Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

3 Ways to Cut Costs at Home

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keep an eye on youe electric meter to save costs
Curtesy of CAPL

If there is anything any parent these days knows, it is that a family really needs to save to make sure that there is extra money for the things that really matter. The economic slump in my country has been the norm for many years now. Here, it really is a matter of how much you are taught, how skilled you are when you leave school, how much schooling you get and the kind of schooling you get as well, that will help you in carving out that great future for yourself and for your family by getting that high paying-high reward kind of job.

Now knowing this, know that education in my country is by no means cheap. There is public schooling much the same way there is in America wherein parents only pay a minimum amount for the education but, with the arguable exception of the State University High School, the quality of these schools is not good enough for a high paying job in the future. It is a cold, hard, unfortunate fact. Our schooling system is dying for improvements and the funding that will enable fantastic teachers to continue teaching…but that is another issue altogether.

That said, you can imagine how hard it is for parents to make ends meet. If you want quality anything, you have to pay- quality health care, quality education, quality housing. I do not know how it is in America but I do know that, in the United Kingdom for example, there is some support from the government. There is very little support for single parents as well (I think I have mentioned this before).

So, if you are a single mom like myself, you will want 1) a good paying job 2) still decent work hours 3) to live in a good area of the capital city or in a good area in any of the other major cities across the country 4) a good budget. These are all essential in the creation of a base that will allow for giving children the right education and rearing they need to succeed. Does it sound medieval? Victorian maybe? Well, again, it is the cold, hard fact of life.

So, there are ways to cut expenses in a household that may differ somewhat from what those people who live in the U.S. or U.K. know.

1. Cut on electricity as much as possible

In my country there is one electric company and this electric company seems to increase and give rebates on electrical costs when they feel like it (it feels a lot like increases more than rebates to be honest). This is also a tropical country so you really feel only one of two things- heat or humidity. There are air conditioners in almost every viable office and a lot of homes can boast of one air conditioner as well. Naturally there is the refrigerator and television. Aside from this, there are households- those of middle income earners mostly- that also use such items as a rice cooker, toaster, coffee brewer, washing machine and dryer, iron, and a microwave oven. One way to cut on electrical costs greatly is to cut out all the peripherals and to keep only the essential and to use these really only when absolutely needed. So, in my house, I have gone back to basics. I use the old-fashioned pot to cook rice, I hand wash most of the time, iron once a week for a couple of hours maximum, nix the brewer, toaster, and microwave oven. Air conditioning use is strictly regulated to 6-8 hours a day only, and the rest of the day being cooled by electric fans. I keep energy-saving bulbs and try to shut lights whenever possible. I can say this works because this brought my bill down from a 7000 bill to a 3800 bill.

2. Create a grocery list that reflects your budget and stick to this

I do my grocery once a month for most things. I think most people will agree that, when you buy in bulk, it is cheaper. So I get bulk cereal and oatmeal, bulk milk, bulk kilos of meat and fish, etc. The things I reserve for weekly purchase are easily consumed items like eggs, butter, tea, and vegetables. After experimenting with half month grocery shopping and weekly grocery shopping, I have found that this is the best way to buy food that will last, on a budget. Here we do not have coupons or discounts so every peso counts.

My kids, naturally, want everything every time I go to the grocery and this just isn’t realistically possible (I also really do not believe on giving them everything they want, every time and any time they want it). So I shuffle the items around a bit making the months menus very different. This way, I stick to the budget and the people in the house do not get bored. It is a trial for me to resist the urge to buy those perishables before the end of the week but sticking to the budget and the plan is a key element in making the whole thing work.

3. Save water

This is the easiest bit. This really just requires regulating your laundry days to three to four times a week. This is for many reasons. One, too much laundry at one time is taxing on the person washing. Two, the amount of water used for large bulks of clothes is a lot of water. Three, big batches of clothes may be too much for any extended clothes line to carry as well.

These are the three things I find I can control in order to have a budget that will include all the basic living requirements, the kids to go to good schools, and to have a family life as well however simple.

How do you cut costs at home where you live? Is it any different?

Busy, Busy, Busy!

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I'm busyI feel like I have been AWOL from my own web site lately!  Things have been just a bit insane and I have had no time to post.  My day job has grown increasingly busier and I am only half way through my massive list of to-do’s on my house.  Thankfully I have some great writers that have picked up the slack.

