From Edition 13 – September 2008
Some old-fashioned resourcefulness and a touch of ingenuity can save money and beat the current economic gloom, writes Jodie McEwen.
With interest rate rises, soaring petrol costs and the upward price spiral of groceries, the family budget is under more pressure than ever. The monotonous regularity of petrol price increases makes a sensational headline but for families it is a constant reminder that modes of transport have a huge impact on our finances.
Experts say that one of the main petrol guzzlers is the short trip in the car. Getting the kids up early so that they can ride their bikes or walk to school is one way of cutting down on the short trip. In fact, any method that can be devised for staying out of the car is to be championed with the added bonuses of possibly increasing your fitness and reducing your carbon footprint.

But, while driving a hundred metres to buy the newspaper is something that can be dispensed with, grocery shopping is an essential part of the family budget. However, not everything that makes its way into the shopping trolley is similarly essential. Now is the time to embrace the shopping list - make one and stick to it. Try separating items into ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ and watch your bill shrink.

Last year’s Choice supermarket survey found Aldi supermarkets offered the cheapest basket of basic grocery items so it may be worth paying attention to those glossy catalogues that junk up your mailbox to see if your favourite supermarket is giving you a good deal.

Recent reports have indicated that many families have cut both restaurant and takeaway meals from the family budget. But that’s not the only way to save money on meals. Pre-packaged food is usually more expensive so buying raw ingredients and cooking some meals from scratch will save a few of those important pennies. Leftovers are back in vogue, so squirrel them away in the freezer, even if it’s only one portion.

Another essential family item is clothing. Some simple solutions include keeping an eye out for catalogue sales where you can buy a whole wardrobe of clothes for next year at a fraction of the retail price, buying clothes from op-shops and swapping out-grown kids’ clothes with other families.

If it’s all starting to sound a little austere don’t forget that entertainment doesn’t have to go by the wayside when times are tough. But it doesn’t have to colour the credit card that unbecoming shade of red. Swap babysitting nights with friends so you can get a night out with your partner. If the budget doesn’t stretch that far then have date night at home after the kids are in bed, with a good DVD, a bottle of wine and some chocolate.

For the kids it’s time to return to old-time entertainments. Join the library, or buy books and toys at fetes or markets. Make your own play-dough and bubbles, slime or sludge. Play soccer, jump on the trampoline, make a cubby, build a kite, dig in the sandpit, hide and seek, have a tea-party – all for zip.

Small changes to the way we handle our money can make a big difference. As the saying goes, “Look after the pennies and the pounds  will take care of themselves.”