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Cost of living

Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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Original poster

Low cost alternatives

37 replies

datingdilema1 · 18/05/2023 18:43

Does anyone have any ideas how to do fun things with your kids and not get depressed?
Things I can no longer afford as a single mum that my friends and my kids’ friends do regularly and asked us to join them and I have to say no:
going to the zoo
music festivals in the summer
theme parks
water parks
indoor activities such as bowling, cinema, trampoline parks
bday parties for kids such as laser zone
other days out including meals out

One of my friends offered me festival tickets at a lower price as she can no longer go, it was still unattainable for me so I just said no.
We do have some camping trips planned but it’s just difficult not to feel like a failure when I have to keep saying no to my kids.
I know I’m not alone with this, but I’m surrounded by people who don’t seem to struggle.

OP posts:

Original poster

datingdilema1 · 19/05/2023 10:01

Antisocialfluffmonster · 19/05/2023 09:42

This is heartbreaking when you do out in the effort and you get made to feel it’s not enough.

I would involve the kids as much as possible in budgeting the fun money. So if you pay to go somewhere, get them making their own lunches, often it’s not even the cost of doing something it’s the sweets and drinks and sandwiches.

I’m terrible with money, but you’ve got some brilliant advice here, but I think the main thing is getting them involved however young.

keep something aside for a big treat even if that is the trampoline park, and help them budget to a point where you can go.

m there’s often free to attend things on music wise in the summer, it’s worth keeping an eye out. Also get involved in local groups, sometimes there can be support for low income families to have a break.

I used to do the sun holidays but as most people know they aren’t that cheap once you’ve gotten there paid the bedding and things and then food

Thank you. I agree

OP posts:

MintJulia · 19/05/2023 10:06

@datingdilema1 I usually do a national theme - so an Indian picnic - samosas etc. Or an Italian picnic. Or a Cajun picnic.

With a bit of planning, it doesn't need to be expensive, and can be fun. My ds rolls his eyes a lot but they usually eat it all. 😁

Original poster

datingdilema1 · 19/05/2023 10:08

MintJulia · 19/05/2023 10:06

@datingdilema1 I usually do a national theme - so an Indian picnic - samosas etc. Or an Italian picnic. Or a Cajun picnic.

With a bit of planning, it doesn't need to be expensive, and can be fun. My ds rolls his eyes a lot but they usually eat it all. 😁

I love that idea

OP posts:

Taperjeanwoman · 19/05/2023 10:38

Thanks to the PP who said about their mum buying an annual pass for the zoo.

I'm going to ask for this too! 😍 what an amazing idea. Things like this has totally passed me by because of Covid and things being closed / pre bookable only.

But we do have one good zoo with annual passes!!

Thank you!!

HauntedPencil · 19/05/2023 11:16

I definitely do just watch the film now - use the meerkat movies for 2 for one tickets i used to allow a slush or a pick and mix but those days are gone

Odeon do a kids showing on Sat and Sun for a quid or so each, they show films but a bit later than they come out eg last week was puss in boots and take a drink & own snacks

FrownedUpon · 19/05/2023 11:36

I wouldn’t tolerate the moaning from the DC. That’s not on. You need to be firm. Mine love picnics, let them choose some food & drinks to take. Maybe bake something with them the day before. It’s their moaning that’s ruining it, not what you’re actually doing.

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/05/2023 19:06

A lot of councils do free activity's days

National trust - about £8/10 per month

Beach's

Parks and picnics

Friends round for a play

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/05/2023 19:09

And if you do the Cinema then take own sweets and drinks

Explain to dc that yes can go to the cinema but won't be buying extra stuff if they want to go somewhere else as well

Agree with the poster who said about getting them involved with the cost

TooMuchStuffArghhh · 19/05/2023 23:16

I used to take mine to the cheap kids showings, usually early mornings.

I had plastic popcorn containers that were a few pounds in Home Bargains/Poundland etc. And bought one popcorn to share between us, and took the containers to share it.

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And I'd either buy/take a packet of sweets/chocs and share those. I used to take my nephew and niece too. Once popcorn was more than enough.

I also explained that the money wasn't there for the extras. The treat is the day out, and I wasn't engaging with the whinging/moaning.

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Findyourneutralspace · 20/05/2023 10:44

My kids always found a change of bread livened up a picnic, so instead of sandwiches I’d do tuna pittas or a French stick with ham and cheese.

A packet of sausages, cooked and cooled also went down a storm. Or a supermarket pizza, sliced up.

VictoriaVictoire · 21/05/2023 12:47

Have they got a Blue Peter badge each? If not, look at their website and get them to apply. They can submit something or enter a competition to win one. Kids with a BP badge get free entry into 200+ attractions all over the UK. They do need to be accompanied by a fee paying adult, so you'd need to factor that in. A quick look at the North of England comes up with science and discovery centres, zoos and roman forts. I appreciate this isn't a free day out as you'd need travel costs, but you could plan this as one of your few big trips out over the holiday?

Also I give each of my DC a little bit of spending money for a treat or to use in the gift shop. They keep it in their own wallets and like the responsibility.

whatkatydid2013 · 21/05/2023 21:05

Some of the stuff for kids is ludicrously expensive for the amount of fun they seem to get out of it. The bigger soft play places it’s over £30 to take the two of them by the time I’ve got myself a drink and after a couple of hours they are bored. We explained we have £35 a week we are willing to spend on weekend activities. Kids get a say what they want to do. They’d always rather two days out with a cheap lunch somewhere for one and an ice cream the other than to have one visit to a softplay. I think it does kids no harm at all to know money is a finite resource or to say no to things if you either can’t afford them or prefer to prioritise other things. We are quite open with the kids that we limit what we spend on days out as we want to have nice holidays

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