Soaring inflation has placed financial pressure on thousands of households across the UK. With the cost of everyday essentials like food, fuel and energy rising, many people are wondering how to survive the cost of living crisis. To help, we’ve compiled a guide with some top money saving tips to help you and your family cut the costs this year. After all, now is a great time to re-evaluate your household finances and look for ways to save money wherever you can.
Read on for some great money saving tips for parents, from how you can reduce the cost of your food shop, to free family activities and more.
Tips to Help You Survive the Cost of Living Crisis
1. Save on Your Household Bills
2. Save Money on Your Food Shop
3. Where Can Children Eat Free?
4. Free Family Activities
5. Foster Carer Discounts
6. Seeking Support from Foodbanks
Save on Your Household Bills
When it comes to saving money on household bills, house modifications like insulation or solar panels are usually the first port of call.
However, adjustments like these can be expensive and time consuming – making them less than ideal during a cost-of-living crisis. Fortunately, there are a range of short-term money-saving solutions that will help reduce the overall cost of your household bills.
From advice on how to negotiate your bills, to smart meters and much more, these affordable, easy tips will go a long way in helping families across the UK manage their bills this year.
Save Money on Your Food Shop
Food is one of many everyday essentials that has seen a drastic rise in the past few months. Shoppers across the UK have been shocked by the rise in grocery prices this year – more than 20% – with many having to cut down on their intake of certain foods.
However, there are a few ways that shoppers can keep costs down without sacrificing the foods they love. In our guide to saving on food shopping, we take a look at the psychological element to Supermarket advertising – and how being aware of this can save you money. We also look at other Supermarket hidden gems, such as the World Foods aisle.
If you’re looking for single parent money saving tips, or if you’re a larger family, be sure to read how to save some money on your food shop.
Where Can Children Eat Free?
Alongside saving money on your food shop, there are plenty of restaurants offering Kids-Eat-Free deals for families with hungry tummies to fill.
With the approach of the holidays, families are working hard to keep the kids entertained. However, this can be tricky – especially given the rising cost of living.
For those saving money in 2023, there’s nothing better than free food! Eateries throughout the UK are currently offering free or discounted meals for children and young people. From pizza, to sushi, to IKEA’s famous meatballs, there’s plenty of choice!
Free Family Activities
Despite the cost-of-living crisis, spending time with the family doesn’t need to break the bank.
Our brilliant guide of the top 10 free family activities is perfect for keeping the kids occupied this summer. These activities are fun for the whole family, costing you nothing but time – and maybe a few craft materials from the kitchen cupboard!
Whether you’re after a Geoaching adventure, or a cosy camping night in, there’s lots of ideas to keep you busy.
Read about free family activities that are being held all over the UK.
Foster Carer Discounts
Foster carers dedicate a lot of their time to caring for others, helping to transform the lives of vulnerable children for the better.
At Compass, we understand that raising a child in the UK comes with various financial implications. That’s why we pay all our foster carers a fostering allowance that far exceeds minimum rates.
But during these trying times, we want to make sure that all our foster carers are making the most of the discounts and benefits available to them.
These benefits and discounts come on top of the support and benefits we already offer at Compass Fostering.
Have a look at all the extra benefits you could receive as a foster carer.
Seeking Support from Foodbanks
While these money saving tips ought to help in lessening the financial pressure placed on many households right now, it’s important to be aware of the kind of support available to those who need it.
Foodbanks are an essential support system for households who are in crisis. However, many are run by local communities or non-profits, meaning they rely on donations to operate.
If you’re wondering how Foodbanks work, including what you can to do support your local foodbank, read on to find out.
Find out more if you’re wondering how foodbanks work, including what you can to do support your local foodbank.
Seek Help If Needed
There’s no denying that times are tough for many families across the UK. Hopefully these tips on how to survive the cost of living crisis will go some way in helping to ease the strain on your wallet. However, it’s important to seek support should you need it.
You can find out more about getting help with the cost of living here.
At Compass, we want all our foster carers to feel supported and looked-after throughout their fostering journey. We understand that this is a difficult period for many, and will do everything in our power to ensure our carers are given the right support.
If you’re a Compass foster carer who is struggling during this time, please approach your Supervising Social Worker with any concerns you may have. They will be able to advise you on the best way forward.
Alternatively, if you’d like to find out more about fostering with Compass, get in touch with us here.
