Family life isn’t cheap — especially when you’re juggling childcare, food shops, and surprise expenses that seem to appear out of nowhere. The good news? You don’t have to cancel all fun or live off beans to get your family finances in shape.
In this post, I’m sharing 12 practical ways to save money on a family budget that actually work — tried and tested by a real parent (that’s me). These tips are simple, low-effort, and proven to cut costs without cutting corners.
1. Review and Cancel Unused Subscriptions
Check your bank statements and app store subscriptions for anything you’re no longer using. That forgotten streaming trial, fitness app, or unused cloud storage could be costing you £20–£40 a month.
Action: Do a 10-minute audit and cancel what you don’t need. Set reminders to review every 3 months.
2. Use Cashback and Rewards Apps
Apps like Airtime Rewards, JamDoughnut, TopCashback and Cheddar give you cashback for spending as normal. Use them for groceries, takeaways, or online shopping and stack savings in the background.
Tip: Combine rewards with offers like Tesco Clubcard or Nectar points for extra value.
3. Meal Plan (but Keep It Simple)
A loose plan with 5 evening meals, one “leftovers night” and one flex day stops you overspending midweek. It also reduces food waste, stress, and last-minute takeaway temptation.
Example Plan:
- Monday: Pasta bake
- Tuesday: Stir fry
- Wednesday: Leftovers
- Thursday: Curry
- Friday: Fish fingers + salad
- Weekend: BBQ / Pizza night
4. Switch Supermarkets (or Mix and Match)
Lidl, Aldi, and even own-brand options from larger chains can cut your grocery bill by up to 30%.
Smart Strategy: Do your main shop at a discount store, then top up with branded essentials using a Clubcard or Nectar deal.
5. Batch Cook and Freeze
Double a family meal once a week and freeze half. It’s cheaper than ready meals, reduces waste, and gives you a fast dinner when you’re too tired to cook.
Great batch meals: Spaghetti Bolognese, veggie chilli, lentil curry, chicken traybakes.
6. Cut Energy Waste at Home
Little tweaks = big savings:
- Use LED bulbs
- Reduce thermostat by 1°C
- Dry clothes outside when possible
- Install radiator reflectors
Bonus: Get a smart meter if you don’t have one — you’ll spot hidden energy drains.
7. Use Public Libraries and Toy Libraries
Books, audiobooks, DVDs, and even toddler toys are often free to borrow. A brilliant alternative to buying new every month.
8. Set a Weekly Budget for Discretionary Spending
Use Monzo pots, a shared spreadsheet, or a simple notepad. Give yourself a weekly allowance for extras — takeaways, coffees, subscriptions — and track it.
Result: You still enjoy treats, but stay in control.
9. Sell Unused Items
Toys, clothes, tools, tech — list them on Vinted, eBay or Facebook Marketplace. It’s cash in the bank and less clutter at home.
10. Avoid Buy Now, Pay Later Traps
Klarna, Clearpay, and credit cards can snowball fast. If you wouldn’t buy it with real cash today, pause. You’ll thank yourself next month.
11. Delay Big Purchases by 7 Days
Impulse buying drains budgets. Use a 7-day wait rule before buying anything over £50. You’ll often realise you don’t need it — or find it cheaper elsewhere.
12. Get the Whole Family Involved
Saving money shouldn’t fall on one person. Share goals, celebrate wins, and teach kids about smart spending early.
Real-Life Example: How We Saved Over £100/Month
In our household, the biggest savings came from changing habits we didn’t even realise were costing us. Here’s what worked:
- Cancelling a kids’ app subscription we hadn’t used in months: £7/month
- Moving our broadband and mobile to a bundle deal: £18/month saved
- Switching our Friday takeaway to a supermarket meal deal and movie night every other week: £20/month saved
- Using Airtime Rewards for regular petrol purchases: £5–10/month cashback
- Swapping to Aldi for the main shop: £30–40/month saved
It didn’t feel like a sacrifice. In fact, it helped us feel more in control and allowed us to redirect those savings into a small family emergency fund.
How to Start: Small Steps That Add Up
If this list feels overwhelming, start with just three things:
- Do a 10-minute subscription check (bank app + app store).
- Write down 5 dinners for next week — that’s your loose meal plan.
- Install one cashback app and use it on your next grocery shop.
These are quick wins. No spreadsheets or calculators needed.
Why This Matters
It’s not just about the pounds and pennies. When you feel financially stretched, it affects your energy, mood, and mental space. Small budgeting wins can give you breathing room — and that has knock-on effects across your whole household.
More calm. More clarity. Less pressure.
What Not to Do
- Don’t try to change everything overnight. It’ll burn you out.
- Don’t aim for perfection. This isn’t about being the cheapest — it’s about being intentional.
- Don’t feel bad for spending on joy — just budget for it like anything else.
Final Thoughts
Saving money as a parent isn’t about saying “no” all the time. It’s about saying “yes” to the stuff that actually matters — and finding smarter ways to afford it.
Pick a few of these tips, give them a go, and adapt what works for your family. You don’t need a financial overhaul. You just need a system that fits your life — not the other way around.
The Sorted Dad 
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