Fifty ways to SAVE in this tough economy and throughout the year.
#1 -- Grocery store purchases. Plan your meals. Wait for weekly promotional ads in the mail from the store. Plan your meals based on the coupons you have and what is on sale. Clip coupons from your Sunday paper. If there are coupons for Diapers... call your friends and families and request their coupons. Go to the manufacturer web site and look up coupons. Print them out.
#2 -- If you have multiple birth children or 4 or more children, ask to speak with a manager at large retailer stores. Ask if they would be willing to extend a discount on your purchase. Can't hurt to ask right? Most will offer 10%.
#3 --- Formula purchases, call your Pediatrician or visit with your Pediatrician. Ask him/her to please contact the Formula Representative on your behalf and give your name, address, and phone number. Most likely the Representative for the formula company, may drop off cases of formula samples to your door! Enfamil.com or Similac.com
#4 -- At grocery stores or large retailers when buying Baby Food jars --ask for the manager, explain that you have twins, triplets and request a discount if you purchase Baby Food by the case from him/her. It saves the store in stocking fees. Helps them and helps you! Use Coupons!
#5 -- Make your very own baby food! Puree it! Mashed banana's, Mashed apples, mashed peas, carrots, etc., Freeze in freezer cups or ice cube trays.
#6 -- Check out your phone bill.... are you paying any fees that you really don't need? Like an international calling fee? Or caller I.D.?
#7 -- Pay your bills online. It is not difficult at all and you'll save in postage!
#8 -- Send E-Greeting Thank you notes instead of purchasing paper greeting cards. Write a family blog newsletter. No postage stamps to buy.
#9 -- Car pool with other parents picking up and dropping off to school.
#10 -- Kids in Day Care Learning Center --- ask for multiple children discount!
#11 -- Work out of the house or run errands 2 or 3 days a week by trading off watching another families children while they work or run errands. Eliminates Day Care need.
#12 -- Trade off your children in your family every other Friday. This gives Mom & Dad a Date Night out. Maybe your Sister takes your kids one Friday and you take hers the next! No need to pay a babysitter!
#13 -- Go to Garage Sales for children's clothing or consignment shops. You can find some beautiful gently 'used' dresses at Goodwill or Savers locations. Why pay $50. when you can buy it for $3.00-5.00!
#14 -- Have a Garage Sale! Go thru your closets, and toys!
#15 -- Check out multiple clubs and organizations --join them to meet other families to purchase or swap clothing, baby equipment.
#16 -- Have a family member in a different State? Consider swapping homes to vacation over vacation- new location and you don't have to pay hotel fees.
#17 -- Save water - no dirty dishes to put back in a diaper bag! Get the Help Yourself Feeding Solution. You insert the baby food, feed, and toss the baby food container. Saves time too!
#18 -- Use brown paper and let your children stamp it with birthday stamps to use as wrapping paper instead of buying it!
#19 -- Use Raffia to tie a present or ribbon instead of buying scotch tape to wrap.
#20 -- Replace your Christmas lights through the years with LED - saves money!
#21 -- Determine your average electric bill. Show it to your kids. For every bill below that amount divide up the savings and place it in your children's savings account or college fund. Encourages children to turn off lights after they leave a room and become more conscious of costs. $aves!
#22 --- In lieu of a Professional Photo of your children -- plan a photo day with another family and take pictures of their family and you take pictures of theirs. This way Mom & Dad are in the photo - everyone wins! Or, you could split the cost of the photographer at your home!
#23 --- Stop buying paper plates, use regular ones instead.
#24 -- Instead of buying 'To & From' Gift tags - make your own, let your children make them! Or, cut up old birthday cards and write your child's name on it as gift tag. Perfect for attending birthday parties. Make your own on your computer! Save!
#25 -- Is warm air leaking out of your home? Feel any drafts near entry doors, windows, outlets? Caulk around your door or window where you feel a draft or purchase foam seal to put around door. You will gain more in savings in energy in the long run. You can also get foam outlet covers that go around exterior outlets where heat escapes. Child proof plastic outlet inserts are great for keeping cool air outside and warm air inside.
