But you’re wrong if you think that you need to go broke raising a family. In fact, with some tweaks to your budget and the way you spend on your children, you might even be able to take a family vacation each year!
My friend from Caroline (from carolinevencil.com) recently shared with me an experience she had at the doctors office where she was chatting with a woman, and mentioned that she bought second hand clothes for her kids… and this woman JUDGED her!
BUY SECOND HAND CLOTHES OR GET HAND-ME DOWNS FROM FRIENDS
When we did the math, it was literally almost counter productive for me to go back to work and pay someone to watch my kids. (It’s estimated that in most states, childcare costs more than college tuition.
FIND A WAY TO SKIP (OR CUT DOWN ON) CHILDCARE COSTS
Of all the “stuff” we spend on, I find groceries are the EASIEST to OVER spend on. It’s just so easy to justify a big grocery bill – after all, food is necessary!
You are not “depriving” your children if you don’t put them in every sport or every club. They will still learn to be social, to be good losers, to be active, even if they take part in fewer things. They will also learn to be intentional with their choices.
DRAW FIRM LINES ON EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (NO THIS DOESN’T MAKE YOU “MEAN”)