Parenting can be a rewarding experience in a lot of ways but one way it most definitely isn’t rewarding is when it comes to finances. Raising your kids comes with its expenses, from ensuring they’re properly fed and clothed to keeping them entertained, and for some families, the financial strain can quickly become an issue. While some families may turn to payday loans in the case of a financial emergency, saving money isn’t as difficult as you may think. Here, we’re exploring how you can save the pennies while raising your children.
Plan Every Meal in Advance
The best thing you can do for your shopping bill and for your sanity is to plan your meals in advance every week. By knowing what you’re having and when, not only can you easily answer the ‘what are we having for dinner?’ questions without missing a beat, you’ll also be able to get in and out of the supermarket on shopping day with a lower bill. By having your meals planned, you can form a shopping list around this and ultimately avoid buying things you don’t need, reducing wasted food, and even preventing hovering in any aisles long enough for your kids to spot something they want – it’s a win all-round!
Buy Second hand
If you have younger kids, buying clothes, shoes, toys and other essentials second hand can drastically reduce the cost without having to give up on quality. Children grow out of clothes and shoes so quickly that most of the items you’ll find in charity or thrift shops are likely to be good-as-new, especially where new-born babies and toddlers are concerned. However, there are a few things you should always buy brand new and those are car seats and cribs. Safety regulations are constantly changing and as a result, the newest items are always going to be the best bet. If you want to save money here, consider investing in a crib that can be turned into a toddler bed, and a car seat that could detach into a booster seat when they grow old enough.
Entertain Them For Free
Entertaining your kids doesn’t have to mean investing in expensive toys or taking them to zoos and movie theatres on a regular basis. In fact, trips to the park, beach, local museums and libraries and even just spending time with them with a board game or movie can all prove to be equally as entertaining and much more rewarding overall. If you want to invest in a trip to the zoo or a theme park, remember that there are almost always deals on at any time and a little research could see you getting in on a 2-for-1 deal, or better.
Always Shop Around
This one is particularly important when it comes to birthdays and Christmas. The leading kid’s toys just aren’t cheap anymore and it seems to be the more expensive that our kids want the most. When on a budget, it can be difficult to come to terms with not being able to buy what our kids want, but luckily the internet in particular has made it easier than ever to find the best deals. Retailers are always fighting for custom and for that reason, you’ll always find a good deal somewhere.
Raising children is always going to come with its expenses, however there are always ways to save pennies while doing so. Searching for discounts on entertainment and opting for second hand clothing and toys can be great ways to save the pounds without needing to reduce the quality of life for you or for your children.
photo credit: Nando.uy campo traviesos via photopin (license)