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.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Determine how much you can afford each month for food, clothes and other needs. Stick to it.
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2
Explain to your children that you live on a budget. Needs must come before wants.
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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.
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4
Find bargains at yard sales and in classified ads.
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5
Investigate high-priced items by borrowing from a friend first.
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6
Let it be known that you like hand-me-downs. Keep them organized.
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7
Make family meals and baby food from scratch. Save the expense of formula by opting to breast-feed.
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8
Buy foods in season, and freeze milk.
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9
Pack school lunches instead of buying.
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10
Visit parks, zoos and museums for inexpensive entertainment.
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11
Find out if you qualify for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) or Head Start programs.
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1
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
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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.
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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 ^_^
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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.
