Resources ~ Money Saving Tips
So, you don’t have an unlimited budget, but you still need things for your kids and would like to take them places as well? Well, here are some money saving tips for parents that I have thought of.
Freecycle
FreeCycle is a great site for all people. I have found it especially useful as a
parent, since kids seem to grow out of things as quickly as they grow into them.
This site is great for passing on items your child has grown out of, as well as
picking up items they will need in the near future. We have used this site to recycle
baby toys and clothes and other household items and have picked up a good deal of
items as well. I am a big proponent of FreeCycle, it helps the environment by keeping
items out of landfills and it helps your budget when you find something useful as
well.
How FreeCycle works;
- Click on your county on www.freecycle.org
and then click the join button and fill out all necessary info.
- If you do not want you email box filled with each posting, you can click the ‘manage
button’ in the top left-hand corner when you first log in, and then click ‘edit
my groups’ and select the type of mail you would like to receive for each group
you join, whether it be a daily digest, or no email, you can choose it there.
- List items according to your group’s guidelines which are sent out upon approval,
usually they like you to post if the item is being offered or is wanted, a brief
description, and your location.
- Most importantly, BE SAFE, this group is great, but please exercise caution, just
as you would when picking up items from Craigslist. I’ve always made sure when I
pick something up it is during the daytime and I have my husband with me. As for
listing things, I have always only given out my street name only to the person that
is picking up the item and have just placed the item outside away from my house
a little, to protect my actual address. You will get to know certain people in your
area and then can reevaluate the situation accordingly, but please be safe.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a great site
for selling the items your kids have grown out of, along with items you will no
longer need. Also, I have found many great treasures on here. If you keep an eye
out every once in a while you will even find something good on the ‘free section’
of this site.
Amazon
Amazon is somewhat like craigslist
in the sense that they sell new and used items.
Saving Money at Amusement Parks
Everyone likes to have fun with their kids at amusement parks and usually it is
so expensive to go. Here are a few ways I save money at amusement parks.
- Lockers- I usually go after peak hours, so if you are going on water rides, instead
of paying full price for a locker you can find someone leaving and offer them a
few bucks to have their key (just make sure you offer a little more than they get
for returning the key, if they do get something back). This has saved me a good
deal of money considering lockers can cost a pretty penny at some parks.
- Entry Fees- First, I always search the internet for promo codes and see if I can
purchase tickets in advance so I can avoid lines. Also, most amusement parks have
year long passes that pay for themselves in a little over 1 visit. I have purchased
ones to Sesame and if you buy your pass to Sesame Place you get in the rest of the current year for
free. If you purchase the Super Grover Pass then you can plan your vacations around
them, since this pass includes admission and parking to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens
(Florida. And VA), Aquatica, Adventure Island Parks, and Water Country USA. We did
this by buying our passports in August, going on an August vacation to Busch Gardens
VA and then the next year going to all of the other parks in FL. Also you can post
your meeting time on a mom group site and purchase tickets to get a group rate.
- Food- Most amusement parks let you bring in coolers as long as they pass size requirements;
it’s smart to bring a few special treats if you don’t want to be talked into the
five dollar lollipops. Also if you plan on visiting all day or more than one time
you can purchase refillable cups at most parks that have a less costly refill price.
- Souvenirs- Head to the dollar store before you go and pick up a 6 pack of glow sticks
for a dollar. Break these out at night when the vendors are selling theirs so you
don’t have to pay 10 times the price.
Saving Money at Children’s Museums
- Tickets / Entry Fees – If you get a reciprocal pass to the children’s museums then
you get into all children’s museums that participate for a year for free. We purchased
one at the Hands on House
for around $125 and you can put up to 6 kids/adults combined onto the card that
live with you. Here is a link to the reciprocal program.
Saving Money on Clothes
Kids seem to grow out of clothes before you get to use them, so here are a few ideas
to save money on clothes.
- Consignment stores -
These are stores that sell used clothing and sometimes toys. Most stores will only
let quality items be shelved.
- Consignment Sales- These are usually seasonal sales that are comprised of hundreds
of families gathering to sell used clothing and toys at one time.
- Outlet Stores- There are children’s outlet stores all over, I’ve been to a good
amount of name brand outlet stores that have clothes as low as 99 cents.
- eBay - You can often find lots
of clothes here for a certain age range or season.
eBay
- If you want to find large items like outdoor toys or furniture for a low price then
go on to eBay and search by location,
put in your zip and the distance your able to travel and keep an eye out for items
that state ‘pick up only’, these items often go for lower prices since you are only
bidding against local people. I have gotten a slide for a single penny off of eBay
by using this search feature.
- You can also purchase kids books on eBay.
Clothes and Toy Swaps
If you can gather a group of friends with kids the same gender you can host a toy
and clothes swap every few months so each kid will get “new” toys and clothes, and
not be bored with their older ones.
Books
The LIBRARY- I don’t know why this isn’t the norm, but books are free to borrow
at the library. They even have DVD’s, puzzles, and toys you can rent out as well.
Hand Me Downs
Openly encourage all forms of hand me downs. Kids hardly wear clothes and shoes
long enough to destroy them, and if they are less than perfect clothes, use them
for painting and fun around the house.