SAVVY MUM: MY £1 DINNERS!

With eight mouths to feed on a budget, Kayleigh Baldwin, 35, got creative

- LUCY NOTARANTONIO, ASHLEIGH PAGE

Standing in my kitchen, I added huge piles of chopped onion and tomato to the kilogram of mince simmering on the hob. After stirring and seasoning it, I pulled down eight plates from the cupboard. ‘Can you come and set the table?’ I said to my six kids Jamie, 16, Rhys, 15, Summer, 13, Riley, nine, Felicity, five, and Sienna, four.

Dishing up the spaghetti bolognese for me, my husband Kevin and the children, I smiled at my handiwork. Eight people all fed for £1 a head and not only was it a nutritious meal, but the money I’d saved made it feel like a double achievement.

Despite coming from a family of hard workers, growing up, money was often tight. We always had food on the table, but savings for holidays and treats were unheard of.

WEEKLY MEAL PLANS

I met Kevin in 2010, and by 24, I was a young mum to Jamie, then five, Rhys, four, and Summer, two. Kevin worked as a recycling collector and I was a stay-at-home mum, but every month our money went on rent, food and essentials.