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.