It’s no secret that having kids will change your life. Nothing is quite as inspiring, educating, thrilling, stressful… and expensive! One of the main causes for anxiety in parents is the cost that comes with raising a child. Of course, you want your little one to have the best possible childhood and never want for anything – but your finances will only stretch so far, and you have to think of your own running costs as well as theirs. This article will explore a few simple ways in which you can save money without your children – or you- having to miss out.
Check Out Pre-Loved Sites and Pages
There are plenty of other parents who understand the cost of raising kids. For that reason, once their little ones become too old for certain clothes or toys, you’re likely to find those items listed on special parenting groups on social media or elsewhere on the internet – usually for a very low cost or even free. It’s amazing what you can discover on these pre-loved listings; cots, carriers, unopened and in-date baby food that their little one has rejected… you’ll find it all there.
Revise Your Finances
If you look into your existing finances, you may find that there are certain ways of saving money that you weren’t aware of before. If you’ve been paying off a mortgage for a few years, now may be the time to see if you can release a little equity and make changes to your interest rates or repayments. The same goes for student loans. Using a student loan calculator, you can find how much money you can save by refinancing. Those funds will now be available to spend on your family.
Make Food and Snacks at Home
It’s really easy to learn how to make tasty, nutritious and kiddie-friendly biscuits, baby foods and other meals and treats from scratch. Buying pre-made or branded foods can cost a lot – even when you purchase own-brand items – and they often contain colorings, preservatives and lots of salt and sugar. Not only will you save money by eating at home, you’ll also be able to offer your little ones a healthier diet. Be sure to make use of your freezer. By preparing batches of different foods and freezing them for consumption at a later date, you can save time too.
Entertain Your Kids for Free
The fun doesn’t have to cost money. Games days, arts and crafts weekends, nature walks and other activities of this kind are free, and can keep your kids occupied for hours. Ask other parents for their tips and share your own too. This may help you to save a huge amount and can also prove highly educational for your little ones.
Reuse, Recycle, Upcycle
Scour second-hand shops, use a little imagination and learn a few crafting skills. Try to choose outfits that you can adjust as your kids get older, or find ways of upcycling worn out clothes. There are loads of handy online tutorials that will teach you how to make toys out of unwanted items or create gorgeous outfits for your kids by hand. You may even find yourself with a new hobby.
What did we learn?
