I love love talking about saving and simple living so thought I would share a post about how I make do as a single mother raising 2 boys.
Furniture
When I separated from my kids ex. We did the usual thing and split what furniture who would be taking. I didn't have much money if any to spend so I had to get crafty and shop frugal to replace what I needed. I ended up getting a terrific preloved bunk bed from a secondhand store that sold ex-display home furniture (JJ cost savers in Fremantle).
I also took a peek at verge collection time and I have scored some cupboard shelves, outdoor cane setting and cane bedhead for free. And they all thankfully fit in the back of my car.
Schooling
*My ex and I go halves in our kids uniforms and stationery. I pay for out of school care and daycare expenses.
*For my eldest child. I kept his extra lead pencils and glue sticks home last 2 years and I didn't need to buy as much come this year.
*I ended up finding Dylan some mint condition school shorts for $2 each in the op shop.
*Our families bought Dylan a school bag, school library bag, school hat as part of his christmas gift over toys. And he was delighted.
Values
*Getting rid of unhealthy spending. I am resisting my urge to pop into op shops. Thats my vice. Im so lucky I am not frivolous by nature as I would be in struggle town right now.
*I avoid buying excess its so wasteful. I was so very tempted to buy some Peter Alexander pj's on sale just because to lift my spirits. But I realised it would be an emotional buy that would bring me joy for a few days then I would regret afterwards when I could of spent that money elsewhere. Yay to saving $55 (which I spent on 12 sessions of Dylan going to a play gym instead). When temptation arises I pin on Pinterest all my wants.
Groceries
*Growing what we can to reduce buying more. My boys and I have garden beds set up at my mums house (which my dad and her tend too. Score!!). I can't wait to harvest tomatoes, rockmelon, butternut squash, potato and zucchinis.
*Buying the generic brands over the brand names. I compare the unit price per 100 grams. I have actually been trialling out some Aldi brands in the tin goods & the kids don't seem to notice.
*Meal planning with what I have in my freezer & pantry first. And taking note whats on special in the weekly catalogues.
*I try not to stockpile. Although when I saw a giant Kewpie mayonnaise for $4 each I bought 4. The same when I saw bamboo toothbrushes for $2.99 each (compared to $4.99 I usually buy them for), I bought 10. Buying things on sale if you don't need it is a waste & I always think of this before I buy sale items.
*I don't shy away from the markdown section.
*Embrace loyalty cards if you are a loyal shopper. I joined my local Brumbys loyalty program & I scored a free loaf & rolls the other day using my shopping credits.
*I have a weekly food budget of $100. I don't go over. I actually have a savvy frugal like-minded friend who we report what we spend to every week to keep myself in check (thank you Rach!!:))
*Making use of fruit on the way out or in abundance. Mangoes, apples & bannanas are fabulous in smoothies. I also like to bake apple & bananas into either pancakes or muffins.
*I make my own sushi, imitation subway meatball sub and imitation kfc twisters and they are amazing:). No need to splurge weekly on those takeouts, only once in a while for us.
Talking the financials over with my eldest child
After reading the "Barefoot investor. Families". I was inspired to talk money with my eldest hopefully instilling my frugalness into him.
*Talking with my 8 year old about what is essential to what is not. Needs vs wants. And being honest that we don't have the money to afford certain luxuries as I choose to feed them over his materialistic requests. He still whinges but not as much #winning.
*I only give Kobe $8 pocket money a month which he can spend on whatever. It use to be on Roblox app but since he got a year long ban (for bad behaviour). It goes on junk food or scooter related things. He has to save for what isn't a need. Dylan gets $4 which goes on hot chips (lol).
*Kobe & I did a chart from the week I took them out twice (in a moment of weakness) to Dome & also San Churros for treats. We estimated what we spent on both outings then times that by if we went every week (52 weeks in a year) to get how much we would spend. Then we went thru grocery catalogues & wrote down prices if we bought the ingredients. Then estimated how much cups/teaspoons were in each ingredient bought to break down how much it would cost if we made these treats at home (note: I did not take into account electricity or water usage). After that we added up how much we spent if we dined out for treats & compared to how much it is I we made them at home. And how much we could save. Why could we spend it on instead that would add more value (saving for Japan next year).
Dining out
*I limit my social outings that I may be tempted to spend big. I do adore dinners out with friends. I just tone down the drinking out afterwards. Alcohol does add up. I have invested in the entertainment book (its so worth it!!). I went out with some of my mums group for dinner Friday night & it saved us $34 off the bill with the use of the entertainment card.
*I have been known to bring a container to take leftovers home too :)). Nothing better than having lunch sorted the next day.
*If I do a day catch up, I tend to go do coffee catch ups over brunch. 1 coffee + muffin = $10 compared to 1 brunch + coffee = $20 upwards... I do have a Dome & San Churros loyalty card too (on memory I think its the 10th coffee free).
Style
*I like fabulous clothes as much as the next fashionista although Im far from one lol. My wardrobe is 85% preloved. Any purchase I make I ask myself "Will I wear this 30 times?" If the answer is no, I leave it behind. Im glad I waited on impulse buying a check blazer as I found my dream blazer in Salvation Army for all of $2.
*Utilise "Facebook marketplace" and "Facebook buy nothing" pages. I manage to get a box of clothes for Dylan off there for free.
*At the start of every year, I write in the Bindaring Red Cross warehouse op shop sale in. I hit this up to add any lust haves into my wardrobe. I got the most delicious green check pants (currently worn once weekly).
*Dylan lives in Kobes handmedowns.
*Kobe has been lucky to be given handmedowns from his mate Sol (I say my thanks with fresh mangoes from my mum's tree during mango season). I top up his wardrobe with op shop buys. Anglicare in Fremantle has a curated store of preloved brands. I have picked up a bunch of Adidas & Nike tops for him for $3-$6 & in mint condition.
*I also take a look when Salvation army has 5 for $5 kids clothing.
Gifts
*I have asked my ex to go halves in any gifts for any parties our kids are invited to.
Entertainment
*A friend of mine can get me discounted Hoyts tickets so I utilise them if I want to take my boys to the movies (we have only been twice in 6 months).
I also pack bulk snacks. Nothing taste sweeter than home-made popcorn that costs less than $1 to make.
*I organise free park/ scooter park playdates over paid playcentre dates if the weather is sunny.
*Last year I enrolled Dylan into a playgroup which costs $30 a term (roughly $3 a session).
*My ex neighbour Kym recommended a local toddler gym, & sessions are only $5. Bonus you are able to bring your own snacks as opposed to buying them from the usual overpriced in-house snack bar.
*Taking up a low cost hobby. I am adoring cross stitch at the moment. I have been furiously pinning ideas on Pinterest. I was so lucky to find a giant wad of cross stitch fabric at an op shop for an absolute bargain & it will get me thru many craft projects. For a house warming gift for a friend who has everything she is excited for me to sew a Zombie themed cross stitch for her gift. I am so close to finishing.
*Borrowing books from the library every week.
The main tip I can give is living below your budget/means. Going without if you can't afford something and always look for a cheaper alternative.
Love to hear how you keep costs down.
Happy Saturday friends!!
