Post by lucie on Apr 8, 2006 5:56:04 GMT 10
Thrifty families have fun, too
Having children doesn't mean you won't have fun anymore, but your definition of fun will change. The night on the town with dinner and the symphony may now take a bigger bite out of the budget than you can afford, especially if one of you has quit work to stay home with the baby. This does not mean that your fun quotient has to drop to zero. Here are some ideas to help you rethink recreation on a budget:
Instead of dinner and a symphony, consider having a block party potluck. Community get-togethers like this can help you feel part of your neighborhood and foster a sense of rooted-ness in a place. If you're shy about asking the neighbors over, partner up with another couple and plan the event together.
If you used to have tickets to professional sports events, consider attending high school games in the neighborhood. You won't be seeing professional athletes, but you can enjoy watching the game with your neighbors and bring the kids for free.
Start a dinner club. If you are not well acquainted with people from work or church, consider "dinner for eight." Each month a different couple hosts dinner for the other seven couples. You can include single and widowed people and friends of friends. One participating couple each month can provide childcare at their home while the adults have a good time.
Pack a picnic with healthy food and games and head for the park. Your children will enjoy an outing that includes them and involves a good time in the outdoors.
Instead of heading to the mall for a shopping trip, go to the local variety store and buy a craft kit or board game. Family time spent playing is a winner for everybody.
Have a regular family crafts night to get ready for Christmas. Children can draw or paint Christmas cards or cut tags for gifts from last year's cards. You can put together a decorative basket with packages of homemade soup mix or jams and jellies you made from the summer. You'll save money on the gifts and have a good time making them.
Check out garage or estate sales on the weekends. Children can hunt for toys and games and you may find a new fruit bowl or that throw rug you've been wanting. Garage sales are a good place to pick up used books, too.
If you really feel you need to get to the theater or the movies, there are ways to save money. Some theaters have a "pay-what-you-can" performance. As for movies, go to the first matinee of the day, which usually costs less, instead of the evening show, and bring your own treats.
Source from:
www.sclhsc.org/pregnancy/articles/Finances/Thriftyfamilieshavefuntoo.htm
Having children doesn't mean you won't have fun anymore, but your definition of fun will change. The night on the town with dinner and the symphony may now take a bigger bite out of the budget than you can afford, especially if one of you has quit work to stay home with the baby. This does not mean that your fun quotient has to drop to zero. Here are some ideas to help you rethink recreation on a budget:
Instead of dinner and a symphony, consider having a block party potluck. Community get-togethers like this can help you feel part of your neighborhood and foster a sense of rooted-ness in a place. If you're shy about asking the neighbors over, partner up with another couple and plan the event together.
If you used to have tickets to professional sports events, consider attending high school games in the neighborhood. You won't be seeing professional athletes, but you can enjoy watching the game with your neighbors and bring the kids for free.
Start a dinner club. If you are not well acquainted with people from work or church, consider "dinner for eight." Each month a different couple hosts dinner for the other seven couples. You can include single and widowed people and friends of friends. One participating couple each month can provide childcare at their home while the adults have a good time.
Pack a picnic with healthy food and games and head for the park. Your children will enjoy an outing that includes them and involves a good time in the outdoors.
Instead of heading to the mall for a shopping trip, go to the local variety store and buy a craft kit or board game. Family time spent playing is a winner for everybody.
Have a regular family crafts night to get ready for Christmas. Children can draw or paint Christmas cards or cut tags for gifts from last year's cards. You can put together a decorative basket with packages of homemade soup mix or jams and jellies you made from the summer. You'll save money on the gifts and have a good time making them.
Check out garage or estate sales on the weekends. Children can hunt for toys and games and you may find a new fruit bowl or that throw rug you've been wanting. Garage sales are a good place to pick up used books, too.
If you really feel you need to get to the theater or the movies, there are ways to save money. Some theaters have a "pay-what-you-can" performance. As for movies, go to the first matinee of the day, which usually costs less, instead of the evening show, and bring your own treats.
Source from:
www.sclhsc.org/pregnancy/articles/Finances/Thriftyfamilieshavefuntoo.htm