I should probably catch you up since I haven’t really blogged about this all that much.  My wife grew up right next to her families farm on a beautiful piece of property.  The house that is on that property is only “okay” but it’s built well and the property more than makes up for what might currently be lacking there.  We have been rather unhappy with our current house and neighborhood for awhile now but with our financial situation being what it was/is, we haven’t been able to afford to do anything about it.

Our 5 year plan

Three and half years ago, we came up with a 5 year plan to get out of debt and buy the family house my wife grew up in.  We have been working very hard, cutting every corner and putting every extra penny we could to get out of debt.  We didn’t get in debt because we were trying to keep up with friends and neighbors, we got in debt trying to survive while one of my previous businesses failed around us.  It’s  been hard on all of us, especially my wife, but it made us stronger than we ever thought we could be and we attacked it as a team.

The results so far?  We are ahead of the curve on our goal and our credit has bounced back much sooner than expected.  My credit is almost back to the best it’s ever been and my wife’s is closely behind.  We are finally in a position where we can afford to explore the idea of selling our current house and buy that dream house.  It’s noting fantastic, it’s a 1500 square foot ranch house but as previously mentioned, the property is amazing and the house has a ton of potential.  Our plan is to sell our current house, buy this house and spend the next 20 years turning it into the house we know it can be.

The first step

The first step towards achieving that goal is to get our house ready to sell.  As everyone knows, the market is not very good right so we want to give ourselves the best opportunity to sell this house at a good price by making it the best it can be.  It’s kind of sad to say but the house looks better today than it ever looked before and we are only half way through our list of things to do before listing it.  It’s kind of sad that we were finally motivated to really make this house shine only so we can sell it but I guess that is just how it goes.

So that is what I have been up to.  It’s going to be crazy for us for the next couple of months but I am very hopeful that it will payoff.  I know my two boys will LOVE growing up in the country with all that farm and family around us.

What have you been up to lately?

Things to Consider Before Moving

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Uhaul truck for movingOk, so it’s been ages since my last post and with good reason.  I had been in the middle of moving to a new house and my goodness!  It was very difficult this time around.  The last time I moved was almost 2 years ago and it was decidedly easier then.  I am assuming this is because I really did everything from scratch by myself this time around as opposed to having help from my family the first time.

Anyway, from my previous post I recall mentioning that I was considering moving a ways away from when I used to live because I found the area nicer, aesthetically, and more peaceful.  Well, this is where it all went wrong.

So I spent a whole day in the area looking for possible houses and here started my spending. I needed to rent a van because I don’t own a car and this was expensive.  We viewed a total of 7 houses and only 2 were nice enough to consider.  The rent, at first, also seemed doable.

It was when I was staring at my spreadsheet and doing my budget projections did I realize that both houses were out of the question and not because of their rent but because of all the expenses that come with living in an area.  So, I have created a short list of ‘real considerations’ when thinking about moving.

1. Location

This is important because you do not consider transferring from where you are to somewhere worse. As much as possible, always make the move be to a better place.  This is where things become subjective because ‘better’ is different for everyone.  Some people think that the beauty of a neighborhood makes things better; some think it is in the neighbors themselves; some think it is the crime rate; some think it’s how urban or rural the area is. For me, it is about peace and safety.  In Manila, you can live in very quiet, private subdivisions but pay a whole lot, or live in vibrant, alive corners and not pay as much.  I wanted a happy middle.  Whatever your criterion is, make sure it is something substantial and something you really count as important to living.

2.  Cost of Living

This is really important and this is what ultimately made me change my mind when it came to the big move.  Cost of living is basically what you spend in actuality to make living in an area possible. So, this includes what you spend on groceries from your local supermarket, what you spend on cooking gas, what you spend on commute to work, what you spend on taxes, what you spend on schooling for your kids (I you have kids) or for yourself (if you are studying).  Where I live, private schools are still considered better than public schools and tuition fees for these schools vary so it is important to find one that will fit your budget and still fulfill all your desires for your child’s education.  This is all the more important in a single income household like mine.  While number 1 may be a positive, while you may think you have found the perfect house, this can fall apart if you find you ultimately cannot afford to live in that area.

3. Availability of Resources

Now, this is simple and can be connected to points 1 and 2.  Questions that may fall under this point are: How far is it to your place of work? How hard is the commute? How far is the nearest hospital? How far is the school? Is there a local market?  Are there 24/7 drug stores?  The list of questions can also change depending on what you term as resources and how important these resources are to you.

