30 Money Saving Secrets Every Parent Should Know
Our need for money never ends and budgeting gets a little more complicated when you have kids to care for. There are many struggles associated with being a parent. Making ends meet is a pressing problem for many parents. With the help of our members, we’ve compiled a list of money-saving tips your family can use to make sure you get the most out of your bank account. Let’s walk together on this beautiful path of parenthood without getting into debt!
1) Start buying one or two things that children need at school each time you do your weekly shopping. The cost is not as remarkable as when you buy everything at once and you can find better deals throughout the year than the week before classes start.
2) When you buy a new DVD, make a copy that your family can use and keep the original DVD. When the copy gets damaged (and it certainly will) you can re-copy the original.
3) Wash empty plastic food containers…that is. tubs of yogurt or margarine… that you can use instead of buying expensive storage containers.
4) Use washable cloth dish towels instead of expensive paper towels.
5) Save your money and the planet by using household cleaning products instead of expensive household chemicals. The Internet is full of easy-to-use recipes for natural cleaning products. You won’t believe how many things can be cleaned with baking soda and white vinegar!
6) Buy generic drugs as often as you can. Brand name drugs will cost you substantially more and the bills and prescriptions can add up. So the next time you’re looking for Tylenol or aspirin at your local pharmacy, ask the pharmacist for the generic brand.
7) Haircuts, while not too expensive, can add up if you have a couple of kids who need a cut every six weeks. Save money by trimming everyone’s hair in student hair and beauty salons.
8) Join the local library! You can borrow the latest books and movies for free, as well as your favorite magazines that you would normally buy on impulse while waiting in line at the supermarket.
9) Take the time to clip coupons as they can save you 25-30% off your weekly grocery bill.
10) If you don’t like spending money on dry cleaning, then stop buying clothes that need dry cleaning. If you can’t get rid of dry clean outfits, leave them hanging when you’re in the shower. Steam does a good job and saves you money!
11) Use a dryer only when absolutely necessary. You will save energy and preserve the life of your clothes by using a clothesline that you place on your terrace or balcony. During winter, place the drying rack near an air outlet. The clothes will dry quickly while moistening the air in the house.
12) Use cash instead of cards. It’s easier to track where your money is going.
13) Stop spending money on expensive beauty products. Try homemade masks, scrubs, makeup removers and much more. The money you save will make you feel good and the natural products you use will make you look young.
14) Take a bagged lunch to work! I can’t stress enough how much money you’ll save by packing your lunch instead of buying it every day. Do this the night before to avoid being rushed in the morning. And since you’re preparing lunch for the next day, why not set up the coffee maker too? Your coffee will be ready just the way you like it when you wake up in the morning, thus avoiding a stop at Tim Horton’s or Starbucks.
15) Buy an herb pot and use only as many herbs as you need. This way you avoid buying them at the supermarket for much more money, or wasting herbs from the pile that you don’t need.
16) If you want certain fruits or vegetables that are not in season look for them in the frozen section. It is cheaper and just as nutritious as fresh.
17) Never leave home without a bottle of water and a healthy snack in your bag. You will avoid spending good money at the corner store just because you or the kids are thirsty.
18) Check how much money you spend on phone service. Most families have a home phone number, a cell phone for each parent, and even a mobile phone for the children. Do you really need all these phones? If so, be sure to shop around and switch carriers if you’re not getting good value for your money. Bundle your internet, cable, and home phone for additional discounts.
19) Use Skype for your long distance and foreign calls. It’s free!
20) Pay your auto insurance and home insurance annually instead of monthly. You will save money on monthly administration fees.
21) Collect all the spare change you have. Try placing a piggy bank or container where you normally empty your pockets. Invite grandparents to “donate” their spare change too, and once a year use the money you’ve collected in the piggy bank to pay for your child’s RESPs.
22) Pay your bills as you receive them to avoid the late payment fee.
23) Use solar garden lights around the house. They do the work of a night light while saving money on your energy bill, and they also provide you with light during a power outage.
24) Instead of having a garage sale for things you no longer need, try selling them online. It has been shown that you can get 5 to 6 times more money for an item you sell online than at a garage sale.
25) Avoid buying new toys. Instead, look at thrift stores or garage sales for gently used toys. Most kids won’t mind if the toy is new at the store, as long as it’s new to them.
26) Make your own organic playdough.
27) Buy coloring books at the Dollar Store instead of a department store or use the Internet for free printables, puzzles, and mazes.
28) Don’t waste money on gift wrap and cards. Instead, spend quality time with your children making these items together and watch their creative talents unfold as they create gift wrap and cards for the special people in their lives.
29) Young children love to paint with their fingers. Make your own edible finger paints and stop worrying about the safety of store-bought paints.
30) Check out events in your area. Most festivals are free and present your family with a great opportunity to get out of the house and spend quality time with your children.
