In an article published in February 2020, the USDA reported that the average cost to raise a child from birth to age 18 is about $233,000 or just under $13,000 a year. Whether your child(ren) is an infant, toddler, tween, or almost 18, there are a lot of ways you and your family can stretch a dollar.
I asked local women for their tried-and-true strategies for saving money on family expenses, and here were their responses:
SHOPPING
Support these local stores AND save money!
- Kiddiewinks Kids Resale Shop (578 W. Northfield Dr, #1070, Brownsburg)
- Here We Grow Again Kids Consignment Sale- Indy West (October 6-9, Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main St., Danville)
- Kids Go Round (2481 E. Main St., Plainfield)
- North Salem Thrift Store
Tips and tricks for saving while shopping:
- Shop with a list and do not deviate!
- Shop at scratch-and-dent stores (like Big Jon's or even Habitat for Humanity ReStores) for major appliances before looking at big-box stores. You'd be surprised how minimal the imperfections might be!
- Check out stores that sell what customers have returned at others. These resellers often provide good discounts when very little or nothing is wrong with the product other than someone else returned it!
- Search Facebook Marketplace for local items, including free offers. eBay, Nextdoor, OfferUp, Mercari, and Letgo are also good apps to consider.
- Use store reward programs to earn points toward gas savings or future purchases. One local mom said she earns upwards of $1,000/year in points through Speedway Rewards that she then uses on holiday gifts!
- Download discount code plug-ins to your web browser to make searching for savings easy. Personally, I use Honey and RetailMeNot, but Capital One recently rolled out their own version, too. They automatically search and apply the best codes to maximize savings!
- Shopping rebate apps are extremely popular, including Ibotta, fetch, Coupons.com, and RetailMeNot. For example, Fetch lets you earn points on any receipt from any store or restaurant that you can redeem for gift cards and other rewards.
PERSONAL CARE
- If styles permit, consider doing haircuts at home. Thankfully, my husband and boys like short styles I can manage myself with some clippers and scissors. I watched some YouTube videos when I had questions about technique. I am VERY appreciative of what professional stylists do, but it saves us at least $50/mo.
- Along the same lines, if your pooch will let you, consider grooming them at home!
- Regular nail appointments are a relaxing ritual for many men and women. Stretching out those appointments, or only having them for special occasions, can save $30-100+/mo.
- Have an infant? Cloth diapering is very popular and reduces landfill waste. The one-time outlay for diapers and supplies is-- for many-- preferred over monthly disposable diaper costs.
- Search Pinterest or YouTube for "recipes" for making your own laundry detergents, carpet cleaning solution, kitchen and bath cleaners, etc.
- Share toiletries across your family. We buy one large bottle of a liquid body wash, and split it into smaller bottles for kids and adults to use.
FOOD: SHOPPING AND EATING
- MANY locals recommended shopping for groceries online. Not only does it save you time, but it saves gas and can significantly reduce impulse shopping.
- Cooking at home-- as opposed to eating out-- can result in significant savings. This includes packing a lunch for work outside the home. Lunches for one alone can cost $50+/week.
- If you do eat at restaurants, bring home leftovers for lunch the next day, or consider how certain entrees could be used in other meals. For example, half of a leftover steak could be great in a next-day stir fry, fajita or salad!
- If/when you eat at a restaurant, look for coupons in advance! Don't be ashamed of handing over a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert, dollars or percentage off the total, etc. Many fast food restaurants have apps now that include coupons that can be scanned at the window or used during mobile ordering.
- When you eat at a restaurant, consider ways to shave even small expenses off your bill. Water is usually free, while soft drinks can run $1.50 or more. Obviously, alcoholic beverages can be several times as expensive, and appetizers and desserts only tag on $10 or more each.
FAMILY FUN
- Of course, I'll recommend that you c heck Macaroni Kid Hendricks's online event calendar. Many of the events listed there are free or very affordable. There is something listed every day!
- Know a friend who has a pass to the zoo, children's museum, or state parks? Coordinate a play date or special outing to take advantage of their discount.
- Explore local parks, splash pads (when weather appropriate), and libraries for free fun! Libraries often offer classes and activities for patrons of all ages, and you don't have to be a resident of the town to visit. (Checking out materials is another matter, of course.)
