Who wouldn’t want to have a bit more spare cash?
Saving money doesn’t have to be difficult or dreary. It can be a simple matter of shopping smarter or being a bit more creative.
Here are eight ways you can save money, when you have kids:
1. Borrow DVDs from your local library instead of buying them.
Your kids will probably get sick of them after watching them for a week, anyway. (Or perhaps not). Otherwise, set up an informal DVD library with your friends who have kids. Let them sit through endless repeats of Frozen for a couple of weeks and see how they like it.
2. Make a deal with another couple to look after each other’s kids once a month.
That way you can go on “date nights” without having to pay for a babysitter. Of course, it means you have to look after extra kids one night a month, but hopefully their kids and your kids will keep each other amused.
Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Biozet Attack. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in her own words.
3. Be imaginative, and organise fun events at your house instead of taking your kids on expensive outings.
Have a movie night where you turn out the lights, microwave popcorn and maybe even make up tickets. Or have a disco where everyone dresses up and dances, or a mini Olympic Games, or a camping trip in the living room. You might be surprised at how much your kids enjoy it.
4. Get your children in the habit of drinking water.
Not only is it healthy – and much better for their teeth than fruit juice – it will save you a lot of money. When you go on a family outing, always remember to bring water with you. That way, you never have to fork out for bottled drinks.
5. Cook in bulk on the weekend and stick leftovers in the freezer.
If you’ve got something prepared, you’re less likely to blow money on takeaway when you’re feeling too tired to cook. Pasta sauces, curries, stews and even homemade pizzas freeze well, and they’re all fantastic for cold winter nights.
6. Buy children’s clothes when they’re on sale at the end of the season.
Just make sure they’ll be big enough to fit your kids the following year – and that they don’t feature any cartoon characters your kids could be sick of in a year’s time. Also make sure that your family and friends know that you’d welcome their hand-me-downs, otherwise they might not think to offer them.
7. Start a vegetable garden.
Tomato plants are super easy to grow, along with spinach, lettuce and cucumbers, as well as plenty of herbs. You’ll soon start saving money, especially when summer comes and you’re eating a lot of salads. Even better, it’ll get your kids out in the garden, digging in the dirt and playing under the hose. There’s also the chance that if they grow the vegetables, they might be more likely to eat them. Worth a try.
8. Make a smart choice when it comes to your washing.
When you’re comparing laundry products, check the number of washes per bottle, rather than the volume, and you’ll see which the best value is. Get a highly concentrated liquid – some only require less than a tablespoon per wash. You’ll be saving money every time you do a load of washing.
Here are a few of the MM teams favourite ways to save money…
Over to you, what’s your best money-saving tip?
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