| tter what your current economic situation, it's | | | | older than your kids and friends with kids that are |
| important to know how to save money. In | | | | younger than yours. You could all form a coop |
| addition to safeguarding you when hard times hit, | | | | whereby the oldest kids pass down their clothes |
| frugal practices are often better for the | | | | to the younger ones. This way everyone saves |
| environment. Here are ten tips to get you started | | | | money on kid’s clothes. Try organizing a |
| on the frugal path. | | | | swap meet in your living room. |
| Buy used. | | | | Buy out of season. |
| If it's not a safety hazard to do so, you should | | | | Most stores start running clearance sales when |
| buy things used as often as possible. One great | | | | the seasons are changing. This is the best time to |
| example is children's clothes. You can save a lot | | | | buy clothes. So buy your summer clothes in the |
| of money if you buy your kids clothes used | | | | winter and your winter clothes in the spring. If |
| instead of new. They're going to outgrow the | | | | you're buying clothes for kids, buy them a few |
| clothes in a few months anyway and since kids | | | | sizes too big so the clothes will fit your kids the |
| wear out their things so fast, it doesn't make | | | | next year. |
| much sense to buy new. | | | | Make it yourself. |
| Cheap is good, free is better. | | | | Even if you don't know how to sew, you have |
| Sometimes people give perfectly good things | | | | another way to save money. There are |
| away. Check Craigslist and Freecycle regularly to | | | | thousands of recipes online for homemade beauty |
| see what free things you can find. There's no | | | | products, spice mixes, baking mixes, health |
| better price than free! This is another way to | | | | remedies, even cleaning products. You can also |
| keep good products out of the landfills. | | | | check out fantastic books at the library with all |
| Careful coupon use. | | | | kinds of do it yourself recipes. |
| Coupons can be an effective way to save money | | | | Barter. |
| if you’re judicious. Always compare prices | | | | Search online for bartering opportunities at |
| – sometimes a store special or generic is | | | | bartering sites and places like Craigslist. Instead of |
| cheaper than using a coupon. You can also find | | | | spending your cash, you can trade a service or |
| printable coupons and coupon codes online. Search | | | | something else of value. |
| for coupons or discount codes on various | | | | Frequent yard sales. |
| products before buying. You would be amazed at | | | | Usually when people hold yard sales, they are |
| the results search engines will show up. | | | | trying to get rid of their stuff quick and get cash. |
| Eat at home. | | | | This is a good opportunity to haggle and get good |
| Eating out is expensive and typically less healthy | | | | deals on the things that you need for your family |
| than homecooked food. We're most tempted to | | | | for pennies on the dollar. The trick with yard sales |
| eat out when we’re tired or disorganized | | | | is to be organized, since the availability of items is |
| so be sure to plan ahead. Spend a little time each | | | | unpredictable. You might have to buy things ahead |
| week meal planning so you always know | | | | of time that you store for awhile. Try to |
| “what’s for dinner”. Cook | | | | anticipate what your family will need in the |
| double on some nights so you can reheat | | | | upcoming seasons and keep running lists in your |
| leftovers. Keep a repertoire of quick and easy | | | | purse so you can remind yourself quickly. You can |
| meals that you can throw together in minutes. | | | | even partner up with a yard sale buddy. If you |
| Develop a hand me down system. | | | | need a bread machine and your friend needs a |
| You probably have nieces and nephews that are | | | | new printer, you can scout for each other. |