whats the best way to save with 3 kids?

Question

what can i do to get my kids what they need but still save money. all in diapers and needing clothes.

Answer 1

cut out luxuries like coffee, gourmet ice cream and little toys that just end up being thrown in a pile. Avoid fast food. Although time consuming, cook more things from scratch. They will end up being cheaper and more healthy.

For building up financial savings, start putting 1% of your salary directly into a savings account at a bank where you do not have an ATM card. Make it as difficult as possible to get the money out, such as having to drive across town and standing in line. Increase it another 1% every 3 months until you find your comfort level. When you get a raise at work, direct half of the raise into your savings account.

Answer 2

Saving money when we have kids is the hardest thing to do. Taking care of your family's needs is always on the top of the list. Sometimes it is just great that you can give the kids the things they need then worrying about saving money. You have to decide what is most important when purchasing things for yourself and your family. There is always sooo many ways you can cut back. Comparing prices and using coupons is a good idea. Some people are really lucky and have family members or friends that can pass down clothes or items that you may need. Also, a second hand shop or good will is a great place to go. I know here where I live they have a second hand shop that gives you the opportunity not only to buy items there but for you to sell your items you know longer use there too. Other things to pay attention to is how much money you are spending on entertainment and food. We would be suprised what we can save if we just stick to "WHAT IS NEEDED". One thing that really helped for me was to get a penny jar and everytime I had change I would put it in the bottle. After a year went by I would take the money, divide it evenly among the kids and open up their own savings account. I would save about $200's a year. This way when the kids get older, need a prom dress, car or help with their expenses then you can suprise them. That way you feel like you are accomplishing something. Good Luck!!

Answer 3

Save, save, save. Years ago, I never saved. We didn't have enough to save $50 so I saved nothing. I finally learned!!! Save anything you can, even if it's pocket change, it all adds up.

Start a savings account at a credit union or someplace with better interest. Every paycheck, make sure something goes into that savings. Don't be shy about saving only a few dollars, do it and pretty soon you will find you enjoy it and want to save more.

Shop only with a list and make a game out of saving. Let say you budget $80 for groceries, try to come in under it and tuck away what you didn't spend. They'll be set backs, but the important thing is to know where every dollar is going to avoid waste.

I use a per diem system that works pretty well. We get paid twice a month. I deposit the check, pay all the bills, make a savings deposit, and then divide the balance left in the checking by the number of days left until we get paid again. That way I know how much I can spend on any given day to make the money last until next payday. Often I find a way to spend less and again...save what is not spent.

Next step: mutual funds. Hang on, you'll get there.

Answer 4

This might sound lame, but have you put out the word to friends and family that you would be OK accepting clothing or diapers that people aren't using anymore (if this is OK with you). i did this and have not had to buy my daughter clothing yet-she is 7 months old. You would also not believe how many people go to BJ's or Cosco and buy those large boxes of diapers and then their kids outgrow them in the middle. I have also gotten a heck of a lot of diapers this way too. I then take the money i would have spent on each thing I get from someone else and put it away. Good luck!

Answer 5

Browse the sales circulars from local grocery stores and buy the stuff you normally buy when its on sale. Also try not eating meats for dinner a few times a week opting to eat beans, tuna, or cheese as the main protein.

If you have the time and the energy you might want to try using cloth diapers and washing them yourself. Water is a lot less expensive than disposeable diapers. Use terry wash cloths instead of baby wipes too.

Also join your local free cycle. You can find lots and lots of free clothing for your kids and it is usually still in really good shape. Small kids don't care if they wear hand me downs.

Shop garage sales, but only buy what you absolutely need.
That's good advice anyway. Only buy what you absolutely need any time.

Answer 6

1. Don't eat out..(adds up)
2. Purchase used clothes. (even try placing an ad in your local paper..Will buy children's clothes for cash, list your children's' sizes) negotiate the prices. You'll get calls rolling in, callers with very nice clothes it's worth it!
3. Don't purchase anything you want but what you need.
4. Eliminate extra cost, such as, cable (get basic), unnecessary monthly fees, and credit card debits.
5. Any big purchases, plan for it. Set money aside in special accounts for entertainment, education, etc.
FYI..what someone suggested about craiglist.com is very true. Whatever you want, you should find it on craigslist.com....You'll never have to pay full price for anything again..There's always someone that has something that's value to you, that they are trying to get rid of.

I've got to disagree with buying the store brand diapers..They don't hold and you end up using more diapers then you have to, which really means you are buying preminum brand diapers. The best less expensive diapers I found that works is...LUVS.. I'm a mother of 3 children with another one on the way..Before having my 3rd child, I wouldn't allow any other brand but pampers to be on my children..Until one day someone bought me LUVS as a gift for the baby. I was out of diapers and had no choice to use the LUVS. I was proven wrong, and must say I'm sucker for LUVS..AND they are a lot cheaper than pampers, and huggies...AND they work very well..In fact better!

Answer 7

Shop at thrift stores. Another great way to save money, is to buy their clothes at stores a year in advance, at the end of the season, on clearance. Children's consignments are good, also, because you can also bring in used clothes, and get a little bit back. Every dollar counts. If you have toys, baby accessories, etc, that you don't use, you can try to sell those as well.
For diapers: I signed up on the Huggies and Pampers websites for coupons, and I get them about once a month. When the grocery store has the BIG boxes (example: 144 of size 3) on sale, I buy one of those, with the coupon, and it lasts 3-4 weeks. It's all about hitting sales and finding coupons. Unfortunately, diapers will always be expensive, sale or no, but if you can get them on sale in bulk, it helps greatly. Then that is one less expense for the month!
You can also cut down monthly expenses by buying only fresh foods: processed foods tend to be pricey, not to mention unhealthy. Buy the large containers of yogurt, clip coupons, only buy what is on sale.......when you find a good deal, stock up on as much as you can afford to. For example, I only buy TP when I find a great sale-I bought a package of 24 double rolls last month, for $10, and still have 10 rolls left! In general, buying in bulk is cheaper in the long run. You can also try and shop at a Bulk Grocery Store (we have one here in CT called Sam's Club, I believe it is an affiliate of Wal-Mart).

Answer 8

I am a single mom of four kids.. I have just finished university and at the moment am unemployed.. looking for work mind you. I have found that kids (over the age of 5 or 6) understand great when you say.. we have to do with out this for a little while.. like no TV.. Internet... no eating out... buying things on sale.. when you get extra money .. buy a lil extra food that won't spoil that you can use when you have less money. Food banks can help, some churches offer help depending on how desperate you have become. Otherwise it is sticking to the necessities only for awhile and watching the flyers for sales. You can do it!

Answer 9

We always seem to need shoes,clothes and entertainment for kids these days.You really should check out a consignment place in your area.I gave everything I could to this place and made money every season.Of course you may want to hand down some of the items.And I do agree about that change saving.My son and I used to roll change before a big Chuck E Cheese or movie day.Get the change rollers at your bank.IT IS AMAZING HOW MUCH YOU SAVE.

Answer 10

You could try opening a savings account and put a little bit of money in it each week. I know its easier said than done because I also have 3 kids and money is tight. Also when you go shopping for clothes and stuff try to find where the sales are.