When you start to plan on having kids, you’ll get a lot of advice from people that have already graduated into parenthood. They’ll tell you all about the terrible twos, inform you of how to make sure that you need to set boundaries with your child. They will also gleefully provide you with stories of how you’re not going to get a good night of sleep for months after your baby is born. Whether or not you choose to believe the horror stories, there is something that parents will typically miss out of their warnings.
They won’t tell you about the cost. There’s a reason why the government provides benefits to people who have children. Kids are expensive and there’s no doubt about that. You’re more likely to be able to afford that dream sports car or go on luxury holidays every year if you don’t have kids. Whether that will provide the same level of enjoyment is another matter entirely. However, if you are being weighed down by the cost of your family, then it’s important to be aware that you don’t need to suffer in silence. There are ways to save and that’s what we’re going to explore today.
Saving On The Family Holiday
We’re going to start with this one because it can be a massive expense like no other. Let’s say that you want to take your kids to Disney World. It’s not a lie to say that this is the happiest place on earth, even when you take into account the queues, the heat, and the crowds. Queues and crowds are basically the same thing but when you do visit Mickey’s home you’ll discover why we mentioned them twice. So, let’s think about the cost. How much will it cost to bring your little ones to Disney World? At least a few thousand and maybe more depending on whether you want the whole shebang. That includes staying at a Disney hotel and yes, making that choice does bring benefits. For instance, you get extra magic hours at the park and the meal plans available can be a real lifesaver.
But it’s important to be realistic. You need to think about whether Disney is going to fit into your budget and where you can save. Well, there are multiple ways to save. For instance, you can book early. Do this, and you’ll often find that there are some great deals. Alternatively, you can head over in the off-peak seasons where some of the rides will be closed for maintenance. However, there’s a big benefit of limited crowds which mean virtually no queues.
You can also explore different packages and sellers. Usually, you get the biggest benefits from buying through Disney but there are some big saves if you know where to look.
Of course, if the House of Mouse isn’t for you, then another way to save would be to focus on the ‘family’ aspect of your vacation. Instead of heading to a tourist hot spot, think about taking your kids into the wilderness. You get a big benefit here because you will be able to enjoy some quality family time. Don’t get the wrong idea. Spending a few days or a couple weeks with your family in Disney is magical. But the main attraction is always going to be the rides and experiences whereas when you head out camping, it’s all about spending time together as a group. It’s a lot cheaper too and in some ways can be just as enjoyable.
The best advice is to alternate vacations between ‘go big and go broke’ extravaganzas and the more subtle family affairs.
Tech Terrors
When you have older children, you’re going to need to contend with the cost of technology. This is particularly apparent through the festive season. In the good old days, letters to Santa would be filled with toys that didn’t use to crack $100. Now it’s iPads, Phones, PS4, Nintendo Switch consoles, and weird animatronic pets. Oh well, at least they don’t need to be house trained but there’s no doubt it’s going to hit your bank balance a little harder than you would probably like. So, how can you save on technology?
It’s not possible to avoid buying it. After all, it’s become an essential part of social life. Indeed, the tech of today is even used for teaching in schools. The trick with tech is to shop around for the best deals and that’s particularly true when you’re looking at subscriptions and monthly payments.
For instance, Disney + will soon be on the market and a lot of parents are definitely going to want that in their home. It beats an issue with Netflix where kids can accidentally stumble onto content that you might not deem to be appropriate. Everything on Disney + is confirmed to be family-friendly. It’s launching at a reasonable price too, but there’s some doubt as to whether that price will stick. That’s why some people are jumping at the chance to buy a yearly pass that should help avoid a potential future price shift. There’s also talk of bundles with Hulu, of which Disney is a leading owner.
Or, how about those phone bills. Paying for cell phones can be quite a chore. So, you might want to consider deals offered by businesses like Smarty. With this, if you refer a friend, you get a month free. While that might not sound like a lot, it could certainly put a dent in the costs at least at first. Refer 12 friends, and they give you the whole year!
Of course, another great way to save on tech is to go green. This is where upgrading your tech can actually pay off. By upgrading, you’ll be accessing the latest and greenest tech available on the market. This means that you won’t need to worry about issues with energy bills digging into finances. Ideally, big tech in your home like the TV should be at least an A grade. That way, you can make sure that you will save around 25% on your current energy bill. Particularly, if a lot of your tech right now is out of date.
The Food Run
Is food the big bill for the month that you’re trying to fit into your budget? It wouldn’t be surprising if this was the case. When you’re buying for a family, particularly a big family, food can cost a lot. However, again, there are ways to save.
For instance, you can think about buying in bulk. If there is a particularly great deal on and the food is going to keep or you are going to be able to store it in the freezer, it’s worth getting as much as you can. In the short run, it’s going to cost you but in the long run, you can save a lot of money with this option.
You can also explore vouchers and dealers that are available online. There are quite a few of these around and you are guaranteed to be able to save a lot of money if you take advantage of these options. Usually, you can find people talking about vouchers or even sharing them on social media and there are even specific accounts set up for this process.
We hope this helps you understand some of the best ways to save money on your family. While you may not be able to afford your new sports car, you will be able to take some of the pressure off your bank balance and still provide your kids with a great quality of life.