How to Stretch Your Family Budget

Stretching the family budget can be challenging no matter what shape the economy is in. But being a frugal shopper can help in ways to stretch your dollar beyond necessities and help you save those dollars for other things. I found that shopping at the dollar store can stretch your family budget and help you find the extra money to use elsewhere especially if you are having a tough time making ends meet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• price awareness
• willingness to shop frugally

1. Buy your household cleaners at the dollar store and you can save a bundle. You can find anything from window cleaner to bathroom cleaner to sponges and stainless steel pads. You can even find name brands for a lot of items.

2. Running a household takes a lot of money so cut back on those expensive brand name items like trash bags, zipper lock top freezer bags, plastic wrap, aluminum foil etc. Purchase these items at your local dollar store.

3. Feeding a family can be expensive especially if they like to snack or if the kids have to take snacks with their school lunches. Buy your snacks at the dollar store! You can find bags of chips (brand name)as well as cakes, cookies, candy and pretzels. Many are in individual size packs which make it easy to throw in your kids lunch box.
   
   The dollar store also offers canned goods, pasta and rice which can stretch your family budget without having to spend a bundle in the supermarket.

4. Toys, games and books for kids are abundant at the dollar store. You can find coloring books, crayons and all sorts of drawing pads, pencils and construction paper (as well as glue and glitter) for all your kids art projects. You can stretch your family budget by buying these items at the dollar store rather than in an office supply store or even at your local department stores.

5. Beauty products can cost a lot of money especially for a family. Purchase your toothpaste, toothbrushes, muscle rubs, aspirin, shampoo and conditioners, soaps at the dollar store. You can find brand name in all these products.

6. Cards, tissue paper and gift bags are costly if you have to give a gift to someone. The dollar store offers a wide variety of gift bags as well as cards and tissue paper. You can put together a nice wrapping for your gift for $3 rather than spending close to $10 if you bought these items in a retail store.

7. Decorate your house with seasonal items that you can purchase for a dollar!! Every season the dollar store offers a variety of decorations from door hangings to candles to knick knacks. It's a great way to save money and yet keep your house festive and happy.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop at your neighborhood dollar store and you'll be surprised at how much money you can save
• Not all dollar stores offer brand names in every product

[ramblin62]

on 11/16/2009 Step #6 can really save me this year! Thanks for these tips on stretching the family budget.

[ourlastchance]

on 10/21/2009 Great article on stretching your family budget. The dollar store really does help extend your budget and they have great stocking stuffers for the holidays also! 5* and recommend

[sneedc]

on 10/11/2009 I'm beginning to sense a theme here....DOLLAR TREE!!!!! lol WOW!!! Everything's A DOLLAR! 5*

[sallyemaycreate]

on 10/9/2009 Great article! One can never have enough tips on how to stretch the family budget! Thanks 5* & recommendation.