IT’S a new school term and time to fill lunchboxes with some affordable, homemade snacks.
Skip the shop-bought options with these easy recipes to stretch your January budget.
OAT-STANDING BARS: Ditch cereal bars for homemade oat bars made with just three ingredients.
You need: 240g oats, £1.25, 240g honey, £1.75, and 60g peanut butter, £1.09, all from Asda.
Mix everything in a bowl, spread on a shallow baking tray, and bake on a low heat for 15-20 minutes.
Once cool, cut into bite-sized bars.
The oats provide slow-releasing energy, keeping the children fuller for longer.
CHOCS AWAY: Make your own chocolate bars.
Melt cooking chocolate, £1.09, and stir in Harvest Morn crisp rice cereal, 79p, both from Aldi.
Add cupboard extras like nuts, dried fruit, or marshmallows.
Pour into a shallow dish, refrigerate until set, then slice.
TRY A PITTA THIS: Transform plain pitta breads, 65p per pack at Sainsbury’s, into crispy snacks.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”I’m a thrifty mum who gets £5 blazers & budget packed lunches – save £140 on back-to-school with my tips” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6361143825112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Cut into triangles, lightly brush with oil, bake until golden, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
A tasty and cost-effective alternative to individual packs of crisps.
ROLL WITH IT: Homemade fruit rolls are simple to make.
Thaw Morrisons Wonky frozen berries, £2.99 for 1kg, overnight, then blend and add a spoonful of honey.
Spread the mix thinly on a lined tray and bake on a low heat until set.
Once cooled, roll and slice into bite-sized strips or rolls.
POP IT IN: Avoid pricey popcorn packs and instead pick up Tesco popcorn kernels, £1.80.
Pop them at home for a fraction of the cost — one pack will give you plenty of portions.
Dust with icing sugar, a pinch of salt, or even cinnamon for a delicious snack.
Make a large batch today and separate into sandwich bags to help with speedy lunchbox packing for the rest of the week.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
Deal of the day
OLAY Regenerist Night Cream is a cult favourite and it’s better than half-price at Tesco right now.
Previously £34, get it for £15 with a Clubcard.
SAVE: £19
Cheap treat
FRIDGE filler – a four-pack of Muller Corner Crunch yoghurts is usually £3.20.
It’s £1.50 to Co-op members.
SAVE: £1.70
[boxout headline=”What’s new?” featured-image=”32615010″]IF you received a new Apple device for Christmas, did you know Apple runs free in-store workshops to help you get to grips with new products?
Head to apple.com today to find times and locations near you.
Top swap
SMELL amazing when you use Joop! Homme eau de toilette 125ml.
It has an RRP of £64 but is £20.99 at justmylook.com.
Or head to Poundland to find Scentalis Him Pour Homme, 100ml, for just £1.
SAVE: £19.99
[boxout headline=”Little helper” featured-image=”32615003″]FURTHER markdowns mean terrific savings at Matalan.
Head to stores or see matalan.co.uk to get up to 70 per cent off original prices such as this dress, now £7.
Shop & save
MAKE your own fizzy water at home with the Sodastream Art and 60-litre gas megapack.
Was £149.99, now £89.99 at Lakeland.
SAVE: £60
[boxout headline=”Hot right now”]FROM tomorrow, get Sky TV, Netflix & Sky Full Fibre 150 Broadband for the lowest ever price of £35 per month. See sky.com
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