Raising kids does not have to cost a fortune. With just a little time and effort, you can provide yourself and your child with all life’s necessities: healthy meals, cool clothes, and enriched opportunities, and still stick to a budget.
- Determine how much you can afford each month and stick to the budget.
- Explain to your child that you live on a budget and family needs come before wants.
- Shop around for the best deals on food and clothing. Take advantage of outlets, wholesale, and thrift stores.
- Buy food in season and freeze bread and milk.
- Make family meals and baby food from scratch. Save on the expense of formula and breast feed, if you can.
- Pack school lunches instead of buying.
- When you go out to dinner, split adult meals between children instead of ordering from the children’s menu. It often comes out cheaper.
- Use coupons for entertainment, restaurants, and haircuts. I love Groupon.com.
- Visit parks, zoos and museums for inexpensive entertainment.
- Find bargains at yard sales and in classified ads.
- Let it be known that you like hand-me-downs. Keep them organized.
- Investigate high-priced items by borrowing from a friend first.