Cash strapped mums caught up in the credit crunch are teaming up to swap money-saving tips online.

As talk increases about rising inflation, spiralling prices for food and fuel and the economy going into stagflation, the parent support network Netmums has seen such a boom in posts onto its money and finance board that it has set up a new board specifically for the budget conscious.

Mums are going onto the board and sharing shopping lists and meal ideas to try to cut back on the cost of the weekly food shop.

Tips such as planning meals for a week, buying frozen vegetables instead of fresh, and stocking up on special offers are helping mums to save the pennies.

Supermarket prices are being compared and their discount codes are being posted by members so everyone can save a few pounds.

The board is showing mums that it is possible to cut back on cost when finances are tight, without compromising on quality.

One mum said: “I think there does tend to be a preconception that if you shop on a budget it has to be all value brands and cheap frozen processed stuff, but it doesn’t. It is perfectly possible to shop ethically and healthily on a budget.”

The team behind Netmums is backing up the budgeting board by making available lots of cheap recipes for tasty and healthy meals, which have all been contributed by members.

It is not just food shopping which has been the focus of the budget conscious.

Mums in the know are advising other members how to circumnavigate expensive 0870 and 0845 phone numbers which are not included in free call phone packages and tips are being shared on how to find the best deals with energy suppliers.

Bargains and special offers in stores are being highlighted and information on any freebies available are also being posted. Mums are even sharing tips on how to ask for discounts on purchases.

Postings onto the local nearly new boards have also soared, as mums shy away from buying new and instead look for second hand bargains such as buggies, cots and toys.

Netmums director Siobhan Freegard said: “With all the talk of the credit crunch and rising food and fuel costs, mums are filling our forums with budgeting tips.

“The £50-a-week shopping list has been doing the rounds and mums are pooling resources so they can all find ways of cutting back on the cost of living.

“It’s an example of how a community of people can work together to help and support each other to everyone’s benefit. It’s exactly what Netmums is all about.”

• Netmums is a social network for parents with 420,000 members nationwide. It can be found at www.netmums.com. The food pages specifically relating to eating on a budget had almost 50,000 views in the past month.

Five budget-busting tips:

1. Use cloth nappies, saving £400 per year.

2. Start a baby-sitting circle with friends, saving around £333 a year.

3. Make sure you’re claiming your benefits, including Child Benefit, and free NHS prescriptions and dental treatment until the baby’s 12 months old, saving up to £964.

4. Sell your maternity and baby clothes, making around £170.

5. Borrow toys from a toy library (find your nearest service by ringing the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries on 020 7255 4604), saving around £312.


For a free copy of The Essential Guide to Money for Parents from The Children’s Mutual, ring 0800 040 7262.