Mummies share your money saving tips please :)

tessie_bear

once kids can speak dont take them shopping as it want want want and it is nearly always for dodgy food that ends up in the bin...in my experience anyway

shirlgirl2004

tessie_bear wrote: »

once kids can speak dont take them shopping as it want want want and it is nearly always for dodgy food that ends up in the bin...in my experience anyway

It's actually a great time to explain money to them. If mine would like something I don't want to buy for them I just tell them "Mummy doesn't have enough pennies today" and they have always accepted that. As for junk food if you don't give it to them in the first place they don't want it. My 4 1/2 year old happily passes the sweets to me that she gets in her party bags. Today it was a packet of Maltesers and Haribos

alwaysonthego_2

shirlgirl2004 wrote: »

It's actually a great time to explain money to them. If mine would like something I don't want to buy for them I just tell them "Mummy doesn't have enough pennies today" and they have always accepted that. As for junk food if you don't give it to them in the first place they don't want it. My 4 1/2 year old happily passes the sweets to me that she gets in her party bags. Today it was a packet of Maltesers and Haribos

Both my dds are like your daughter. They are 3 and 4 and i can take them shopping without them nagging me because they no there is no point, they know I won't be buying them it. I am lucky both of my dds love raisins, so if they have a tantrum it is usually over those.

zippybungle

I always buy Clarks shoes for my Children, but I get them from the Clarks factory shop. They are a few around the country at Designer Outlet Shopping Centres (I go to the one at Jct 28 off the M1)

Zippy x

blaque*angel

this thread

fernliebee

Just thought of more

Leave LO's nappy off as much as poss, much better for their bums, and saves buying or washing nappies. I do have to clear up a few puddles but it's not that bad!

use pillow cases as moses basket sheets, easier to put on and you can turn them over if baby is sick in the middle of the night.

See if you have a local scrapstore, many do personal membership and you can buy kids art and craft equipment and so much more V cheaply!

Buy some wellies (asda kids wellies £2 at min!) and good coats and go to the woods, parks, lakes etc. Free entertainment and saves on heating and lights while your out!:)

lolababy

This could be money saving if you think of all the lost socks. Put tights under your childs trousers instead of socks. As all babies like to pull them off.. Buy two of those key beepers. Attach them to your childrens shoes. If your out shopping and one is pulled off its easier to find. Great to locate them too if they decide to run.
Cant find curtains to match your childs duvet . Buy another duvet and make curtains.
Outgrown trousers. Cut them and make long shorts. Girls dress too short put leggings or trousers underneath.
Trying to potty train but dont want the mess. Buy cheap pull ups. They dont absorb as well as the more expensive ones so your tot will feel wet. Better than underwear which will leak.
Buy a cot bed so that you get a good few years out of it. Make your own playdo. easy and cheap.Buy painting aprons and use them as bibs you can use them through the toddler stage.

fernliebee

This might just seem a bit silly of me but are cot beds MSE? They seem to be the fashion now but they are pretty expensive compared to buying a cot, and then a normal single bed that would last them for years? I got a brand new ikea cot and mattress that would have been £120 from work (scrap store) for £40. Which is about how much I would have been able to spend on a matress if I had got a second hand cot anyway. I just plan on getting a single bed once she has outgrown her cot? Is there something I'm missing?

nickynoo08

I was going to buy a cot bed till i went to ikea. I bought a cot and mattress for £40 (full price) and it was brilliant. Have just put ds into a bed, again bought from ikea - frame was £30ish and mattress was £25 (i think). Anyway much cheaper than buying a cotbed plus they do matching wardrobes, changing table etc....
I also agree with making your own food for bubs, its much healthier. My ds ate everything inc curry from about 9 months and has been bril ever since.
One of my biggest wastes of money was buying a highchair. We hardly ever used it - we were lent a bumbo and used that much more. We're trying for another baby now and there are so many things i'll be doing differently. This time round i'll be getting a booster seat instead of high chair. I'll also be getting a sling, wish i had one for my ds.

lolababy

Hi I had a cot bed for my dd . Mind you it was a present from my mum. i agree with you that if you can buy a cheap cot then it can be more economical to buy a full size bed.
One thing I will mention though is that cot beds are smaller and if the baby is still sleeping in your room then its still compact.