Guide to Frugal Living: Money Saving Ideas for the Whole Family (2024)

During an economic squeeze, parents are coming up with many creative, money saving ideas. Though it's wise to cut back on purchases, saving your family money doesn't mean doing without. Here are some easy tips for cutting back on the household budget.

Trim your food bill
The Department of Labor estimates that the average American family of four spends $8,513 on groceries annually, or $709 a month. There are plenty of money saving ideas to help you set aside more money for food. Coupon clipping and taking advantage of store specials are good places to start. Join warehouse stores such as Sam's Club to cut food costs and load up on bulk products, such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies and canned goods. Trim spending on produce by visiting TheGardenersRake.com for suggestions and advice on how to grow your own vegetables. Even the smallest yard can reap glorious greens. Joining a non-profit food cooperative or a community-supported agriculture (CSA) group are other ways to find inexpensive and in-season produce for a fraction of the price charged by chain grocery stores. CSAs match local groups with a nearby farmer. The farmer will bring in a box of crops (the items will change seasonally) in return for a membership fee or subscription.

Save on other goods
Shopping for non-food items is another area where you can save money. Always scour the Web for coupons and discount codes before you make a purchase. Retailmenot.com has codes for more than 30,000 stores, and it only takes a few seconds to do your research. Also consider looking at eBay and Craigslist. Families across the nation use these resources to clean out their garages. These sites are a perfect place to find bikes, sports equipment and other items that kids outgrow fast. Once you log on, you may actually earn some cash by listing your own items.

Save at the pump
Gas prices may have dipped, but fueling the car is still a big budget buster. Carpooling is a must in this economy. Post a sign at your school and talk to your kids' teachers and coaches about arranging a rotating schedule. If you live in an urban area, check out Zip Car. This company allows drivers to rent vehicles by the hour—much cheaper for short errands compared with a daily rental rate.

Create a babysitting co-op
Forego costly babysitters and form your own childcare co-op with friends. This is a great way to find reliable care for your child, and you can pay back the favor by trading your time to babysit or help friends complete projects. You also can explore neighborhood babysitting co-ops and other childcare alternatives by visiting BabysitterExchange.com. Here, you can find local resources or create your own group to help serve others.

Cut entertainment expenses
Work with your employer to sign up for discounts on tickets to movies, plays and other events through WorkingAdvantage.com. Simply select the event and company in which you're interested, order your tickets online in advance, and they will arrive in the mail within a few business days. Search your local newspaper's entertainment listings for free events, or scour newspapers, other print publications and Web sites for coupons to restaurants, clubs and more. For a fun lunch or dinner date, pack a picnic instead of eating at a pricey dining establishment. If a band is playing a concert in your area, searching MySpace and Facebook pages for discount tickets is another great money saving idea.