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Wales Online
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Mum's £2.50 hack to 'save hundreds' on summer holiday outings with kids
Mum's £2.50 hack to 'save hundreds' on summer holiday outings with kids With the cost of living seemingly always on the rise, it's hard to keep the kids entertained for – but one parent has shared a genius 'hack' she claims can save you hundreds A mum-of-two has shared a 'genius hack' for the school summer holidays (stock) (Image: Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury via Getty Images) With the school summer holidays now upon us, keeping children entertained for six weeks can prove challenging at the best of times – but with living costs continuing to rise, it becomes even more daunting. However, one parent has revealed a brilliant "hack" which she claims could potentially save families hundreds of pounds during days out. "This is one of the best money saving tips for the summer holidays," declared mum-of-two Amy Samantha in a TikTok video. "As a family of four, sometimes we're looking at £40 for lunch out – so this is what we do for the majority of our days out and it only takes about five minutes to prepare in the morning." Content cannot be displayed without consent Samantha Ann's clip continued as she opened a tin of hot dogs from her kitchen cupboards whilst demonstrating her technique. The mum then prepared the sausages, which cost just £2.50, at home before placing them – along with their brine - into a flask. Not forgetting the tomato ketchup and American mustard, Samantha Ann packed them into her rucksack alongside a packet of hot dog rolls. "It's easy to carry around like this," she explained. "No giant cool box is needed and as you can see, my kids absolutely love them. "It's a summer holiday winner from Ye Olde Oake [hot dog brand]," she announced as her children could be seen enjoying their meal on a picnic blanket. One TikTok user, in response to the idea, praised it as: "Genius... I look at the insane prices charged today and just don't understand how people afford it. Growing up we always took packed lunches/picnics with us, it was a real treat to go to a cafe or restaurant. It's ironic that things have turned full circle." Another person concurred: "Good on you your saving loads. Why give money to use expensive places when you have a winner there." A third added: "This is a fantastic idea thank you for sharing. Hot food in the go." Whilst a fourth TikTok user simply stated: "Good on you, it's so expensive now for families." Earlier this month, reports indicated that families, on average, will spend an additional £611 over the holiday period, adding strain to already tight household budgets. Article continues below A survey commissioned by Utility Warehouse, involving 1,000 parents with children aged 5 to 14, revealed that costs can escalate even further for those booking clubs and camps, adding another £385 to the bill. Day trips are expected to cost an extra £199, while food and snacks alone could increase expenses by £401. Steve Long, spokesperson for Utility Warehouse, commented: "With a mix of day trips, summer camps and even an increase in cost for keeping the kids fed, these additions soon add up, but there are some great ways they can save money. Shopping around for bargains and using money saving devices like rewards and cashback cards can be a big help."
Daily Mirror
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
How to throw the ultimate summer BBQ or picnic with kids at home - without breaking the bank
Entertaining guru Matilda Bea - who has more than 500,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok - shares her top 10 tips and reveals how to keep kids happy and parents sane all summer long With the school holidays in full swing and costs soaring, many families are skipping pricey outings and choosing to host garden BBQs and local park picnics instead. And according to entertaining expert Matilda Bea, that doesn't mean sacrificing fun or breaking the bank. According to a new survey, parents spend more than £100 extra per week over the summer holidays. But for those placing their children in clubs or camps, this rises to a staggering £385 per week, according to the Utility Warehouse survey that quizzed 1,000 parents of five to 15-year-old children. But having fun with the kids doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here, Matilda shares her top tips with the Mirror for summer BBQs and picnics that look and feel fabulous without breaking the bank. 1. Set the scene Matilda says lighting and tableware make all the difference. "String up fairy lights, use solar lanterns or pop candles in hurricane jars. The glow as the sun goes down transforms the space." Her favourite budget-friendly finds is the £20 Habitat Large Hurricane with Wooden Legs and the £15 Solar Filament Bulb Lantern to "create an instant good vibe". 2. Get inspired by TikTok BBQ season has gone viral once again on TikTok as Brits hope for another heatwave comeback this summer. "Whether you're taking full reign of the grill or curating the most epic spread of sides, it's all about teamwork, fun, and delicious food," Matilda says. "Sharing plates are a staple for making your BBQ or picnic look more curated - and it requires minimal effort." 