It is difficult to run a home on one income. It comes with huge challenges for single parents. Most parents face this daily battle of making money stretch further than seems possible.
However, your money choices can turn a tight budget into a better one. Many single parents don’t know they might qualify for help, like benefits or grants, that ease the load. Some may even be able to access same-day loans for single parents on benefits for any emergencies, though these need careful handling.
The stress of solo bill-paying can rob you of sleep and peace. So you can have simple plans like meal planning or saving on power bills that make a difference to your bank balance.
1. Plan All Meals Weekly
You plan a list of meals you will cook each day. This can save you from making those costly mid-week trips to the store. You can go to the market with a clear list and stick to it firmly. Don’t let your fridge empty, as it will lead to takeaway temptation when you’re tired after work. With meal-ready plans, you won’t fall into this trap.
You can shop smartly by picking up vegetables which can be added to several dishes. Here’s an example:
The roast chicken can become Monday’s dinner, Tuesday’s sandwich filling, and Wednesday’s soup base.
You cook double batches when you have energy. These extra portions can help on days when you’re running between school and work. A homemade frozen meal costs just pennies compared to ready meals.
You can try swapping one item at each shop and see if the kids notice. Most won’t tell the difference, but you’ll be saving right away. You can keep a small snack box for your kids to avoid pricey impulse buys. You can pack apple slices and crackers rather than stopping for treats.
2. Cut Power and Water Waste
It is necessary to cut back on power and water bills. These monthly costs can become heavy on your tight budget. LED bulbs may cost more at first, but save pounds over time. You can swap them in one room each month. They use about 85% less power and last years longer than old bulbs.
Many leave chargers and TVs plugged in all day long. These drain power and add roughly £60 yearly to bills. You can set up a nightly check to unplug what’s not being used before bed.
You should be using a washing machine when fully loaded with clothes or towels. You shouldn’t run with half clothes to save electricity and water. Try to hold off until you have enough for a proper wash.
Kids often leave taps running while brushing their teeth each morning. This can waste about five litres of clean water straight away. You can set simple timers on lights, fans and heated towel rails. You can find basic plug-in timers for under £10 at most shops.
3. Use Free or Cheap Childcare Help
You all know how much any paid help can cost. With some planning, you can cut these costs. You can chat with other parents from your child’s class about swapping care hours. You might take their kids on Tuesday while they have yours on Thursday. This works well when you both have set work shifts.
Many grandparents or aunts can take up this job willingly. You can ask if they can help on the same day each week. There are local parent groups that often share tips on free childcare options nearby. These groups meet in parks or church halls and cost nothing to join.
Schools have many free clubs that extend the day by an hour or two. You can enrol your kids into clubs like football, art and coding clubs. Sign up early, as these spots fill quickly.
However, at times, free help won’t help, so you need to use expensive ones. There are many activities which can cost a lot. It could be a school trip or any tournament for which they need personal guidance. It could be that you don’t have enough money to contribute there, so you can get loans. There are many best doorstep loans like Provident, which can be taken from direct lenders. These short-term loans are best for people who can’t go to banks for loan transactions.
You can plan weekend playdates where parents take turns hosting several children. This works best with kids who already get along well.
4. Stick to a Simple Budget Plan
Many single parents feel their cash slips away before the month’s end. You can start by noting down every single thing you buy for two weeks. Most people find they can cut £50-100 monthly just by seeing these habits.
There are free budget apps that make tracking much easier than paper and pen. They sort your spending into neat groups with almost no effort.
You can set strict cash limits for your main costs, like food and bills. Then, you work out the lowest amount you need for each area first.
The jar method works well for many busy parents with tight funds. You put cash into labelled jars for each spending group when paid. Once a jar empties, that spending stops until the next payday.
You can consider using a prepaid card for your spending money each week. Once it’s gone, you wait until your next top-up day. This
helps break the cycle of month-end struggles.
5. Buy Used and Swap Often
You can buy used items to save huge amounts of money. Kids grow so fast that new clothes rarely get worn more than once. The same goes for toys they love and then quickly outgrow.
You can check Facebook Marketplace first when you need something for the house. People often sell nearly new items for half the shop price.
There are charity shops where you can go to get things for free. The stock changes daily, so make quick visits part of your routine. You will have to pay less or no price for school uniforms, books and winter coats.
Many towns now have toy and book swap meets every month. You can bring items your kids no longer want and trade them for new-to-you things.
You can learn basic sewing to mend small rips in school clothes or jumpers. A simple patch can add months to trousers that still fit well. You keep a box of gift bags, bows and paper from the presents you get. These can be used again for birthday gifts throughout the year.
You can sell their bikes if not needed rather than storing them. The money helps fund the next size up at a much lower cost. The same works well for prams, cots and high chairs.
Conclusion
You need to find the right balance between wants and needs. Kids ask for things they see friends have while you juggle the must-pay bills. This balancing thing tests even the strongest parents.
You can be clever regarding your money choices to stretch your money and save. Any small changes add up to big savings when you stick with them week after week. This way, your income can cover your family’s needs.
