Getting Fit Without the Gym

by Jessica Sommerfield · 2 comments

Are you are someone who finds it difficult to swallow the lump in your throat every time you fork out your gym membership? With the rising cost of living, you reason that you can’t afford such a luxury. The good news is that numerous fitness resources are available at little or no cost, to be enjoyed in the privacy and comfort of your own home, with no professional assistance. You can get and stay fit without stepping foot into a gym again by trying one or more of the following.

Walking. One of the easiest and least expensive forms of exercise is walking, as it requires no equipment other than a comfortable pair of shoes. You can listen to music or chat with a friend while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. During inclement weather, walk inside a school or shopping mall. Although walking leisurely has many health benefits, your goal may be to burn more calories. Turn your evening stroll into a high-powered workout by adding some strap-on ankle or wrist weights, using ski-poles to work your upper body, or attempting hilly terrain. Set goals for yourself using a pedometer and stopwatch, and track your mileage by using pre-plotted courses such as a high school track.

Running. For those who are physically able, running burns even more calories and is only slightly more expensive with the investment in a pair of running shoes. Casual running clubs hosted by athletic stores in your area can help you stay motivated and make friends, while websites such as active.com and athlinks.com have information on races and allow you to store your results and track your progress for free.

Fitness tools. Retail stores have tons of fitness tools to help you design your own strength-training routine. What the gyms don’t tell you is that many weight-lifting techniques can be performed just as effectively at home, without a bench press or other heavy equipment. Hand weight sets, resistance bands, push up bars, weighted balls, and more are available at most retailers and include instructions and suggested workouts.

DVD workouts. These are a great inexpensive resource for personal training, and are available at most libraries so you can check them out before purchasing your own copy. DVD workout programs include cardio, strength-training, dance, yoga, Pilates, and more often feature celebrity trainers to help get you motivated even more. DVD programs range anywhere from 10-60 minutes, so you should be able to find something that fits well into your schedule.

YouTube videos. Anyone can post a YouTube workout, so make sure videos you find are led by qualified individuals who will be giving sound techniques. As with DVDs, there are a range of programs available based on what interests you, with the perk that YouTube videos are free.

These are just a few of the fitness resources available outside the gym, proving that costly gym memberships do not have to be an obstacle. Fitness is an attainable goal! Your self-esteem will soar as you find resources that address your personal needs and discover new and interesting ways to make fitness a part of your everyday life.

Ways to Beat the Summertime Beverage Blues

by Gina Blitstein · 1 comment

Being thirsty is not an option – especially in the hot summer months. Tap water is the cheapest – and most effective – option for quenching thirst. But most people, at least from time to time, appreciate some variety in their beverages. How can you stay pleasantly hydrated without spending more than you need to?

Let’s explore some beverage options to discover which are the most affordable sources of refreshment:

To Pop – or Not to Pop

Carbonated soft drinks are often on sale during the Summer months but they’re still a pricey option. If you’re needing a large quantity of soda (or pop – depending on from where you hail) your best bet is to buy 2 liter bottles. At a party or large gathering, they’ll get used before going flat and because there’s less packaging, you get more product for your purchase.

A new option for those who like some fizz in their beverage is a soda-making machine. Priced around $100 for a basic model, these SodaStream machines carbonate tap water. The company provides a variety of flavorings for you to add to create the soda of your choice. The initial cost of the machine includes an assortment of flavorings and a couple carbon dioxide canisters which produce the bubbles. As an ongoing cost of using the machine, you need to replenish your flavorings and periodically exchange the empty CO2 canisters for full one. Like a propane tank, the empty ones are exchanged for full ones at a cheaper price than purchasing a new canister. Depending on where you live, this may not be convenient. Overall, however, if carbonation is a deal-breaker for your Summertime drinks, a soda machine can fill your needs and provide savings in the long run.

Mix it Up!

Even if not carbonated, flavored beverages are a popular choice for Summertime drinking. Bear in mind that any type of pre-mixed beverage is more costly than ones you mix yourself. You’ll get many more ounces of, say, grape drink or fruit punch, if you mix it with your own water and sweetener of your choice.

