You know as a mother of 3 kids, it isnt easy saving money. Kids today get bored and want to go, go, go and that means parents have to spend, spend, spend. Listen, I have a kid in college, I cant afford to do all the things my children want to do. I am a VERY thrifty human being, I buy my clothes at knock off stores (TJ Maxx, Kohls and Steinmart are my favorite), but it has to be a real steal. Same for my kids, if it is a store at the mall, it had to be a major sale and I mean major!! Otherwise, my kids clothing mostly comes from gently used clothing stores. If you have a teen, I love Plato's Closet. It has great clothes, great prices, especially if you use your frequent shopping card, you get an additional discount! For the younger kids, I like to hit Once Upon A Child, especially if they are having a clearance sale (I live for their $1.00 clearance or stuff all you can in grocery bag for 10.00).
So now that the clothing issue has been discussed, lets talk FOOD. I dont cook. If I do, its really basic, so I leave the cooking to my hubby! He cooks and I clean up his mess. I get the best prices and variety at Super Walmart, but I will also go to Harris Teeter to take advantage of some of their specials and lets not forget the DOUBLE COUPONS!! You have to do your homework. I will check online circulars for Food Lion, Harris Teeter and Kroger, but only go in specifically for the items I saw on special. We are a family that like to eat out, but again I have to get a deal (unless its a special occasion). I buy the local coupon book at the beginning of the year and I check that thing everytime we go out for dinner. For Cary people, it starts on Monday, Remington Grill lets kids 12yrs and younger eat FREE w/adult purchase. On Tuesday, Torrero's Mexican Restaurant has $1.00 taco and $1.50 Corona night. For Wednesdays, we like to go to East Coast Wings, kids 12yrs and younger eat FREE w/adult purchase. The rest of the week, we eat at home until Sunday and we will normally go to a buffett somewhere, where I tell the kids to eat up, because we will have something light to eat at home, later that day.
Now for recreational fun, for the Summer local movie theaters offer children discount movies. There are stipulations, like specific days and times. Our local Carmichael theaters has there special on Thursday, where you get admission, popcorn, drink and a snack for $4.00. Stone Theaters offer their kids special THREE days a week, the parents admission is FREE, kids tix are $1.00, small soda $1.00 and a box of popcorn is $1.00. But these specials are only for the 10am showing. Don't wanna go to a kiddie flick?!? Then go to the movies on a Tues. all showings are cheaper, so is the soda/popcorn. Bowling is another place that is discounted for kids during the Summer too. One of our favorite bowling places is Sparian's in Raleigh, but we really dont go to bowl. We go on Wednesday for the FREE bingo and the best part is there is NO purchase neccessary. The prize is normally a gift card to Sparians, if we win we usually will make a purchase the following Wednesday and use our gift card!
There are ALL kinds of deals out there, you just have to research things online before making your plans. Hey, its an expensive world out there and we all need to save a buck here and there whenever we can :)
