Being a stay at home mum with rent and bills to pay, a little mouth to feed and a house to maintain, saving money can often seem impossible. The cost of living is at an all time high but with a few different strategies, it is possible to get by - even with some extra pocket money for certain luxuries.
I don't run my blog (or any other networking platform) in an effort to fabricate my life or make it seem grander than it is. So please don't get me wrong, times get tough and everything requires hard work and determination .. but with a little planning, life certainly get's easier.
1. Budget. It's the oldest trick in the book, I know .. but it helps! Figure out how much money you have coming in on a weekly or fortnightly basis and deduct weekly bill payments/expenses and groceries.
2. Sell. There is a market for your old and unwanted goods, I swear! Be it outgrown baby clothes, old toys, homewares or clothes that barely see the light of day - somebody will buy it! There are a bunch of websites you can use to sell your goods but you can also have a garage sale or host a market stall. The best thing about this is that you get to simplify your life a little bit more and it's also cash in your pocket.
3. Invest. There are a bunch of different ways to invest your extra money, one being
clime super who specialise in value investing. I also like to see my purchases as an investment so to speak. Always buy things that you will be able to re-sell in the future!
(thrifted, gifted and found objects - stuck on valentines day!)
4. Buy secondhand. I almost always buy my goods secondhand. It's a great way to buy items cheaply that are also more unique. It's no secret that I am a bit of an op shopping fiend. I buy clothes second hand and rarely pay over $5 an item. This way, I've managed to dress daughter (and myself) in vintage and designer goods for next to nothing. Of course, it's not just clothes that I buy second hand - my entire house has been furnished with glorious mid century pieces that I've bought second hand for next to nothing!
5. Make your own coffee. I'm barely human without my morning caffeine hit and in an effort to spend less - I purchased a cheap espresso machine and a $2 milk frother and stopped buying take aways. I couldn't tell you how much money I've saved this way - $4 a cup doesn't seem like such a grand amount at the time, but it all adds up!
(vegan veggie pizza w/ notzarella cheeze)
6. Eat less meat. I don't want to seem too preachy, but a plant based diet is definitely cheaper than one that incorporates animal products. Adding more meat-free meals to your diet is not only going to improve your health - it'll also give your bank account a little boost!
7. Start your own business. I have always had a passion for photography .. and now I get paid to capture memories! If you're good at something, don't let that talent go to waste.
8. Choose entertainment that is free. We go to the park on most days. Daisy has the absolute time of her life and we don't pay a cent. There are also plenty of frequent free events, festivals and markets that we attend (I'm sure you can find some in your area) that are specially catered to children and parents.
"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."
