Parenting often involves dealing with money issues. In addition to managing your finances, being a mom who also writes about personal finance tips from mom is especially difficult.
A budget can make it challenging to raise a family. Maintaining your finances in order is not accessible during early childhood, through adulthood, and even when you have kids. GOBankingRates surveyed some leading female bloggers and financial experts (concurrently mothers) to determine how to save money on family finances.
Here are some tips from fellow writers and moms that will help you succeed financially as a parent.
1. Having a child increases the importance of having an emergency fund
I use my writing skills as an opportunity to emphasize how important it is to build an emergency fund. Children can make excellent emergency magnets based on my experience as a parent.
There is an increased chance of surprise expenses when a family member or pet is added. Also, there is a possibility that someone may spend money unexpectedly due to personal problems. There is a possibility that you will incur expenses you did not expect when you have a child.
My emergency fund got more heavily used in my son’s first year than any other time during my life.
Furthermore, I now have a fund dedicated to unexpected expenses related to my child since he’s already incurred many during his first 19 months of life. This will allow me to leave a portion of my bank account to fund emergency savings if I encounter other events in the future.
Having children is a very rewarding experience, so I would recommend starting to build your fund as early as possible.
2. Children should be taught about money.
I copied my children’s money management method after believing in a fairy who appeared in our basement and printed money. I, too, grew up in a household where money was never an issue.
My protective instinct struck them from the side after they had completed graduate school, obtained a job, paid their bills, and learned to manage their personal finances. It was unjust of me to act the way I did.
When I could go back in time, all my financial concerns would be handled by them. During that time, they would be able to share in our plans for the future and our family budget.
I would have taught about money management using age-appropriate lessons.
It is likely that they would have complained, isn’t it? Until my ears were bleeding, I did everything I could. Even so, I should have taught my kids about money. Mothers want only the best for their children, right?
3. In your budget, you should include activities.
Whenever my babies grew out of diapers, I would joke that I would be able to buy a boat.
As your children become older, they don’t become less expensive. As your children get older, they become more costly. I now spend a small fortune on my kids between summer camp, clothing, and entertainment, even though it seems counterintuitive.
In my own experience as a parent, I always encourage parents to budget for sports, gymnastics, music lessons, and so on. There are many pressures to participate in these activities, making them more expensive than many of us might expect.
If your child decides he or she wants to stop participating in a sport or activity six months after enrolling, we understand. Ultimately, he decides whether to learn to play the flute or play baseball with his friends, and we cannot blame him for that choice.
4. Shop according to weekly grocery store sales to develop your menu
Taking advantage of the savings your local supermarket provides is vital for families trying to control one of their biggest expenses – food costs. Our savings expert Jeanette Pavini from Coupons.com, told us that if moms plan meals around sales, they can keep their budgets under control.
5. Financial independence
A parent is responsible for protecting his or her family’s financial future. This starts with managing your personal finances, says Emma Johnson, owner of WealthySingleMommy.com.
6. Make a loan payment in advance.
Debbie Andersen of Pineapples & Palm Trees said that one extra payment per year could reduce your principal, allow you to pay off your house faster, and save you money on interest. She quoted herself as saying, “We were able to pay off our home loan way before it was supposed to be due, and my husband is forever grateful.”
7. Having a stocked pantry is important.
A well-stocked pantry can simplify, healthier, and more affordable the task of cooking a family dinner at the end of the day. A “well-stocked pantry” is, then, what exactly is that?
Put your pantry on your shopping list!” says Holly Clegg, author of the cookbook, Eating with a Purpose. In addition, saving money on grocery, fast food, and meal purchases will let moms prepare more meals efficiently, on time, and more affordably.
8. Hand-me-downs are a great idea.
You should accept any hand-me-downs you are offered. By accepting gently used items, you will save a lot of money on everything from clothing to toys.”
If you don’t use that hand-me-down, you can simply donate it,” McDaniel said.
