With a family of seven, the near-daily question my husband and I have is this: How can we save money as a family right now?
I won’t lie – like a lot of families, we are feeling the squeeze of finances. Our base income has not changed, but our bills and expenses certainly have. Everything from property taxes to car insurance to even seemingly “small” expenses such as Netflix and eggs have risen significantly.
We are doing what we can to handle the rising costs. My husband and I have both taken on more side work, we’re considering eliminating some unnecessary costs, like my gym membership, and we’ve changed some of our shopping and entertainment habits.
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But it feels like there is more I could do. I’m fresh out of ideas about how to save money as a family, so I turned to other parents to see what they are doing.
From the Little Things Facebook page, here are some financial strategies and tips that other families are using to save money.
Stopped Going Out To Eat
Like our family, some parents shared that rising costs have forced them to stop going out to eat as a family.
“Our family is larger than most, and we never go out to eat unless we have planned to do so and saved specifically for that,” wrote Ashley S. “It costs way too much for only one meal. We went out for Chinese food one time, and it was only 1 of our kids and my husband and I and it was $80. That would be groceries for about 3-4 days for the entire family!!”
Go Out for Lunch Instead of Dinner
Although Lori A.’s family shares the strategy of cutting down on going out to eat in general, she adds this practical money-saving tip when they do splurge: “We go for lunch instead of dinner for better prices.”
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Cook More at Home
Along with reducing how much they eat out, many families also shared that they had turned to cooking more homemade meals and snacks at home. Even though cooking at home isn’t always a guaranteed money-saver, it can help.
“We do a lot from scratch because we have the skills and we enjoy doing so,” shared one mom. “That also helps cut down costs little by little.”
Avoid Credit Cards
Credit cards can be a tough topic, especially during trying financial times. Some families may rely on them, but many families are also trying to use caution while financing expenses.
“We try hard not to put any more on the credit cards,” shared Ashley S. “Our revolving debt is only at 2% of our limit. The credit cards are there for emergencies, but we try hard to consider whether something else is a true need or not before using them.”
Have More Game Nights at Home
Leaving the house for entertainment can come with all sorts of unexpected costs, such as food, drinks, and of course, the entertainment itself. To save money as a family, some parents are getting creative with low-cost or even free entertainment right at home with things like board games or puzzles.
“We have game nights at home instead of going out to places,” one parent commented.
Shop Resale
Lori A. shared that she has started solely shopping at resale shops for clothing to save on costs. I admit this is one strategy I have been trying to implement more, although sometimes it’s very challenging, especially if there is a specific item you want. It’s also time-consuming, so if you’re already busy working 24/7, getting to a thrift store can be difficult.
Still, I have been trying this strategy myself. Even with one trip, I was able to find a $3 lamp for my daughter’s room, discounted decor, and even a formal dress for my daughter’s upcoming school dance. Score!
Batch Errands
In other Facebook posts, many families shared that they had started being more careful about taking trips that require driving. When they do need to leave, they make an effort to batch errands to reduce gas use.
“I really bunch together all my errands so just one trip in that direction gets everything done on one day as much as possible…these are crazy days!!” Fran wrote on Facebook.
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