Recipes for Savings

It’s very easy to make your own classic Summertime drinks. Here’s a couple basic recipes:

Lemonade (courtesy Paula Deen, foodnetwork.com)

2 cups sugar (my note: you need not use sugar – use the sweetener of your choice)
1 cup hot water
2 cups fresh lemon juice (my note: you could use bottled)
1 gallon cold water
1 lemon, sliced
Mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions
In a 1 gallon container, place sugar and hot water, and stir until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice and cold water to render 1 gallon. Stir until well mixed. Pour lemonade over glasses of ice, squeeze slice of lemon on top of each, and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Iced Tea

1 gallon water
16 – 20 tea bags of your choice

Directions
Sun Tea – Fill a gallon jar with water; add tea bags. Sit jar in sun for at least 4 hours. Remove bags, chill, serve over ice.
or
Traditional Iced Tea – Add tea bags to ½ gallon boiling water. Steep 5 minutes. Remove bags. When tea reaches room temperature, pour in gallon jar; fill jar to top with cool water. Chill, serve over ice.

Add variety to those basic recipes by adding fresh slices of lemon, lime or orange, fruit juice or mint leaves…

Freezing any of your beverages into ice cube trays can add a splash of flavor to any beverage without diluting the flavor. Try flavored cubes in your water!

Remember – filtered water is much cheaper than bottled!

Enjoy your hydration and don’t spend more than you need to!

What inexpensive Summer beverages do you enjoy?

Tips for DIY Hair Coloring at Home

by Jessica Sommerfield · 1 comment

Women (and even men) of all ages enjoy highlighting and dyeing their hair to mask grays or just for fun. If you go to the salon, you can expect to pay $40 or more depending on whether you are getting highlights or over-all dye, and the length of your hair. Although getting your hair done at the salon is an enjoyable splurge, it can quickly become a strain on the budget if you return in the recommended 4-6 weeks to refresh your color. Coloring your own hair at home is a great compromise that can save you between $20-$40 each visit. There are still some tricks and tips on how to make home hair care a great money-saver instead of a personal makeover disaster.

Make sure you get the right color. Picking the right shade for your skin tone is an important step, since there are some colors which will brighten your complexion and others which will clash with your skin or wash you out. A good standard is to note whether your tone is warm or cool. If you are fair-skinned with blonde or light brown hair and blue or green eyes, your complexion is cool. If you have olive or tan skin with brown eyes, your complexion is warm. Look for these words in the descriptions. Here are some other suggestions:

Try on wigs so you can see what the hair color looks like close to your face.
Look through magazines for models with a similar complexion.
Ask tasteful friends for their opinion.
Don’t do anything crazy. If you’re going one or two shades lighter than your natural hair color, it’s fine to do it at home. If you’re bleaching your hair from dark brown to blonde, however, you might want to consider getting it professionally done so it looks good and saves your hair unnecessary damage (which could cost you more in at-home or salon treatments).

Prepare your hair. A few days before coloring your hair, use a clarifying shampoo to remove all traces of hair product and buildup on your hair so your hair color will stick better. The day, before, however, don’t shampoo your hair so your oils can build up and protect your scalp against the strong chemicals.

Follow the directions and test a small area first. It may seem silly to say ‘follow the directions,’ but even if you’ve colored hair a lot, there may be important information specific to a particular brand or type of color which can affect your results. Most hair color instructions recommend testing a small area of your hair first to not only make sure the color is right, but to see if your hair absorbs the dye faster or slower than the recommended application time.

Take care of your color-treated hair. To preserve your hair color longer, you can purchase shampoos and conditioners designed to enhance and preserve your particular color, and shampoo less frequently. Since color-treated hair is more prone to damage, use plenty of conditioner and limit heat-styling.

If you do it right, coloring your hair at home is an easy way to save hundreds of dollars a year and still look great.

Preserving Summertime Herbs for Year-Round Enjoyment

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Adding fresh flavor to your cooking can be easy and affordable with home-grown herbs. Fresh herbs can be less than fresh and quite pricey when purchased at the grocery store. Now that Summer is here, the weather is just right for growing the freshest herbs for use in your culinary creations.

Herbs are easy to grow, whether in a garden or in pots on a patio or in a sunny window. You can grow them from inexpensive starter plants, purchased at a garden shop or nursery. Most herbs can be grown from seeds, too, which are even more inexpensive but take longer to yield since they’re not yet sprouted.

Consider these simple-to-grow herbs to spice up your meals:

Basil
Cilantro
Chives
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme

All these herbs can be enjoyed fresh but chances are, you’ll grow far more than you’ll be able to use. Rather than waste all that flavor, you can preserve herbs for later use.There are several methods for preserving herbs; the way you choose depends on the herb itself and on your preference.