9. You Can Provide Daycare Outside Your Home
Provide licensed daycare in your home and earn some income as a stay-at-home mom. In the ’80s, Marie Phillips from Family Money Values told us she did this in order to pay for her schooling (she returned to school to become a computer programmer).
Philipps said that the event should be both fun and educational. “You will earn considerable money, you will meet new friends, and you will gain experience by working for yourself. It takes a lot of effort, but the reward is high.”
10.You can buy items on sale in bulk.
Steph Nelson of Coupon Mom offers some great tips on how to take advantage of grocery store coupons. We were told not to spend money on expensive grocery items that go on sale every two weeks for half price. The simple solution for saving hundreds of dollars a year is to buy twice as much during sale weeks.
Nelson cites chicken, pork, meat, and cereals as the foods that offer the best value in bulk.
11.The Grocery Cart can be edited.
The last thing you should do, Queen of Free’s Cherie Lowe told us, is to go to the checkout. “Put back between three and five items at the grocery store before you pay,” she said. Without a single coupon, you will save $5-10.
12. Make sure you pay yourself first.
In Ella Newman’s opinion, this age-old advice is not just for parents, but everyone should borrow it, says the owner and stylist of Ella In Style and Doncaster Collection. The first five percent or ten percent should go to yourself.”
13. Check out your nearest library.
It’s easy to find family-friendly resources at your local library. The Frugal Diva, aka Susan Kessler, suggests that mothers bring their kids to the library to check out children’s books or take part in storytime activities.
In addition, parents do not have to go home empty-handed. The store offers a variety of items that can be picked up, including movies, DIY books, and novels for when children are sleeping.
14. Online shoppers should use price-matching browser extensions.
Families often prefer online shopping because it is simple, convenient and they don’t have to lug their kids into stores. However, Cool Mom Tech’s Liz Gumbinner told us that there were many ways to make it more affordable. Always look for discount codes online before you buy anything.
Additionally, “install a browser extension such as Priceblink that automatically performs an internet search to find better prices from competing retailers before adding items to your basket. According to Gumbinner, using it has saved him a fortune.
15. Educate your children about money
Nicole Sherrod, managing director at TD Ameritrade, says parents can teach their children money lessons at an early age. The key to encouraging children’s interest in saving, investing, and the economy is for parents to discuss these topics with them.” My experiences have shown me that the strongest adults are those whose parents ignited their passion for investing and educated them in financial matters.
16. Give allowances to children.
Parents may disagree on this subject, but Motherhood Moment blogger Bekah Jorgensen believes that giving kids an allowance at an early age is important. According to Jorgensen, this establishes a policy that requires them to buy things for themselves or wait until the next holiday to receive them.
“It saves parents with impulse buys, helps kids get thrifty right from the start, and avoids the fight in the store,” she said.
17.Take advantage of the off-season sales.
Amanda Tollis of Slickdeals knows when to shop. In the off-season or late season, Tollis advises, you can find great deals on kids’ clothing and shoes even if you shop in a second-hand store.
As a result, she added, like-minded parents who find great deals from well-known retailers often share them on Slickdeals. Be on the lookout for these deals.
18. Resell Your Children’s Items
Using a site like Amazon, eBay, or Swap.com, she recommends how parents can make some quick cash by reselling their child’s old books, clothes, and toys.
19. Make Price Matching a Wild Thing
One of Ms. Raymond’s favorite ways to save money: “Price-matching.” She is a philanthropist, designer, and co-star of VH1’s “Atlanta Exes.” Price-matching is possible anywhere, from grocery stores to department stores,” said she. You can offer coupons while still getting the online price at many stores.
20. Target Crazy can be tamed.
You might not realize it, but your Target habit could be keeping you from saving money. An easier way to save money: Don’t play the red bullseye. Blogger and CEO of marketing communication agency Kennedy Spencer Patty Kennedy were tired of reading tips like “cut back on coffee” when “for many moms, coffee is a matter of survival.”.
