10 Savings Tips For Moms to Survive the Economy

Lotto Payout:

10. Buy inexpensive foods in bulk such as frozen vegetables, pasta and rice. Create lots of stir fries that include either beans or grilled chicken (Perdue short cuts come in packs of two or three at BJs for under ).

10 Savings Tips For Moms to Survive the Economy

9. Limit visits to Target and Wal-Mart. One stop shopping is great for convenience, but lets be serious. Who can actually go into these stores and not spend a gazillion extra dollars on kids' clothing, toys, home goods, pet supplies, art supplies, storage bins, and so on and so forth. So, half the crap is on sale. Does that really save you if you didn't need it in the first place?

8. Consign, consign, consign. If, like in many homes, half of your kid's toys are never even touched, or if some of their clothes are still in great shape and will no longer be worn, find a local consignment store with a decent payout and good foot traffic. When my kids birthdays are coming, I always pick up a decent check from things I've left over the course of the year. The consignment shops only want relatively new stuff, so donate the rest.

7. Visit lots of playgrounds, beaches and nature trails. They are free, and full of lots and lots of treasures. Just use your imagination, and teach your kids to tap into theirs. The other day we went to a playground that was constantly revolving itself from space shuttle, to pirate ship and hummer-limo-land complete with hot tub and dance floor. Beaches are full of sea shells that you can collect and paint for hours. Invest in some googly eyes and watercolors (neither costs more than a few dollars) and you have hours of fun activities. And of course nature trails and beaches both offer natural treasures including wildlife, rocks, sticks and other items worthy of, at the very least, a good scavenger hunt or bingo game.

6. Do lots of arts and crafts projects. Most art supplies are inexpensive, if not free. You can save toilet paper rolls, cotton balls, Q-tips and other household items to create monsters, frogs on logs, tall buildings and other constructs; anything at all. Or you can put together pieces of paper and have your kids write journals. What's better than a notebook and some crayons for them to express themselves with? Cut pictures out of magazines, and have them create books. Or, see number 7 -- paint any of the items found in nature, and or glue them on paper. The opportunities are endless here.

5. Create playdates. There is nothing better for your kids than social interaction with other kids. Playdates don't have to cost a thing. Go to a park, or have friends over to do an art activity, go swimming, or play some games of t-ball, duck-duck-goose, hopscotch, basketball, or any of those things that once sustained us all before internet and video games changed our world.

4. Look into memberships at local children's museums and aquariums. The initial investment is typically 0 but it often includes lots of reciprocal memberships and benefits, and provides a full year of access to great museums and events. Often times there are special activities only members can attend, and sometimes guests are even welcome.

3. Go to the library. Most local libraries offer wonderful story hours, fun games and activities, and music and crafts for children of all ages. This is educational and allows kids of any age to get membership cards and learn about borrowing and returning books. It is a great introduction to responsibility and taking care of other people's things. It also teaches them that not everything solely belongs to them, and sharing benefits everyone.

2. Instead of hiring babysitters, trade sitting with friends and family. Offer to take your friend's children for an evening, or drop your kids off at your sibling's house. In return, take their kids in for a night. It can save tons of money, and is mutually beneficial. Just decide on comfortable rules, such as the amount of time you should go out, as well as who supplies meals for the kids.

1. Look for online work opportunities so you can create a balance between work and family. Sometimes going to work isn't feasible for both parents. The costs of child care and other things have to be weighed against the amount of money that would be brought in, and many studies have shown that the con's often outweigh the pro's. Of course personal preference goes into this as well, and people should never be judged for their choice. However, there are creative ways of making money online. Online auctions such as eBay and amazon.com are one way of clearing out your household clutter while earning some extra cash. If all else fails, play lotto. Or become an exotic dancer. Or not. Maintain whatever dignity you can. At least until all other options are exhausted.