MONEY SAVING TIPS NOW THAT THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL

Summer can be a whirlwind and it is hard to think about saving money on your budget when you are vacationing and having fun with your family.  Here are some tips to save money in a variety of areas now that the kids are back in school:

Make family dinners a priority. Even though the fall brings a flurry of activity, it is important to keep your family centered. Family dinners at home are less expensive than grabbing a burger on the way home from soccer practice, and can help your family to stay close. Plus, it’s a great way to discuss the school day with your kids.

Tend to home maintenance. Now that the kids are in school, it’s a good time to turn your attention to home maintenance before the winter weather sets in. Fall is an excellent time to test smoke alarms, check the house for energy leaks, change out the filters in your heating system, clean gutters and dryer vents, and give your house a “once-over”. Performing routine maintenance can save money on costly repairs later.

Pack lunches. The nutrition in school food has been in the news again lately, and it is really no surprise. Packing a lunch for your children is a great way to ensure that they eat well, and it is also a good money saving tactic.

Save money on family fun. Play board games, kick a ball around, ride bikes, fly a kite, or hit the dollar theater. Family fun ideas do not have to break the bank, but they should be calculated into your budget. Once the kids are back in school, it is extremely important to take the time to create fun family memories.

Saving money on the things your family needs is not difficult, once you put your mind to it. Writing out a budget and sticking to it, planning your grocery tips around the sales flyers, and looking for cheap ways to have fun as a family are all ways of being proactive about your family’s financial health. Now that the kids are back in school, it is a great time to regroup and see where you can improve.