Earnest Parenting.com logo

Encouraging Heroes. You can be one too.

Raising children these days is not cheap. There are diapers and bottles, daycare, the expensive dance lessons, the new car and latest cell phone, and college tuition of course. Current estimates put the cost of raising a child from newborn to adulthood at over $200,000. Although the costs might seem monumental, there are some very practical things that parents can do to lessen the financial burden.

Hair Cuts

They might be bald for the first several months of life, but once a baby’s hair starts coming in, it doesn’t stop. And, before long, you have a toddler that needs a haircut more often than you do. Buying a pair of inexpensive clippers and learning a few haircutting skills can save quite a bit of money each year. Plus cutting your child’s hair while he watches an episode of Sesame Street can save you a potentially agonizing trip to the salon.

Photography

What parents don’t want great pictures of their adorable baby? And their adorable toddler? And their adorable baby and toddler together with the family? There are many amazing professional photographers out there, specializing in child and family photography; however, their services can come with a hefty price tag. To get beautiful portraits on your wall without breaking the bank, why not invest in an online photography course? With a little training and a few tools, parents can become amateur photographers themselves. And, being able to adequately capture the everyday moments, while still in pajamas or in the midst of a cookie-baking mess, will be precious memories in years to come.

Go Green

Feeding a family takes a lot of time and money. You can save a bit of both by learning to grow a garden. With a small spot of land or some pots and a few packets of seeds, you can begin enjoying the time saved at the grocery store, money spent on produce, and the freshest and healthiest meals for your family.

Alterations

Not everyone has the time to become an accomplished tailor. However, learning a few mending skills can be money saved. Instead of tossing a child’s pair of pants when they are too long or short, learn to adjust the hem. Also, make sure you know how to sew a button and install a zipper. Additionally, if you have the time to take a class, you might want to take an official class on alterations.

Earnest Parenting: help for parents who want to save some cash.