After looking at these three points, I was able to conclude that my first plan was a bad idea.  So, I changed course and did a new search and discover session for a house in the general vicinity of where I used to live but better.  This is how the move turned from a simple 2 week exercise to a whole month!  And we aren’t even finished because, even if we have moved, we haven’t completely set ourselves up to be a fully functioning, smooth running household.  But that is another post.

What are your considerations when moving?  Are they different from what I stated?

10 Ways to Save on Your Next Grocery Bill

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Save money when filling your grocery bagWe are all looking for ways to make our dollar stretch further. I shared some ways to save money at the pump a few weeks ago; today we’ll look at ways to save even more money but in a different area of your budget. Are you saving all you can on your grocery bill? Do you clip coupons, and shop sales, but still feel like there might be some other ways you could still save? I have some some tips to share that I hope will help you spend less and save more.

1. Have a snack before heading out

You can save money at the grocery store simply by eating, before you go. You are less likely to pick up items that are not on your list, or items you don’t need, if you have a full tummy!

2. See if your favorite store price matches

If you go to the grocery (or any other store for that matter) and know that an item is less expensive elsewhere, many store will honor the competitors price. This is fantastic because it saves time and fuel — so just ask!

3. Plan your meals and make a list

Okay —  this tip consists of two things, but they do go hand-in-hand. If you plan your meals in advance you will save later on. Maybe you won’t see the savings at the grocery store, but during the week you won’t be eating out, or making unnecessary trips to the store — where you’ll end up spending even more money. After you plan your meals, if you make a list and stick to it, that will also help you to remain focused on the items you do need — then you be less likely to over spend.

4. Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season

We all know that fruits and veggies that are not in season usually cost a lot more and often times, they don’t taste as good as when they are in season. If you want something that isn’t in season, buying it in the freezer section is the next best option.

5. Buy in bulk — but be sure to compare prices

Sometimes buying in bulk can save you money. We actually buy pasta, rice, and spices in bulk and we save a lot of money this way. If you buy at the big club stores like Costco or Sam’s Club, be sure to compare what you are getting there with what you find at your regular store. Often times you can save money but sometimes, it can actually cost you more. Another thing you should always do is to look at the price per unit on the grocery self. This lets you know if buying the bigger bag is really the best deal. It also helps you compare prices between different brands. When buying meat you want to compare price per serving and not price per pound.

6. Go meatless a couple of times a week

If you can make a couple of meatless dishes during the week, that can help save money too. Need some yummy ideas? Delicious Vegetarian Recipes

7. Say no to drugs

Of course you should, but I’m talking drugstore items. Many times over the counter drugs, cosmetics, shampoos, etc. are more expensive at the grocery store; so do your research before buying those items.

8. Cut out soda and cut back on juice

For kids, you can water down their juice – which is better for them anyway – and it makes the juice last twice as long. Cutting back or cutting out soda is good for your budget and your health. Drink more water and if that bores you to death — put a lemon or cucumber slice in it for a tasty addition.

9. Do it yourself

Instead of buying grated cheese, sliced and peeled carrots, cookies, muffins, etc.  – if you have the time – do it yourself. It can save a lot of money in the long run.

10. Buy store brands

Store brands have come a long way. Many of them are just as good as some of the higher priced name brand products BUT some are not so proceed with caution. It’s worth a try though because you can save quite a bit if you do end up switching.

How do you save on groceries?

Considerations Before Moving

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Uhaul truck for movingOk, so it has been a while since I last posted and there is good reason for this.  See, I’ve decided fairly recently, to move to a new house.  Let me go over this decision with a little more detail.

It started about a year ago. I’ve always liked the area where my brother lives, which is about 15km away from the capitol city. It is a nice neighborhood with good, smaller schools, all the amenities you need, it is secure, quite picturesque in some areas, and quite secure as well.

So, I’ve been thinking about ways to be able to move there because of all the things I mentioned above but there were considerations I needed to go through first. Very important considerations for a single mom of two kids.

1. Cost

Much as I loved my brother’s area, it was definitely more expensive than where I am currently living.  It would take an additional 20k to move there.  It would mean an additional amount for commute expense, an additional amount for rent, and for water.  In dollars, that would mean an additional $466 a month.  That is not easy to do since that amount is a little higher than entry level salaries for a lot of jobs here.  I had to figure out how to make an extra 20k on top of the salary I get from my full time job.

