- Give older children and teenagers their own reasonable clothing budget. They quickly learn that the money only goes so far. If they want designer jeans, fine, but they'll have to cut back somewhere else or earn the extra money themselves.
- Check for children's clothing, especially infant sizes, at yard sales in expensive neighborhoods. Name brand items in excellent condition can often be found for less than a dollar a piece.
- Always say "yes" to hand-me-down clothes from friends and family. If you really need help financially, a refusal of clothing could indicate to someone that you no longer have need for clothing so they might stop offering all together. Give what you don't need to someone else who could use a hand. Hand-me-downs are not only free but are usually in better condition than garage sales or thrift stores.
- Sell clothes children's clothes you're finished with at a children's resale/consignment store. You'll get a better rate of return than at a yard sale.
- Get free video rentals at local libraries.
- Be patient and wait to see new movies when they come out in video.
- Check to see if there are any discount movie theaters in your area. Many of these places show movies just before they're released on video. A family of four can go out for an evening at the movies and spend around $10 for a fun family outting (watch the candy, popcorn and drink purchases however --- that's where the bill can go sky-high). These theaters often play the movies for only a week or two, so keep track of which movies you want to see and check each week for what's playing at the discount theaters.
- Go to the first show of the day at first-run theaters for the best price of the day.
- Rather than buying separate admissions to different educational or fun family destinations, buy one yearly pass to either the zoo or the aquarium or a theme park. Go repeatedly to that one place eatch time you want a family outting. You'll easily save the cost of the family admission, plus you'll have the benefit of not feeling pressured to see everything in one day. You can always see what you missed the next time you come. Next year buy a pass to somewhere else.
- Check for free concerts, plays and other live family entertainment at local parks during the summer months.
- Call and find out if your local college stage production group, ballet or orchestra will let you quietly watch them rehearse for free.
Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Tips for Kids in Debt-Free Family is owned by . Permission to republish Tips for Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
