Alison Crawford, 34, from Falkirk, Scotland, was declared homeless after her landlord sold the rented property – now she’s helping others survive on a budget with tips including £10-a-week meals
A mum who found herself homeless after her landlord sold up – leaving her with no savings – is now using TikTok to help others navigate life on a tight budget, sharing her money-saving wisdom under the name Mrs Frugal.
Alison Crawford, 34, along with her husband Scott, 32, and their two young daughters Holly, five, and Olivia, four, were forced out of their rented family home in Falkirk, Scotland, when their landlords chose to sell the property back in September 2022.
Without sufficient savings for another deposit, Alison, who works as a social care officer, and Scott, a clinical support worker and student, had no choice but to declare themselves homeless and move into temporary council accommodation in February 2023.
Four months later, in June, the family secured a council house in Falkirk with monthly rent payments, prompting Alison to start meticulously tracking every penny spent and finding ways to cut costs – from picking up second-hand clothing to whipping up meals on a shoestring budget.
She’s now taken to TikTok to share her savvy tips, including how to feed yourself for just £10 a week, hoping to help others in similar situations feel less isolated.
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Speaking to PA Real Life, Alison reflected: “Having to declare ourselves as homeless was horrible – it kind of makes you feel like you’re less than other people, admitting that you’re not able to afford certain luxuries in life.
“I will be teaching my kids how to handle their money as they grow up, because it’s not something that I was taught when I was younger, which is probably one of the reasons as to why I ended up in the position that I was in.”
In September 2022, Alison discovered her landlord intended to sell the first floor three-bedroom flat she and her husband had called home for six years.
At that point, the couple lacked sufficient funds for either a mortgage deposit or the upfront costs required for alternative rental accommodation.
Consequently, Alison explained she and her husband “had to admit defeat and had no other option” but to approach the council and register as homeless to obtain temporary housing.
“I suppose it’s our fault that we weren’t responsible enough with money to have a safety net, but it just happened so quickly,” Alison reflected.
The family managed to secure immediate placement in temporary accommodation – a first floor three-bedroom flat – in February 2023.
She continued: “I ended up distancing myself from a lot of people because I didn’t want them to know that I lived in homeless accommodation.”
At that time, Alison wasn’t in employment, having chosen to remain at home following the births of her children, who arrived just a year apart, whilst her husband worked intermittently through the NHS staff bank.
“Literally every penny was being stretched as far as it could go,” she recalled. “We sacrificed a lot and we had to rely on food banks.”
The family subsequently received assistance via the council’s social housing programme and relocated to a two-bedroom terraced property in June 2023, where Alison and her husband now pay rent each month.
Upon securing their current home, Alison resolved never to find herself facing such circumstances again. She started taking control of her and her husband’s finances “more effectively”, meticulously tracking exactly where “every penny went”.
Alison took up a full-time position as a social care officer in April 2024, whilst Scott began working part-time as a clinical support worker in July 2023, simultaneously pursuing mental health nursing studies at the University of Stirling.
The couple have since set aside £500 monthly for their food shop, which covers toiletries and household cleaning supplies as well.
Alison has also managed to feed herself and her family on just £10 per week, serving up meals such as overnight oats, homemade soup for lunch and spaghetti bolognese for dinner.
She shared her money-saving secrets: “I get a big bag of supermarket own brand oats for less than £1, add yoghurt and frozen fruit. Then I make carrot and coriander soup which is literally made from boiled carrots and coriander – portions for the week cost less than a pound.
“I can make a bolognese to feed our family for about £4, hiding carrots in there, and buying a 37p garlic bread on the side. I always go to the bottom of the shelves to get the cheaper things.”
To slash her grocery bills even further, Alison makes use of Olio, an application that allows neighbours to share surplus food for free. Their gas and electricity operate on a pay-as-you-go basis, setting them back approximately £225 monthly throughout the winter period.
Additional outgoings include roughly £40 each month for broadband and a basic Sky TV subscription, £350 for their financed vehicle, £30 on fuel, and £70 for the care of their three feline companions. Throughout the working week, she limits her spending strictly to essentials, refusing to splash out on takeaway coffees or lunches and steering clear of full-price branded goods.
The bulk of her family’s wardrobe comes from second-hand sources, with items only discarded once they’re riddled with holes and beyond salvaging.
Among her most impressive Vinted discoveries was a pair of Dr Martens for just £15 for her two children, whilst her eldest daughter’s outgrown garments are handed down to her youngest.
Alison also makes use of free and affordable entertainment for her kids, including park visits and home-based activities like baking and crafts.
Alison started sharing her money-saving tips on TikTok under the username @mrsfrugal in summer 2025, with one video about managing a £10-a-week food shop attracting over 225,000 views.
She explained: “There were some people out there that were saying ‘Thank you so much’ but some people were commenting horrible things and asking why I would live like this. I wanted to take away the overwhelm when you only have £10 left to spend on food – I’ve been there and know how it feels.”
She’s currently set herself the goal of boosting her monthly earnings by 5% each month, documenting her progress on TikTok. Thus far, she’s achieved success through flogging unwanted items on Vinted and maximising cashback schemes.
Until January 2026, she kept her identity hidden on the platform, preferring to maintain her anonymity online. “People I know, or know of, followed me, and I have no idea if they knew it was me or recognised my voice on there,” Alison explained.
“But I thought I wanted to take control and not be ashamed so I decided to show people who I am and make it more real for people.”
She hasn’t yet made any money from her videos but is “aiming to one day” whilst concentrating on “helping others”.
For those wanting to save money and become more financially aware, she advised: “If you watch the pennies, the pounds will save themselves. It all adds up!”
