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Five Family Finance Tips

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Five Family Finance Tips

If it feels like you’re drowning under the weight of bills, it’s time to find ways to save money. Raising a family is only getting more expenses as the cost of child care rises, but there are several ways that you can save money that feel nearly effortless. If you’re ready to get control of the family budget, consider these tips. The family family finance tips will help you rest easier, save more, and get on a path of not worrying so much about money and bills.

Family Finance Tips

Set a Budget

If you’re currently unaware of exactly where your money is going, sit down with your partner and start making a concrete plan. Many families are stuck living paycheck to paycheck simply due to lack of budgeting skills. If you’re spending more than you’re earning or barely scraping by, you’ll need an aggressive plan of action to get back on track. It might take some time to get used to strict budgeting, but over the course of time, it should become easier to stick to.

Be Prepared For the Unexpected

Homeowners often take their most important investment for granted and simply assume that nothing bad can happen in their neighborhood. However, life is unpredictable and your family’s routine can be turned upside down if you’re not prepared for a devastating natural disaster. If you don’t have a significant emergency fund saved up, homeowner’s insurance is an absolute must. To get the best possible monthly rate and coverage that’s helpful, shop around for a local insurance agency.

Meal Plan

If you’ve already established a budget but you’re not sure how you’re going to stay under budget for food, consider setting aside time each week for meal planning and prepping. When you leave it all up to chance and avoid planning in advance, you’ll likely find yourself in the drive-through line multiple times per week. While there’s nothing wrong with eating out every once in a while, spending money on fast food and restaurants can quickly add up to have a big impact on your finances.

Start Saving Early

When you’re a parent, you never know what each day holds. If you’re worried about your ability to cover unexpected expenses like a medical bill for your children or maintenance for the home or car, it’s time to start setting aside an emergency fund. As a general rule, saving 20 percent of your monthly income is ideal. However, many families are unable to meet this goal and simply save anything that’s left over at the end of each month. Even if you’re only able to establish a modest emergency fund, that’s vastly preferable to having nothing in the saving account.

Buy in Bulk

If you have a large or growing family, it can be nearly impossible to stick to your food budget when you shop at traditional grocery stores. Instead of having to make a trip to the store several times per week, consider going big and investing in a membership to a wholesale retailer like Costco or Sam’s Club. Must-have family items like toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper, and over the counter medications will likely be much more affordable at wholesale stores and you can stash away the extra goods for the months ahead.