Having to stick to a budget can be a challenge, especially if you have only recently had to start cutting back and are not used to watching what you spend.
Fortunately, living on a budget does not have to be a chore. In fact, it can be fun to discover ways to save money as a family.
From avoiding fast fashion to planning your meals, to shopping around, keep reading to discover the top five money-saving tips for families on a budget.
Buy good-quality clothes
You may think that you have to purchase cheaper clothes for your family when on a budget, but this is actually a false economy. Poorly made, throwaway fashion will never last long, and you will find yourself back in the shops spending more money before you know it.
Instead, focus on finding ways to save money on good-quality clothes that are durable and comfortable for all the family. One of the simplest ways to enjoy discounts on your favorite brands is to seek out coupons and promotional codes. For example, by searching for an Old Navy coupon online, you will be greeted with the latest money-saving offers and deals that are currently available at this trusted family clothing brand.
Plan your meals
Be honest. How often do you rely on convenience food and take-outs to feed your family? Probably more than you care to admit, but don’t feel too bad, as you are far from alone. In fact, an estimated 82% of Americans indulge in ordering out at least twice a week.
Unfortunately, this is the easiest way to completely blow your budget and can result in you spending more money on food in one night than you would in a whole week of careful grocery planning.
However, by creating and sticking to a meal plan each week, you can ensure that you don’t waste any food or become tempted by expensive quick fixes.
Shop around
You may think that loyalty pays, but in terms of your regular monthly outgoings, this is most certainly not the case. Whether it’s your expensive cell phone plan, your cable package, or your monthly water rates, you should always shop around to check that you are getting the best possible price for all your monthly outgoings.
Now is also the time to cancel any subscription services or costly packages that you are not using, for example, that gym membership that has been utilized once in the past six months or that magazine subscription that you rarely get round to reading.
Avoid expensive days out
With the summer break fast approaching, it can be a worrying time for families on a budget.
How are you supposed to keep your kids entertained for weeks on end without overspending?
Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of free and low-cost ways to entertain your kids, many of which are arguably more fun than a costly trip to the local bowling alley.
- Have a family board game day
- Set up a home movie night complete with snacks
- Head to the local park for a picnic
- Set up a craft fair in your backyard
Forgo foreign travel
Family vacations are so important, giving you the chance to spend quality time together away from the stresses of everyday life and allowing you to catch up on each other’s busy lives.
That being said, they can be expensive, with the average family of four vacation abroad costing over $5,000.
Thankfully, you do not need to spend nearly this much to enjoy a family vacation. Arguably the costliest element of a family vacation is air travel, so why not drive instead? There are so many amazing family vacation destinations across the United States for you to explore without the need to ever set foot on a plane.