3. Bring the indoors out Indoor/outdoor living can be a lifesaver for parents this summer, with bringing toys outside helping to keep the kids entertained while you are hosting. Layer up tablecloths, bring out proper cutlery and colourful dishes. "I hosted a garden party recently with 12 friends - tablecloths laid widthways and clashing napkins made it feel so joyful." Don't be afraid of colour. "Bold tones and mixed glassware add so much life to the table." 4. Pick a theme Not everything has to match, but a visual thread helps. "Lemons and blue for an Amalfi vibe, terracotta and wildflowers for Spanish summer." And for those wanting a money saving trick, Matilda suggests naming it "BYOB - bring your own buns!" 5. Plan for the British weather "Umbrellas, parasols, or even a chic throw-over pergola mean your party won't be a washout," she says. "And honestly, a little drizzle never hurt anyone when the spritzes are flowing and the playlists on point." 6. Create a Signature Station Matilda loves a station setup - drinks bars, condiments corners, even DIY sandwich or taco tables. And for the kids, these can be lifesavers if you set up a station just for them filled with their favourite snacks and drinks. "A drinks cart with elderflower spritzes or mocktails is such a moment. Or go full retro with a cordial and soda bar," she adds. "You can easily adapt this into a DIY ice cream bar, s'mores tray, or even a condiment corner with Sainsbury's Spicy Truffle Aioli - my favourite!" 7. Get ahead on prep 'Do what you can the night before - marinate skewers, chop salads, chill drinks. Then you're free to enjoy the day.' For shortcuts on a budget, Matilda swears by Sainsbury's summer range: 'The Coffee & Mascarpone Tart is a no-brainer for dessert.' 8. Seating is everything Low picnic rugs, poufs and fold-up chairs create a casual but stylish setup. "If you're heading to a local park, plenty of brands now offer beautiful foldable chairs and patterned rugs - they instantly elevate the setup and make it feel more curated." 9. Tableware Tableware doesn't have to cost a fortune and can be as simple as picking up some cheap, colourful tablecloths to throw over your old patio set. "A mix of vintage glasses or bold napkins can really bring the table to life," Matilda says. "Think clashing in the best way." 10. Tie it into summer sports With the Lionesses picking up a big win this weekend, it's the perfect time to plan ahead of more summer sports this season. "From F1 Sundays to the Euros or the Olympics, sport can be a great backdrop to your gathering," Matilda says. "Having it playing in the background gives everyone a natural talking point and keeps the energy upbeat, even during the mid-afternoon lull." Bonus tips for budget picnicking with the kids Freeze juice cartons for ice-cold drinks on the go Bring bubble wands or chalk for easy, mess-free park fun Use reusable plates and napkins to save money and waste Keep meals simple and sharable: pasta salads, wraps, cut fruit, and crisps always go down well Have kids help with the setup - it gives them a sense of pride and keeps them busy
The Sun
28-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Extra cost of paying for children over the summer holidays revealed – it's £100s more
PARENTS will be forced to pay out an average of £100 extra every week during the summer holidays to keep their kids fed and entertained. With parents expecting to pay out an extra £611 on average over the six-week break, on top of their usual expenses. 1 A study of 1,000 parents of children aged five-14 revealed that, of those who spend on clubs and camps, this addition could push total outlay up by a further £385, the same for day trips pushing to £199 and for food and snacks to £401. As 41% are already starting to look for inexpensive ways to keep things fun for their children during July and August, such as searching for discount codes, ideas for cheap days out, or free sports sessions. With 67% admitting they feel pressured to keep their kiddies occupied for the extended break. The research was commissioned by Utility Warehouse, to highlight its Cashback Card, which is designed to help customers save by paying out cashback on purchases that go against their utility bills each month. Spokesperson Steve Long said :'The summer holidays can be costly, and while parents are focused on keeping their kids entertained. "With a mix of day trips, summer camps and even an increase in cost for keeping the kids fed, these additions soon add up, but there are some great ways they can save money. 'Shopping around for bargains and using money saving devices like rewards and cashback cards can be a big help.' Some of the top ways parents are trying to bring costs down include taking packed lunches on days out (42%) or utilising cashback or reward deals on spends (35%). With 40% saying it would be very useful to get cashback or rewards on shopping to help during the school holidays. A third will cut back on treats for themselves to spend the money on youngsters instead, and 28% are reliant on free local events according to the data. Freebies for parents worth £2,900 As over half (58%) say they do feel pressured to constantly spend money on their children during the summer break. They estimate they'll go on six day trips during this period, with 38% also going on an international trip, and 60% a staycation. Steve Long, at Utility Warehouse, added, 'It's no surprise that many families are looking to cashback to take the edge off summer spending. 'It can give customers an easy way to supercharge their savings on spending they're already doing. "With it coming directly off that month's utility bills, we want to help to ease the burden in real time at one of the most expensive times of the year."
