Figuring out how to save money as your family continues to grow is challenging. According to statistics, raising a child in the United States costs USD$233,610 on average. Families also have to allocate money on housing, food, and utilities, which include water and electricity.
Whether you’re planning to start a new family or have another baby soon, it’s important to implement strategies to save money. Raising children is rewarding and exciting, but it’s crucial to understand the importance of budgeting so you can provide the best for them.
Check out these seven money-saving tips for growing families:
1. Use The Internet As Your Ally
Aside from being a gold mine of information on how to budget properly, do you know that there are websites that give out free stuff? If you recently had a baby or are about to have one, check out this website here to access a list of programs where you can get freebies for your baby.
You can also use the internet to sign up for websites that offer coupons. Visit the website of your preferred manufacturer or local grocery store and create an account to receive coupons in your email. You can also visit the websites of coupon companies to score more deals.
2. Organize Your Grocery Shopping
As food is one of the biggest expenses families incur, it’s critical to pay attention to your grocery shopping. Making small adjustments to when and how you shop can help you save a tremendous amount of money in the long run.
One of the most effective and easiest ways to save money on your grocery shopping is to list all of the items you need to buy and bring an envelope filled with related coupons. For example, if you need to buy fruits and vegetables, look for coupons for fresh produce and put them in one envelope. Label the envelope so you can easily show the coupons upon checkout.
It’s also important to schedule your grocery shopping. Choose to shop early in the week (Mondays are the best) as stores are less crowded. If possible, don’t bring your children when grocery shopping to prevent buying items that aren’t on your grocery list in the first place.
3. Keep Birthdays Simple
Your children’s birthdays are important celebrations, but this doesn’t mean that you should spend thousands on one day. You can still hold the best birthday for your children by focusing on making memories, not spending tons of money.
Instead of inviting an entire class to celebrate your children’s birthday, take advantage of inexpensive or no-cost activities for kids. You can take your family to the beach or host a sleepover at home with homemade cake and pizza.
4. Consider Buying Secondhand Items
Contrary to popular belief, secondhand items aren’t always damaged or a waste of money. As long as you know what and where to look, you can find high-quality items without putting a hole in your pocket.
When buying children’s shoes and clothes, shop at thrift stores, yard sales, and consignment shops. You’ll find budget-friendly apparel from these sources. Just make sure to check the quality of the items carefully before buying them.
You can also organize a clothing swap event with a friend or family member to save more money on children’s clothing. Online marketplaces are also excellent outlets to buy clothing apparel, books, toys, and any other item your children might need as they grow.
5. Choose Frugal Fun
Spending time with the family is important as it builds stronger emotional bonds and helps children develop confidence. Family time may also improve every member’s mental health and lower the risk of behavioral problems, especially among children.
Fortunately, you can still have fun with your family without breaking the bank. Vacations and entertainment don’t have to be expensive to be memorable and fun.
For example, you can swap out a trip to an amusement park or movies for a bike ride at the park or a day at a no-admission museum. You can also have an inexpensive staycation by pitching a tent in your backyard and roasting some marshmallows.
6. Prioritize Health
Taking care of your health doesn’t only relate to longevity and overall wellness; it can also impact your future finances. When you neglect your health, you’ll end up spending more on medication and hospital bills. Living an unhealthy lifestyle can put you at risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, which requires ongoing medical attention.
If you want to save money, prioritize taking care of your family’s health. This means serving healthy meals to your family and encouraging everyone to stay physically active. Adults at home should also avoid smoking as secondhand smoke can be detrimental to the health and development of children.
7. Fix Minor Home Repairs Yourself
Regardless of the materials used, your home will eventually develop problems. You’ll likely experience leaking faucets and clogged drains. Hiring professionals might seem like the obvious option at times, but these minor problems can be fixed with DIY solutions easily.
When you experience plumbing problems at home, try to resolve them by yourself. You can find a handful of articles and videos online to help you fix minor plumbing issues. You can even ask for tips from friends and family who have done minor plumbing fixes in their homes.
Aside from plumbing fixes, you can also try out home improvement projects to save more money. Thinking of painting your interiors and exteriors with a new color? Buy several cans of paint and opt to paint your home by yourself. Planning to deep-clean your home over the weekend? Make household cleaning solutions (mixing vinegar with baking soda can do wonders) so you won’t have to buy them in stores.
Change Your Spending Habits For Good
The key to saving money is to change your spending habits permanently. Following all of the tips presented in this article for only a week won’t have much impact on your budget.
Incorporate these tips gradually into your spending habits until they become innate to you. Doing these can be challenging at first, but the rewards will surely be worth it.