Tips to help save on children’s expenses

Children are one of our precious gifts. They are at home under our care for such a short time. We tend to want to make the most of it by showering them with material possessions.

However, teaching them to live frugal is a skill they will appreciate later in their life. Think about these ideas for saving on children’s expenses and teaching them to become wise consumers.

• Buy or make children’s clothing with built-in growth features.

• Use recycled good quality fabrics, buttons, and trims from adult clothes to make children’s clothing.

• Shop at discount stores for children’s clothes.

• Select children’s clothes that are functional and comfortable.

• Teach children proper care for clothing, toys, furniture, and equipment so replacements, repairs, and maintenance will be reduced.

• Involve children in understanding their environment. Reward them in some way for conserving resources.

• Save household items that children can play with such as egg cartons, meat trays, old stockings, and cardboard boxes of all sizes.

• Devise creative, inexpensive entertainment for children.

• Interest children in budgeting their money. Give them allowances, and let them learn to save ane stretch their money.

• Start a “child care pool” with a group of friends to save on babysitting fees.

• Buy basic gifts or supplies when prices are reduced, such as after Christmas or Easter, and save them for the following season.

• Insist the children do some sort of work, besides regular chores, as soon as they are old enough.

• Involve children in gardening.

Susan M. Jackson is the Harvey County Extension agent, family and consumer sciences and community development.