Parenting on a Budget
Big D and I are trying really hard to become completely debt free (and I mean completely)! So, that means we have been looking for ways to save money. One of the ways LML and I have both mentioned several times is by playing The Grocery Game. I know you probably think we are paid sponsors, but we aren’t. We are just believers! (we’d be totally cool if they wanted to advertise with us, hint hint!)
One way that I have been focusing on cutting back is how I entertain the kids. Summertime is especially hard. They want to go to the waterpark, Chuck E Cheeses, bowling, and the list goes on. With three kids these things can really add up. Throw in some snacks or a lunch out (even if it’s fast food) and you can easily have a $75 or $100 day.
Kids don’t need paid entertainment. There is entertainment all around them waiting to be had. All you have to do is help them channel their creative side.
This week my sister came in town with her kids. She was also hoping to entertain on a budget. The kids had a great time. We got out the dressups:
We played board games. It’s amazing how much more fun they have playing a game if Mom or Dad is sitting there with them. We watched movies. We played the Wii. We went swimming. None of these things cost money and we did them all from the convience of our home. This also enabled us to serve 6 kids a cheap lunch. You can assembly line grilled cheeses or hot dogs at a minimum cost. Use paper plates to really be Lazy and you don’t have much to clean up. (I felt a little like Kate Gosselin with all these kids!!)
I won’t even bother asking you if the economy has affected you. I’m 99% sure it has. Even if it hasn’t hit your wallet, you are probably being a little more careful with what you spend. What things have you been doing to entertain your kids this summer that haven’t broken the bank?
oh i hear ya and when you have teenagers you just can’t buy them happy meals anymore, they want “adult” meals…LOL
well we have been going to the free movies that regal theaters offers during the summer. i pop our own popcorn and take our own candy but buy the BIG soda (which they offer one free refill). we also have gone to the waterparks. we have three in our area that are at local parks and are FREE. playgroups are also free entertainment for the little ones and for the mommies. i also have a coupon for 2 weeks free karate lessons that i will take my daughter to once the free movie thing is over. we have not been to chuck e cheese this summer.
so we’ve been pretty good with entertainment for the kids. when its a weekend we get a movie from the red box and pop some popcorn.
Sounds like you all had a wonderful time! I love making grilled cheese and hotdogs. We cook our hotdogs on a George Foreman grill and use our electric griddle to cook the grilled cheese. You can cook 8 sandwiches at once on it! It’s awesome!
I’m cracking up envisioning you as Kate plus eight! So happy for you that your sister came to visit and you had a wonderful time!
Two free activities we like to do in the summer is to visit the library and then take a picnic lunch to the park…I too have been trying to think of inexpensive activities as it ALL adds up with everyone home in the summer…it’s also fun to swap with other moms and take each others children for these activities and give each other a break. My kids are always up for anything when I say, “Who would you like to invite to come?” We also love the slip and slide, putting the hose down the slide into the wading pool, and the ever popular running through the sprinklers!
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