And, as a mum of three young children, businesswoman Claire McNaughton understood the importance of saving money more than most.

“The cost of nappies, clothes and all the other equipment to a mum is so expensive these days,” Claire said.

“So when I saw a job for marketing manager at a children’s market in my local area, it was a no-brainer!” The 30-year-old ‘mum-preneur’ is the newly appointed local marketing and events manager for the Jack and Jill Market in Paisley. It runs monthly within the Renfrewshire community and is aimed at helping local mums and families reduce the cost of raising children.

Claire, whose youngest daughter Ruby-Mae was born 12 weeks early, said: “I have always been a dedicated Jack and Jill shopper and when Ruby-Mae was born at 28 weeks, it was so important to me to be able to get quality, premium clothes for her as they are so expensive to buy new and are not widely available in high street shops.

“I decided to apply for the job but didn’t actually think I would get it! As a mum myself, it is so rewarding now to be able to see other mums saving on quality items for their kids just as I do.” Faced with the ever-rising cost of bringing up a child, smart savvy Renfrewshire mums are now selling and bartering in a bid to reduce the cost of raising children.

Nearly 400 families took part selling and saving in their local Paisley Jack and Jill Market last month, a nearly-new baby and kids market.

And many more will be getting ready again for more smart savings to be made at this week’s event on September 20 at the Paisley Lagoon Leisure Centre.

Nicole Diamond, founder of the Jack and Jill Market, a not-for-profit Scottish Social Enterprise, said: “We have seen a phenomenal increase over the last couple of years in the number of mums and parents choosing the more money-smart option of selling on their unwanted items and releasing the money locked up in them, rather than simply giving them away for nothing.

“Recent research has shown that UK adults can have up to £581 worth of useable but unused items; for a two-parent family this can add up to more than £1000, much of it locked up in buggies, bikes, cots, clothes, toys, all the all the rest that still have plenty of life left in them, so it makes smart money sense to release this money into the family budget.” And according to Nicole, saving has become ‘cool’ within the community.

She said: “There has definitely been a cultural shift in attitude. Thrift is the new cool as mums look for ways to reduce the cost of raising children.

“The change is especially obvious in first-time mums who have traditionally opted for predominantly new items when setting up for their new baby but are now looking for a smarter alternative, and in the increasing number of local families choosing not to get themselves into debt at Christmas time but instead are choosing recycled toys for their children’s gifts – after all, a child does not care that another child had an The Jack and Jill Market is so swamped with demand from mums wanting to make and save money, that new locations are being set-up all the time in an effort to meet this demand opportunity to play with a toy before them.” “I absolutely love my job and it’s great that I also get the chance to work from home, so I can see my kids more,” Claire admits. I have two sons as well as my youngest daughter Ruby-Mae, Addison, who is two, and Jamie, who is seven.

“Jamie has special needs to it can be difficult trying to look after him and work at the same time. But it’s the best feeling knowing that I can help other local mums save money in this economical climate.” The market is on Saturday, September 20, 10.30am-1pm, at Paisley Lagoon Leisure Centre.