Finding Ways to Save Money With Kids at Home
Port Washington-Saukville Moms Council talks weekly on parenting issues in the community. Visit every Friday afternoon and join in on the conversation.
- Editor's Note: Moms Talk Q&A is a feature on Port Washington-Saukville Patch that is part of an initiative to reach out to moms and families. Each week, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions. We invite you to be part of this ongoing conversation by commenting below.
Kids cost money. Between the clothes, food, toys, then school supplies, sports equipment, band equipment, uniforms ... the list goes on. Columnist and Mom's Council member Maggie Wright shared some tips earlier this week on finding some deals, but that can't be the whole list. How do you save money on items your kids need? Want? Have you found any amazing sales lately that we should all know about?
On another note — how do you teach your kids about saving money? There's so many aspects to being responsible with your coin, but developing an economical mindset will be a great tool for any person as they group up. Any specific tips on lessons for keeping your little ones frugal?
Lyssa Beyer
1:05 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
I love thrift stores, and while I don't have kids its a good place to find bargains for myself or family/friends with little ones. I've only been able to stop into the Hidden Treasures resale store that opened recently in Port — anybody have good luck finding deals there? http://patch.com/A-dpzC
Maggie Wright
1:07 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
I have been there once, I didn't find anything at the time. Not to say there isn't anything there, they have a wide variety of items, just not what I was looking for at the time.
Lyssa Beyer
1:08 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
When I was little, I remember enjoying playing "store." A fake cash register and everything, selling whatever. Even at the Children's Museum, there was a general store you could play in. For an odd reason I feel like that was one of my favorite rooms!
Lyssa Beyer
1:09 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
Though I'm not sure how much that taught me about finances!
Maggie Wright
1:13 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
That was always one of our favorites! I remember doing toys swaps with some of my mom's friends. And when the weather was nicer, we were allowed to go shopping at garage sales with money we earned (think less than $5).
Lyssa Beyer
1:15 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
Nice!! Not to mention lemonade stands/craft stands/etc. to earn your own buck!
Lyssa Beyer
1:12 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
We also had a "chore chart" and earned different amounts of money for different chores. That's one step in learning the value of a dollar, having to earn it. How else do you teach kids to be important with money/understand what it means?
Maggie Wright
1:16 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
One thing to think about is when it comes time to rewarding children, steer clear of "If you do this, I will buy you this..." reward them with things that are priceless, 10 extra minutes with mom or dad, choosing dinner, stuff like that. Once you fall into that trap, it is hard to get out. Same for the "If you behave, you can pick out a toy."
Lyssa Beyer
1:21 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
That's a good piece of advice! Never really thought of that. Plus in the real world you don't generally get "things" for being "good." sadly.
Maggie Wright
1:33 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
Something I have learned from being a nanny and now a mom-I'd rather spend more on 1 product then to cheap out and have to replace the item down the line. Like my want for a Burley trailer, they are the best and among the most expensive. But if I buy a cheaper one and have to replace it in a year. Those 2 cheap trailers would add up to 1 nice one. That is why I sprung for a high end stroller. I have pushed a lot of strollers in my days and I knew what I liked and what I didn't.
Sarah Hutchison
1:43 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
Hi Lyssa! I'm Maggie's (favorite) sister! I am a bargain shopper by nature! I find some AMAZING deals! I'm on Ebay constantly! I find amazing deals on there for a variety of items from clothes, electronics, jewelry, etc. But sometimes ebay can be tricky (like in my sisters diamond ring case) I know what not to buy and what to buy! Also, I am an avid Consignment Sales shopper! There are children's consignment sales in the Saukville/Port Washington, and Milwaukee area called Just Between Friends! They are amazing! Basically everything you need for your child is there in regards to toys, games, clothes, strollers, carseats, etc. Also, if you sell there, and volunteer you get some amazing deals! I have just recently begun my "couponing". I've never done it before but now I'm all about it! You can find coupons for a bunch of online stores at retailmenot.com! They have over 50,000 online stores, and can find coupons for just about everything from $5 off, to 20%, to free shipping! Every little bit helps!
Maggie Wright
1:46 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
You made it!
Maggie Wright
1:45 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
Another thing, it cannot always be about money. Your kids are only kids once. I am not saying refinance your house to go on a vacation but little things, a new ball (doesn't have to be new new, just new to them!), cheap tickets to a Brewers game, those are the things that sacrifices can be made for, you know? That sounds very "Full House-ish" but that is how I feel darn it!
Casey O'Connell
4:13 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
I just stumbled upon this awesome & cute website called hippobargains.com, owned & operated by 2 SAHMs from WI...each day they offer only ONE item for sale...but at an AMAZING cost!! For example, today's deal was for a set of 2 adorable bathtub toy bag thingys you suction cup to the side of your tub to store all of the bathtime playthings for only $7!! For a set of 2!! Try finding that at a big box store. Their products range from smaller things like that up to furniture & equipment...usually made from organic materials from companies w/fair trade practices.
You can sign up for their daily email which illustrates that day's product. I believe that you can also view archieved products if they did not sellout on the day it was featured. Check it out!
Lyssa Beyer
4:17 pm on Friday, April 29, 2011
This is awesome — thank you so much for sharing!
Landra
7:07 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
this is so smart. I remember growing up playing store and it taught me a lot of lessons as well. Especially when I learned how hard it was to make a dollar!!! I was exhausted after that! As a mom to THREE boys I am getting nervous for them to age because I feel like every single year they cost us more and more. They are talking about cellphones and just things their friends have and I can admit.. Im freaking out!!! So my husband and I were looking at some family plans for phones because we will eventually need to add at least two of them next year and other moms at my sons schools have been raving about tracfone. anybody know anything? i mean i have been on their website and obviously they are the lowest costing service out there and still have smart phones... but is this to good to be true? The prices like 5 dollars to add phones seem unbelievable but I would love to ask more moms!