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How to Raise Kids on a Budget

Raising kids doesn't have to cost a fortune. With a little time and effort, you can provide your children - and yourself - with healthy meals, cool clothes and enriching opportunities, and still stay true to your budget.

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    Difficulty:
    Moderately Easy

    Instructions

    Things You'll Need

    • Children's Clothes
    • Child-approved Food
    • Local Newspapers
      • 1

        Determine how much you can afford each month for food, clothes and other needs. Stick to it.

      • 2

        Explain to your children that you live on a budget. Needs must come before wants.

      • 3

        Shop around for the best deals on food and clothing. To that end, don't be too proud to take advantage of wholesale, outlet and thrift store prices.

      • 4

        Find bargains at yard sales and in classified ads.

      • 5

        Investigate high-priced items by borrowing from a friend first.

      • 6

        Let it be known that you like hand-me-downs. Keep them organized.

      • 7

        Make family meals and baby food from scratch. Save the expense of formula by opting to breast-feed.

      • 8

        Buy foods in season, and freeze milk.

      • 9

        Pack school lunches instead of buying.

      • 10

        Visit parks, zoos and museums for inexpensive entertainment.

      • 11

        Find out if you qualify for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) or Head Start programs.

    Tips & Warnings

    • Buy clothes on sale or in the off-season.

    • Use coupons for entertainment, restaurants and haircuts.

    • Split adult portions instead of buying kids' meals at restaurants.

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    Comments

    • Feb 28, 2006
      Ask the doctor for sample formula when you take your baby for a doctor's visit. These samples are free, given from the manufacture to the doctor.
    • Feb 28, 2006
      Ask the doctor for sample formula when you take your baby for a doctor's visit. These samples are free, given from the manufacture to the doctor.
    • Nov 22, 2005
      If you have 2 or more kids, ask for a frozen yogurt to be put into 2 cups, but still the same amount of frozen yogurt. If you catch them at a busy time, it is likely they will put a lot more than 1/2 of the whole portion in each cup ^_^
    • Nov 22, 2005
      Local toy libraries are fabulous. Often each child can take out two toys, a book and a cassette or video for 2 weeks, you a parenting book. They may have crafts & snacks for kids, counselling services for parents. Often free or minimal eg. $5/year.

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