Save Money with a Toddler
A while back I wrote an article about keeping costs low as a new mum, it’s time to update that article with ideas suitable for toddlers and the parents of.
Food
Milk
We moved from powder milk to full fat milk as soon as Erin was 12 months (recommended earliest age). Not only is the carton milk cheaper it’s also ready made – our mornings became that little bit smoother as a result.
Breakfast
I buy weetabix in bulk packets, for non weetabix days we have granary toast. These options are inexpensive and healthy.
Lunch
I usually provide a ‘picky plate’. My time working at a nursery taught me that this was one of the most effective ways to get children to eat a variety of well balanced food. I usually serve a bread product ie a sandwich, bread & jam or pitta. A meat product, usually mini sausages, ham or chicken bites. Fruit & vegetables, whatever I have, which is usually baby tomatoes, cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, strawberries and grapes.
Snacks
Fruit, biscuit, or occasionally a few crisps.
Dinner
A mini version of whatever we are having.
The point I’m making is that by keeping it simple and within what you already purchase it’s cheap and efficient to feed your toddler healthy food.
Toys
Most of the toys in our home have been christmas or birthday gifts. When I do buy something it’s usually a toy I know will last a long time and be used in different ways ie the kitchen we recently splurged on.
I know that over time the kitchen will be a cafe, a laundrette, a fast food outlet and probably much more than even I can think of. You can’t go wrong with kitchens, tool benches, cleaning sets and doll related stuff, they are perfect for the 1-5 year olds.
Clothes
Buy staples items like vests, pyjamas and socks cheaply from supermarkets or low cost shops. Accept hand-me-downs as ‘playing clothes’. This leaves nearly your whole clothing budget to spend on the main clothing items.
I buy seasonally, usually one season ahead, this way Erin doesn’t become desperate for things and I can take my time and find the nicest clothes and sometimes some good deals too. Although we never seem to have enough socks??
Entertainment
Mix paid entertainment with free stuff. Our freebie entertainment includes the library, museums, the park, feeding the ducks, and the petting farm. Our paid days out are usually swimming and soft play. Save the most expensive days out for special occasions ie the zoo.
Please jump in with your own ideas, just click on the comments button below if your new to this blog thing.
I've been blogging for four years and write about anything and everything that takes my fancy.
Above is me with my beloved Ernie in Port Aventura and left with our love child in Florida.
Themocracy
Another free toddler entertainment option. We watch a lot of videos (gasp) on YouTube. Sesame Street & Muppets classics, silly cat videos, classical music and some animated shorts…
*nobody* ever has enough socks for their small child! It’s against the rules. Of course, it’s easier in winter (for little girls anyway) as you buy tights which are less difficult for the sock monster to digest
Great idea Laura, also the cbeebies website, that has lots of games and freebie print outs. Nice
Glad I’m not alone t-bird, it’s not like I don’t buy *loads* either!