When planning for our first child, we figured that I would take some time off but eventually head back to work at least a few days a week. I didn’t want to send my baby off to daycare, but we didn’t think we could manage to pay our bills unless I did. Then fate threw us a curveball. Our daughter couldn’t go to daycare, at least not for the first 6 months, and after that, it would still be better if she didn’t. Having cystic fibrosis means avoiding people with colds and respiratory viruses at all costs and, as we all know, schools and daycares are breeding grounds for these germs. Therefore, we made the decision for me to stay at home, and while it has been fabulous, it has been a financial nightmare from which we have learned a great deal.
If you feel it is best to stay at home with your child, or if your child’s needs require you to stay home, there are ways to help with the sudden loss of income and the bills that keep coming. You’d be surprised how much money you can save with a little bit of effort. And we feel it is definitely
worth that effort in order to keep Maggie as healthy as possible.
Coupons are my new best friend. I’ve always enjoyed saving money. It’s a trait that’s been passed down for generations in my family. I just didn’t pay close enough attention in the past and therefore didn’t save as much as I could have been. Web sites such as CouponMom have helped me stay on track and last week I saved just under $100 on my groceries. In addition, because I shop at a store that partners with a gas station, I paid $.10 a gallon for my gasoline. It’s really easy and kind of fun too. I print or clip the coupons I find for items I actually want and when they go on sale, I buy them. At Price Chopper, they double the coupon and you can use a store coupon for the same item if one is available. So for example, last week one brand of milk was on sale for $3, I had a $1 off manufacturer coupon and a store triple coupon. The $1 coupon was therefore, not just doubled, but tripled and the milk was free.
Bundle your savings by signing up for a new offer program. We get our unlimited long distance phone plus internet for about $60 a month. Previously we had been paying $80 just for internet. There are deals to be found, you just have to look.
Cut back on what you really don’t need. You may think you have to watch all of those television shows on HGTV or Bravo, but you don’t. We have basic cable, without a box and still get those HD network channels – NBC, ABC, and CBS. Plus we have all the kid shows we need on PBS. It costs us $18 a month. If there is a show we want to watch from a cable channel we don’t have, it can be found online through websites such as Hulu. And there’s no need for a DVR when all of those basic channels put their latest shows online anyway (and with fewer commercials). You can also usually find shows on YouTube as well.
Don’t buy clothes at retail prices. When winter clothing goes on clearance, stock up for next winter. Buy your children the next size up in clothing for next year and you’ll save a bundle on back to school shopping. Plus, stores like Kohl’s offer coupons if you sign up for their credit card.
There are always ways to cut costs; you just have to be willing to put in a little effort. You can save on credit cards by asking for a lower rate and even talk to your mortgage lender about cutting back on the amount of your monthly payment. With a little bit of courage and determination, you can stay at home with your child.