The amount you’d need to spend to drink 30 cups of expensive coffee is significantly greater.”
I don’t care if Target or another retailer is popular. it’s how you spend it the following week,” Kennedy said. “If invested well, [that money] will come back to you as more than $200,000. I would like you to consider that before you purchase the third white shirt you don’t really need.”
21. Invest in life insurance
You can be financially insecure if you experience an unexpected event. This is something that Keisha Blair, founder of Aspire Canada, has firsthand experience with.
We paid only $20 a month for a life insurance policy when our uncle died when I was 31 years old, she said. “She had two children,” young sons, and this happened eight weeks after she gave birth to the second one.”
Emergencies can happen to anyone and anytime, so take the necessary steps to ensure you and your loved ones are protected.
22. Groceries are important to invest in
Investments in the stock market are common, but what about grocery investing? The Grocery Game’s CEO, Teri Gault, elaborates.
Storage is key – stock up on BOGO and 50% off sales for your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer,” she said. “Make half-priced meals at home within eight to 12 weeks from your half-price store. By investing in weekly product specials, you can save about $500 monthly on your food costs.”
In addition to saving money, Gault said this is “the easiest way to change the way you shop and prepare meals.”
23. In bulk, buy household items.
You probably go through paper towels, toilet paper, and tissue at a rapid pace, whether you have one child or a few. You can save some money on a lot of these supplies if you follow Tangela Walker-Craft’s advice.
If you plan ahead, plan to purchase your household’s favorite products when they’re on sale. Storage might require some creativity, but the savings make it worth it.
24. Carpooling finance tips from mom
Her three sons have made her an expert at schlepping kids around, and she is also the founder of MommyMasters.com. Find some friends who are interested in carpooling instead of using gas every morning and afternoon, she suggested. You and the kids will enjoy it, and you will have extra time on your hands.”
25. Make a side income.
Many parents can benefit from side jobs by saving money, earning extra income, and starting their own business.
The older people can use the shuttle service to get to doctor appointments or shopping, or they can take their kids to lessons and practices if they have a car.
Consider becoming a virtual assistant, freelance writer, or graphic designer if you have access to a computer. Organize hikes, camping trips, fishing excursions, and photography tours in a beautiful area if you like to be outdoors.
Regardless of the challenges, Stephens believes that the money-making opportunities are endless. “Take what you already have and put a creative spin on it,” he said.
26. Save like you would pay a bill.
In this interview, “mompreneur,” Karlene Sinclair-Robinson, a small business advocate, explains how she balances saving with other priorities. According to her, moms should prioritize saving, which must be paid first. Savings become bills overtime when we treat them as such. As a result, moms would have more money at the end of the month than they anticipated.”
27. Last year’s model can be purchased.
“I usually save up to 40 percent by grabbing them as soon as they are released in new colors.” saving Grace Beauty founder Erica Harris said it is worth buying last season’s products, even if you’re a fashionista who expects the newest and best. “I have a particular tennis shoe I love the “There is a tennis shoe I love that costs 170 dollars,” Harris said. are released, I usually save about 30 to 40 percent buying the ‘old style.'” After all, as Harris said, “Full-priced equals overpriced!”
28. Lunches packed in a stick.
A seasoned mom of now-grown children, Dr. Cynthia Bailey of Advanced Skin Care and Dermatology strongly supports the sack lunch. As her children were growing up, she started this tradition of keeping the pantry stocked with lunch food and treats they could look forward to. Besides helping her to keep household costs low, it was also a great way to teach her kids a valuable lesson.
Her grown children live on a shoestring budget and pack their own lunches. Their self-competence is proudly displayed, and my 25-year-old son even cooks for himself. The problem with pre-made foods is that they are often more expensive, less healthy, and do not teach your kids how to cook.
29. Give your children their own debit card.
Take a listen to parenting and lifestyle specialist Cherie Corso’s thoughts on this topic if you find the idea intimidating.
