Money Saving Tip #142: Don't Mail Invitations

When it comes time to host a party or get-together, don't mail the invitations through the postal service. The cost of the invitation plus the stamp for each one can be quite costly. Opt for the internet, email, social networking, text messages, and phone calls to get the word out. There are even websites out there to send an electronic invitation such as evite.com.

When my husband and I were planning our wedding, we invited people to our event through email. We got married in a small ceremony in a family member's backyard. Purchasing invitations and stamps to send the message out was a cost that was unnecessary.

Money Saving Tip #141: Take Shorter Showers

The average shower uses 2.6 gallons of water per minute.  Cut back on your shower time by not wasting the time just standing there.  Time yourself and see if you can reduce your time in the shower in 30 seconds to 1 minute intervals.  Spending too much time in the shower causes you to use more water and more energy in making the water warm. 

Help cut back on the amount of water you use by installing a low-flow showerhead. 

Money Saving Tip #140: Vacation in the Off-Season

Vacationing in the summer months will cost you much more money than vacationing in the spring and fall.  Vacation destinations raise their prices during the months when tourism is at it's peak.  We like taking our family vacations when the "fall" rates kick in, when it is less hot, and when the crowds will be less. 

You will be surprised to find that "fall" rates usually kick in as soon as children go back to school.  Our vacation destination initiates these rates around the first week of September. 

Money Saving Tip #139: Visit the Farmer's Market

This Saturday, I took my two older kids to our local farmer's market.  They enjoyed seeing the produce in a true, natural way.  My kids even got to sample some local honey.  I bought 2 acorn squashes, a butternut squash, a jar of homemade grape jam, and a large loaf of apple bread for $9.00.  I promised them we would go back next week for the honey, since I only had $10 cash on me at the time. 

Buying these items full price at our local grocery store would have cost a lot more.  Plus, we get the added bonus of supporting our local community and neighbors.  The food is grown in backyards and away from any pesticides and hormones. 

Money Saving Tip #138: Give Your Kids Choices

Yesterday, I took my daughter to the store to purchase her some new running shoes for her after-school running program.  She is very excited about starting this new program and meeting some new friends.  My daughter is at that age where fashion is becoming important.  She asked if she could pick out the new shoes.  I am not about to let me daughter (or any of my kids) have an endless opportunity to pick out the latest and greatest $100 pair of shoes. 

I told her that she could help me pick them out.  I told her that I would narrow her choices down to two, and I would let her decide which ones she liked best.  When we entered the store, we went straight to the clearance rack.  She tried on several pairs of shoes; some more comfortable than others.  After she found two comfortable pairs that were within $6 of each other, I let her decide.  One pair was $29.00, and the other pair was $23.00. 

Without hesitation, she grabbed the pink pair of running shoes based on color.  Luckily for me, they were the cheaper of the two pairs of shoes.  Before we left the store, she wanted to put on her new pair of shoes and wear them immediately. 

Let your kids help you decide what they will wear.  You will get your money's worth out of the clothing, and your child will be happy.  The worst thing for a parent to see is a piece of clothing that your child never wears.  This is a waste of money. 

Money Saving Tip #137: Used Video Games

If you have children, chances are you have a video game console in your home.  My daughter saved up her money 2 years ago and bought herself a Nintendo DSi.  She loves it.  As with most video game systems, those darn games are super expensive.  Don't buy new.

For birthdays and holidays, I take my daughter to Game Stop.  They sell new and used video games.  I taught my daughter that she could spend $30 on 2 used games or $30 on one brand new game.  She has always gone on to purchase the used games instead. 

Game Stop has a 3-day return policy.  If we take the game home and discover that it doesn't work properly, we can bring it back for a full refund.  Most stores offer this same policy.

Money Saving Tip #136: Buy Gender-Neutral Baby Gear

If you are expecting your first child (and you plan on having more than one), resist the urge to buy gender-specific items.  Don't buy pink stuff covered in princesses and butterflys.  Don't buy blue stuff covered with airplanes or race cars. 

When you buy your stroller (hopefully at a consignment sale), buy one that works for both genders.  Colors like green, gray, and navy blue work for both boys and girls.  The same goes for other baby items like room decor. 

When I was pregnant with my daughter 8 years ago, I decorated her room with Sesame Street items.  I knew that I could use those items for either a boy or a girl. 

Save all your baby and kid gear to work for multiple children. 

Money Saving Tip #135: Download Songs

If you, your children, or your spouse are music lovers, consider downloading songs to your computer or smartphone instead of buying an entire CD. 

My husband loves older songs.  Luckily for him, I have been able to find most of his favorites on iTunes.  Most songs sell for $0.99 or $1.29 per song.  Buying a song instead of a $15.00 CD has saved us lots of money. 

My daughter loves Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, and Carrie Underwood.  I allow my daughter to use her own money to buy songs.  In the past, I would buy her an entire CD, but she'd only listened to one song.  I could have saved so much money back then if I had just bought the song instead of the album. 

Money Saving Tip #134: Don't Use Plastic Utincels

Whether you pack your lunch for work or your child's lunch for school, don't rely on disposable plastic utincels.  Use the real stuff.  Years ago, I bought a cheap set of silverware from my grocery store.  They look noticiably different than my normal set.  I use my cheap set for lunches at work and school.  They get washed in the dishwasher rather than being thrown away in the trash after each meal. 

Sure, you will spend a little more money up front, but these pieces will last a very long time.  I have been using my cheap set for about a decade now. 

Money Saving Tip #133: Sell Toys

I recently went into my daughter's room and found a complete mess on the floor.  When I told her that she had to clean it up, I told her that this would be a good opportunity to clean out some of the toys she no longer plays with.  Since it is not likely that my sons would want to play with her "girl" toys, I gave her a suggestion.

I told her that she could gather all her un-used toys, sell them on the internet or at a consignment store, and then she could spend the money on some new purchases.  Within a hour, she gave me a bag full of toys that she wanted to depart with. 

If I am not able to sell them on craigslist, I will take her and her bag of toys to a local consignment store in hopes that they will buy them.  This is a great learning opportunity for her and a way for her to make a little money.