If you dissect a frugal kid, what do all of the parts look like? Don’t worry, this isn’t some creepy Halloween story. In fact, it is just a way of taking a look at how we typically live our frugal life and how it doesn’t take a lot of spending for the care and feeding of a typical kid who is healthy and happy.
I’ll take my eldest son as an example, on a typical morning waiting for the school bus.
Head
In his head are already thoughts of his holiday wish list. He says that he is thinking about heelies (sneakers with wheels), used video games for his older third-hand system and some I Spy books (which I can get from Paperbackswap). He says he is also thinking about the pumpkin festival (free) that takes place this Saturday, wondering if he can make a big leaf pile with his friends after school (also free) and thinking about his chess lessons at the library (also free).
Torso
He is wearing a new red LL Bean winter coat. It is lined, has plenty of pockets for rocks, and comes with a hood. This new coat was purchased for $5 at the end of a town-wide yard sale. It still had it’s tags. To help instruct about wise money purchases, I pointed out to him that the coat cost exactly one penny more than the appetizer he ate at a nearby restaurant on dentist day.
On his back he has a red LL Bean backpack (we aren’t brand loyal, but these things tend to last) that has his name on it. This is the third year that this backpack has been in use, and it still looks brand new, despite washing. He is proud of this back pack. It was purchased as a gift from his grandparents. When relatives ask what your get your child, think about practical purchases that will still be enjoyed. Without trendy characters, this backpack may actually last his entire school career.
Later today, we will continue with this dissection to show how many ways there are to save.
Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.
Frugal Craft: Make A Grass Kid
Frugal Kids: Free Building Set
Frugal Kids Birthday Parties: Ways to Save
Are you subscribed to the Families.com Frugal Living Blog? With the click of a button, you can receive an email notification anytime a new blog is posted in the Families.com Frugal Living Blog!
Just look to the right of this blog and find the subscription center (it looks just like this picture, although you’ll have to find the “real” one just above the category listing ). Click on “Subscribe via Email”. You’ll be instantly subscribed and the email address that you registered at Families.com with will receive an instant notification whenever we post a new Frugal Living Blog! Don’t miss a thing – subscribe now!