How I kept my Easter under £10 by buying no eggs and using year
A savvy woman has revealed that she's not buying her daughter an Easter egg as it's a 'waste of money'.
Charlotte Deering, 27, from Manchester, is a self-proclaimed 'cheap' parent, often sharing her frugal tips and tricks to help people get more out of their money through her Instagram page @themoneyferret.
The mother-of-one, who previously shared details of her £2,000 wedding soiree, including a £10 gown from Tesco, has now revealed how she keeps Easter so cheap.
In a bid to keep it the Spring celebration under £10, she's not buying her daughter a chocolate egg - and will cook up a roast using frozen meat she bough in the sale last year.
Charlotte's thriftiness is inspired by her mother, who struggled financially - and insists her family will remember Easter memories more than elaborate festivities.
Pictured above is the frugal mother, Charlotte, 27, from near Manchester
Charlotte Deering bought this reusable drinks bottle which she aims to use next year too to save some money
'I bought a reusable egg tin a few years ago for £1.99 and I just refill that every year', she said.
'It's much cheaper and cost-effective than buying a chocolate egg, which is a waste of money.
'And I feel like they have been extortionate this year and will keep going up in price.
'I get some individually wrapped chocolate eggs from the pound shop and hide them around the garden for her to collect in the tin.
'For our roast, as lamb is very expensive, I usually wait until supermarkets put on their offers.
'Often, I check once Easter has gone, as meat is heavily reduced then, and I'll freeze this, ready to take out and serve the following year.'
Charlotte, who also asks family members to chip in towards the roast, advises checking the reduced sections right after Christmas too, to make the meal even more wallet-friendly.
She even has a few savvy tricks up her sleeve to ensure the holiday is enjoyable, without spending a fortune.
Charlotte has an adorable way of presenting these supermarket mini pizzas, shaping them with a bunny cookie cutter
'I make a bunny-themed lunch for my little girl. I get a bunny cookie cutter and use this on pizza, scones and sandwiches.
'Then I pair it with some cheap bits from Home Bargains, such as a reusable milk bottle - and it costs less than £4'.
During the two-week school holiday, the stay-at-home mother says finding free activities is key to tiring out the kids.
She said: 'We get busy planting seeds, as it's super affordable and gets everyone involved.
'I make competitions between the kids to see which plant grows the fastest.
'It's so rewarding and sometimes, we use these fruits and vegetables with our roast dinner.
'We also try to do picnics and ask everyone to bring something to help with costs.
'But there are also lots of events which are free or low-cost. I check my local Facebook page and quite a few pop up'.
Pictured: Charlotte's daughter Easter lunch, all assembled for under a tenner
Before, she used to spend £60 on Easter, but now, it's costing her less than £10 overall.
Her biggest inspiration? Family.
She added: 'I have grown up watching my mum struggle for money and worry to the point it made her ill.
'The most important thing for me is the food and memories spent with family, as that's what I'll remember.
'I know my daughter won't miss having a chocolate egg from the Easter bunny and it's likely she wouldn't eat it all anyway, causing more waste.
'It's all for one day and can still be made fun of without forking out a fortune'.