Parenting Pointers: Saving Money for Busy Moms

As a mom, you know that it can take a lot of effort to keep your household's expenses under control. After bills, things the kids want, family needs and your savings account, you may find that there's not much money left over for you to use on other things. This stressful and frustrating predicament can be remedied, however. There are many everyday expenses that you can save money on without making things more tedious for yourself and your family.

Make Real Meals

A lot of moms turn to heat-and-eat meals and pre-packaged snacks because they're strapped for time and energy. While these foods may be fast and simple to prepare, they provide little nutrition and cost a lot of money. Serving for serving, these convenience foods usually cost several times more than if you'd prepared the same amount from scratch. Although that often means time spent in the kitchen, you don't have to spend hours cooking. Try things like sandwiches, slow-cooker meals, homemade pizzas and no-cook snacks to nourish and satisfy your family while saving a heap of cash.

Turn Off Electronics

Modern devices like computers, televisions and game consoles suck a lot of energy when they're left on, yet most people leave them running all day long. This habit is based on the long-standing myth that electronics require more energy to power on than would be used if you'd simply left them on. In reality, all you're really doing is wasting energy. Energy consumption at power-up is so small that it doesn't matter. Consider making it a rule in your house that any devices not currently being used must be turned off. Be prepared to watch your energy bill fall by leaps and bounds.

Shop at Thrift Stores

Are the kids outgrowing their clothes again? Buying entire new wardrobes several times each year can get really expensive if you buy them at department or clothing stores. If you think it's ridiculous to spend half a day's pay on a shirt and a pair of pants, then thrift stores are for you. It's not uncommon to find current styles in excellent condition for less than a dollar.

Buy Discount Brands

If you only buy products made by big name brands, you're likely paying extra money for nothing. In many consumer studies, people are unable to tell the difference between generic brands and major ones. In fact, value brands are often made by the major companies but given generic labels. By switching to off-brands, you could save considerably on your weekly grocery bill.

Saving money doesn't have to mean making sacrifices or taking on extra burdens. These are just a few of the ways in which you can cut down on your expenses without a big effort. Try reviewing your budget and lifestyle habits to find other ways to shave off a few dollars.

Author Bio:

Jack Meyer is a regular contributor for http://www.nannybackgroundcheck.com/. As a detective he wants to spread the knowledge of terrible things that can happen when people don’t fully verify the credentials of a caregiver or any employee. He also writes for various law enforcement blogs and sites.