Whether you are a parent to one, two, or several children, I’m sure you can appreciate the undeniable fact that raising children is hard work. Between the long nights awake with newborns, chasing around after toddlers and finding yourself ignored by a teenager, it doesn’t seem to get any easier. There are of course so many benefits that outweigh any of the struggles of being a parent. However, parenting can still often feel like a never ending battle. One thing I’m sure all parents will agree upon is how expensive raising children is. Trying to keep your bank account out of the red, while looking after a family can be a challenge, to say the least. Below are a few tips and tricks to help you out if you are struggling to manage your finances while looking after a family at the same time.
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Organising your life with a calendar and schedule allows you to keep on top of your spendings and budget for any future events that you might need to start saving for. Kids birthday parties, holidays and school trips can all add up, so if you plan for these in advance, you can make sure that you’re not caught by surprise, especially if you have a few events within a short space of time. This can also be a fun way for the kids to see what they will be doing over a few days or weeks and gives them a sense of structure and routine.
Childcare can be extremely expensive, especially when you have more than one child under the age of five. Having to decide whether to go out to work or be a stay at home parent can be a difficult decision to make. Childcare is not any easier if you have the option to work from home, as having small children with you is a challenge in itself. First of all, you shouldn’t feel guilty for deciding that going back to work, or starting a new job is the best decision for you and your family. More than ever now, parents are having to work while raising their children. However, parents also have to put aside a considerable chunk of their paycheck to pay for childcare. If you are lucky enough to have supportive family members who live nearby, perhaps your parents, then asking them to look after your child or children, even for one day a week can help you out financially. Additionally, it may be worth checking if you are entitled to free or subsidised childcare for your children from the state.
Keeping in contact with your children is something that all parents give importance to. In this age of technology, it has become increasingly easy to phone, text or message your children if they are at school, at a friends house, or at the age where they spend time outside with friends. While mobile phones ensure that you can keep in touch with your family at the touch of a button, they can also be costly, particularly when you are responsible for several phone bills and are having to juggle the many other expenses that come with raising children. On top of that, getting a phone contract approved might not be easy if you have a bad credit rating. Fortunately, some mobile network operators offer contracts for people with bad credit. Look no further for Pay monthly phones with zaggor.com
Show your children how to save from a young age. Teaching your children the value of money means that they will be aware of what they are spending and also how to save their pocket money. This financial responsibility is one that will impact their future spending patterns, as well as allowing you to explain in a rational way why certain things they might want are simply too expensive. Giving your children an understanding of how to budget and save towards something they want, is also a good way for you to take control of your finances and lead by example.
*collaborative post
