Being a parent has certainly changed how I view money and what I see as a priority when it comes to spending. Gone are the days of wild nights out in London with £15 cocktails and expensive taxis home. We relocated from London for many reasons however the cost of living being much less is definitely something that our family has benefited from. That said, budgeting as a family is definitely something that we have learned over the years and something I would love to teach the boys. Money management is such an important skill & using calculators to work out the best finance options is something I would recommend.
Top Budgeting Tips
Budgeting isn’t always easy and I know sometimes it can feel like the month goes on forever waiting for payday, but these are the budgeting tips I have picked up as a parent so I thought I would share them with you.
Cut The Cost of Clothing
Kids grow quickly and as such, buying them new clothes all the time can be expensive. There is nothing wrong with buying second-hand clothes and actually on places such as Facebook Marketplace you can pick up some great bundles that will keep you going for months! As kids grow quickly often clothes are barely worn before someone grows out of them, so you can benefit from this.
Do Your Research
It always pays to do that extra bit of research into what you are buying online to make sure you are getting the best value for money! A great example of this is with the ludicrous prices of printer ink. Over the last year, our printer saw more use than all other years combined as we printed both fun activities for the kids and much of their schoolwork. And whilst printer ink is often worth more than its weight in gold, you can cut corners by buying cheaper compatible ink cartridges.
Take Snacks
If your kids are anything like mine, they love snacks! Honestly, they could snack for England. Buying food out all the time can be expensive, especially if you’re just grabbing the odd thing here and then. If you’re planning a day out then pack some snacks with you, that way you always have something you to hand that they like (a massive bonus!) and you don’t have to spend money on expensive snacks while you’re out.
Sell What You Don’t Need
As much as places like Facebook are great for picking up a bargain, they’re also good for selling things too! You could also sell a bundle of clothes or some old toys in order to buy new ones. This is really environmentally friendly and great for your wallet, so it’s a win-win really.
Get Vouchers
The internet is full of voucher codes, discounts and sneaky ways to save money, so make sure you take advantage of these. Websites like Groupon often have discounts available for days out which are well worth checking out. This means that you get to enjoy the day out exactly the same as you would if you booked direct, but usually for lots less money!
Prioritise
Parent or not, sometimes we have to accept that we can’t do it all and that is okay. Flashy days out are great, but your kids probably would enjoy a picnic in the garden just as much. One of the most important things you can spend on your children is time, so don’t get caught up in the money side of things. Enjoy family life together and everything else is just a bonus. We’d also love to teach the boys about budgeting as this is something we feel is important and a great skill to learn as you grow up.
