Proper old-fashioned saving the pennies

beachbeth

A friend of mine used to buy those colourful bouncy balls (about 4" in diameter and usually with pictures of the latest kids film all over them, such as Shrek)to use as a piggy bank. She would then slash it with a knife so that it had a slit in it and the kids were encouraged to put as much loose change in it as they were willing.

Over a period of time this money would build up and, as you can't see inside, there is less temptation to get the money out to spend. Once they were ready to spend/bank the money, the ball was just cut open.

Spendless

carefully unwrap wrapping paper on your own presents so the paper can be used again

save cardboxes, plastic cartons for the kids to play shop with

in school holidays check out free/cheap activities eg parks,libraries.museums,

check what age admission charges kick in when visiting places

16011996

i never write on envelopes for birthday cards, xmas cards etc, that i hand deliver, nor seal them, so they can be used again.

also never write on the tag on gift bags so they get more than one use hopefully.

Spendless

after xmas make gift tags out of the cards

use the reply envelopes in junk mail to send money upto school in - for lunches, milk, trips etc... either put sticky label over if you have any or tippex out and write over

16011996

;D

i use old junk mail envelopes for school things too.

Spendless

;D

i use old junk mail envelopes for school things too.

My husband saw me doing this yesterday and said oh that'll save us all of £2 throughout the year (something tells me he was being sarky!!) ::)

16011996

yes, but it all adds up tell him. ::)

Galtizz

in school holidays check out free/cheap activities eg parks,libraries.museums

In Europe most museums let you in for a reduced rate up to the age of 26 (i.e 25 and under) and you don't have to be a student or have a special card. Just take your passport along to prove your age.

I'm passing this on because I'm now too old to take advantage of it

16011996

mmm, me too. :-[

Galtizz

Look on the bright side.

At least we're too young to take advantage of the pensioner discounts ;D