Do you ever find yourself rushing around like a headless chicken trying to complete multiple tasks at the same time?
Me too!
One of my biggest bugbears is the weekly food shop. One week, I’ll have plenty of time to sit down and go through exactly what we need and more importantly what we don’t need. Other weeks, I’ll be so rushed off my feet that I just end up re-ordering the previous weeks food shop only to find when it arrives that I’ve already got a full bottle of shampoo sitting in the bathroom, enough chicken to feed an army and way too many bottles of washing up liquid. I guess what mounts up during those weeks, can be rolled into the following weeks food shop so I do save money down the line somewhere, but it’s a lot of hassle!
You see, life can be so busy that we do things like this, without much thought into how much money we’re actually wasting. If we were to slow down and think about what we’re actually doing, we could probably save ourselves a small fortune in the long run!
As such I thought I’d share with you my five top money saving tips for busy parents. I hope you find them helpful!
Meal Plan
Yes, you’ll need to set aside at least thirty minutes of your busy day to sit down and do some meal planning, but it will be worth it. By planning ahead and thinking about what you’re going to cook on what days, you can make sure that you only order the food you need, plus you can also organise your fridge and freezer by date. If you’re planning chicken pie on Wednesday, but the chicken is dated Monday, simply pop it into the freezer when it arrives and then defrost it before cooking it. Saving both money and food from waste!
Big meals such as pasta dishes, pies and casseroles are firm favourites in our house because they’re quick and easy to cook, plus tasty and nutritional too!
Borrow Money Wisely
As busy parents, it can be hard to keep an eye on the cash flow. So much so that when we go to pay for that emergency loaf of bread at the local corner store, the last thing we want to happen is for our card to be declined. Lending money from family and friends may be a good, quick alternative, but you don’t want to get into a habit of doing this, as money can be the biggest cause of family arguments. Taking out a payday loan from a company such as Cash Lady has its benefits. You can borrow exactly how much you need, no more, no less, meaning that you avoid unnecessary interest charges.
In addition to borrowing wisely, it is equally important to protect your existing funds from online scams and fraudulent platforms. As we spend more time managing our finances digitally, being aware of where we share our information is crucial for family security. For those navigating various online communities or gaming sites, checking a reliable mtgal 먹튀 정보 가이드 can help identify untrustworthy services before any money is spent. This kind of due diligence acts as a safety net, ensuring that your hard-earned savings aren’t lost to predatory sites. Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to maintain a healthy and secure household budget.
Ditch the Car
Can you believe that I live a 10-minute walk away from the girls’ school, yet I used to take the car every day to drop them off and pick them up from school. I know, it’s insane, and my friends always used to tell me off for it! Well, I’m pleased to say that I’ve ditched the car and my girls and I now regularly walk, scoot, or cycle to school. Not only is this better for the environment, but it actually saves us quite a bit of money on petrol. It’s also good exercise, and the girls and I enjoy playing games on the way and seeing what animals we can spot!
Make Packed Lunches
I work two days a week in an office. It would be so easy for me to pop into the shop on my way into work and buy a sandwich, drink and packet of crisps. However, in the interest of saving money, it’s far better for me to make myself a packed lunch the night before. Plus by doing this, I can also make sure I’m making a healthy choice.
Cashback and Rewards
This year I joined a cash back website and it’s one of the best things I’ve done. I can earn money by doing my usual shopping online. It’s really easy to get started.
I’ve also managed to collect almost £25 on my Boots Advantage Card since January. That’ll help me when it comes to buying presents for birthdays and Christmases!
What are your top money saving tips?
