Family
-
10 Snazzy School Lunchboxes Under $15
Lunch hour and recess are favorite parts of the school day. A fun, unique lunchbox can brighten the break even more — and possibly make a fun conversation starter on the first, nerve-wracking days in a new grade. While any…
-
10 Ways to Find Affordable Child Care
Child care is a struggle for many American families. The average cost of infant care ranges from $5,496 to $16,549 a year depending on the state, according to Child Care Aware of America. That amounts to as much as 16…
-
Eight Dos and Don’ts of Buying Back-to-School Shoes
Little kids’ feet are growing constantly, so it’s tempting to just grab the cheapest sneakers to keep up and keep costs down. But when it’s time to pick the shoes kids will wear all day at school, remember that children…
-
How to Lower the Cost of Car Insurance for Teens
Young drivers are two to three times more likely to get into an auto accident than experienced drivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen drivers are especially prone to accidents during their first month with a…
-
Price Survey: The Best Stores for School Clothes
Nine out of 10 parents are planning to buy their kids new clothes for the upcoming school year, according to a National Retail Federation survey. The average expected outlay: $235.10. Where should families shop to stay on budget? Cheapism.com compared…
-
11 Online Consignment Stores You Need for Back-to-School
Kids’ clothes are a major expense that can drain parents’ budgets faster than Legos, Monster High dolls, and junk food combined. Children outgrow their clothes well before they’re worn out and sometimes even before the tags are removed. But with…
-
Picky Eaters? Try These 10 Easy 20-Minute Meals
In a rut when it comes to dinner and dealing with finicky kids? Turn to these 10 family-pleasing meals — picky kids included — courtesy of Cheapism.com. Better yet, they…
-
16 Tips for Teaching the Kids About Money
There are several “talks” that parents have with their children over the years. The sex talk, the drugs talk, and perhaps less common, but just as important, the money talk.…
-
How Much Allowance Is Right for Your Child?
An allowance can teach a child many valuable lessons. But money can be a mixed blessing, so it’s important to settle on an appropriate amount before doling out dollars. Consider…
-
Skip the Flip-Flops: 10 Ways to Save on Kids’ Clothes
Kids tear through their clothes, literally. They either outgrow things at an alarming rate or wear them so hard that they don’t last longer than a few months. And while…
-
10 Ways to Lower the Costs of a New Baby
It’s no secret that a baby costs a lot in the first year (and the second, and the third …). A middle-income family welcoming a child can expect to spend…
-
How Grandparents Can Save New Parents Thousands Per Year
The average cost of raising a baby during the first year is $10,000 to $15,000, which totals more than $245,000 to age 18. Once the initial sticker shock wears off,…
-
What to Give Your Grandchildren to Make Them Rich
What kind of legacy will help your grandchildren become financially secure adults? We sought input from seven financial experts, including certified financial planners, financial analysts, and public accountants. Although specific…
-
Where to Go for Professional Baby Photos on a Budget
It seems nothing is cuter than photographs of newborns (human or otherwise). Wait until the last minute to book a photo shoot, however, and you may find the options limited…
-
Back-to-School Shopping: Comparing 7 Stores for Kids’ Clothes
Back-to-school clothes shopping is currently high on many families’ agendas, so we set out to identify sources for high quality, yet cheap kids’ clothes. This year the National Retail Federation…
-
Are Walmart’s Back-to-School Sales Worth an Early Shopping Trip?
August is back-to-school month for students across the country, but is it really time to shop for lunchboxes and laptops already? Walmart is catering to college students with sales starting…
-
Is It Cheaper to Raise Boys or Girls?
Kids are expensive, no two ways about it. They must be fed, clothed, educated, cared for, entertained — the list is endless. In 2013, the average price of raising a…
-
4 Money-Saving Strategies for Single Parents
Whether it’s healthcare, clothing, food, housing, or transportation, the cost of raising a child keeps climbing. According to a 2013 U.S. Department of Agriculture report, a middle-income couple will spend…
