Raising a growing family on a tight Budget?!

Raising more than two kids is still financially possible. Yes, it does take money to provide for children, but the majority of Americans can provide for several children. I know. You're snickering right now. For the past few years parents have been bombarded with newscasts and articles about the difficult economic times America is facing. But, hear me out.

Many parents have yet to tap into money-saving options when it comes to children. Too many parents focus on giving their kids “only the best.” However, sometimes kids can have the best–at a fraction of the cost.

Have you considered money-saving strategies that many large families use to provide for their six, eight and twelve kids? You may only have a fraction of that in your brood, but you can still make it happen—even on a tight budget!

·         Thrift it! I have seen women literally sour their face when I mention a thrift store or yard-sale. Not me! I LOVE finding a good deal! I have gotten many brand-new items that must have been extra or unwanted gifts at the local thrift store or neighborhood yard sale. Baby clothes are always easy to find since little ones grow out of their layettes at top notch speed. I have snagged Nike, Adidas and Sketchers toddler shoes for my kiddos. There are treasures to be found, so get to treasure-hunting!

·         Make it from scratch. Those multi-flavored Popsicles look yummy, don’t they? Why not try making them at home? Since we live in a tropical climate, my kiddos enjoy chugging down shakes. They like peanut butter shakes, chocolate shakes, vanilla shakes, banana shakes, mango shakes, Oreo shakes and the list goes on. If I buy them at a coffee shop close by it is $2.00 per kid. At home, I make the shakes for $1.50-$3.00—for all five of us! That’s only because Mommy and Daddy have a hard time saying no to a cold, slushy drink topped with whipped cream.

I recently discovered I could make hot cocoa from scratch–with little effort. My family has been hooked ever since. I really just throw some unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar and a dash of salt into a large pot. Then I add water and bring it to a boil. Once it has boiled, I remove from heat and add milk. It is creamy and rich! You can always add extra flavors like caramel, mint and raspberry to make the perfect cup of hot cocoa.

Do some researching today and start making your own food from scratch! Kick the canned, packaged foods and frozen foods. Save money and make healthier, tastier meals.

·         Teach healthy habits. If you are blessed to stay at home with your kiddos, you have an opportunity everyday to make sure they are consuming healthy foods, washing their hands, brushing their teeth etc. Taking time to ensure your kids are staying healthy will prevent many health problems that can rack havoc on your bank account—health insurance or not. Just making the choice to home-school can cut down on millions of germs your kids are exposed to. Also, taking precautions when returning from public places, like washing hands right away, will cut down on the doctor bills and meds. Don’t forget to teach your kids to stop touching their face! Small steps make a big difference.

·         Treat items with care. A real money-stretcher is a simple thought—take care of the things you already have! Things need replaced less often if handled with care and maintained well. Don’t allow your kids to jump on your furniture, write on the walls or throw objects. Give the family dog a chew toy and train it to avoid chewing on your shoes and toys. Take time to show your kids how to care for books, DVDs and toys.

·         “Just a dab will do ya!” This is a famous saying from my Grandma–and boy, is it a wise one. Do your kids really need a tablespoon of toothpaste to brush their teeth? What about shampoo and soap? For sure they don’t need a huge glob of shampoo slathered onto their tiny tresses! It’s amazing how much money my family has saved just by monitoring the amounts of toiletries, food and drinks our kids use. Take a couple days and observe if your family is using excessive amounts of toiletries or other items—it may surprise you!

·         Divvy out small portions. After I prepare dinner, I prepare my husband’s plate and then my kids. I probably give each child about two tablespoons of the side veggie and then two tablespoons of the main dish. If the kids want more, then I give them more. But what happens if I give them a teen-sized portion and then there is uneaten, left-over food? It goes in the trash. Serving smaller portions to your kids will, in time, cut your grocery bill at least by 20%.

What frugal ideas has your family implemented in your lifestyle? Please share it with the other moms in the comments section! We can all use some extra dough from making more financial savvy decisions!