When your young family is growing, you shouldn’t also be growing your financial concerns. But, it can be a struggle to pay for everything. You need to keep a roof over your head, food in your bellies, and clothes on your backs. All of that adds up. Here are some essentials that you can start saving on today.
Food
If you’re really struggling, please visit the government-run “SNAP” website where you can apply for assistance with the necessities. If you’re just looking to save some extra money on your grocery bill, check out these apps for your phone that offer rebates and coupons on hundreds of well-known brands: Checkout51, SavingStar, Receipt Hog, and Ibotta. If you’d prefer to clip coupons, be sure to visit Smartsource or RetailMeNot to get the best deals.
Clothing
You don’t have to buy clothes at department stores in order to look put together. Consignment shops offer gently used clothes at a fraction of the cost. Another great way to save on clothes is to plan ahead. If you purchase clothes at the end of a season for the following year, you’ll snag some significant savings. If those don’t appeal to you, check out coupon apps like Coupon Sherpa to get offers for your favorite stores. Ebay is also a great source for bulk items. You can get an entire season’s worth of clothing for a newborn for under $100 usually.
Cars
Everyone wants a reliable car, but new cars come with hefty price tags. Some dealerships, like Jack Buford Chevrolet, know that the price difference between a new car and a used one can be significant. If you’re determined to purchase a new car, go towards the end of the month when dealerships are looking to change out inventory and are ready to offer buyers steep discounts. Also try to re-assess your insurance every few months and drop whatever you don’t absolutely need.
Utilities
Aside from turning everything off when you aren’t using it, eliminating drafts and checking for air leaks, you can set your water heater to 120 degrees to save on utility costs. Proper insulation can also go a long way to reducing heating costs in the winter. Think about ditching services you don’t need like landlines and cable.
Entertainment
When you have a family, keeping them entertained can cost a small fortune, but it doesn’t have to. By signing up for a service such as Groupon or LivingSocial, you can obtain significant discounts on everything from circus tickets to mini golf to concerts.