Families need to make money stretch as far as it possibly can. This can mean doing without unnecessary purchases, or budgeting for monthly expenses. If you find yourself struggling each month or living paycheck to paycheck, it may be time to give your family a money makeover. Giving your family a money makeover means finding the best deals for your money to make it stretch further. Here are some tips that will yield an effective money makeover.
* Find better deals on insurance policies. If you feel like you are paying too much for car insurance or health insurance, do some comparison shopping. Oftentimes people do not think that they can save, so they do not look for better deals.
Being comfortable with your current insurance agent is also a factor as to why people do not shop elsewhere. If you find a better deal with another insurance company, check with your current insurance holder and see if they will match the price. In a competitive market such as today’s, people are more likely to match prices to keep the business.
* If you do not already have a savings plan, it is time to start thinking about one. It’s a good idea to have a savings account that will sustain the household for three to six months if the unthinkable were to happen. You can build up your savings over time by putting a little of your paycheck away each pay period. Once you have your emergency fund, then you can focus on building upon that savings even more.
* Having a retirement plan is important because it is not feasible to work until death. Social security programs are running out of funds and may not be around when it comes time for you to retire. This is why it is especially important to plan ahead. Look into IRAs or other interest-yielding accounts to build up enough money to retire on. The sooner you start building up your retirement, the better.
You and your family stand to gain a lot by giving yourselves a money makeover. By shopping around for better insurance policies and building up a savings account for retirement and family emergencies, you are helping to ensure that your family is prepared for the future. Implement money-saving methods where possible and watch your nest egg grow.
Eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner out can be one of the largest discretionary spending items in your budget. This luxury is normally one of the first things to get the axe when you’re pinching pennies. Here are a few ways you can still enjoy dining out, without forking over big bucks:.
Restaurant email lists
Want a guaranteed free meal each year? Sign up for your favorite restaurant’s email list, and chances are they’ve got it set up to send you a coupon for a free meal on your birthday! Do this at a couple of restaurants, and you could be eating out free your entire birthday month. These lists also get you in on special deals, two-for-one offers, and other frequent buyer specials.
Entertainment books
Long a mainstay of non-profit fundraisers, the “entertainment books” are now available at drugstores and bookstores, usually at a deep discount (we picked ours up for 40% off this year!). The book is full of coupons for two-for-one offers at local restaurants and special deals for fine dining. Each book claims to include thousands of dollars’ worth of discounts, but even if you just use two or three, you’ll have earned back your investment. Check out sites like Entertainment.com to see what books are available near you.
Groupon
Want to see collective buying power in action? Check out Groupon.com. Available in over 60 major metropolitan locations nation-wide, Groupon negotiates massive bargains for members by guaranteeing businesses a minimum number of takers. Free to join, Groupon offers a new deal each day. Recent offerings: $80 worth of take-out grub at a famous seafood restaurant for $40, and $30 worth of food at a Mexican bar and grill for $15. While not every offer is dining-related, a good number are.
Early bird
Early bird dinners aren’t just the provenance of the senior set; anyone can take advantage of these early-hour dinner specials. Think about it – you don’t want to wait until 8:00 pm to feed your kids, so why not feed them at 4:00 pm at an early bird special. When you’re dining with a large group or with young children, eating earlier can be not just less expensive, but less stressful, too. Early bird dinners can be significantly cheaper than dining at busy later hours (30-40 percent less), plus your wait-staff will be more attentive because they’re not worn out yet!
Kids eat free
Tired of paying $7 for a grilled cheese sandwich that your tyke will only licks the crust off? Then check out one of the thousands of “kids eat free” offers across the country. Ask your favorite restaurants if they offer a kids’ night special and sign up for their email list so you get a heads-up about all their specials for kids. Also, check out sites like MyKidsEatFree.com for a searchable guide.
Once you find out your favorite restaurant has a “kids eat free” night, you’ll be happy to enjoy a night out with your family more often. It is always nice when you get the bill after a dinner out and can relax and smile!
Frugal family fun is easy to find. Enjoying an outing doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. Below I list several ideas for frugal outing for the family. Pick one, or even all of them, and enjoy.
1. Be patient and wait to see new movies on video. Some communities even offer free video rentals at local libraries and will order new movies if library patrons request a certain title.
2. Check to see if there are any discount movie theaters in your area. Most of these places show movies just before they’re released to video. A family of four can go out for an evening at the movies and spend less than five dollars for a fun family outing. Keep a list of movies you want to see, and then check the discount theater listings each week. These theaters often keep the movies for just one or two weeks, so stay alert to what’s playing.
3. Go to the first show of the day at first-run theaters for the best prices (and shortest lines!).
4. Check your area for free days at museums, zoos, etc.
5. Check for free concerts, plays, and other live family entertainment in local parks.
6. Call and find out if your local college stage production group, ballet or orchestra will let you watch them rehearse for free.
7. If you want to eat at an expensive restaurant, go for lunch rather than dinner. The menu is usually the same, but the prices are often half.
8. When dining out, drink water only. Ask for a lemon or lime wedge if you want to make your drink seem special. This trick can easily cut $10 off your family’s total dining bill, which could mean the difference between going out for a fun meal or staying home eating frozen egg rolls again.
The time we spend with our families is priceless. But most popular family activities are quite expensive. Even a simple night at the movies can put a serious dent in the budget by the time you buy tickets, popcorn and drinks for everyone.
Fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives to expensive family outings. They provide the opportunity to have just as much fun at a fraction of the cost. Some are even free.
