Re: pre family planning: down to one income
anonymous

Question:
strategies to allievate the financial load before starting a family

My Advice:

It's been a few months since you asked this question but the finiacial woes don't seem to go away

quickly.
A few things that you could do are:

1. Lower the number of times that you eat out.

2. Breastfeed instead of using formula (This would be for mothers that have this choice.)

3. Feed your family a healthy rounded meal.  (This will keep them healthy to lesson doctor visits)

4. Buy shoes that will last so that you don't have to keep buying new ones. 

5. Make a list of all your family needs.  (Ex. Socks for me, Shoes for baby....)

6. Label them in importance.  Sometimes this can change, say when the sole of your shoes come off.

7. Skip the sales unless they are on your list of needs.

8. Eat one really nice meal a week and make all the rest fairly cheap, but healthy.

9. Pay off your credit cards.  Some suggest starting with the one with the lowest amount.

10. Live within your means.  (Don't use your credit cards.  Especially the ones you paid off.)

11. Patch holes in geans instead of throwing them our.  (Children love this.  Make Hearts and flowers for girls and cars and trucks for boys.)

12. Instead of buying games for your children make some crafts from thing around the house.  Get books from the library on crafts or drawing.  Find something that will interest them.

13. Build your family up.  When you are a joyful family everyone will spend less. 

14 Write down all the meals for the week or month and write a list according to this.

15 Stick to your list when you go grocery shopping

16 Eat before you go shopping.  This means everyone.  If you are full but the hubby isn't then there will be extras in the baskets.