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Weekly cost for parents to keep kids entertained during summer holidays revealed
A study of 1,000 parents of children aged 5-14 found that parents are expected to pay out an extra £611 on average over the six-week break, on top of their usual expenses Parents are predicted to shell out an extra £100 per week during the summer holidays to keep their children fed and entertained. This means they could be spending an extra £611 over the six-week break, on top of their usual expenses. Most parents confess they feel the pressure to keep their children busy during the extended holiday period. A survey involving 1,000 parents of children aged between 5 and 14 revealed that those who spend on clubs and camps could see their total spending increase by another £385. The same goes for day trips which could push costs up to £199, and food and snacks could rise to £401. Already, four in ten parents are seeking cost-effective ways to keep their children entertained during July and August. They're hunting for discount codes, cheap day out ideas, or free sports sessions. The research was commissioned by Utility Warehouse, to highlight its Cashback Card, which is designed to help customers save money by offering cashback on purchases that can be used against their utility bills each month. Utility Warehouse spokesperson Steve Long commented: "The summer holidays can be costly, and while parents are focused on keeping their kids entertained." "With a mix of day trips, summer camps and even an increase in cost for keeping the kids fed, these additions soon add up, but there are some great ways they can save money," Steve added. "Shopping around for bargains and using money saving devices like rewards and cashback cards can be a big help." Some of the top ways parents are trying to bring costs down include taking packed lunches on days out or utilising cashback or reward deals on spending. A third will cut back on treats for themselves to spend the money on their children instead, meanwhile others are reliant on free local events in their area. Steve Long added: "It's no surprise that many families are looking to cashback to take the edge off summer spending. It can give customers an easy way to supercharge their savings on spending they're already doing. "With it coming directly off that month's utility bills, we want to help to ease the burden in real time at one of the most expensive times of the year."
Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Times
Energy firms missing Ofgem capital rules ‘should be named'
Energy suppliers that are failing to meet Ofgem's financial resilience targets are getting an unfair advantage and should be named, according to rivals. The regulator has come under fire from Utility Warehouse, Britain's seventh-largest supplier, and Good Energy, a leading smaller supplier, for failing to identify three companies that are falling short of the minimum 'capital target' that came into force at the end of March. The rules were introduced after dozens of poorly-capitalised suppliers went bust in the energy crisis of 2021-22, costing households billions of pounds. Octopus Energy, Britain's biggest supplier, told The Times in April that it was one of those that had not met its capital target. Ovo, Britain's fourth-largest supplier, is the only big company that has refused to say whether it has met its goal. Stuart Burnett, chief executive of Telecom Plus, the FTSE 250 owner of Utility Warehouse, and Nigel Pocklington, chief executive of Good Energy, both said they believed the situation created an uneven playing field and called for more transparency. Burnett told The Times: 'We estimate over one third of energy consumers are currently with a supplier that falls hundreds of millions below their capital target. The urgency of the situation will only grow as these suppliers continue to acquire more customers unchecked. 'Ofgem's approach is already creating an unlevel playing field, and should undercapitalised suppliers fail, it is the consumer that will suffer the most.' The financial resilience requirement comprises a capital floor of £0 at all times and a capital target of £115 adjusted net assets per dual fuel equivalent customer. Suppliers can be below the target if they have an Ofgem-approved plan to achieve it. Pocklington said that his company had had to turn down business because it 'didn't feel it prudent given both capital requirements and the lessons of the market over the last few years'. 'It's deeply concerning to see that others appear to be permitted to operate differently, effectively socialising risk while not meeting the same standards,' he said. • 'There needs to be far greater clarity over which suppliers are failing to meet minimum capital targets and how long they're being given to comply. The current approach risks creating an uneven playing field, where specialist and compliant suppliers like us are penalised for doing the right thing.' MPs on the energy security and net zero committee quizzed Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem's chief executive, last week about the lack of transparency, citing figures suggesting that one supplier had been almost £1.3 billion short of its capital target as of December 2023 and another almost £900 million short as of April 2024. Brearley responded: 'There remain companies of concern and we are working with those on transition plans to make sure that they get themselves into a place where they are meeting all of our capital adequacy rules.' He added that the regulator had not expected that every company would meet its criteria 'on day one' and that if they failed to meet milestones the regulator could stop them taking on new customers. Octopus has said it is 'fully compliant with Ofgem's new financial resilience rules'. It says it has a balance sheet of £1.7 billion and a trading arrangement with Shell 'that eliminates the key financial risks to which most suppliers are exposed' and gives it 'greater capacity to absorb shocks than many longer-established companies'. An Ofgem spokeswoman said: 'We've seen vast improvements in supplier financial resilience, and any company below the target has taken concrete action. We've taken a market-wide approach to the report, rather than focusing on individual supplier performance, and we've committed to reviewing how we publish this data in future.'
