I'm one to try and follow the usual advice when it comes to saving money: use coupons, buy in bulk, and don’t food shop on an empty stomach. With a kid in the mix, and rising cost of childcare, the pressure to be financially smart increases. After all, you’re providing for more roommates, and at least one of them is unemployed. I'd say that most parents are looking to save some cash so, thankfully, some moms who are awesome at saving money are willing to share their best best budgeting tips, because knowledge is power and power is being able to stretch a dollar as far as physically possible.
In gathering budgeting tips from money-savvy moms, I noticed one thing in common: they all required some planning. Budgeting money means budgeting time. This was an “a-ha moment” for me, because whenever I find myself having to fork over money for over-priced bottles of beverages at street fairs, it’s because I neglected to adequately pack water for us. All those guys hawking umbrellas on rainy street corners are counting on us numbskulls who ran out of the house without checking the weather first. Money-saving does come at a price — time — but it will be time well-spent when you’re sweating less over having to outfit a child who seems to be growing out of all his or her clothes, seemingly overnight.
If you’re looking to trim spending and gain a few smart points in the finance department, incorporate some (or all) of these must-do budgeting tips from moms who save money with the best of them: