A few handy tips to keep your family healthy and warm this season – without breaking the bank

One thing families don’t need to hear is that the price of bread and cheese is going up, but that is exactly what is happening to staple foods in this country.

Everyone is feeling the pressure to tighten their belts, so here are some tips on how to save a bit of money, while keeping your kids healthy, safe and warm during the cold season:

• Do a budget
  It’s so boring I know, but how do you expect to only spend the money you have if you don’t know how much that is? There is an excellent budget calculator on www.sorted.org.nz. When you work out how much you can spend on things like food and entertainment, organise some jars, label them and put in the budgeted amount. It’s a good way to see how much you have left and after a while you will be able to stick to it.
• Eat what's on special
  Most budget advisors say you should do one shop a week. But if you have the time and you are able to buy only what you need during your supermarket visit, it can be a good idea to see what meat is on special each day for your dinner. Buy it and plan your meal around that. Meat can often be discounted by as much as 50%, which is a big saving over a week.
• Stock up on basics
  If the supermarket has baked beans on special, buy as many as you can afford.
• Buy clothes in annual sale ... for next season
  This may take a little planning – and possibly a bit of whinging from the kids – but stocking up on summer clothes during the sales and storing them until next season can mean huge savings in the long run on basic clothing items like t-shirts, shorts and swimsuits. Just don’t forget to buy a larger size to make up for the winter growth.
• Sell stuff
  If times are tough and you don’t have any extra money for a family holiday or a weekend away, then sell stuff. Get everyone to go through the house and find things they haven’t used for six months. Have a garage sale or try online selling methods. You might be surprised at how much money you can make from stuff you have lying around.
• Think second-hand
  Do you really need a brand-new heater, electric jug or toaster? Have a look in op-shops, or browse www.freecycle.org where you can get stuff for free. Most kids are quite happy to wear op-shop clothes too, especially when they get a little older and start using words like “retro” and “vintage”.
• Stay home
  Why pay for food and drinks at bars and restaurants when you can enjoy them for half the price by buying at the supermarket and inviting friends over. You’ll be able to listen to the music you like and you won’t have to shout over it.
• Make your own
  Advertisers are always using the phrase “for the price of a coffee” to get you to invest in something. But making your own can save you a lot of money in a week, as is the case with other things like cans of soft drink, which you can buy in large bottles from the supermarket and pour a glass of at a time. Or why not try baking your own bread? You also know what is going into the bread and the kids will hardly notice the 12 grains and seeds you’ve thrown in there.
• Pocket money
  If things are a bit tight for handing out pocket money, encourage the kids to earn some cash doing jobs around the neighbourhood, such as mowing lawns, walking dogs, or washing cars. They’ll have some money in their pockets and you won’t have to find it in the budget.
• Walk or take public transport
  Kids love buses and most are happy to walk if you make it fun for them. You’ll not only save petrol money, but also parking fees in the big cities, and you can be smug because you are also saving the planet.
• Clip coupons
  There’s a reason your mother used to do it. You can also buy store brands when shopping for basics like flour and sugar. They are just as good and you are not paying extra for the pretty packaging.
• Use rewards
  Most credit cards have a reward system. Use the credit card to pay for everyday items and earn rewards you can turn into supermarket dollars. Make sure you pay your bill on time every month though, and pay the full amount so that you don’t end up with interest. Also make sure you are only spending your budgeted amount.
• Do you really need it?
  This is the best thing my mother ever taught me about household budgeting. Too often we buy things simply because we like them or think our lives will be better if we have them. Appliances like popcorn makers often go unused, cluttering the kitchen and collecting dust. Before buying anything new, ask yourself, “Do I really need it?” Most of the time you don’t, so put it back and move on.