It has become especially stressful in recent years with the struggling economy to support a family. From the overwhelming cost of hundred of diapers to the money you need to save for their future college educations, there are so many things to consider. That is why my family focuses on saving money in as many ways as possible. Over time, we’ve really fine-tuned our savings approach and found several unique methods for cutting costs that I think could benefit any family. Below, you’ll find some of my favorite tips for saving.
Stay in the Know
It’s no hidden secret that you can clip or print coupons for your shopping trips. However, a lot of your favorite stores have deals that you’re missing out on. Many companies have started offering special deals through sms marketing. For instance, if you sign up to receive texts from Redbox you can save on entertainment for your family when they text you deals like “rent one dvd get one free” throughout the month. Signing up for text alerts can help you to avoid paying full price for things that are marked down on a regular basis.
Set Up a Babysitting Swap
Unfortunately, date nights can really add up and put a huge dent in your bank account. It’s still very important to maintain a healthy relationship with your significant other. I read all about how babysitting swaps worked for other families and we decided to try it out with some friends of ours. It’s been one of the best money-saving changes we’ve made over the years. You still get some alone time from the kids, but you don’t have to add $40 or more to your date night when you come home and pay the babysitter. Instead, you find other parents who are willing to watch your kids for the evening in exchange for you doing the same on one of their date nights. If you haven’t tried this yet, email your friends ASAP and set something up!
Master your Gardening Skills
Having a family can significantly increase the total of your grocery shopping bill each week. But, you can avoid having to purchase certain produce items if you simply learn to grow them in your own home. Starting a vegetable garden in your back yard has more benefits than just saving you money. The produce is extremely fresh and delicious and I’ve grown to find my time tending the garden to be relaxing and therapeutic.
Declutter Your Closets
There are many ways that going through your closet can help you to save money. First, you can list items that you no longer wear on sites like poshmark and make money from home. We’ve all tried those consignment shops, but often leave disappointed in the money that we receive in return for our clothes. Poshmark allows you to set your own price and bargain with those near you. When going through the kids’ closets, you may also run across great pieces for hand-me-downs that you forgot even existed. Take the time to sort through all of the closets in your house on a regular basis and I guarantee you’ll start saving some money.
Having a family can be expensive, but we all know it’s so worth the price in the end. We can all use new ways to save some money every now and then. Whether you sign up for text marketing from your favorite companies or you learn to grow your own tomatoes and cucumbers, following these tips will surely help you to increase the money in your savings accounts.