Money-Saving Hacks Every Parent Needs (Because Kids Are Basically Walking Direct Debits)

Let’s be honest — kids are expensive. Not “Oh, that was a bit more than I expected” expensive… I mean “How did we spend £47 on snacks in ONE DAY?” expensive.

That’s why I’ve become a self-confessed bargain hunter extraordinaire. If there’s a discount, a deal, or a sneaky way to save a quid, I’m there faster than my toddler can run away when I say “bedtime.”

1. Kids Pass – My Secret Weapon for Family Days Out 

Full-price entry? Not on my watch. Kids Pass is like a golden ticket for parents — 1000s of discounts for theme parks, cinema trips, zoos, and even pizza (aka the only meal my kids don’t argue about).

• How it works: You sign up, get instant access to discounts, and within minutes you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

• Real-life example: I took the kids to the cinema last week for less than the price of a single ticket. Did I feel smug? Yes. Yes, I did.

👉 Sign up for your Kids Pass here  – Get access to huge family discounts on days out, cinema, theme parks, and more. Sign up from just £1 for the first 30 days.

and thank me later when you’re eating ice cream at half the price.

2. First Table – Dinner Without the Guilt 

Going out to eat as a family is usually a financial risk bigger than letting your toddler hold your phone. But with First Table, you get 50% off your food bill at restaurants just for booking the first table of the night.

Yes, it means you’re eating at 5pm, but honestly, that’s peak parent time. You’re home by 7, kids in bed by 8, and you didn’t have to remortgage the house for a pizza.

👉 Grab your First Table discount here and enjoy a guilt-free family dinner.”  

3. Blue Light Card – Not Just for the Emergency Services 

If you work in healthcare, the emergency services, the military, or education (yes, teaching assistants and nursery staff — I’m looking at you), Blue Light Card gives you discounts in places you’d never expect.

I’ve saved on everything from trainers to theme park tickets to actual school uniforms. And I’m not saying the discounts make my job easier… but they definitely make my bank account happier.

👉 Check if you’re eligible and sign up here.

4. Vinted – Because Kids Outgrow Everything in a Week 

Want to know a secret? 90% of my kids’ clothes are from Vinted — either bought second-hand or sold after they’ve worn them twice. The other 10% are from the supermarket… and usually covered in pasta sauce.

👉 Join Vinted here and start selling the clothes your kids ‘just had to have’ but wore once.

5. Groupon & Wowcher – The Parent’s Playground

Spa days for you, trampoline parks for them, and 60% off in both cases. You can even get afternoon tea for less than the cost of making it yourself (and without having to scrape jam off the floor).

👉 Browse Groupon or check Wowcher deals for your next budget-friendly day out

Saving money as a parent isn’t about being cheap — it’s about being clever. These little hacks mean we can still enjoy days out, dinners, and treats without living on beans for the rest of the month.

Because yes, kids are expensive… but so is my Prosecco habit. And thanks to these deals, I can afford both.