2. Schools

My kids already have a school where we are now. It is just a preschool but, since my kids are only preschool age, it give me time to look around and budget for a big kids school.  Schools in my brother’s area were more expensive and were fewer in choice but the chances of getting a school with a good reputation for good education is easier. Public schooling in my country generally is not so great.  there are a handful of public schools that are considered very good so you can imagine what you need to do to get a spot there.  Ironic huh?  So, if you want to give your kids a good chance at making it in the future, you have to spend for schooling.

Those were the top considerations for moving to another area, specifically that area where my brother stays.  Needless to say, I suspended that thought and set it aside, thinking that I would not need to go back to it for another year or so at the least.

Well, turns out my parents were looking to move as well and decided to look in that same area.  Since it would suit all parties involved, we decided to join forces.  Because of that, we were able to come up with a good enough budget to sustain a household.

So, important things to think about when scouting for a change of address (as I have come to know and understand it from my experience):

1. cost of commute and utilities- some areas, being farther away from the business district, cost more to get out of and back to at the end of the day.  For the same reason, proximity to the capitol city, some utilities may cost more or less.  So there has to be room in the budget for these considerations.

2. cost of schooling- this is important if you have kids.  There is no use in moving to a place where you can afford the standard of living but not the schooling.

3. cost of food and shelter-  this has to be considered because it is part of budgeting your cost of living.

All three points are not ranked in order of importance because I think they are all equally essential.  Of course, I am currently in the process of moving so there are many things I am sure to learn as I go along.

I am interested to know what your considerations are if you think about making a move.  Are they any different from mine?

I will do my best to track this journey and to note the budget considerations as I go along.

What things do you consider before moving?

Throw a Party – Help a Friend – Get Free Stuff

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Pampered Chef is a direct sales companyHave you been wanting some new decor for your home? Is your candle supply running a little low? Need a new kitchen gadget or recipe ideas? Would you like to update your cosmetics, or get some new clothes? Of course! Who doesn’t — right? Well, if you are low on extra money; I have a great way to make you feel like you splurged, without spending too much.

Most of us have heard of Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Home Interiors, Party Lite, etc. Maybe you have a friend or two that earns extra money, or has built a successful business through one of these direct sales companies. You can support her  – and earn yourself some goodies in the process – by hosting a party. There is a direct sales company for just about everything!

Before we begin, I think it’s important for me to mention that I am not affiliated with these companies in any way, other than I have attended and/or had parties for one of their consultants. When I realized that I would be an at-home Mom I tried my hand at a couple direct sales businesses but it just wasn’t my thing.

Is direct sales for you?

First of all, I was my own best customer (a very bad thing if you want to make any money at all) and secondly, while I love attending these parties — but I didn’t really want to be the one running the show. I do however, know many people who are in direct sales and are absolutely fabulous at it.

Now, what was I talking about before I got all side tracked? Oh yes of course… FREE STUFF!

As I was saying, many of these companies offer their hostesses fantastic rewards for hosting a party. Sometimes free stuff, discounted items, hostess only specials and more.

So how do you host a direct sales party anyhow?

The first thing you need to do, is to decide which company you want to party with — and there are many to choose from. Next, you will want to find a consultant, if of course you don’t already know one. You can also book your own party during shows that you attend — which helps the host, the consultant and you.

Once you decide what type of party you would like to have – and you have booked a party – you need to start getting the word out to all your friends and family about the event.

Get the word out

Social media is such a wonderful tool for this. You can tweet about it, create an event on facebook to invite some – or all – of your Facebook friends, and of course mention it in your status updates. You can also send e-mails to people and of course, there’s always the good old postal service. Remember, the more people you tell about your party, the more successful it will be, and the more free and discounted stuff you will get!

Most companies even have the ability for people to participate in your party online and don’t forget about the catalogs! Carry around current catalogs and order forms wherever you go. You might get a few orders this way as well. Make sure you are aware of any specials for the month, so you can pass this information on. Don’t forget to send out reminders a day or two before the party!

The day of event make some treats for your guests. You don’t have to spend a lot, to let people know you appreciate their participation. Most consultants will also have drawings and giveaways for your guests as well.

I actually just had a party on Saturday for one of my friends who just became a Thirty-One consultant. She gave me a fabulous lunch tote (pictured above), just for hosting. Plus, I was able to order two items that I really wanted — for half the retail price. I also had a lot of fun, with some of my favorite ladies!

Have you hosted a successful direct sales event? What did you do to get the word out? What is you all time favorite direct sales company and what is your favorite item?