Whichever method you choose, begin with these steps:

Harvest herbs when they’re free from morning dew or wet from rain or watering, but not withered after the heat of the day.
Rinse.
Pat completely dry gently with paper towels.

Freezing

Most herbs take well to freezing.

Method 1: (store for several months)

Spread herbs in single layer on tray or sheet pan so leaves will freeze individually without clumping together
Freeze
Gather frozen leaves and store in freezer

Method 2: (for longer storage)

Place several whole leaves or a spoonful of chopped or smaller herbs into an ice cube tray.
Fill tray half-full with water.
Freeze.
Once frozen, fill tray with water so herbs are completely immersed and freeze again.
Remove from ice cube trays and store in freezer.

Use frozen herbs as you would fresh. Frozen cubes can be added to soups and sauces.

Drying

Many herbs take well to drying but those with high water content (such as basil, chives lemon balm, mint and tarragon) are likely to get moldy before they’re completely dry. Here’s how to dry the rest:

Remove lower leaves from stems.
Gather in bunches of no more than 5-10 stems so the air can reach them all.
Tie stems together.
Hang upside down in a dark, dry, out-of-the way location. Alternatively, spread herbs on a screen, covered with cheesecloth, turning every few days for even drying.
Allow to dry for 1 – 3 weeks.
When they crumble, they’re ready for storage in airtight containers.

Dried herbs will retain their full flavor for six months. Use half as much dried herbs as fresh.

Herb Oils

These are wonderful to enhance cooked dishes or dressings. Simply place herbs into clean, dry glass jars and cover with extra virgin olive oil, leaving some space at the top of the jar. Store in the refrigerator.

Herb vinegars

These are tasty for spicing up salads.

In a large food processor bowl, combine ¾ cup herbs of your choice and 1 cup vinegar.
Puree for 30 seconds.
Add more herbs and 2 more cups of vinegar.
Pulse for 2 more minutes.
Strain the mixture through a coffee filter into a bowl, pressing the herbs to extract all the vinegar.
Repeat with a clean coffee filter with the liquid in the bowl.
Pour into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid for storage.
Add whole herbs and spices of your choice.

The herb flavors will intensify over time.

The fresh flavors of Summer herbs don’t have to end with the growing season.

How do you use and preserve herbs?

10 Cheap, Fun Things for the Kids to Do This Summer

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

Every year, parents struggle to find something for their children to do over the summer. While summer camps are always an option, not everyone can afford to send their children to summer camp every week. Besides, it’s good to have some time together as a family during the summer.

If you are looking for fun, inexpensive options to keep your kids occupied, here are 10 activities to try:

Public library: Once a week most of the summer, I take my son to the public library. It’s a great way to spend an hour or two, and you come away with new books and movies to try out.
Have a children’s book club: This is a fun way for children to interact with others in a meaningful way, as well as learn new things. Get together with parents to take turns hosting.
Start a collection: This can be anything your child wants to collect: Bugs, rocks, leaves, flowers, and more. Have your child look for items to collect, and then arrange them attractively.
Plant a garden: Let your children help you with the garden. They can plant and care for the garden, and then harvest the fruits of their labors.
Go to the park: Head to the public park for hours of enjoyment. From playing on the playground, to other activities that your children might enjoy, the park is a great place. Plus, many parks have summer programs, from outdoor concerts and plays, to special story times, that are free.
Scavenger hunts: Children love to go on quests. Put together scavenger hunts for them to complete. These can be done in the house (on a rainy down), in the yard, around the neighborhood, or at the park.
Visit various stores in town: There are different stores in town that can provide novelty and amusement. The pet store is a great choice. But other stores can be fun, too. Consider what’s available in your town. A really fun activity can be letting your child take some of his or her money (two or three bucks), and try to find the best deals at the dollar store.
Star gaze: Star gazing can be a fun activity to do with the kids. During the day, look at star charts, and learn how to read them. Find out which constellations will be out that night, and where they will be when you go outside. Then, look for the constellations. In some cases, if your child is up late enough, he or she might even sleep in the next day.
Learn about native flora and fauna: Find out about the plants and animals native to your area. Then, go on a walk to identify them. Take binoculars to find birds, and consider collecting specimens of insects and plants. Mark of which things you see. You can even create a sketchbook and have your child draw pictures of what you find.
Enjoy cultural experiences: Together, learn about different countries. Then, cook food from that country for dinner. You might even try to learn a few words of the language, and practice saying them. For a really fun experience, learn about a different culture each week, or every other week.

