📅 Come and see us! Bookings available for our June Open Week - Book Today
Expert insight on pocket money, budgeting, and maternity leave hustles from the Sunday Times best-selling author.
It’s UK Savings Week! With the cost of living a worry for many and purse-strings tight, it’s a great time to take a closer look at some helpful money-saving tips for families. Saving-savvy mother and social media influencer Gemma Bird (aka Money Mum) recently joined us on the Kids Planet podcast to share her expert insight.
With her book ‘Save Yourself Happy’ a Sunday Times best-seller, Gemma gave us her brilliant thoughts on educating children on money, day trips, food shopping on a budget, and much more.
In our nurseries, we often take children to local charity shops with cash to pick out new toys for their rooms (and donate their old ones). This helps them understand the exchange of money for goods. We asked Gemma how parents can continue this education at home.
Gemma advises that you start simply by not always saying yes, and explaining why. For example: “We ate out yesterday which costs money, so today we are having a picnic.”
“I think a lot of parents feel pressure that they can’t say no… but I’ve never worried about whether the kids kick off, as most often within two minutes they’re over it. You’re not being ‘mean’ by not always saying yes, as they are often just fleeting requests.”
Gemma started giving pocket money around age eight, but notes there is no “right or wrong” age. She uses a GoHenry card for her 10-year-old, adding £2 a week so he can learn to save.
“He recently wanted a bubble tea, but we were out with his sister so I was clear that if he wanted one, he’d need to buy her one too. The next day he asked for another—to which I said you need to wait to have enough money on your card now. By demystifying money, children start asking questions naturally.”
“There are options depending on what you want to use it for,” says Gemma. “Do you want them to have access to it, or open a long-term account they’re unaware of until they’re 25 to help them on the housing ladder? Our children have two—an everyday account we can draw money out of, and an ISA that tracks the stock market to eventually give them a lump-sum return on investment.”
Look at local council-run schemes and churches. Many offer weekly sessions for a £1 donation covering coffee and play. From there, you can meet friends and set up a free “hosting rotation” at each other’s houses.
Gemma’s Tip: Post on your local area’s Facebook group asking if any parents would like to join for a walk in the park. It’s free and brilliant for mental health!
It’s simple to make a bit of extra money selling things online. You don’t only have to sell your own items—busy friends often have bags of clothes they don’t have time to list. Start a mini-business selling for them and agree on a profit split!
Another idea is joining a company to become a brand ambassador for a product you truly love. If you do your research, it can be an easy, enjoyable way to earn on maternity leave.
Stretch your meat! Blend mince with carrots for a bolognese. The children are none-the-wiser, they eat healthier, and you can freeze half for another night.
Pick up a supermarket scanner as you walk around. It stops you mindlessly reaching £40 when your budget was £30.
Always check your cupboards before you leave so you only buy what you truly need.
Look for discount stickers – the freezer is your best friend to make food last for less.
Drop the labels and utilize supermarket store cards to maximize your savings.
Gemma has a 6.5-year age gap between her kids. Her secret? Compromise. One day is a free picnic at the park (which both enjoy). The next day might be paid trampolining for the eldest, while the youngest plays at the free soft-play next door.
“Google is your best friend for free local days out. And always pack snacks! Kids in the car often say they are hungry when they are actually just bored.”
Gemma books flights 11-12 months in advance for the cheapest rates. She also advises avoiding staying centrally: “Whether it’s the Cotswolds or LA, you will pay less if you stay 5 minutes outside the central area.”
Take empty water bottles through airport security to use the free fountains, and always pre-compare airport parking costs against a local taxi!
We hope you found Gemma’s tips helpful! Tune in to the Kids Planet Podcast for more expert interviews, parenting hacks, and early years advice.
© Copyright 2026 Kids Planet Nurseries - All Rights Reserved.