Movies and Music
Kids are often itching to see the newest releases at the movie theater. Doing so even once a month, however, can get pricey. One alternative in some areas is the drive-in. Admission is usually much cheaper than it is at a regular theater, and some let you bring your own drinks and snacks. Drive-ins usually show fairly new releases, so the kids can say they saw something that’s not out on video yet.
Some theaters offer reduced-price matinees during the day. Some even have free kid-oriented movies on weekend days. These options offer the theater experience without the outrageous cost.
Kids often want to go to concerts, but tickets to see the most famous bands are far from cheap. Check your local paper for free concerts in the park. Many areas have them during the warm months. Young children can enjoy the music without the huge crowds and deafening sound systems, and older children might gain an appreciation for less well-known bands.
The Great Outdoors
Nature offers a wealth of possibilities for family outings. Camping is a wonderful activity for families, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be as simple as pitching a tent in the back yard, or you can spring for a camper and rent space at a campground. Bring the grill and some hamburgers or hot dogs, or catch some fish to fry.
Parks are great for day trips. Those with playground equipment can keep youngsters entertained for hours on end. Hiking trails offer opportunities for exercise and exploration. Most parks have picnic facilities, so you can pack a lunch instead of eating out.
Other Ideas
Here are some more inexpensive family activities to consider:
* Play miniature golf. Admission is usually quite reasonable, and it provides the opportunity for relaxed yet engaging family competition.
* Visit a petting zoo. These small zoos do not have the exotic animals you see at larger ones, but kids can feed and pet the animals.
* Go to a museum. Some offer cheap or free admission, while others cost more. But the larger and more expensive ones often sell season passes, so if you live close by, you can visit numerous times for one low price.
* Go boating. If you’re fortunate enough to live near a body of water, boating is fun and relaxing. Canoe and paddleboat rentals are inexpensive, and when you’re done boating there are usually other cheap or free activities in the area.
* Attend events at a nearby college. These may include plays, concerts, dance recitals and movie showings. Prices are low, and student discounts usually apply to kids, too.
Having fun as a family doesn’t require a six-figure income. If you look hard enough, you can find lots of free or cheap activities that parents and kids can enjoy just about anywhere.
When it comes to frugal vacation ideas, camping is hard to beat. Roughing it is much cheaper than traveling to a destination and shelling out for activities and accommodations. It’s a great way to spend real quality time with the family.
There are some expenses associated with camping. In fact, if you’re not careful, you can end up spending much more than you bargained for. Here are some tips to help keep camping expenses to a minimum.
* Invest in a good tent. You can find cheap tents with ease, but you get what you pay for. Spending the money to get a quality tent that’s big enough for your needs is wise. As long as you take good care of it you won’t have to replace it as soon, so you’ll be much better off in the long run.
* Seek out free camping spots. If you have friends or family members who are landowners, you might be able to talk them into letting you camp out on their property instead of renting space at a campground.
* Bring along plenty of food. You can eat very inexpensively when you go camping, but only if you avoid making runs for fast food and takeout.
* Be sure to store your food properly. A large, well insulated cooler is a must for keeping perishable food and drinks cold. Other food should be kept where animals can’t get to it. Large plastic tubs with snug-fitting lids are great for this purpose.
* Be realistic about what you will eat. If you’re going on a week-long camping trip, you’ll need to plan a little variety. Roasting hot dogs every night or eating cold sandwiches three meals a day gets old fast. Bring along a camp stove or grill and a few different things to cook.
* Consider taking reusable dishes, cups and flatware. Campers usually use paper plates and plastic cups and forks for convenience, but these are unnecessary expenses. If you bring along plenty of water, a camp stove to heat the water and some dishwashing liquid, you can easily wash up the dishes and use them again.
* Bring plenty of things for the kids (and the adults) to do. A long camping trip can get boring if you don’t. Some popular camping pastimes include volleyball, badminton, horseshoes and cards.
* Pack plenty of clothing and blankets. Make sure everyone brings a jacket and a pair or two of long pants, even if it’s hot out. It could get chilly at night. If you have all the clothes and blankets you need, you won’t have to make a trip to get more.
* Don’t forget the first aid kit. You can buy kits at drug or discount stores, or you could make your own. The essentials include band aids, antibiotic ointment, tweezers and needles (for removing splinters), an ace bandage, and a bottle of over-the-counter pain reliever. Also be sure to bring any medications that anyone on the trip may need. These things could save you a trip to the drugstore or doctor.
Camping is usually far less expensive than most outings. And if you keep a close eye on your expenses, you can have a fun vacation for next to nothing.
Get your copy of Frugal Activities for the Whole Family: Cool Frugal Activities the Whole Family Will Love offers frugal tips and ideas that’s aimed at the entire family. The economic recession has put a strain on most family budgets, leaving many families wondering what they can do as a family that won’t leave your bank account drained. Help is here! Frugal Activities for the Whole Family gives practical frugal ideas that the entire family (and your bank account) is sure to enjoy! Get your copy now.
Get your copy of Frugal Activities for the Whole Family: Cool Frugal Activities the Whole Family Will Love offers frugal tips and ideas that’s aimed at the entire family. The economic recession has put a strain on most family budgets, leaving many families wondering what they can do as a family that won’t leave your bank account drained. Help is here! Frugal Activities for the Whole Family gives practical frugal ideas that the entire family (and your bank account) is sure to enjoy! Get your copy now.
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