Top Tips for Managing a Family Budget



Top Tips for Managing a Family Budget
We're all feeling the squeeze and these days it's more important than ever to effectively manage family budgets. From cutting down on impulse purchases to using employer provided childcare voucher solutions - this article will give you all the tips you need to know.

Shopping online 
More of us than ever are shopping online. This is great for a number of reasons, first of all because you end up missing out on the Saturday morning rush at the local Tesco -
but also because it stops those expensive little impulse purchases.
We've all been guilty of it - succumbing to the siren calls of those alcohol hand-wash gel dispensers next to the checkout, even though they seem to get lost in some unknown nook or cranny of the house, never to be seen again.
Or maybe it's the odd Snickers or Mars bar that tempts you next to the tills? Well shopping online cuts this out and makes you choose exactly what you want in any given week cuts down on wastage and unneeded expenditure.

Childcare vouchers
Many parents forget that their employers could be offering them childcare vouchers that help in dealing with sky-high nursey bills.
Employee benefits providers like You at Work are helping more and more small businesses to provide salary sacrifice programmes for firms that help alleviate costs and save workers money.
If your current employer isn't providing this, it might be worth making a point of emailing the HR department and telling them you want it.

Budget! 
I know, I know. It seems like every expert in the world is harping on about budgeting these days.
But even if it is really, really boring, making a simple record and plan of spending could save your family hundreds, or even thousands of pounds every year.
A number of apps on the iPhone and iPad store could help you to avoid using a mountain of pens and paper for the task.
Broken Piggy Bank
Don't go Broke! Use Budget Tools
DIY 
You don't have to be a deft hand at DIY to be able to save huge sums of money. Simply learning to paint a room on your own could save hundreds of pounds that would have been spent on decorators and there are huge numbers of online guides and tips on how to do this properly. However, we don't accept legal responsibility if you choose to decorate your bathroom in an ... antiquated avocado green style - even if it is a style crime!

Cars
Money saving experts will often tell you to walk or take a bus if you need to get from A to B, but we all know with the kids in tow driving in a huge 4x4 is difficult enough - let alone taking the 143 to the shops.
So it's important that households save money wherever possible on their automobiles - whether it be ensuring tyres are properly inflated so fuel efficiency is increased or making sure the car is regularly serviced to get problems nipped in the bud early on.
Also, if you're buying a car, remember that going for a used model is often false economy. While list prices are often significantly lower than their newer counterparts - hidden costs and higher repair bills can sometimes make this choice less financially sound.

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17 Comments

  1. Fabulous ways to save money and keep in budget! I am starting to shop online more often now too.

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  2. Great tips! I totally agree about saving money by shopping online. Those impulse purchases really do add up!

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    1. I know, they are the piggy bank's worst enemy. smiles.

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  3. I like the budgeting tools. They help my husband keep track of our family's expenses.

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    1. That's awesome. I don't use any, just excel, but I am thinking about checking out one that works with my computer.

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  4. Very good information.
    We need to have a solid budget in place. If I ran the money, I would.

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    1. Yes, I am better about not straying off the budget. It really takes great discipline!

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  5. I have no discipline at all. When the money run out that is when I get the next pay check anyways.

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    1. I think it is okay if you don't have kids and a family to care for. But it you did, I think you would probably want to save too. smiles.

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  6. I guess I naturally save without trying much since I don't have a lot of needs and wants :) most of our big expenses are on travel, which we do not do often, only maybe thrice a year, which still, do not take up a lot of the saved money from not spending often :) somehow, we seldom eat out because I love to cook and find more joy in cooking than in eating out, and in the process, makes us save more. shopping online has also helped us save here and there since you always have a way where to get the best deal.

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  7. I do a lot of shopping online. Especially from Kohls. I do a search for the 30% off coupon and use it with free shipping. Saves a bunch!

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  8. Great reminders to be wise with our money. There are always ways to be smart but knowing and doing are sometime two different things.

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  9. Making a budget is boring, but it helps sooooo soooo much with managing expenses. Its a big part of stewardship and accountability, and I am ready to make my budget for this year, which I remake at the beginning of each school year. Every year I get better at budgeting and learn something new that helps me immensely. Great tips.

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  10. Good tips, and they reminded me I've got to check my air pressure today!!

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  11. These tips are great. I need to get down to basics where budgeting is concerned. I try to do all the budgeting in my head. I start out on paper and then because I am so busy I try to do it in my head. NOT good. I am dedicated to budgeting monthly on paper (or with an app). I have to get this in line.

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  12. Great tips! We try our best to stick to a budget it makes my life easier.

    Thank you for linking up to Throwback Thursday!

    xoxo
    Denyse

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