In the end, the activities you choose for the summer can also help your children keep learning, even though they aren’t in school. Don’t forget to have them read each day, and practice age-appropriate math.

Apps to Use While Outlet Shopping

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

The days of coupon clipping on Sunday afternoon are swiftly fading in the wake of the universal accessibility of Internet and the most current hotbed of information technology: smart phones. Smart phones used to be for businessman and techies, but are quickly becoming popular among the general populace as a compact personal device which does just about anything you’d want it to. Besides social media sites, Google, and Angry Birds, smart phones offer apps which function much as programs do on your computer. Ranging from free to expensive, apps can make your life, and specifically your finances, a whole lot easier as well as save you money. Here are a few types of apps which are specifically designed to save you money when you hit your favorite outlet mall.

For the card-carrier. For those who carry rewards cards for every store they love, there’s an easier way to make sure you don’t miss out on savings just because you lost your card or left it at home. Keyring Rewards Cards is an app which allows you to compile your rewards cards all in one place. The app functions by taking pictures of the bar codes on well-known rewards card brands and allowing you to organize and virtually ‘store’ them on your phone instead of in your bulging wallet.

For the coupon clipper. If you’re someone who doesn’t buy an item unless you have a coupon for it, there’s an app for you. The Coupons app, a free app for Android, provides hundreds of coupons directly on your phone, with a search function which will kick out more coupons than you could possible clip from a paper. If you already have paper vouchers printed off, My Voucher Codes for iPhone allows you to scan the barcodes and store them on your phone so you won’t need the paper.

Another great app for those who don’t want to do the math on percent off sales is Discount Calculator. Simply type in the starting price, and slide the bar to the correct percentage to find out the new sale price.

For the comparison shopper. Gone are the days of calling around to different stores to find the best possible price on an item, or even doing Internet searches. Let your smartphone do the comparison shopping for you while you’re in the store with apps such as Red Laser, SnapTell, and Shop Saavy. When you scan the barcode of an item you’re interested in, these apps provide detailed information on the product as well as the current (and local) retail prices from different competitors.

And, if you’ve ever been frustrated when an item goes on sale after you purchase it, an app known as Eyeona will alert you to post-purchase sales and provide instructions on how to cash in on the savings. The app will also let you know when items you indicate interest in have reached the price range you’re looking for.

Never before has it been so easy to save money while you shop. Simply staying aware of new apps will help streamline your savings strategy and transform dreaded shopping trips into deal-finding adventures.

Guide for the New College Graduate: Equipping Your First Kitchen

by Gina Blitstein · 1 comment

When you’re no longer living in the dorm or sharing an apartment with college roommates, it’s time to set up housekeeping for yourself. Even if you’re not an enthusiastic cook you’ll appreciate the ability to prepare a meal for yourself from time to time. While you may have a few mugs and cereal bowls from your college years that you can call your own, you may not yet have what you’ll need to cook independently at the place you’ll call your first home.

A first kitchen doesn’t require that much. As years go on, you may develop a love of cooking and invest in a myriad of cooking equipment. For the time being, however, concentrate on the basics – you’ll feel self-sufficient without spending more or buying more than you need as you set up housekeeping.

For the purposes of this article, I’m going to assume that you have a basic kitchen setup, consisting of cooktop/oven and refrigerator in your kitchen. What items are essential to make your kitchen a bountiful room in your new abode?

A guide to equipping your kitchen first kitchen so you can get cooking:

A cookbook with the basics, such as:

measurements
glossary of cooking terms
description of cooking methods
food basics (like cuts of meats, types of vegetables, pasta shapes…)
food buying guide
recipes and meal ideas

Some popular favorites include an original Betty Crocker Cookbook or The Joy of Cooking. Ask older family members and friends for recommendations – they were once new cooks too. Maybe they’ll even donate one of theirs to your cause. You could probably find these at a used bookstore or garage sale, too. Nothing beats the knowledge and confidence you’ll gain from a good basic cookbook.

A small microwave will make simple things, like steaming vegetables or heating up leftovers, a snap. While once a pricey appliance, you can pick one up for under $50 nowadays.

You don’t need a whole set but some pots and pans are essential. Buy the best quality you can afford – they’ll perform better and last longer. Non-stick coating on your frying pan is convenient but it’s not necessary for all your pieces.

