Save a Little

In these days of financial uncertainty, frugality is the new black and keeping up with the Joneses is going the way of the skinny jean.

Today it’s more about implementing family-friendly strategies for saving money and being clever enough to maintain style and sanity at the same time. So we rounded up a list of ways to save that we think are savvy, easy to implement and won’t add another ‘to-do’ to Mom’s list.

Be Entertained
Skip the $100 outing to the movie theatre and have ‘movie night’ at home instead. Rent a DVD for $5 and splurge on some special treats your family loves (plus you can snuggle up in your jammies—can’t do that in public). And lose the microwave popcorn (less money, fewer chemicals). Buy some kernels and pop up a batch in a pot or in a hot air popper—your kids will think you are magic.

Take advantage of free/reduced admissions days and memberships at local cultural institutions. Many galleries, museums and science centres have pay-what-you-wish days or reduced admissions. For example, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto offers free admission every Wednesday from 4:30 – 5:30 pm and the Vancouver Art Gallery has ‘pay what you can’ entrance every Tuesday from 5 – 9 pm. And if it’s a place where your family enjoys going often, a membership usually pays for itself after two visits, which means you can go anytime and not feel like you have to stay all day to get your money’s worth.

For the Holiday Season
It really is the thought that counts and this year perhaps even more than ever. So instead of re-gifting, don’t be afraid to make some of your gifts. Everyone’s a fan of homemade peppermint bark, so whip up a few batches and have the perfect hostess gift, stocking stuffer and teachers thank you gift all done (for about $2 each). You’re not just saving money, but time schlepping around the stores too.

For wrapping paper, pick up a roll of plain white recycled paper (we got 130 feet of paper at IKEA for $5) and use it for gift wrap. Once you’re done wrapping, let the kids decorate the paper with markers or stickers in fun seasonal colours. Or dig up some of those ‘masterpieces’ your children created over the years to us as wrapping paper.

Cut out the paper holiday card this year (or at least trim the list significantly) and try an electronic greeting card from Smilebox which allows you to share family photos along with your seasonal message. Your friends and family will love seeing an electronic scrapbook of your family’s adventures over the last year. For a simpler greeting, try Hallmark.com. Save time, save money, save a tree.

A Better Bookworm
Instead of buying books, borrow them. Public libraries have come a long way—in many municipalities, you can check book availability online and make a request for a book you want to be transferred from another branch to your local one.

For children’s books, try a book exchange with a group of friends with children the same age (great for mothers’ groups, neighbours or bookclubs). Each family contributes a set of five to ten books which are marked with their name and stored in a reusable bag. Every month, each family gets a different set to bring home to enjoy—as good as new.

If you do have to buy a book, check online sites such as Amazon.com or Alibris.com. You can often get used books (even very recently published ones) for half of the original price.

Around the House
You know this one…regulate and reduce your electric use. Make a game of turning off unneeded lights with the kids—they will enjoy being vigilant about keeping them off. Actually unplug appliances such as TVs and computers when not in use, as they still use electricity when they are turned off and plugged in. Install a programmable thermostat to regulate heat.

Take It to the Bank
Walk that extra block to your own bank’s automated bank machine to avoid additional transaction fees. (Remember to decline the paper receipt to save trees.)

Set up a system to help you pay your bills on time and avoid late fees. Automate the payments or establish a ‘tickler’ file to keep track of due dates

In the Mouth
It’s true—the latté factor really does add up. So treat yourself to a nice new travel mug and and start brewing your own coffee at home before you head out.

Always make a list and stick to it to avoid impulse buying (if it’s not on the list, just don’t buy it) and go grocery shopping when you are in a hurry, but not hungry (like maybe just before your favourite TV show is on). Armed with the list, you will get just what you need and not have time to be tempted by things you don’t need.

If you tend to eat out a lot, make a family pledge to cut back. Stay home for one or two meals instead. Have everyone pick some favourite foods and enjoy cooking together at home.

The nice thing we’re finding about the new economy? Many of our money-saving tricks are good for our family and the environment.

And that’s our new eco-conomy.

What’s your favourite family-friendly way to save money? Tell us and our editor’s favourites will be included in a follow-up article on saving money. If your idea is chosen, we’ll give you one of our SavvyMom stainless water bottles (so you can save money and the environment by not buying bottled water). Share your ideas now!

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