Living Great On Less

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Turn your money around with these 8 money saving tips
Image from Pixabay

This week has been hectic to say the least. My daughter and her fiancé have just bought their first home and the moving is about to begin. And yes, I am still on piglet duty! As exciting as it is to buy your first home it is also expensive. Each and everyday most of us think about our finances. With the economy the way it is we are always trying to think of ways to save money. There are of course big steps we can take but starting to save in little steps will make things much easier to handle.

8 Ways to Give up Little Things

Here are a few tips that I have dug up on how to save money giving up a few of the little things:

  1. Instead of buying coffee at the coffee shop on the way to work or while out doing errands make a pot at home and take it with you.
  2. Many of us have fallen into the habit of getting “fast food” lunches. Start packing a lunch and bringing it with you. Instead of eating out cook food in larger batches and then freeze individual portions.
  3. Buy in bulk when possible. Of course if you do not have a lot of room to work with buying the 100lb bag of rice may not work. But, buying the 10lb. bag would work.
  4. Make a list BEFORE going shopping and plan your meals for the week. This is such a great thing when implemented. I cannot tell you the amount of times I have stood in the grocery store staring at a product and trying to remember if I had it at home or not.
  5. Hang laundry on drying racks instead of using the dryer. Even hanging towels on the racks and then popping them in the dryer for 5 minutes will soften them and save on electricity.
  6. Buy store brand instead of brand name. This does add up to savings on your grocery bill. I really did not realize that until I really was poor and counting the change.
  7. When buying in bulk try to store what you can in the freezer. Having a full freezer takes less energy to run than one with just a few items. When I do buy things such as rice and we have room in the freezer I just put it in Ziplock bags and pop it in.
  8. Ask yourself if your next purchase is REALLY needed. I was looking at the notebooks in the store the other day and then I remembered I have a whole box of scrap paper I could use. The front of the paper was used but I could certainly write on the back.

Each little step we take in saving does add up. Over time you will notice a difference even taking baby steps.

How do you save money on things? Any ideas you have to add to help others save?

Fuel Frugality — How to Cut your Fuel Costs

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Save money at the fuel pump with these tips
Image from Richmanwisco

Well, it looks like fuel prices are on the rise once again. Where they’ll stop, no one knows.

When fuel prices were their highest – I believe it was two years ago – it was absolutely ridiculous at the pump. I remember filling up and watching as numbers on the pump tick by at lightening speed. As the tank finally started to become full, I couldn’t believe the numbers I was seeing — just for a simple tank of gas.

Hopefully, things won’t get that bad — but every time gas prices rise, it gets me thinking about what we need to do to cut our fuel consumption — and costs. Of course, there are things we do on a regular basis to conserve on fuel, but there are so many more actions we could take to cut back.

Check out the list below to see what you are doing right, and what else can do.

6 Tips for Saving Fuel

1. Group your trips together

If you have several errands to run, be sure to do it in a few trips as possible. I find that making a list of where I need to go – and what I need to get – helps quite a bit.

2. Car pool whenever possible

If you plan on meeting friends for dinner, you might decide to car pool instead — if it makes sense logistically. Do you have a co-worker or two that you can ride share with? This is great for your wallet and the environment.

3. Maintain your vehicle

A well tuned engine will work more efficiently and make better use of the fuel that keeps it running. Having your tire properly inflated will also use less fuel than tires which are not properly inflated.  While I’m on this subject, Costco inflates their tires with nitrogen, which is neat because it gives you better long term tire inflation pressure.

4. Don’t leave your car idling

Be sure to turn your car off if you are waiting for someone or it might be awhile before you move your car again.

5. Drive the speed limit

Driving faster uses more fuel. Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go and take it slow, getting there.

6. Walk, ride your bike, and/or use public transportation whenever possible

We all know this right? Of course it is a great way to conserve, but it’s still something I need to work on.

Another big thing you can do to cut your fuel costs, is to purchase gas at places where the fuel is the least expensive. Keep in mind that you don’t want to drive all over town trying to figure out where that is either. That would just be counterproductive.  There some good smartphone apps for that – gasbuddy is one.

Luckily, there is a helpful website available – Fuel Economy.gov – which will help locate the lowest gas price, nearest you.

How about you? Are you doing all you can to cut your fuel costs?

The Best Deal Sites

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With a title like that, I would be remiss to mention that I love the features on KidsAintCheap and use both the family coupon directory and parents shopping directory regularly but this article is not about my own site.  This article is about other sites that I use. It’s about the Best Deal Sites that I know of.

