Hoping to save some money this summer, but feel like you’re constantly reaching into your wallet to buy yet another shiny object to keep junior busy? If you’re like many parents, summer is a time to spend, spend and spend some more. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. By implementing one or two easy changes to your schedule to focus on teachable moments with your children, you can keep your wallet intact and keep junior busy and learning about money until school begins again.
[See: 12 Frugal Ways to Save on Vacation.]
Turn household projects into family lessons. Are you tired of every light in the house turned on, the television blaring and nobody even in most of the rooms? Implement household utility bill challenges. Here’s how they work: Challenge your family to lower utility bills and build a chart together that you post in a public spot. Each month, instead of fearing how high your next bill will be, you could be amazed by the savings. We saved $25 to $50 per month using this game, and everyone now looks for easy ways to cut energy bills. You can also use a similar strategy with trash pickup (everyone pitches in to get the garbage out) and with water bills.
Cut coupons together. Here’s another fun game: See who can find coupons that save the most money. On a dollar-per-hour basis, many financial experts will tell you that cutting coupons isn’t as efficient as focusing on making more money. Your kids, however, have plenty of free time and may love scissors. Use the local Sunday paper or online tools to have them help you hunt for grocery savings. Build a grocery list together for the week, which includes your complete meal plan. Then, have junior hunt for savings for each of the items on your list. At the grocery store, your children should help you compare the coupon costs to other store specials or competitors. Any money that the child helps you save you split with them. Done correctly, you’ll lower the amount of family groaning about grocery day and instead create some pretty savvy shoppers. If they can help cook meals also, that’s an extra bonus!
[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]
Ask about local free days at museums or special events at local parks. Tired of paying bundles of money for theme parks or water slides during the summer? How about checking out the zoo or the museum instead? You can find lots of educational and fun activities for very little cost if you know how to look. Navigate the websites for local attractions and the parks department with your child. Find sponsored free or reduced-cost days to visit and write those on your calendar so the whole family can get excited. Zoos and museums sometimes have days when a sponsor makes the visit free. Parks will often feature free movies, nature walks or picnic events. While looking at the park, be sure to also search for local hiking trails. Your children will love being out in the wild and you’ll appreciate the fact that some of the most beautiful scenery doesn’t cost a dime.
Build a gardening or eBay business. Here’s something fun for older children: Start a summer business together. If you have room, create a garden. Plan it out together, so that junior knows when to plant seeds, how to weed the garden, what the maintenance will be and how to know when to harvest. When the crop comes, encourage your children to sell a part of your bumper crop to neighbors. They’ll learn about planning, building a business and sales, all while enjoying the outdoors. No room for a garden? Try an eBay store, selling unwanted items. Help them use your phone to take photos, write about the product and list it. After a few tries, your children will help you declutter your house!
[See: 10 Things to Know Before You Shop for Back-to-School Supplies.]
Start a kids fun club with other parents. Each parent plans a day with the kids once a week through the summer. Team up with other parents so that each week a different adult chaperones the group in an activity. Whether they’re headed to the aforementioned zoo, park, museum or going for a hike, you can buy yourself some free time without spending lots of money. Better yet? Often, other less money-savvy parents will take your children to do some of the things you may not want to pay to do!
There are countless ways to save yourself some money and also teach your children money lessons. If you do it right, you’ll find that the whole family is having so much fun together that everyone forgets they’re also learning good money habits!
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5 Summer Fun Savings Tips for Parents originally appeared on usnews.com
