Tips on Saving Money
We all know that parenting is expensive. Those darn kids need clothing, housing, food. Geesh! But I think moms, particularly those who stay at home and live on one income, are the real experts on living frugally. So I thought I’d go right to the source, real moms, for some tips on saving money – family style…
14 Tips on Saving Money for Moms [from Moms]
1. Assess Needs VS. Wants
“We shop consignment and really try to keep in mind what we really need versus what we want. We have also started to move away from credit cards, pursue being debt free (it’s going to take us a while), and try to only spend cash on things we purchase.” Erika of Prey Species
2. Limit Kids’ Exposure to Advertising
“One really simple thing a do is avoid letting Goblin watch TV with advert breaks (Netflix rules!). This means he isn’t influenced to request expensive toys.” The Monko of Taming the Goblin
3. Stick to a Budget (& Discuss it with Your Kids!)
“Engineer is 5 years old, and he’s heard the phrase ‘when it’s in the budget’ as a response to many toy requests. This has led to him asking questions about how much things cost and what a budget is. Last month, he even asked to see the budget and have it explained! This has really helped conquer the “I want”s . . . now he tends to ask, ‘when it’s in the budget, can we please get ___?'” Mary Catherine of Fun-A-Day!
4. Buy Generic Brands
“We also feed his interest in construction vehicles and trains with generic toys and TV programmes. Branded toys and merchandise are always more expensive.” The Monko of Taming the Goblin
5. Shop Sales
“For big items we only get them when on sale 50% and up. Smaller things depends greatly what it is, I tend to give in more if it’s educational and priced well.” Valerie of Glittering Muffins
6. Get Post-Holiday Deals
“I like to keep an eye out for seasonal sales, especially for items that can be re-purposed. For example, I like to purchase small crayon boxes, colorful pencils, fun erasers and stickers at back to school sales to be used in party goody-bags later in the year. After the winter holidays I found a lot of glitter glue, colorful paper and candle making supplies at 1/4 price as well that we can use year round for art projects.” Ariadne The Positive Parenting Connection
7. Compare Labels When Price Shopping
“Don’t buy specifically baby products if you don’t need to. They are also always more expensive and if you check the labels often have exactly the same ingredients as the cheap own brand stuff – e.g. bubble bath, shampoo, baby oil, baby bath towels.” The Monko of Taming the Goblin
8. Wear Second-Hand
“I buy a lot of things used (at thrift stores). I share children’s clothes, and maternity items with family.” Karyn of Teach Beside Me
9. Buy Online
“Buy bundles of toddler clothes on Ebay. I got some amazing bundles last year. Big bundles usually have enough things you would put your child in that it doesn’t matter if there are one or two items you don’t like.” The Monko of Taming the Goblin
10. Buy Clothes Out of Season
” I like to buy next year’s clothes off the end-of-season clearance racks. I just bought a winter coat marked down from $99 to $25.” Dawn of Prickly Mom
11. Eat at Home & Cook From Scratch
“I cook almost all of my meals at home & make lots of convenience foods from scratch.” Karyn of Teach Beside Me
12. Stock Up the Freezer
“I try to plan meals and have my freezer stocked with ready to go meals (I made previously) to make it easier to cook at home rather then grab food while we are out.” Ashley of Life with Moore Babies
13. Limit Exrta-Curricular Activities
” In order to stay home with the kids, we agreed that some sacrifices would be necessary. My kids also get one activity at a time each such as swimming lessons, instead of the three or four that we used to do. No complaints from them.” Erin of The Usual Mayhem
14. Buy in Bulk
“We’ve always bought our regular household, personal care, and baby products at SAM’s Club where we can get the brands we like in large quantities. Then we store everything in the basement. Saves money and makes for fewer shopping trips with cranky kids, too!” Krissy of B-Inspired Mama
Saving Money with SIMPLY RIGHT™ Baby Care at SAM’s Club
SIMPLY RIGHT™ Baby products, available at SAM’s Club, help with many of the tips from our moms. I’ve been using SIMPLY RIGHT™ diapers and wipes for J.C. since he was born and love them. They’ve always seemed so thin and comfortable for him yet never leak at all. The quality is just as good as any big brand (if not better), but with much better value. SAM’s Club Members have saved up to $392/year purchasing them over other brands. And we love that we can get them in bulk and not have to worry about purchasing again for awhile.
For a FREE sample of SIMPLY RIGHT™ diapers or wipes, visit http://simplyrightbabycare.com/sample.html today!
How do you live frugally with kids? Do you have any tips on saving money for moms?
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Leah says
Thanks for the tips! I have been looking for additional ways to save without sacrificing too much! It is not easy to do and a budget is hard to follow when you aren’t used to it.
Krissy @ B-InspiredMama says
It’s so hard when you wish you could just give your kids everything. But you have to remember that it’s not the stuff that’s important anyway. Good luck, Mama!