Monthly Archives: September 2019

Budget-Friendly Fun For Kids

kids

Finding activities for you to do with your kids, or have them do on their own, can be a challenge. It’s great to get them active and not just sitting on the couch, but at this point, you’re out of ideas. We have crafted the perfect list of kid-friendly things to do while also making sure it won’t break the bank!

Movie Marathon

If it’s chilly outside and the kids are looking to wind down, a movie marathon isn’t a bad idea! Make a theme of it, so you can make themed snacks to go with the movies you decide to watch.

Hands-On at Home Depot

Home Depot offers kids workshops which are perfect if you’re looking to entertain them. Home Depot says, “Kids workshops provide a lively environment mixing skill-building, creativity, and safety for future DIYers.” Find one near you.

Rockin’ Roller Skating

Roller skating is a cheap activity you can do indoors or out! Find a rink close to you to take your kids and their friends to.

DIY Arts & Crafts

There are thousands of articles online that offer fun DIY craft ideas for kids of any age. For example, here are some great Fall crafts you can make for cheap!

Scavenger Hunt

Throw a scavenger hunt and have the kids searching around the house all day long for your hidden goodies. Buying dollar prizes to hide here and there will keep them engaged and ready to search for more!

Money Lessons

When at home with your kiddos, you have the perfect chance to teach them about money. Talk about saving to start and get them their own piggy bank to begin the process.

Make Your Own Fun

Playdough, goop, shaving cream counter art and so on are all fun, messy items that kids can create and play with for hours. Keep them in the kitchen while you’re doing dishes or cooking by plopping them down to create their own playdough with this recipe.

Board Games

Teaching your child how to play chess or checkers is a great way to spend time with them without spending money. There are plenty of other board games you can play too, but chess is a great game that teaches thinking ahead and skill – so try it out!

Showtime

Puppet show, magic show, fashion show – you name it! Let your children entertain you or just themselves while hosting their own show.

Obstacle Course

Set up an obstacle course around the house for your kids to burn off energy. The floor is lava, so they have to climb all the chairs and items you put in place to make it across the room!

We hope your kiddos enjoy a few of these activities – we know your bank account appreciates it! Feel free to open a savings account with us to place some of that extra cash, or open one for your child so they can start saving too.

Have You Thought About These Holiday Saving Hacks?

holiday

It’s the holidays! As they come closer, you’ll want to be preparing your budget for the food and presents you’re buying. But, be careful not to overspend! Here are our top sanity-saving holiday hacks to follow.

Be Frugal Online

Use cashback apps like Ibotta and Ebates when you shop online for the holidays to save money and earn bonuses. There are also ways to earn free gift cards online when you take surveys, such as using a program like Swagbucks.

Simplify Your Giving

Don’t go all out and buy new clothes for everyone. Think of simple and sweet gifts, like a dessert platter full of your family member’s favorite sweet treats. You can also decide to do no gifts and just play a family giving game like White Elephant. Here’s an example of how some people play White Elephant. 

Use An App

You can use apps like ShopSavvy to do your comparison shopping. Just scan the item’s barcode with your phone, and the app will tell you if you can find that item for less at another store. You can also use your phone to download a budget app, as this will help you keep your spending for the holiday meals and gifts in check.

Save On Shipping

Chris Hogan, a personal finance expert, states, “The U.S. Postal Service offers flat-rate boxes in different sizes, so pack as much as you can into a box (within weight limits) and save on shipping. Or take advantage of free shipping offers when you buy online.”

Re-gift

We all have items piling up around the house that have never been worn or are collecting dust. They are perfectly good candidates to become gifts to those who would actually use them! Do some investigating and find those secret treasures you can re-gift this holiday season to save big.

Invest in Experiences

Instead of spending money on gifts and family get-togethers, talk about doing a trip or finding something fun close to home to experience. There are plenty of great adventures you can find for you and your family to do – without spending extra money on presents and meals.

Survive this holiday season with these tips and tricks! Staying within your budget means you need to keep a handle on your expenses, even during these times. Our savings account would be a great place to store some of that cash, so you don’t go spending it all at once!