by: Julie Cheung
Suggesting to children that you are going to have to start ‘cutting back’ often fails to go down
particularly well, yet many families are feeling the pinch of the credit crunch and need to
watch their spending. Luckily, there are a number of small and achievable steps that normal
families can adopt into their everyday lives without having to make too many sacrifices.
Plan Meals Ahead
This will not only save you money but will also make your life much easier by reducing the
hassle of a weekly grocery shop. By knowing exactly what ingredients are necessary to tide
you over, you can set out to only buy the things you need; avoiding expensive food items
that would inevitably end up thrown in the bin.
Shop Sensibly
Popular brands always cost more than a shop’s own brand alternative. The same goes for
bigger items such as clothes, shoes, cars and appliances; the lesser known the name, the
cheaper it will be. It is now easy to get hold of decent quality goods for a fraction of the price
you would normally pay.
You should also shop online where possible. You have to pay for postage costs but you will
more than likely save money by only buying what you need, rather than being swayed by
unexpected offers and appealing looking items if you were to go to the shop itself.
Opt for Second-hand
The great thing about having multiple children is that the older siblings will grow out of
certain clothes and toys but rather than throw these away or condemn them to a box in the
basement, items that remain in good condition can be handed down to the younger children
for them to enjoy.
Entertain at Home
When children are bored, the temptation can be to take them to the nearest cinema or
swimming pool. The problem with these is that they cost money. Gather round to watch a
movie; get out some family board games or even just run around together in the back yard.
As long as they are together and getting the chance to interact with friends and family, it can
be surprising how easily children can be entertained on a budget. If you do want to have a
day out as a treat, opt for somewhere free like the local park.
Reducing how much energy your household uses can be a great way to cut back the bills.
You can take big steps like installing solar panels or keep it simple by purchasing energy
saving light bulbs, switching off electrical appliances when they are not being used and
capping the amount of time that can be spent in the shower. Children often adopt the habits
of their parents, so if you lead by example, they will soon help towards saving energy without
even realizing.
Grow Your Own
Setting up a fruit and vegetable garden is great for families as everyone can get involved
and reap the rewards of a successful harvest. You save money by becoming somewhat self-
sufficient but you also make it easier to introduce healthy ingredients into your children’s
diet; youngsters are far more likely to be willing to eat their greens if they have had the joy of
planting and growing them themselves.
About the author: Julie runs her own blog http://www.financegirl.co.uk where you can read posts on saving money, making money and investing. She loves to share her thoughts and tips on personal
finance.