summer heatwave - it's saved me £37,000
If your child, however, insists they do want that new overpriced toy, you should remind them of the teddy or another toy that's just now sitting in the corner.
While out and about you may also want some coffee for that extra energy kick - however, with coffee shop prices higher than ever, your dose of caffeine can easily all add up.
To keep the expenses as low as possible, the budget-friendly mum now carries a thermal flask with coffee which she can enjoy whenever and wherever.
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.
''Lastly, getting to places. I'll calculate roughly how much petrol it's going to cost me.
''I will use an app called Petrol Prices to look for the cheapest petrol station in my area.
''There can be a massive difference between the most expensive to the cheapest, so I will plan that in advance.''
She went on: ''The most I spend on a day out whilst I'm there is probably £7 on ice creams - I'll let the kids have an ice cream - but that's usually about it.''
Kelly, who posts under the username @ kellybudgetingandfamily, wrote in the caption: ''The days out themselves aren't too bad, but when you start adding drinks, food, gift shop etc it all starts to really add up and before you know it you have spent hundreds!''