We were amazed by what my daughter found when she was given a debit card. Math, as well as fiscal responsibility, were taught to her. It is more effective when they have their own cards instead of using their mother’s to buy music, sneakers, and other things online.”
30. Work from home as a mother
Cutting expenses doesn’t always solve the problem. The lives of working parents can still be balanced with their active lives in the play space. Gaby Merediz, owner of Tmuffin and Make Your Perfect, two sites designed to connect moms, said crowdsourcing is a great way to make some extra money.
According to her, websites such as crowdsource.com and textbroker.com provide moms with low-risk writing opportunities, selling their work on average for $5-$50 an hour. Keeping the kids home and working part-time can give mothers additional income.
31. Cash In on Competitors’ Sales at Grocery Stores
Many grocery stores will match competitors’ sales, says blogger Abisola Osho of The King’s Care. She recommended asking the store if it will price match if the price isn’t the lowest.
Another useful tip from Osho is that you can identify the right store for you by writing down 20 items you most often use and comparing prices at different stores.
32. Don’t order from the kid’s menu.
Lauren Mendel, a financial planner with MilitaryPlanners.com, provided some unique advice for parents that can help them save more money. Mendel brings snacks from home when she dines out with her toddlers to keep them occupied and full prior to the arrival of the food.
She told us that she avoids kid’s meals like the next dirty diaper to save money. The food will arrive, and everyone will be full and ready to color by then. “I can always share with anyone who is still hungry my usually-too-large meal, which in all likelihood is what they want the most anyways.”
33. Do not focus on the present but on the present.
Author and founder of PresentParentTraining.com, Sherlyn Pang Luedtke, give this simple piece of advice. The best way to show your child you love them is to simply be there for them, she advised. “As little as 15 minutes per day, giving your child your full attention increases your connection and reduces the need to compensate by buying gifts that will never fill your child’s need for a relationship with you.”
34. Make sure your money is always growing.
It is important for parents to save money on their day-to-day expenses, but they should also focus on the big picture: retirement. As said by Cheryl Fields, a certified financial planner and the founder of Lifestyle Wealth Group, “You want your money to grow tax-free, and without limits, so you can do whatever you want with it, enjoy retirement, and make sure you don’t outlive it.”
Aside from his tips for novice investors, Fields also gave us some simple guidelines for growing your money despite market or economic fluctuations. The best investments are those that 1. (Yes, they are out there) and 2. bear no market risk. You do not have to worry about rising taxes destroying your retirement plans and eating away at your wealth.”
35. Work hard and don’t stop.
Best-selling author and financial strategist Farnoosh Torabi offered up some advice to mothers on how to succeed financially. “Don’t quit your job,” she told us.
“Child care has become expensive, so it may seem as if the only option is to quit your job and become a full-time parent. However, try to avoid staying out of the workplace for more than a year. As your children grow, continue to work to earn the seniority you’ll need to be able to call the shots and achieve better work/life integration.
Torabi pointed out a statistic in Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In”: If women leave the workforce for only one year, their annual earnings fall by 20 percent, and by 30 percent after two to three years.
36. You can hire an au pair.
Live-in nannies (generally from another country) aren’t necessarily reserved for the wealthy. A child care expert in the United States, Summer Blackhurst writes for Go Au Pair. According to her, au pairs cost half as much as traditional daycare if you have multiple children.
Having childcare providers in the home not only saves parents money by removing the need to drive to and from daycare centers but also lessens their stress by being able to help prepare meals in the evening and even assist with light household duties.
37. Set aside time to work on your own projects
Derek and Carrie’s Carrie Olsen told us that if you have a laundry list of money-making projects you need to complete, making the time for them is the only way to get them done. The Sunday evening before you start the week, you should plan out your projects.
38. Contribute to charity
It’s good for the heart and your wallet to give to those in need if you’re blessed with an abundance of money. Getting involved in your community or a cause, you believe in builds character and helps others. It is important to be kind, and kindness is respected by everyone who teaches your family lessons. Charitable donations are also often tax-deductible.
