Budgeting is hard when you are young, single, and childless, and even more difficult when you throw little ones into the mix. I know that saving money as a mom can seem impossible, but there are some very simple things you can do to help build up savings while raising a child. Here are 5 super simple ways to save money in your everyday life.
1. Pack lunches
I know that finding the time to make a lunch for your kid in the evening can be hard. After a long day of work, sometimes we just want to relax. Taking ten minutes out of your day to throw something together can make a huge difference, both budgetary and health wise. It could be as simple as making a bag of cheese and crackers for a snack, or packing up leftovers from dinner. A packed lunch can save a lot of money that would have otherwise been spent at the cafeteria!
2. Make sure your budget is flexible
The most important aspect to saving money is creating a budget and sticking to it. When sticking to your budget, make sure you avoid impulse buying and any frivolous spending. That being said, I know some things are unavoidable: during the summer months your child may ruin every piece of clothing they have playing outside. My solution to this is to save up a little every month and set aside a small nest egg that can be tapped into when these types of emergencies arise. Even twenty dollars a month can really add up, and help out when things are tight and you need cash quick.
3. Find fun, free activities to do
Doing fun activities that your children will love can seem daunting on a small budget, but there are a ton of things that can be done in your backyard, neighborhood, or around the house for little to no cost. Walk to the local park, play in the backyard, or make some crafts in the living room. For more ideas, check out my previous article on cheap activities here.
4. DIY
Do it yourself! When it comes down to something like cutting hair, swimming lessons, or tutoring, it’s better to do it yourself when possible! I know that it can be a daunting task to take all of these things on yourself, but when you can do it yourself, you should. There are tons of great guides online to help you along, from how to cut your child’s hair to a toy making guide, step by step instructions can be a huge money saving technique when you want to cut the cost and do it yourself.
5. Buy Second Hand
Buying second hand is easier than ever. With the advent of Facebook groups geared towards the topic, alongside websites like kijiji, finding those items you need at a discounted price is easier than ever. There are many Facebook groups dedicated to more specific localized regions or groups, which is a big plus when you need something quick. For all you know, your neighbor could be selling exactly what you need at a fraction of the cost!
This post has been sponsored by Loan and Go
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