Groupon.comGroupon is a popular deal site

Groupon.com – It’s tough to have not heard of one of the fastest growing companies in the United States.  While much of the rest of corporate America is standing still, this company is growing at an unbelievable rate and it’s not hard to see why.   Groupon specializes in local deals.  You sign up and every day Groupon delivers a new deal directly to you for your local area.  Most of the deals end up being 40% – 60% off.

The service is addictive and the savings can be HUGE.  Ever since I missed out on a huge savings on movie tickets at my local theater(the deal had sold out) I have become obsessed with checking to see what my local daily deal is first thing in the morning on my iphone.  The trick is to not jump on something just because it’s exciting, the trick is to jump on something you would have spent money on even if you didn’t have the coupon.  Of all of the new sites that have cropped up, this is most certainly one of the best daily deal sites.

You can check them out at Groupon.com

Living Social

LivingSocial.com – Living Social is similar to Groupon.  It’s not as big so it isn’t as available in as many areas but they are still a major player and as such have some great local bargains.  I make it a habit to check Groupon and Living Social every morning.  I must admit, I have purchased more from Groupon than I have from Living Social but it’s still a great site to get a good deal.  The key, as with all of these places, is to not buy something you don’t need or can’t use.  While not as big as Groupon, it is still impressive and deserves to be on the best deal sites list.

You can check them out at LivingSocial.com

Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com – We don’t go out to eat very often, it’s one of the things we eliminated as we work todays becoming debt free.   When we do splurge and go out to someplace night, we almost always refer to Restaurant.com first.  The savings are amazing and there are a lot of participating restaurants.  The way it works is you find the restaurant you want to eat at and you purchase a gift certificate to that restaurant at a significant discount.  Most of the discounts I have come across are 50% – 60%.  The thing to be careful about is the fine print.  There are almost always stipulations, the most common being a minimum amount that must be spent at the restaurant in order to use the coupon.  Choose your deal carefully.  As long as you pay attention to the conditions, it is one of the best deal sites online.  I have had some really great meals, really cheaply.

You can check them out at Restaurant.com

Woot!

Kids.Woot.com – Woot has several different sites but the one I check regularly is their kids web site.  It’s an Ecommerce site but it’s unique in that they only sell one item per day.  Each day they post an item at a set price and you have the opportunity to buy it until they run out.  I have only ever jumped on a deal from Woot once so I can’t say I have a lot of experience with them but the experience I had was good.  They were selling something I had already planned on buying for a gift but I got it cheaper than I would have been able to get elsewhere.

You can check them out at Kids.Woot.com

Craigslist

Craigslist – Okay, so this one is a no-brainer.  I have had mixed results with Craigslist but for the most part, my experience has been positive with both buying and selling.   Whenever I am looking for a larger item I look to Craigslist first.  It’s the monster of all classifieds site and you can get a great deal if you are smart.

You can check it out at Craigslist

ebay

ebay.com – This one is another no-brainer.   You would have to be living in a very remote corner of the world to not know about ebay.  It’s the biggest and best auction web site online and there is a massive amount of product being sold on ebay every day.  You can find some great deals as long as you don’t get carried away with the bidding.   The key is to not bid until you have a concrete number you aren’t willing to go over.  ebay works so well because it works people up into bidding frenzy and inevitably some people will spend more than an item is worth because of it.

You can check it out at ebay.com

Other Coupon Sites

If the KidsAintCheap family coupons directory doesn’t have a coupon for a site that I want to buy something at, I do a search to see if one of the other coupons sites does.  It’s fairly easy and a good percentage of the time I find a coupon I can use.  I simply search for SITE NAME coupon in google to see what comes up. Obviously, I replace SITE NAME with the actual web site name so if I am looking for a coupon to use on Amazon I search for Amazon coupon or Amazon coupon code.  Try it out before you hit the check out button next time you buy something online.

Okay, those are the best deal sites that I check and use on a regular basis.

What is your favorite coupon or deal site?

Tips for Raising a Family on a Budget

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Families need a budget to keep in check the flood of expenses
Image on Pixabay

Smart spending is a practical approach to handling the family’s finances. It is also a great practice to pass on to your children.  Some things you can do to raise a family on a budget really boils down to a lot of practicality and common sense. For me, it is all about knowing what the important things are- the things you need, the things you want, and the things you can live without.

