A single mum-of-four has revealed how she keeps her children entertained and fed throughout the summer holidays for just £450. Charlene Woracker, 35, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, previously spent £1,000 on her kids – aged 16, 15, eight, and three – during the school break, but has now more than halved that amount.
Budgeting strategy
Charlene sticks to a strict weekly budget of £75, totaling £450 across the summer. She credits meticulous meal planning and making the most of free local activities for the savings. The Covid-19 pandemic was a turning point, making her realise she could keep her kids entertained without spending a lot of money.
Food and snacks are her biggest expense, so she buys in bulk and makes her own versions of high street snacks at home. She also sets aside £30 per month into a Monzo pot to save throughout the year.
Personal experience
Charlene, a content creator, said: “Especially before Covid I just didn’t plan the summer holidays and day trips and it all adds up really quickly. Actually, surprisingly it’s the little expenses that adds up very quickly.”
“Some days I would spend £200 on a day out for a family of five and that was the situation I was in. I was feeling like it was costing me a lot to entertain the kids.”
She added: “I was probably spending £1,000 over the whole term, but just by changing a lot of things I’ve more than halved that. I spend more like £450 in comparison.”
Savvy tips
Charlene advises looking into free local resources and activities. She always visits a local museum in every city they visit as a family, noting that the best one was in Edinburgh and it was completely free. She also highlights library programmes for children and the value of a free library card.
“It’s really important to plan the holidays week by week,” she said. “Even if you don’t stick to it completely, just having a rough guide – lots of parents have anxiety for the holidays and being in control of what’s happening with their finances.”
Her top tips include setting money aside in Monzo pots, making your own snacks, having a weekly meal plan and budget, planning activities week by week, and using local resources like libraries.