Three must-haves are:

large frying pan – for burgers, bacon, grilled sandwiches, pancakes…
saucepan – for sauces or soups…
Dutch oven – for cooking pasta or chili…

Mixing bowls – a small, medium and large should serve you well

Ceramic pieces in small, medium and large for microwave cooking

Measuring cups and spoons

Knives. You don’t need a big set but you’re going to do some cutting. Quality knives can last a lifetime, so invest in ones with a full tang (which means the metal extends the entire length of the handle).

Look for these:

chef’s knife – for bigger cutting and chopping
paring knife – for smaller jobs, like peeling carrots
serrated knife – for slicing bread and tomatoes
knife sharpener – even good knives are no good dull!

Utensils are the interface between you and your food. These are the most useful ones:

rubber spatula – for scraping
plastic spatula (for use on non-stick surfaces) – large and small, for lifting and flipping
metal spatula – large and small, for lifting and flipping
slotted spoon – helps drain liquids
solid spoon – for stirring large quantities
strainer – for draining
colander – for rinsing fruits and vegetables

As you continue to equip your kitchen, think multitaskers.

A well-equipped kitchen is a work in progress. Continue adding to it as needed, shopping sales, second-hand stores and garage sales. Follow this advice to have what you need to cook what you want today without making a huge investment at the outset.

What are your kitchen essentials?

Fuel: The Road Trip Money Pit

by Jessica Sommerfield · 1 comment

So you’ve decided to save money on airplane, bus, or train travel and settle in for a long family road trip. You may think you’re saving money, but if you don’t consider the following tips, you could end up paying more for fuel than you expected. In turn, spending too much money on fuel will probably translate to more limited spending on the fun aspects of your vacation. Missing out on key vacation goals because you under-budget for fuel would be disappointing, so if you plan ahead, you shouldn’t have to.

Perform a pre-trip maintenance routine on your car. Did you know that simply maintaining the proper air pressure in your tires could save you more than 3% in fuel costs? Also be sure to check and replace the oil if it’s getting close to time for a change, and replace the air filter if necessary. You can get all of this checked at once during a routine full-service oil change at most tire and lube establishments. Fuel-injection cleaners are also not a bad idea to maximize your car’s gas mileage.

Clean out your car. Excess weight in a car decreases gas mileage, so rid your vehicle of anything not needed during the trip. If you have a choice, pick lighter-weight coolers, backpacks, luggage, and other necessities, as well.

Shop for fuel. It may seem odd to think of shipping for fuel, but gas prices can vary greatly from one station or chain to another, as well as from one state to another. A good site to check before heading out is gasbuddy.com. Some gas stations offer 1-2 cents off per gallon if you use their gift cards, so check to see if the chain will be available on the route you are taking. If you have a smart phone, use a GPS app to locate the nearest gas stations when you’re on the freeway so you don’t have to waste fuel looking for a station. Then check one of the above sites for the lowest price, and you’re good to go.

Watch how you drive. Many drivers have the bad habit of accelerating and decelerating quickly, which can lower gas mileage up to 33%. Try to accelerate while going downhill, as well as coast to a stop sign or light. When you’re on the highway or freeway where you won’t need to stop frequently, use cruise control if you have it. Not only will you optimize your gas mileage, you’ll also save on potential speeding tickets if you tend to have a lead foot.

Avoid traffic jams. Consider leaving earlier or later than peak traffic hours, especially on the weekends when everyone and their boat is heading the same direction. A lot of fuel is wasted idling and in stop-and-go traffic. Check googlemaps.com or traffic.com and listen to local radio stations for frequently updated road conditions so you can take a less congested route if necessary. As always, it’s a good idea to avoid construction zones when possible.

Taking a little time to prepare your vehicle, shop for gas prices, plan your route and refueling stops, and drive efficiently while on your road trip will go a long way toward increasing your gas mileage and, in turn, the spending-capacity of your vacation budget.

There’s always those trusty travel coupons you can use to save for your trip, but what other tips do you have for road trips? Share them with us below.

Choosing the Most Cost-Effective Furnace for Your Home

by Gina Blitstein · 1 comment

As the Northern Hemisphere enters the warmest time of year, not many thoughts are on home heating solutions. If you’re in need of a new furnace, however, this may be the “hot” time to buy. The off-season may create an incentive for some heating contractors to offer furnaces at especially attractive prices.

Furnaces are not something we buy frequently because they generally last for decades. It’s a good idea, then, to educate yourself on the latest intel about furnaces when the time comes to make this major purchase. Here are some considerations to bear in mind when evaluating furnaces:

Appropriate Size

Since most new central-heating systems use gas, which has proven to be a most efficient home-heating fuel, I’ll concentrate on gas units.