Make sure you can afford your home

First, it would be good idea to look at where you are living or where you want to live. Live in a house you can afford.  Ok, it might not be the house of your dreams just yet but you will be able to reroute the money to other items that are more important at the moment. You can also check out different online platforms such as HousingAnywhere Barcelona, or elsewhere, to find affordable living spaces. This can make it easier to find a variety of choices to suit your needs and budgets so that you can find a comfortable place to live without financial strain. I live in a small townhouse with reasonable rent and it is not the house I want to stay in forever but it is more than enough for my two kids.  They feel safe, happy, and comfortable here and that is great.

Limit waste

Make sure to limit wastage of any kind. I really try to live by this. Switch off lights when not needed and limit the use of electricals when you can.  I live in a tropical country so it is often important to have an air conditioner at home.  The use is timed though, very strictly. And during cooler months like now, we use the ac to cool the room rather then use a ventilator.  This really cuts down the electricity bill.

Do you need that car?

If you own two cars, consider having just one.  If you are going to purchase a car, do this on a cash basis so you don’t have installment payments with interest to look after in the coming months. You may have to buy a second hand car but this will be good enough to get you to where you need to go. I do without a car at all. I use public transportation and I find that this is saving me money even if it is harder.  I plan to get a car but only when I can afford its maintenance and gas prices.

Budget!

Start every year with a budget. I’ve blogged about this ad nauseum but I really think budgeting is essential. Be sure to include occasions like birthdays and Christmas, where you are sure to spend a bit of money.  But when these occasions come, stay within your budgeted amount. Remember, it isn’t the cost but the thought that counts.  You should also set priorities with your budget, such as funding a college or a custodial account for your kids, and saving for your own retirement.  This is an important lesson your kids will learn as well.

Live on cash

Live on cash.  I really advocate this.  We do not need to focus too much on credit here, unlike in other countries, so this is really easy to do.  But, if you must use your credit cards, pay them all off every month.  If you only have your house to pay off, you will have a much easier time.

Limit expenses

Finally, forgo repeated extra expenses like outings and meals outside. Include these in your budget but remember that you don’t always have to spend to have a good time.  A home-cooked meal and a rented DVD, a treasured story book from the library, other good books and toys from garage sales, an afternoon picnic in the park are all things and activities that cost very little money but make for wonderful teaching moments and warm memories with the kids.  Plus, think of all the money you can save for a college fund!  My kids enjoy watching Barney on YouTube in my room as the movie of the night.  They also enjoy simple sheets of stickers and pieces of candy as great prizes.  Raising kids to like simple things helps make a budget work as well.

Now, raising a family on a budget isn’t easy. It is often very hard to resist buying that thing you have been eyeing but not really needing or giving in to the times and getting a computer game or something similar for the kids.  But resisting has made a tight budget work for a small family.  We are better than ok. When you see how well your kids are learning about the value of resources and how happy they will be with what you are providing, you will feel satisfaction unlike anything else ever.  I hope to increase my earnings to have a bigger budget, of course, but I am so grateful that I can provide what I am providing now.  It’s something to feel proud about, in my opinion.

How do you save money to raise your family?

Consignment Shop; Lesson Learned

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Consignment stores are tricky!Last week I posted about ways to get rid of unwanted stuff. One of the things I talked about was consignment shops. We have a great consignment shop in the area, they carry quality stuff at great prices but they are so popular it often takes months to get an appointment with them. I decided to try out a new consignment shop that opened across from where I work. I wanted to try them because it was convenient, they could take the stuff right away and they were not very picky.

Consignment store isn’t in it to make a huge profit

I made the mistake of letting them price out the merchandise I dropped off. Since we split the money 50/50, I assumed that it would be in her best interest to get the most she could for some of this stuff. I was wrong, she sold all of the good stuff in the first couple of days which had me pretty excited but then I found out how much she sold it for. We had a $200 stroller that we bought when we had our second child. It had room for the baby upfront and a place for our toddler to sit in the back. We only used it for about a year and it was in fantastic shape. She sold it for $15! She sold that, a high chair, a pack and play and some clothes which made me a whopping $16.50. I could have gotten a lot more using ebay or Craigslist and probably should have just tested the new shop out with one or two big items and a box of clothes.

Oh well, live and learn. I can feel good that a family that needed a new stroller and high chair at a very cheap price, it’s no longer taking up room in my house and I got a tiny bit of money for it.

Have you ever sold at a consignment store? What was your experience?

How to Decide if You Should Be an At-Home Parent

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Is being a stay-at-home mom right for you?I have always wanted to be an at-home Mom. Always! However, as my husband and I started to plan for a family, neither of us thought we could make that happen financially. We discussed that I could possibly go part time one day – maybe after baby #2.

