How do you save money?

Question

How do you save money on things you need for your kids? How do you save money on household things and groceries?

Answer 1

Clothing for kids doesn't have to be high-dollar. I often shop consignment stores and yard sales. You can find name-brand clothes, barely worn (sometimes with tags still on) for a fraction of the retail price. Hand-me-downs aren't a bad thing! If you're passing boy clothes to a girl, you can add ruffles and ribbons to make them "girlier." Also, at the end of each clothing season, I shop the clearance racks for the next year.

For groceries, remember that it's often cheaper to buy generic than it is to buy name-brand with a coupon, and the generics are usually manufactured by the name-brand companies. If your grocery allows double coupons, take advantage of it, but only the the things you would normally have on your list anyway. Buy in bulk whenever possible. Avoid pre-portioned snacks, as they are far more expensive. You can put snacks in cheap baggies instead.

When it's time for school supplies, avoid the trendy notebooks and pencils. Instead, buy the less expensive plain ones and let your children decorate them however they choose. This can be a great back-to-school tradition for your family. You can purchase personalized pencils very cheaply through places like Oriental Trading Company. With backpacks, you're better off to make the initial investment for a good quality pack. I had one that lasted more than 8 years - through high school and out of college.

If your children are smaller, things like diapers can be terribly expensive. I've found that store brands work as well as name brands. This is true for most baby and toddler supplies, from wipes to bottles to shampoo.

Toys don't have to be fancy, either. You can make your own playdough and fingerpaints, and kids love it! Go to the library and enroll in summer reading programs for your child. Spend time outdoors and take advantage of public parks.

Check out the site http://www.miserlymoms.com or buy the book Miserly Moms. It is full of ways to save all around - from the electric bills to the grocery store. Good luck!

Answer 2

Put money into a managed fund, $400 dollars a month. They wait for the payment, so you are forced to save it. Anytime is a good time to start cause it is a Long Term investment (so generally over time you can double it every say around 7 years) and it compounds. So you could get a 30% return in say 4-6 months, if u pick a good one. $100 a week=$400 a month =$4800 a year =$24000 over five years and double this by compound following the rule =$48,000 not bad for 100 bucks a week. Theres always an excuse it will go down or won't work but at least youll have 24 grand. Internet accounts are good also 5% interest and cant get at on weekends, till Monday morning. Just dont ask for a card. Get a timer for your oil heater- I was living in a cold climate (Orange) last year and the timer reduced the bill by like $500 bucks for the quarter. From 900 to 300 and it was still snowing in November. Dont buy books on investment, you could have invested the money. If u do sell it on ebay when finished. Sell anything u dont need on ebay. Its cheap to sell and someone else benefits from something you dont need. If you have Cash pay you credit card off, this is the worst debt you can have.

Answer 3

Keep an eye on the websites of the stores you shop at to see when the sales will take place. Buy secondhand where you can, but make sure whatever you buy is in decent condition. Alot of dollar stores have household items, and you can get a great deal on furniture from thrift stores.

A small item that adds up is change. Put all your change in a bottle or change jar, use it to buy smaller items like a gallon of milk or some paper towels.

Reuse what you can (like clothes or whatever), and be realistic about "needs" vs "wants". If you don't *really* need something, don't waste money on it.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Figure out what you make a month, figure out what your bill are and leave a little for spending money. But your groceries at sav-a -lot and your household things at the dollar store. Try to buy the cheapest products available.

Answer 5

Second hand stores are a great source for cheap clothing. To save on groceries, try one of those price clubs like sam's club, bj's or costco. Also clip coupons from the paper, you would be a mazed at how much money you can save on things you need. To save on children's items like diapers, formula, etc, go to your local Babies R Us and get on their mailing list, they send TONS of coupons for diapers, formula and other baby needs.

Answer 6

the best way i have found to save money since my daughter arrived is second hand clothing stores (many of the clothes in these stores still have tags on them and have never been worn) and i buy my cleaning products, paper products, and diapers and formula in bulk at sams club.

Answer 7

for groceries buy what you need in bulk but remember that it should be necessary. prices of bulk items are less . try Sam's club,
my be a part time job will help you with your kids. saving on unnecessary expense is a must

Answer 8

Shop sale items most of the time, use coupons, cut down on unnecessary things like premium cable, high speed Internet etc.

Answer 9

Spend only for needs,not wants! Check flyers and ad papers for sales on needs. Make a list of needs and watch for the items to go on sale.;-)=

Answer 10

By not spending on wants but taking care of the needs