10 Easy Ways to Save Money as a Parent

Learn how to save money for you and your children with these ten easy methods.

Being a single parent is hard work and, at times, can be flat out overwhelming. In addition to balancing work, school, extracurricular activities and day to day parenting, many single parents also deal with serious financial pressure. Over time, financial pressure can impact every area of your life including your health.

Getting creative financially and finding a way to live within budget will give way to opportunities to save money for emergencies, a night out or even a vacation.

So here are 10 easy ways to save money as a single parent.

Shop Online

By shopping online through websites such as Swagbucks.com, you can earn points for each purchase. You can then redeem those points for gift cards. Those gift cards can be used on anything such as groceries or Christmas presents.

Consignment

Be sure to go through your closets on a regular basis and take what you can to your local consignment store. You can keep an account at the store earning money for your next purchase or you can simply collect the cash. Be sure to purchase on consignment as well for extra savings.

Sell Online

Ebay and Craigslist have been the go-to places to sell online for years but lately, Facebook has stepped into the game with local for sale pages. Simply search Facebook for a "for sale" page by including your city name at the end (i.e. search "for sale Los Angeles"). You'll see many groups you can join and list your items to sell.

Use Coupons

We all know coupons will save you money — the key is combining those coupons with sales. By combining these savings methods you'll get the best deal possible. Use grocer's websites to check for coupons, or join rewards programs, such as Food Lion's MVP Program, to stay up to date on all sales and offerings. Stock up and save!

Plan Your Menu

Menu planning is key to saving money with or without coupons. Simply plan your menu around weekly sales,coupons and/or your stockpile. This will save you money by using what you have or what is at its lowest price and it will save you time — no more picking up unnecessary items or running through a drive thru for dinner.

Call the Company

It's always a good idea to call your cable, phone and/or internet company on a regular basis to find out if they have any current deals available. If you're in a serious financial pinch, calling to explain your situation might get you flexibility on payment, a new deal or a temporary pause of service which is much better than a loss of service.

Find Fun for Free

Fun with your kids doesn't have to break the bank! Search for bloggers within your city that highlight free events, check with your local library and ask your friends on social media. Your children love to have fun and almost anything is fun when you get a bit creative — an out-of-the ordinary park picnic, a scavenger hunt or even a hike can be great activities for no cost at all.

Make Your Own Cleaners

Making simple cleaners at home such as homemade laundry detergent can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Almost all homemade cleaners are made from items already found in your pantry and they're safe for your family too! A simple Pinterest search will reveal some easy and affordable homemade cleaners.

Trade with Friends

Trading everything from clothing to toys to meals can be extremely beneficial not only for you but also other single parents as well. If you have a trade to offer, bartering with other families could possibly saving you thousands. Get creative!

Ask for the Discount

Always ask for a discount. If you're staying at a hotel, ask if any upgrades are available. If you're buying furniture or large appliances, ask if a discount is available for any reason such as imperfections, price matching, etc. You'll be surprised what discounts show up when you simply ask.

While being a single parent is quite possibly one of the most difficult jobs, it is also one of the most rewarding. Finding creative ways to earn extra money will take a little stress off, allowing you to spend more time freely with your children, offering up love and enjoying all the time you have together.