Only buying fresh food can save the average family an incredible £80 a week during the summer holidays , a money-saving mastermind reveals.
The news comes as Asda has extended its scheme to sell kids' meals for £1 in its cafes.
Expert Jasmine Birtles has teamed up with Asda to provide cash-strapped parents with a host of hacks to help them make ends meet, as household finances come under unprecedented pressure.
The biggest savings can come by only buying fresh food and making a week-long effort to use up old cans and packets - Jasmine thinks this can save a family £80 a week.
If you have the time to cook fresh meals each time you can also save up to an extra £60 a week, as it cuts out the higher cost of pre-prepared ingredients.
Research by the supermarket reveals that almost half (47%) of all parents are expecting to have to borrow money this summer.
A further one in seven (67%) say they will have to increase their work hours in order to balance the books.
A third of parents (34%) say they will struggle to afford the costs of keeping their kids entertained during the long break, while for two out of five (43%) it is a real worry.
In addition, one out of ten parents (14%) say they are unlikely to do anything with their kids that costs money this summer, with three quarters (78%) planning to cut back on activities.
It’s amid this backdrop that Asda has launched its new online money-saving advice hub. Asda’s ‘Essential Living Hub’ is a one-stop website where customers can access a wide range of hints, tips and hacks.
Featuring extensive advice from MoneyMagpie.com founder Jasmine Birtles, it follows the launch of ‘Just Essentials’ - a new range of almost 300 budget-friendly products in all categories of the store, which has been designed to help customers enjoy nutritious food on a budget.
Jasmine said: “It’s great that families can access budget-friendly food across all categories through the Just Essentials range, as well as the kids aged 16 and under eat for £1 deal in Asda Cafés, but the Essential Living Hub goes beyond food and gives hints on how to budget, how to get things for free and very cheap and even how to make a bit of extra cash on the side to help pay the bills and have some of the good things in life, which we all deserve!”
Jasmine's summer money-saving tips
- A use-it-up week where you only buy fresh food and try to use up and tins and packets in the cupboards - SAVING - £80 a week
- Cook fresh, as it remains much cheaper than buying pre-prepared food. SAVING - £60 a week
- Avoid the oven by using microwave or airfryer instead - SAVING £60 a year by switching to microwave - or £30 a year by switching to airfryer
- Use apps - hyperjar, Emma and Plum can help with your budgeting and saving
- Check the benefits you might be entitled to - the charity turn2us.org is very useful.
- Consult debt advice charities - Step Change, Citizen’s Advice, National Debt Line
- Find a side-hustle on moneymagpie.co.uk
- Check local council website for free events in your area - local.gov.uk
- Go to the cinema for free - sign up to showfilmfirst.com - SAVING - £30 per family
- Be in the audience for your favourite shows - go to the BBC website and visit its tickets paget
- Asda is offering kids meals for £1 at its cafes until the end of the year
- For more information on Asda's Essential Living Hub click here - https://www.asda.com/essential-living
