Raising Thrifty Kids

• Shop alone when possible.
• Let them know what the budgeted amount is for a specific purchase, shopping trip, vacation, Christmas or birthday.
• Don’t be afraid to say, “We can’t afford it.”  You are doing them a great disservice if they grow up thinking that everything is within their grasp.
• Ask them to use their allowance if they desire a quality or quantity above your limit.
• Use opportunities to help them make wise choices.  For instance “We can eat at home and rent a movie or you can have a kids’ meal with a toy.  Let them make the choice and hold them to it.
• For large ticket items, have them put it on a Christmas or birthday list or allow them to earn the money by doing extra jobs.
• If they desire a specific item, let them watch for sales and coupons.  Teach them to wait for a sale on the brand of cereal or ice cream that they like.
• Teach them to eat what is available.  This is a trait that will serve them well over their lifetime.
• Make your own snacks like muffins, breads, drinks, pizza, etc.  If you cannot do this, stock up when the snacks are on sale.  This can amount to tremendous savings when you apply this to all of your purchases.
• Clothing can be a large expense with teens.  Give them a clothing allowance that would buy good off-brand clothes on sale.  If they desire an expensive name brand, let them make up the difference with their allowance or job money.  Show them how to shop for slightly used, name brand clothes at resale shops or garage sales.