How Irish Moms Are Saving Money Without Giving Up Their Weekend Pint 🍀
Real budgeting tips that keep the craic alive — plus a free Irish Family Budget Plan and SuperValu weekly hack!
You don’t need to skip the pub to save €100/month. Here’s how.
The Irish Mum’s Money Mindset
We’re not about “extreme frugality.” No one’s asking you to give up your SuperValu trolley run or your Friday night Guinness with the girls.
Instead, Irish mums are using smart, simple swaps to save €50–€150/month — while still enjoying the things that make life good.
3 Fun-Friendly Ways to Save (Without Feeling Deprived)
1. The SuperValu Weekly Budget Hack (Used by 1000s of Irish Mums)
Here’s the secret: Shop every Tuesday or Wednesday.
Why? SuperValu runs its “Weekly Special Buys” every Thursday, but prices drop on unsold stock mid-week to make room!
Pro Tips:
- Buy meat, bread, and dairy on Wednesday – often 20–30% off
- Use the SuperValu app → scan loyalty card → get personalised offers
- Stick to a €50–€70/week grocery cap (for family of 3–4)
Real Result: One Cork mum saved €85/month just by switching her shop day!
2. Keep Your Weekend Pint — But Cut Other “Invisible” Costs
You love your Guinness or Smithwick’s — and you should! But ask yourself:
- Are you paying for unused subscriptions? (Ditch 1 = €10–15 saved)
- Are you buying coffee out 3x/week? Brew at home → save €25/week
- Is your phone plan too big? Switch to Three.ie or Vodafone Essentials → save €10–20/month
Rule: If you cut €30 elsewhere, your pint stays guilt-free!
3. Use the “Irish Family Budget Plan” (Free Download!)
We’ve created a simple, Euro-based budget sheet designed for Irish households:
- Net income after USC & PRSI
- Mortgage/rent, electricity (Electric Ireland/SSE), broadband
- Groceries (SuperValu/Lidl/Aldi)
- “Fun Money” category — yes, it’s included!
Print it, stick it on the fridge, and track weekly. Include a line for “Pub Fund” — guilt-free!
Save €100/month — and still enjoy the craic!
“Save Money Ireland Without Cutting Fun” – The Golden Rules
- ✅ Budget for fun – if it’s not in the plan, you’ll feel guilty
- ✅ Shop local but smart – farmers' markets are great, but Lidl’s fruit & veg is often cheaper
- ✅ Use free Irish resources: Libraries (free events), Parks, Beaches, and community centres
- ✅ Say “no” to FOMO – you don’t need to buy what the Instagram mums are buying!
FAQs
Q: Can I really save money AND keep my pub nights?
A: Absolutely! If you save €25 on groceries + €15 on phone/internet, that’s your two pints covered!
Q: What’s the average grocery bill for an Irish family?
A: €80–€120/week for a family of 4. With smart shopping (Lidl + SuperValu deals), many stay under €70.
Final Thought
Being Irish isn’t just about saving money — it’s about living well, laughing often, and sharing a pint with friends.
You don’t have to choose between budgeting and the craic. You can have both.