Today I’m sharing some of the best money-saving hacks for parents. As a parent, you know that raising a child can be expensive. Between nappies, clothing, and childcare, it can feel like there’s always something new to spend money on. But with a little creativity and some smart thinking, you can ease the financial burden and still provide for your family. So read on for some of the best money-saving hacks for parents.
Buy Second Hand Where You Can
This is one of the most environmentally friendly money-saving hacks for parents I’m sharing today, so it’s worth using, for multiple reasons. We all know children grow quickly, which means they outgrow clothing and toys just as fast. This is especially true for young children and babies, therefore, instead of shelling out for brand-new clothes and shoes, try shopping for these things secondhand.
Charity shops are a great place to start shopping for secondhand goods, as well as online selling platforms like Vinted and Facebook Marketplace. Remember that it’s not just clothing that can be bought secondhand; you can also buy toys, baby gear, books, and so much more – all for a fraction of the cost.
Meal Planning Is A Must
Planning out your meals in advance is your ticket to saving both time and money. Making a weekly meal plan saves you the stress of having to decide what you need each night, as well as saving you from impulse purchasing expensive items or wasting leftover food.
Plan your meals according to what you have in your cupboards at home and create a shopping list that has any extra items you need.
When you head to the shop, remember to take your list and stick to it. Don’t forget that leftovers can also be turned into new meals or eaten again, therefore cutting back on food waste. When it comes to money-saving hacks for parents, this one saves you time, energy and money.
Cut Back On The Extras
Although it can be tempting to sign your child up for every extracurricular activity under the sun, it’s important to remember that those costs can add up quickly. This is especially true with older school-aged children who will also be needing payment for school trips through the academic year. Because of this, it’s a good idea to limit the number of activities your child participates in, or at least look for free or low-cost options in your community.
Alternatively, why not get school-age children a savings account and use savings for expensive activities as a way to teach kids the value of money?
Use Coupons, Vouchers, And Loyalty Schemes Where Possible
The chances are that your favourite supermarket has a loyalty scheme. Whether you’re racking up your Tesco Clubcard points or your Nectar points, these schemes can come in handy when you’re looking for a way to save money as a parent.
Collecting these points earns you money-off coupons that can be used in-store, online, or even for other experiences (such as days out), so it’s well worth signing up for them if you haven’t already. Also keep an eye out for supermarket baby events, which usually means half-price essentials too! Be careful you’re not buying things just because they are on offer though – that goes against these money-saving hacks for parents.
DIY Baby Gear
Remember that video that made LadBaby famous? The whole “Who needs a lunch box when you can use a toolbox,” saga? Well, it turns out that there’s some method to the madness.
I’m not saying that you should start creating some weird and wonderful inventions for your kids, but there are definitely ways to upcycle and reuse some of the items that you probably already have. For example, you can easily change a dresser into a changing table, or sew your own cloth nappies if you have the skills.
You can also make your own baby food or try baby-led weaning when your baby is old enough to start solids; this can save you a fortune in buying baby food jars and ready meals. Baby Led Weaning works out far cheaper than buying jars and pouches, and will also help your baby learn to self-feed much faster.
Use Hand-Me-Downs
Here’s a biggy: don’t be afraid to accept hand-me-downs from friends and family. Babies and children often outgrow items before they’ve had a chance to wear them out, which means you can get some seriously nice quality items for free. In fact, you’ll probably find that you’re given clothing that still has the label on it!
That’s how quickly children can outgrow clothes, which means that accepting secondhand clothing and items is a great way to save money as a parent. Plus, it’s also a great way to reduce waste and help the environment, making it a completely win/win situation. Accepting hand-me-downs may also free up some cash to allow you to start saving for the future.
Shop In The Sales
If you really want to treat your children to a new wardrobe, keep an eye out for sales and clearance events, especially on seasonal items like winter coats or summer clothes. You can often find items at a steep discount if you choose to browse off-season for these items.
This can be a good time to stock up on clothes for the year ahead as well, for example picking up cheap winter coats or summer dresses. Don’t forget to shop around – different stores may have different sales and prices on the same items.
Final Thoughts on Money-Saving Hacks for Parents
Remember, saving money doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality or fun. With these money-saving hacks, you can still provide for your family and enjoy all the joys of parenthood without breaking the bank. Remember you can reward yourself for making budget savings too.
This guest post was written by Tina who blogs at MotherGeek and GirlsGospel. She’s been sharing her ramblings for over 12 years now, so there’s plenty to catch up on!