| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
Sally92859 
Newbie
Joined: 18 September 2012
Points: 3
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: Saving Money with Kids!
Posted: 18 September 2012 at 9:30am |
|
Hi everyone, am new to forums...but keen to get tips on saving money with Kids. Have a 3 year old and 8 month old and I'm a stay at home mum so we're on one wage and gosh it's hard to make the money stretch!! Any great tips out there???
|
 |
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
ereynolds
Senior Member
Joined: 10 May 2010
Location: AKL
Points: 299
|
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: 18 September 2012 at 7:29pm |
We are living on a very tight student allowance and are finding that eating vegetarian most days helps- especially if you experiment with herbs and spices. Plus, we find that meal planning a week or two in advance (you dont have to be too strict about it though) helps a lot as you can budget for what you eat in advance. Have you thought about making your own household cleaners? sounds complicated but its really easy and saves a LOT of money. Have a look at Wendyl Nissen's site for some great cleaner recipes http://greengoddess.co.nz/We did a price comparison for laundry detergent and the one we make ourselves is only 2c per wash! Even if you dont quite go as far as making your own laundry detergent, every little bit helps :)
|
|
|
|
Mummyinc
Senior Member
Joined: 01 October 2011
Location: New Zealand
Points: 435
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 18 September 2012 at 9:11pm |
|
Hi There,
As of a few months ago when my PPL stopped we have been on one wage so it has been a bit of a struggle also....i am manic when it comes to paying bills on time ( great to aviod hidden costs in late payment) and I have found that our power company does a thing called Ezypay, it spaces your power bill over 12months our last two bills were $230+ but when I called they said due to our cheap summer accounts we would only have to pay $31 per week so I have set up the DD it does mean we will be paying $31 per week in summer as well but it is so much easier to budget when you know the total coming out each week...i also use everyday stuff for cleaning its amazing how good baking soda is at cleaning lots of things...only do cold washes, buy big packs of meat and half (cheaper then buying two small packs) and we have 2x meat free nights a week, its super easy.
|
Ready to try for our Winter Wildling to join Louie and Scarlett our Autumn and Summer Babies 
|
|
AandCsmum
Senior Member
Joined: 13 May 2008
Location: Palmerston North
Points: 8432
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 18 September 2012 at 11:16pm |
|
There are heaps of threads on here about money saving if you search for them, I'm presuming you can still search like we used too.
But to save money we recycle, compost & only put out a bag every three week, we cloth nappy & don't buy anything new for the house unless absolutely necessary, I make most of our food from scratch & meal plan. We also buy in homekill for meat cause it's way way cheaper. We go to the market for our veges, providing there is one close.
I don't use the dryer, if necessary I go to the laundrymat for those loads I get caught with.
We don't buy fancy (expensive) breakfast cereals, we have simple lunches no fancy packet stuff. Or if the kids have chips for lunch it's broken down from a big bag, not bought in a 10 pack.
If necessary cut things like sky & I guess now you'd have to get free view. Change all your lightbulbs to saver ones, that does help.
|
Kel
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12
|
|
jazzy
Senior Member
Joined: 16 January 2009
Points: 8858
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 20 September 2012 at 8:31am |
|
I recently went through my back accounts & worked out where every cent went, was totally shocked as certain things I had budgeted for were well over like food, that was nearly doubled...all those bought lunches & coffees for DH adds up & the extra trips to the supermarket to grab a "couple" of things never work out as planed.
So first find out were your money is going & then see what you can cut.
With the food budget cut all extras & "treats" make from scratch, spend more on good food & nothing on crap, buy in season or cans, meal plan, grow a veggy patch.
Limit house hold cleaners, if you do quick wipes daily then you wont have a huge job & need bottles & bottles of watered down over priced stuff...I have not made my own but will look into that.
Put extra lines ups if possible to dry washing so cut down/out drier.
I have just got rid of sky movies & sports, may look at getting them back later. We have thought about getting rid of sky but not yet.
Shop around for power, phone, cell, insurance providers, get quotes.
Walk instead of using a car.
Xmas don't over spend...make, re gift, be creative.
First start an emergency fund & pay off all credit cards & get rid of them.
|
|
notenufchaos
Senior Member
Joined: 17 May 2009
Location: Ashburton
Points: 772
|
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: 20 September 2012 at 9:44am |
|
i opened a seperate bank account for the kids stuff, (clothes, presents, activities) worked out how much a year we would need and put money in each week - means that if the kids need something the money is there.
|
 DD 1-25/05/2008 DD 2-2/2/2010
|
|
Saving Money with Kids!