Bigger furnaces are obviously capable of making more heat but a furnace that’s too large for your home’s particular needs wastes energy – and money. A furnace that’s too large for your home will cycle on and off too often, causing ineffective heat distribution. This is because heat will build up within the furnace, triggering the heating element to cycle off before the heated air can be distributed throughout the house. The constant cycling on and off also causes wear and tear on components. Consider your ductwork, too: If your ducts are smaller than they should be for the size of the furnace, airflow through them will prove inefficient and noisy.

By the same token, a furnace that’s too small won’t do the job for which it was hired.

To determine the right size furnace for your home, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. A reputable contractor will calculate your home’s furnace specifications using an industry standard, such as is found in “Manual J HVAC Residential Load Calculation” of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. These calculations take into consideration your climate and the size, layout and construction of your house.

Efficiency

A furnace’s efficiency is represented by its AFUE (Annual Fuel-Utilization-Efficiency) rating. Represented as a percentage, the higher the number, the more heat the furnace can create from each therm of gas.

While generally speaking, the higher a furnace’s efficiency rating, the higher its purchase price, it’s possible to recover that additional cost over the life of the furnace through the lower fuel bills you’ll enjoy.

Compare and Contrast Your Choices

Ask your contractor to use the tools at his disposal (which take into account each furnace’s efficiency and energy consumption, local utility rates and the particulars of your home) to calculate the estimated operating costs of a variety of furnaces in a range of efficiencies. Consider that information as you choose among units, as well as any additional costs that may arise, such as changes to venting that may need to be made.

Do Your Research

You can do a lot on your own to help in the decision-making process. Look online for furnace ratings, service issues or equipment defects that may pertain to the units you’re evaluating. Get in-person recommendations from neighbors who may have a similar-sized home or one that’s built in a similar style to yours.

Incentives

Look for furnaces with an EnergyStar rating which ensures higher energy efficiency and higher efficiency blower motors than non-qualified models. Based on the efficiency of the unit you purchase, you may qualify for rebates from your natural gas provider and tax incentives from government entities.

Consider all this information when purchasing a new furnace for your home. While it’s an expensive appliance, choosing wisely will save you money in the long run.

You should check out the home promotions we have to find more savings, but how criteria do you use when choosing a furnace?

Tips for Saving Money When You Have Kids

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

Once again, there are reports on how expensive it is to raise a child. Indeed, the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 is soaring. But does it have to be that way? Are there ways to save money when you have kids? The good news is that there are some things you can do to reduce the cost of raising kids. Raising children is hard, and it can be even harder if you are pressed financially. If you plan, and if you are careful, chances are that you can avoid spending almost $300,000 to raise your child from birth to age 18.

What Do You Really Need?

Your first step is to figure out what you really need to buy for your child. Starting when you have a baby, there is a whole list of things that you “need.” From baby food, to a bouncy chair, to the latest in toys designed to stimulate intelligence, evaluate which items you actually need. There is a whole list of baby-proofing items that you are supposed to need, and different books, toys, and activities that your child is supposed to enjoy as he or she grows up.

Think about which things are truly necessary for your child. Will your three-year-old really live a worthless life if he or she doesn’t start out at an expensive private preschool? Will your 10-year-old be forever scarred if he or she doesn’t have a personal gaming system? Will life end for the teenager without the latest iPhone? Think about the things that your child “needs.” Are they really needs? Or are they extras? You can save a lot by cutting out some of the extras. This doesn’t mean that you child never gets anything fun or frivolous; it just means that you prioritize, and then pick and choose.

Can You Get it Secondhand, or Borrow It?

Next, before you head out and buy something, consider whether or not there is a better way to get it. Could you buy it used? Head to the thrift shop to see if you can find used clothing and toys. There are also programs that allow you to buy secondhand sports equipment, rent musical instruments, and find other ways to reduce costs. Books can be borrowed from the library, as can movies. Before you decide to buy something new, consider whether or not you can get it secondhand or refurbished, or whether you can borrow or rent. It can save you a great deal of money of the life of your child.

Look for Alternative Activities

Another way to save money is to engage in alternative activities that aren’t so expensive. You can save money on vacation, as well as other family activities. Think of what you can do as a family, from game nights to hiking to simple activities that focus on spending time together, and not on spending a lot of money. Look for coupons and promo codes as well. That way you can save money on things that you do.

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