Cost of Living Crisis: A Survival Guide for Families

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, many parents are looking for new budget-friendly ways to support their children. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 households with children are in serious financial difficulties and are three times more likely to fall behind on bills. To help you keep your costs down whist still enjoying quality time with your family, we have created this guide.

Meal Planning

Food shopping can be one of the largest expenses for families, especially when factoring in individual tastes and dietary restrictions. It can quickly become costly.

One of the most effective ways to save on your grocery bills is to plan your meals ahead of time. Meal planning helps you buy only what you need, reducing food waste and unnecessary spending. There are plenty of online resources for budget-friendly, healthy meal ideas. For example, Beat the Budget offers over 400 recipes at around £1 per portion. Batch cooking and freezing meals for later is another great way to cut costs and save time. BBC Good Food provides a family batch-cooking meal plan that covers a week’s worth of dinners for four people, all for just £36.

You can also keep your food costs down and minimise food waste by using Too Good to Go, it is an app that connects customers to restaurants and stores with surplus unsold food. The food will usually be offered at the end of the day and at a discounted rate. If you were looking for a more specific item, you could join Olio, the app that also allows the public to donate their spare food.

If you need help, get in touch with your local council and they will be able to assign you to a local food bank. They can provide you emergency food and practical support.

Childcare Costs

Childcare fees are a significant expense in raising a child, particularly when parents return to work. As costs continue to rise, many families are finding it increasingly challenging to manage these financial pressures.

To provide more support, the government has extended its funded childcare program. As of September, parents with children as young as nine months are eligible for 15 hours of free childcare per week. Additionally, parents on Universal Credit who are working can reclaim 85% of their childcare costs, either during the school holidays or throughout the year.

Second Hand Clothes

Buying children’s clothes can become very expensive, especially when they are young, as they outgrow them so quickly. Rather than replacing them brand new, you could consider purchasing items from your local charity shops. Not only with it be cheaper but it will also be a more sustainable option. Little Lives UK have three charity shops across London, open every day, offering a range of high-quality brands at low prices.

There are also online platforms for second hand clothes including Vinted, eBay and Facebook Marketplace. They all offer a quick and easy service to buy and sell clothes. Additionally, you may rent children’s clothes on The Littleloop, a service that lets you exchange items once your child outgrows them.