Between moms
Shopportunist looks at saving as your kids age.
My fellow moms, we spend a lot of money to take care of our kids, from those hazy days of infanthood right through those tumultuous teen years.
It’s estimated that middleincome, married-couple parents of a child born in 2015 may expect to spend $233,610 for food, shelter and other necessities to raise a child through age 17.
Early on, I recall wanting the very best for my babies even if it meant I’d be living off pasta and peanut butter sandwiches. Only namebrand diapers could touch their tooshies and only the finest organic pureed fruits sealed in fancy jars could kiss their palate. And their wardrobe? Well, that could rival a Kardashian’s closet, even though I was — and heck, still am — wearing tops and tees circa 2000.
Those days off splurging wouldn’t and couldn’t last. Babies take a bite out of the budget. But tweens and teens straight-up devour our dollars.
As kids grow, so too do the costs of their wants and needs. Poof go the days of complementary kids meals, complete outfits for under $10, free airfare for toddlers and child-rate admission to theme parks, movie theaters and museums. Try as you might, but airlines won’t allow 12-year-olds to sit on laps, Disney World decides children are adults at age 9 and one celebratory dinner out can equal a week’s worth of groceries.
Finding ways to trim down spending can be as torturous as parenting hormonal, pubescent kids, but there are ways to save.
All of the money-saving strategies I’ve picked up over the years have endured and still apply, but I added some new tactics to my parsimonious repertoire as my children went from Oshkosh B’gosh to oh my gosh my son’s massive foot size means $50 more for an identically designed pair of sneakers.
Hit up the Facebook Marketplace:there are some amazing riches to mine on the Facebook Marketplace, the social media and networking site’s online shopping channel where users can buy and sell everything from furniture to fine apparel to toys and video games, and purchase from folks right around the corner or across the country. It’s a great place to nab gently used sporting goods, toys, winter coats, bedroom furniture and more. It’s also a great place to have your kids earn a little income. I recently posted five of my son’s unused video games. They were all sold within a day to buyers as far away as Texas. The packing and shipping process is simple and he’s now $140 richer (which is good for me!).
Use credit card rewards for travel: All major airlines offer incentive programs to reward customers for their loyalty. You fly, you earn points. Points are transferred to miles for travel. It's pretty simple. Most carriers also partner with credit card providers to offer greater mileage-earning opportunities so you not only accrue points when you fly, but also every time you swipe your card for groceries, gas, etc. I don't rack up miles by flitting around the world or frivolously swiping our credit card. I favor airline mile credit cards that offer sign-up bonuses. Most credit card providers bestow bonus points to new applicants who meet a minimum spending requirement, sometimes enough for up to three round-trip domestic air tickets. I haven’t paid for an airline ticket in 10 years and we fly at least once annually. The Chase Sapphire card is my favorite.
Shop and sell secondhand: If you're the mom of a teenage girl influenced by “influencers” then you know: The cool clothes can be expensive. If it's something they’ve got to have, check digital marketplaces like Poshmark, Mercari, Thredup and Tradesy for discounted, gently used
digs from major labels like Lululemon, Free People and Brandy Melville. Encourage them to clear out their closets and post their unwanted apparel. You'll have to help and they'll sacrifice a small commission fee but they can make a few dollars. Even items you don't think can live a second life in someone else's closet can sell. I recently purchased a pair of used baseball pants on Mercari. I was desperate and they were sold out elsewhere. They are in near-perfect condition.
Make a plan to pack lunches: There's no such thing as a free lunch, but preparing lunch at home could save you a substantial sum of money. School lunches won’t break the bank, but kids who don’t care for what’s on the menu may end up at the vending machine instead. The key to establishing a cost-effective, lunchmaking regimen is planning while you’re indulging in dinner. Leftovers, combined with some key edible components, can be the core of healthy, budget-friendly lunches. When it comes to snacks, look for deals and buy in bulk. I just scored a
40-count pack of individual, snack-sized chips for just over $10 on Amazon. I applied a coupon with just a click. That’s just 25 cents a bag.
Save on dining out: Dining out is convenient. It’s a customary way to celebrate a milestone. It’s quality time with family. It’s access to cuisine you just can’t make at home. It’s also expensive. Coupons and mobile discounts often dictate where I dine. Head to Savingssource.com, Groupon.com and Localflavor.com for coupons. Another easy way to save is to dine during lunch. Most restaurants offer a special midday menu that almost always features the same food in small portions for a lot less cost. If it’s really about the food, not necessarily the experience, get it to go. You won’t be tempted to splurge on pricey beverages or order more than you’ll eat. Many local restaurants offer special family-style, multi-course mealsto-go during the week. If you have kids younger than 12 with only a mediocre appetite, look for kids-eat-free deals. Moe’s Southwest Grill just announced kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult entree. Lastly, if you’re celebrating a birthday, take advantage of the freebies.