In this post
I want to talk about money, more specifically saving money.
I know this can be a difficult topic as it’s a bit of a taboo, but I believe it is an important topic because if we don’t talk about money then how will our children learn?
Saving money and being frugal without coming across as cheap, Is all about making mindful choices that increase value and create less waste, making sure you can enjoy life without breaking the bank.
Let’s see how we can achieve this balance together.
Enjoy and don’t forget to comment at the end, I love hearing from you and subscribe to get access to FREE printables, newsletters, the latest posts and more.
Set Clear Goals
Begin by setting clear,
achievable financial goals for your family.
Whether it’s saving for a holiday,
buying a house, building
an emergency fund,
or planning for your children’s education,
having targets helps guide
your spending and saving money decisions.
If you are a regular reader
you will know we home-educate our children,
you can read about that here.
Like anything you spend
as much as your budget allows,
but we are very aware
and track our spending and goals.
Top Tip: Involve the Family
One thing that our parents didn’t do
with us is not talk about money
with us when we were young, or ever really.
Don’t let this happen with your children.
We ended up with thousands
of pounds of debt and it was the worst time
of our lives especially when
it involved a baby in the mix too.
Discuss your financial goals with your family.
Involving everyone helps
to increase your children’s knowledge and
awareness of money and can help towards
the family’s goal of saving money.
Create a Budget
A well-planned budget
is a must if you want to achieve your goals and manage your money better.
List your monthly income
and expenses, including fixed
costs like rent or mortgage,
utilities, and food.
Find the areas where you
can cut back and put funds
towards savings money.
Top Tip: Spreadsheets
Our favourite is a simple and customisable spreadsheet like this one which is great for detailed tracking.
Subscribe to get this FREE printable.
Quality Over Quantity
Being Frugal doesn’t mean
buying the cheapest option available.
Often, it’s more cost-effective
to get high-quality items that
last longer rather than
frequently buying cheaper,
lower-quality products.
That being said
I love a bargain and
I love buying second-hand.
I love apps like
Vinted where I can
buy brand-new clothes
and kid’s shoes with
the labels are
still on at a fraction of the price.
DIY Solutions
Do-it-yourself projects
can save a lot of money and
provide a sense of accomplishment.
From home repairs to crafting
gifts, there are many
areas where a bit of DIY
can make a big difference.
We did our kitchen ourselves even when we knew nothing about tiling.
Luckily now there is YouTube
to teach us everything
we need, right?
Doing our kitchen this
way saved us a ton of
money and we also learnt
new skills and are proud
of the work we have done together.
Now when we walk into
our kitchen we see our creation and are proud of it.
Top Tip: Learn Together
Turn DIY projects into family activities.
When we did our garden,
even the kiddies were involved
and now whenever we
are out they say “That’s mot” lol.
It’s a great way to bond,
teach valuable skills to
your children, and save
money at the same time.
Shop Smart
Being frugal means being
a smart shopper.
Sometimes bulk buying
is a good option, especially
for things like rice.
Take advantage of off-season
sales and discounts for clothing
and other items.
If you love staying on trend I
have a post on how to on a budget.
Look for sales, use coupons,
and compare prices before
making a purchase.
However, avoid buying things
just because they are on sale.
Stick to your list and buy
only what you need.
I have a great post on meal
planning and shopping by aisle
that saves us money, check it out.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
This old chestnut.
Have a minimalist approach by reducing consumption,
reusing what you have,
and recycling whenever possible.
This not only saves money
but also benefits the environment.
Cook at Home
Eating out can be expensive,
especially with kids who need
more drinks because
they have downed theirs in 2 seconds flat.
Cooking at home is a healthier
and more cost-effective option.
Plan your meals,
make a shopping list,
and prepare dishes in bulk
to save time and money.
Top Tip: Involve Kids in Cooking
Involve your children in
meal preparation.
My girls love helping to cook
meals, they are proud of
everyone eating their dishes.
It’s a fun way to teach them
about food, cooking skills,
and the importance of saving money.
Free or Low-Cost Entertainment
Enjoying family time doesn’t
have to be expensive.
Find free or low-cost activities
such as a walk in the woods,
library, parks, or having
a movie night at home.
Plan for the Future
Being frugal means planning ahead.
Make sure you review your
financial situation and change your
budget and savings goals as needed.
Consider setting up automatic
transfers to your savings account to
make sure you’re consistently setting money aside.
Top Tip: Emergency Fund
Always keep an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.
Educate Your Children About Money
Teaching your children about money
from a young age sets them up for
success in the future.
Use real-life situations to explain
things like saving, spending,
and budgeting.
We use an allowance system on
a chore basis.
They complete a set of chores
each day and at the end of
the week, they get their money.
If they don’t do their chores
or miss one or two out
then their money is also reduced.
Read here about
age-related chores and money-free rewards.
You could also play Monopoly
to teach your children about money in a fun way.
Final Thoughts
Being frugal as a family
means making intentional
choices that you get value out of.
By using these tips,
you can achieve financial joy
while still enjoying the pleasures of life.
Thank you for reading my post!
Stay tuned for more tips
on saving money and living a happier life.
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The person behind it all
I am a Mumma of three, a Wife, a Home Educator, a Blogger and lastly a Chronic Pain Sufferer.
The most common questions I get asked are “How do I get my hair curly, is it natural?” “
“How are you so organised?”
“You must be really smart to educate your children, are you a teacher?”
and lastly “What is CRPS?”
I have suffered from chronic pain since the age of 10, it has been a daily struggle ever since.
I know thousands of people suffer as I do and I want to share what helps me and my expertise in CRPS, chronic pain and more.
So, I started this blog to share my answers to those questions, journey and experiences with you. I have always been passionate about health, personal growth, and creating a balanced lifestyle for myself and my family.
Searching for ways to enjoy life in a minimalistic way, be part of my children’s education and reduce stress and pain as a whole is important to me.