At the time, I had been working for a family owned jewelry store for almost 9 years. I made a decent income,  was given a lot of responsibility, had fantastic customers, and a wonderful boss! It was all going pretty well and I really had no intention of leaving.

Once I finally did become pregnant – even after discovering early on that we were expecting twins – I still intended to go back to work. My boss’ Dad would say “Once you have those babies, you aren’t going to want to come back.” I would laugh and tell him that of course I would come back — how we were going to afford all those diapers anyway?

Well – right before I was due to go back to work – my husband and I did decide that I should stay home with the boys. Because I had been placed on bed rest – 3 months before the boys were born – we had to tighten up our budget even before they arrived and we decided we would be able make it work financially.

Staying home is not for everyone. People whose sense-of-self is strongly intertwined with their career, people get who depressed if they don’t get enough adult interaction, people who are not at all interested in staying home with their kids all day, or know that it would be a financial hardship on their family — might not want to become an at-home parent.

So how do you know if you are making the right decision to stay home?  Well, you have to ask yourself and your partner some important questions.

Can We Afford It?

This is usually the biggest question parents face. My husband and I thought there was no way we could manage – but what we didn’t realize – was how much money we were just frittering away. We cut back on a lot of things in the beginning; cable, dining out, and other unnecessary expenses. It was hard to go from buying what we wanted, planning for a bigger house, and getting a different vehicle — to just making do with what we had and finding ways to cut back on everything!

When we brought the babies home, they didn’t care that our house wasn’t bigger or any of the other stuff. All they cared about, is that they were surrounded by people who loved them and all their needs were met. That’s it! Admittedly, it was much harder on my husband and I — but we made it through, knowing that our boys have never had to do without. We always make it work and every year we become financially stronger.

Should I work Part-Time?

Working part-time is a great option. When the economy was really getting bad, my husband’s hours got cut at work. I decided to get a part-time job. I looked for something that wasn’t too stressful or time consuming. I found a fun job and worked there for two years. After 21 months of not being in the work force, it was nice to be back and working with the public. I’m a social person, I like people, and can talk to just about anyone. It felt good to have more adult interaction — even if I was working.

Working part-time can take away some of the guilt Moms (or Dads) can feel when they drop their child off at daycare. The child may only be there a couple of days a week and really love playing with other children. We didn’t do daycare for the boys because it wouldn’t have made sense financially – so when I was at work –  my husband was home with the boys.

Staying home also opened the door to other opportunities, I never really thought much about – like freelance writing. It’s something I have always wanted to do but never thought I could actually do professionally. I am happy to report that I was wrong. What are you most interested in and what are your talents? Could you teach a fitness class? Would you be great at selling cosmetics? Is graphic design your thing? There are many ways to make money doing what you love and still be able to stay home with your kids.

Will I Be Bored?

There is always tons stuff to do but you might get bored because you aren’t being challenged in the way that you had been at work. Especially in the beginning, it may be hard to get out and about. You probably won’t be around a lot of adults because your day will revolve around nap/feeding schedules. The first year with the boys, I really didn’t get out much at all. This can be really hard for some people – it was for me –  but I had great support which helped a lot.

The good news is, there are all kinds of groups for Moms and stay at home parents. The public library is fantastic with story times and other activities. There are groups, clubs and classes; which can get you and your children out and about.

Not everything you do has to involve your children. You can do volunteer work,  join a book club, and participate in Mom’s Night Out functions. Soon you’ll have the support of others like you.

Staying Home Vs. Working Outside the Home

Staying home involves giving up many things. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do. You have to be parent, teacher and homemaker. There is no time clock to punch when your day is done. You are on-call even in the middle of the night.

However, staying home is also the most rewarding work you will ever do. There may not be any big promotions or exciting business trips to go on but as you see your children grow, learn, and discover the world around them — your heart will become so full of joy you might think it will burst.

Going back to work will involve balancing your job, time with your kids and spouse, household chores, and everything else in between. It’s a delicate juggling act, to be sure.

In turn, going back to work can provide a sense-of-self; which some people may not feel when they stay home, you may find that you are stronger financially (which is a stress reliever), and you really make the most of each moment you do have with your family, because it is so very precious.

No matter what you decide — make sure you really think things through. Remember that all any of us can do —  is our very best. Whether you decide to stay home or work, your children will love you and your life will be extra blessed because you’re a parent.

What are your thoughts on being a stay at home parent?

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