Being a parent is expensive and it’s an investment where you often tend to make a loss financially speaking. However, seeing your kids grow up and look at their cheeky faces every day helps make up for it.
To provide you with a bit of support, we’ve come up with these tips on practical ways parents can save money on everyday costs. To learn more, carry on reading our easy money saving hacks for parents.
Re-use Packaging
Far too many people waste packaging these days. Get creative and be resourceful by re-using packaging in your house for other purposes. For instance, you would be pleasantly surprised at how many different things egg cartons can be used for, including bird feeds, soundproofing, storing nuts and bolts and plenty more.
Re-using packaging not only saves you money, but it’s also a sustainable activity that helps save the planet. Plastics can take up to thousands of years to break down in landfill sites or be ingested by marine wildlife.
In 2019, the average household in the UK produced 20.12 kilograms of plastic packaging waste. Be part of the solution and save yourself money by re-using packaging.
Use Energy Saving Light Bulbs Around The House
Electricity bills continue to rise year after year in the UK. Therefore, you should try to do all you can to keep your energy bills low. You can save on electricity bills in your family home by using energy-efficient lightbulbs.
LED lights are considerably more energy-efficient than traditional light bulbs. Using less energy also helps you do your bit to look after the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Looking for more ways to lower your energy costs with technology? Check out our guide to smart electrical upgrades for a modern family home and discover how smart lighting, appliances, and automation can help you save even more on your bills.
Get A SIM-Only Mobile Plan You Can Cancel At Any Time
Every parent knows just how important it is to always have your mobile with you to help keep up to date and in great contact with your family members.
Having a working mobile can help you find out essential information, such as when your kid’s coming home this evening. Getting caught in a pricey mobile plan that you can’t get out of for 24 months can be a right pain. Check out SIM only deals that can give you what you need both in terms of service and saving costs.
Lebara have reliable 30-day rolling plans that you can cancel at any time. Sharing is caring, and with Lebara SIM only plans, you can tether your data and share it with other family members.
Remind Family Members To Switch Lights Off In The House
Often, it’s the simplest actions that help you save a chunk of money. Politely remind your family members to switch lights off when they leave rooms.
Leaving lights on around the house in rooms that nobody’s in can ramp up your electricity bills astronomically over an extended period.
There’s Nothing Wrong With Your Kids Wearing Hand-me-downs
Buying new clothes constantly for your children is expensive stuff, particularly if they’re fans of expensive clothing brands.
As long as they’re still in good condition and perfectly wearable, there’s nothing wrong with passing down clothes from one of your children to another after they’ve grown out of them. Try to avoid overspending on buying too many items of clothing that your child will only grow out of soon.
Collect Discount Points And Coupons To Save Money At Your Favourite Stores
Many supermarkets offer discount incentives and encourage you to collect points and coupons to receive money off items. If you’re trying to cut costs without making life miserable, you’ll appreciate my tips on save money shopping online.
Nectar points, for instance, can be used in Argos and Sainsbury’s stores and when you spend money on eBay or with British Airways. It’s useful for any parent to have an eye for a bargain and take advantage of any discount offers available to them.
When the deals drop, this checklist will help you prepare for Black Friday shopping UK the smart way, stack savings without blowing the budget.
Buy Second-Hand Books And Toys For The Kids
Browsing through car boot sales, online stores, and charity shops, you will quickly realise you can get your hands on some cracking second-hand books and toys that your kids can spend lots of their free time amusing themselves with.
Sometimes, second-hand items come in practically mint condition and are as good as new. Top tip for parents out there, your kids may not even be able to notice the difference.
Re-use Bags
As parents quickly get to learn, every penny spent adds up. In 2016 the government introduced a levy on plastic bags, meaning you now have to pay extra for plastic bags in shops.
The charge on plastic bags was increased from 5p to 10p in England in 2021. So, it can hurt your pocket if you constantly have to pay out for loads of plastic bags when you come to do your family food shop.
So, trying to re-use plastic bags as much as possible could mean you are able to save yourself a significant amount of money in the long term.
Become A Dab Hand At DIY Home Improvement Tasks
Hiring tradespeople to carry out work in your home can be extremely expensive and can lead to you easily spending outside the limits of your family budget.
Electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, roofers, builders, gardeners, they will all charge you plenty of money for their services.
Therefore, a simple yet effective way for parents to save a nice amount of money is by making sure you become a dab hand at doing DIY tasks around the home, as opposed to paying others to do all the home maintenance and repairs for you.
Avoid Spending Money On Unnecessary Items
Consumerism is everywhere in 2022 with the explosion of online retail outlets, but try and be sensible about your spending as a parent. It’s essential to use your common sense and not frivolously spend your money on unnecessary items.
Do you really need that top of the range brand new pricey espresso machine to replace the current one you’ve got that works perfectly well? Try to prioritise how you spend your money and focus on making sure you’ve got enough to cover the bills and the essentials you and your family need to live.
And if you’re into everyday savings and smart shortcuts, you’ll love these life hack tips for home, routines and budgets.
These are a few tips on practical ways parents can save money here and there on everyday costs. Money isn’t everything, but there’s nothing more important than your children, and earning some more money could make life a bit easier for you as a parent.
We have energy saving light bulbs all around the house, but I need to do more with electricity prices rising so much.I think buying second hand books or toys is great as it’s better for the environment as well as your pocket x