39. Enjoy What You Have
It is not good for anyone to be a materialist. You’ll be happier if you focus on what you have instead of what you think you need. A good book, a hike, or other inexpensive ways can bring you pleasure, according to mom.
40. Seek Mom’s Financial Advice and an Expert’s Financial Advice
Your mother and grandmother may know what is best for you, but professional advice from a fiduciary financial advisor is worth the investment because they know the market and can grow your money exponentially over time.
Get your finances in order with the help of a financial advisor.
41. Make sure to save for rainy days.
Mom knows that financial conditions can fluctuate from day to day, so saving for those days when the rain comes is the most sensible move. It is important to have your emergency fund stashed away in a high-yield savings account in order to be ready for any emergency.
Put your financial goals first and pinch pennies while you are tight on cash. At some point, you’ll want to be able to cover your expenses for at least three to six months.
42. Make Common Sense Decisions
Having a good financial plan isn’t some magical process; it’s all about using some basic common sense. The idea of keeping your numbers balanced is to not go overboard with spending, and this can mean living at home, eating at home, not having a car, or skipping expensive vacations.
43. Do Your Best and Do Not Depend on Others
You can literally reap the rewards of hard work. If you do this, you will be noticed, you will be promoted, and you will achieve career success. Hard work and developing valuable skills and work ethics bring better financial results – you can’t always rely on others to take care of your needs.
44. The Power of Delegation
Doing everything yourself isn’t always feasible. It might make sense to get help if the time you spend on a task is worth more than the cost.
45. Buying things on sale is the best way to save money.
Isn’t it nice to purchase something at a fraction of the cost instead of paying? Sale shopping is a great chance for moms to save money, and for many moms, an opportunity to find deals on everyday necessities. There is no difference between the stock market and the stock market. Is the same. If you can buy low and sell high, you’ll grow your money substantially.
46. Avoid buying expensive brands and labels.
While the most expensive cars and designer clothes may provide instant gratification, they are also extremely expensive. The cost of interest and fees will increase exponentially if the goods are financed.
Spend money wisely on what you value, do your homework, and find something that you like without blowing your budget.
47. Make Frugal Choices
Benjamin Franklin and your mom were right that saving a penny is better than earning it, despite inflation.
Compound interest can boost your finances if you’re frugal and only buy what you need.
In addition to their work schedules, children’s schedules, and enhancing their savings accounts, mothers also have to juggle their financial goals. Here are a few tips for facilitating financial management while keeping moms sane at the same time.
FAQs
How can you manage your finances in a simple way?
People can use this simple budget plan to help them reach their financial goals by using the 50-30-20 rule. According to the rule, 50% of your after-tax income must be used to meet your needs and obligations, like rent and utilities.
Should I save money before I have a baby?
Normal pregnancies cost from $30,000 to $50,000 without insurance and $4,500 on average with it. Some moms are unsure if insurance will cover the full cost of tests, such as those that are appropriate for at-risk or older moms. Make sure you have at least $20k in the bank.
Personal finance expenses: what are they?
Some fixed expenses are more common than others but here are a few examples: mortgage or rent payments. We offer loan services (student loans, car loans, home equity loans), insurance (coverage for your car, health insurance, life insurance), and daycare services.
Is there a right financial goal?
Invest in an emergency fund. Emergency funds are normally thought of as short-term financial goals. A good emergency fund, on the other hand, has long-term benefits, and that’s why it should be one of your financial goals.
A single mom should make how much money?
According to ZipRecruiter, annual salaries for single parents range from $120,500 to $16,000, but the majority earn between $31,000 (25th percentile) and $59,000 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) making $93,500 across the nation.
Conclusion
The following are just a few personal finance tips we’ve gathered from moms who blog on the subject. You can find even more great advice on making your money work for you and finding peace in your finances by checking out these blogs! You should find this list helpful in managing your money.
