With the school summer holiday upon us, it can be hard enough at the best of times to keep the kids entertained for six weeks – but with the cost of living ever increasing, it can be even more difficult.
One parent, however, has shared a genius “hack” she claims can potentially save you hundreds of pounds during family days out. “This is one of the best money saving tips for the summer holidays,” mum-of-two Amy Samantha declared 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.” Samantha Ann’s clip continued with her opening a tin of hot dogs from her kitchen cupboards as she showcased her method.
The mum then cooked the sausages, which cost just £2.50, at home before placing them – and their brine – in a flask. Not forgetting the tomato ketchup and American mustard, Samantha Ann added them to her backpack along with a packet of hot dog rolls.
“It’s easy to carry around like this,” she exclaimed. “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 declared as her children could be seen tucking in on a picnic blanket.
Writing in response, one TikTok user hailed the idea: “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.”
A second person agreed: “Good on you your saving loads. Why give money to use expensive places when you have a winner there.” A third praised: “This is a fantastic idea thank you for sharing. Hot food in the go.”
Meanwhile, a fourth simply said: “Good on you, it’s so expensive now for families.”
Earlier this month, it was reported that on average, families will splash out an additional £611 over the course of the holidays, piling pressure onto already stretched household budgets.
Commissioned by Utility Warehouse A survey of 1,000 parents with children aged 5 to 14 found that costs can spiral even further for those booking clubs and camps, adding another £385 to the bill. Day trips are set to cost an extra £199, while food and snacks alone could push up expenses by £401.
Steve Long, spokesperson for Utility Warehouse, said: “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.”
