MANY of us struggle to save the pennies with just a couple of kids.
Not so supermum Sue Radford who, despite having a bumper brood of 22, still manages to ensure they are all fully clothed and fed.
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And they still have treats – like this time they went on a spending spree in Primark.
And she doesn’t claim benefits, with husband Noel Radford working at their pie business in Morecambe, Lancs.
Quite frankly it’s amazing.
Now we reveal Sue’s money saving hacks:
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Holidaying in the UK
Sue, 45, and Noel, 49, are parents to the nation’s largest family – with Sue welcoming their 22nd child, Heidie, in April – and had planned a four-week ‘holiday of a lifetime’ to Australia, but had to change their plans due to coronavirus.
Instead, the Radfords, who live in Morecambe, Lancs, headed to Scotland , on their first holiday of the year and have been bouncing around caravan parks across the country.
They didn’t splash out the cash on hotels, knowing they could save money on caravans.
And they still had a great time – meeting horses and larking about.
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Savvy shopping
Sue isn’t one to shop at fancy boutiques. Like the rest of us she loves Primarni.
Earlier this year, while on holiday in Scotland, Sue and daughter Ellie, 15, visited Primark where they spent hundreds – but managed to clothe the entire family of 24.
Talking to the camera, Sue said: “Me and Ellie are just going to show you what we got from Primark,” and admitted they picked up “loads of stuff.”
The hall included a range of purse-friendly buys – including a selection of t-shirts, jackets, jeans, pyjamas and even accessories, with each of the older kids choosing some items they’d been lusting after.
Sue joked: “the girls just go off with a basket, chuck a load of things in and then leave me to pay for it all. “
The top picks among the stash of new clothes were the multiple pairs of denim jeans which the family bagged at £15 a pair.
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Home cinema
It’s pricey to take 22 kids to the cinema – so why not take the cinema home.
In 2014 Noel revealed to the Daily Star how important home cinema was… and they have a brilliant one outside.
“Family cinema trips and DVD rentals are becoming pricier these days so we take advantage of our TV package which often has the latest films, on the same day as DVD release,” he said.
It’s the same with football, we can watch the big games at home – there are enough of us to recreate the atmosphere.”
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Holiday at home
Earlier this year, the couple embarked on a massive DIY project, transforming their garden, including ditching real grass in favour of artificial lawn, to try and stop their kids from getting muddy in the garden.
With lush faux turf outside now, Sue revealed she keeps it clean by vacuuming it.
During lockdown they have also had a water play area for the kids and large bean bags as a seating area.
Despite being full to the brim, the home is immaculate and well looked after by stay-at-home mum Sue.
And in the summer they spent hours outside, substituting expensive days out for fun in the garden – saving huge amounts of cash. Well done Sue!
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Online shoping
Sue, mum to Chris, 30, Sophie, 26, Chloe, 24, Jack, 22, Daniel, 20, Luke, 19, Millie, 18, Katie, 17, James, 16, Ellie, 14, Aimee, 13, Josh, 12, Max, 11, Tillie, nine, Oscar, eight, Casper, seven, Hallie, four, Phoebe, four, Archie, two, Bonnie, one and Heidie, four months, previously told how she loves getting the best buys online.
She said to the Star: “We always shop around for the best deals online, it’s worth making sure you get the best deals on your utilities and take advantage of voucher deals where you can.”
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Bulk buy
Sue told Closer magazine she bought in bulk, explaining: “We buy in bulk things like wash powder, toilet rolls and we shop about for things and see what’s on offer.
“It’s all about planning and being savvy.”
Meanwhile, Noel is no stranger to using cheap products to whip up meals for as little as 40p a head.
And the dad regularly shares his simple recipes on the family YouTube channel to give inspiration to fellow families.
Here are some of his offerings – tuck in!
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Cheap holidays (and look for deals)
Noel offered some advice to Closer, saying: “If we’re flying to a different country, we have to be careful when booking flights. You can’t just ring up and book 18 tickets in one go because you would pay, for example, £150 a seat.
“But if you were to book it four seats at a time you might only pay £95 a seat.
“We’ll do a villa, rather than anything else. It’s cheaper to book one villa than it is five apartments.”
And he recommended you ask for discounts and shop around to find the best deals.
ALL WHITE
I wed in a £20 dress which I found stained on the shop floor – a wash sorted it
NO KIDDING
I get viciously shamed for ‘dumping’ my kids on my parents – but I need a break
CLASS ACT
Back-to-school with the Radfords as they share how to get 22 kids organised
HAVING A BALL
Thrifty mum wears 10p dress she found in charity shop to black tie event
THAT’S RAD
Mum-of-22 Sue Radford jokes about Millie’s ‘mum tum’ as they pack hospital bag
In other Radford news, we told you how pregnant Millie Radford is impatiently waiting the birth of her daughter.
And the mum-of-22 took her bumper brood for post lockdown haircuts.
Plus we told you how Sue has got a sweet tattoo in tribute to stillborn son Alfie.
And previously Sue showed what happens when she takes her enormous brood for a picnic.
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