I've gathered some useful tips for saving living expenses while raising children 😊
When raising children, I think there are many times when you don't know where your money is really going.
Toys, clothes, snacks, hospitals, restaurants, and kids cafes are all small, but when put together, they become quite large.
So, I've compiled some tips for saving living expenses that can be helpful on a daily basis.
You may already know this, but I think it would be good to share it with people who live in Gyeongsan.
1. Look for used or rented toys first rather than new ones.
Children's toys may seem like they will be fun to play with at first, but they often get tired of them sooner than expected.
In particular, I think it's a good idea to look at used toys before buying new ones, such as bulky toys, slides, saws, jumperoos, and bouncy cars.
I think the burden is much less when it comes to items that can be used cleanly and resold.
2. Prepare children’s clothes one season in advance.
Children's clothes get small quickly, so it's a burden to keep buying them at regular price.
In particular, I think you can save quite a bit on coats and top/bottom clothing sets if you buy them when they are on sale after the season.
However, if you buy too much, the size may not fit, so it is better to prepare only basic items.
3. Use the library often
Buying a book is good, but it often fails because you don't know whether the child will like it or not.
You can save a lot on book costs by borrowing several books from the library and only buying the ones your child really likes later.
On rainy or very hot days, the library seems to be a great place for an indoor outing.
4. Check discount coupons and time slots for kids cafes.
When you go to a kids cafe, the entrance fee, drinks, and snacks cost more than you think.
So before you go, it would be a good idea to check to see if there are any Naver reservations, coupons, weekday discounts, or sibling discounts.
Also, if you go at a time when your child is too tired, they may not be able to play for long, so it is very important to go at a time when their condition is good.
5. When eating out, choose a restaurant with a playroom.
When eating out with children, taste is important, but parents can also eat comfortably if there is a space for children to play.
I think that if you find out in advance which restaurants have playrooms, your chances of having a meal out go down.
There are many cases where I rush into a random place and can't even eat properly because I'm trying to comfort my child.
6. Keep snacks in small portions.
If you buy snacks for your kids at a convenience store or cafe every time you go out, you'll run out of money quickly.
If you break down things like snacks, juice, and jelly in advance at home and take them with you when you go out, you will save more than you think.
I think if you also pack wet wipes, extra masks, and small toys, you'll have fewer sudden purchases.
7. Find local free programs
There are cases where local governments, libraries, and cultural centers offer free or low-cost experience programs for children.
Looking for picture book classes, crafts, reading programs, and parent education can also be helpful.
Rather than just looking for paid kids cafes or experiential activities, I think the burden is reduced by looking at these as well.
8. When you go to the supermarket, take note of only what you need.
When you go to the supermarket with your child, it's easy to end up with unexpected expenses in the toy or snack section.
So, I think it's a good idea to take note of only the essentials and, if possible, go when the child is not hungry.
If you go when you're hungry, even adults end up eating various things 😂
9. Just reducing the number of food deliveries makes a big difference.
It's hard to prepare meals while raising a child, so I order a lot of food delivered, but because of the delivery fee and minimum order amount, it costs a lot at once.
I think I can feel it even if I just reduce it once or twice a week.
If I prepare things like side dishes, frozen foods, and simple soups in advance, I end up ordering less.
10. Consider living expenses when moving
When looking at a house, you only see the monthly rent or deposit, but when it comes to houses with children, the surrounding environment also seems to affect the cost of living.
If daycare centers, schools, hospitals, supermarkets, parks, and kids cafes are close by, travel costs and time are reduced, and life becomes much more comfortable.
If parking is inconvenient, there is no elevator, or there are not many places to go nearby, additional costs may be incurred.
Personally, I think that raising children is more important than just looking at the price of the house.
I feel it is important to also look at “how comfortable you can live with people around you.”
Do you have any saving tips that helped you while raising a child in Gumi?
If you have any information about used toy trading, libraries, free programs, playrooms, restaurants, and inexpensive experiential activities, please share it in the comments 😊
When raising children, I think there are many times when you don't know where your money is really going.
Toys, clothes, snacks, hospitals, restaurants, and kids cafes are all small, but when put together, they become quite large.
So, I've compiled some tips for saving living expenses that can be helpful on a daily basis.
You may already know this, but I think it would be good to share it with people who live in Gyeongsan.
1. Look for used or rented toys first rather than new ones.
Children's toys may seem like they will be fun to play with at first, but they often get tired of them sooner than expected.
In particular, I think it's a good idea to look at used toys before buying new ones, such as bulky toys, slides, saws, jumperoos, and bouncy cars.
I think the burden is much less when it comes to items that can be used cleanly and resold.
2. Prepare children’s clothes one season in advance.
Children's clothes get small quickly, so it's a burden to keep buying them at regular price.
In particular, I think you can save quite a bit on coats and top/bottom clothing sets if you buy them when they are on sale after the season.
However, if you buy too much, the size may not fit, so it is better to prepare only basic items.
3. Use the library often
Buying a book is good, but it often fails because you don't know whether the child will like it or not.
You can save a lot on book costs by borrowing several books from the library and only buying the ones your child really likes later.
On rainy or very hot days, the library seems to be a great place for an indoor outing.
4. Check discount coupons and time slots for kids cafes.
When you go to a kids cafe, the entrance fee, drinks, and snacks cost more than you think.
So before you go, it would be a good idea to check to see if there are any Naver reservations, coupons, weekday discounts, or sibling discounts.
Also, if you go at a time when your child is too tired, they may not be able to play for long, so it is very important to go at a time when their condition is good.
5. When eating out, choose a restaurant with a playroom.
When eating out with children, taste is important, but parents can also eat comfortably if there is a space for children to play.
I think that if you find out in advance which restaurants have playrooms, your chances of having a meal out go down.
There are many cases where I rush into a random place and can't even eat properly because I'm trying to comfort my child.
6. Keep snacks in small portions.
If you buy snacks for your kids at a convenience store or cafe every time you go out, you'll run out of money quickly.
If you break down things like snacks, juice, and jelly in advance at home and take them with you when you go out, you will save more than you think.
I think if you also pack wet wipes, extra masks, and small toys, you'll have fewer sudden purchases.
7. Find local free programs
There are cases where local governments, libraries, and cultural centers offer free or low-cost experience programs for children.
Looking for picture book classes, crafts, reading programs, and parent education can also be helpful.
Rather than just looking for paid kids cafes or experiential activities, I think the burden is reduced by looking at these as well.
8. When you go to the supermarket, take note of only what you need.
When you go to the supermarket with your child, it's easy to end up with unexpected expenses in the toy or snack section.
So, I think it's a good idea to take note of only the essentials and, if possible, go when the child is not hungry.
If you go when you're hungry, even adults end up eating various things 😂
9. Just reducing the number of food deliveries makes a big difference.
It's hard to prepare meals while raising a child, so I order a lot of food delivered, but because of the delivery fee and minimum order amount, it costs a lot at once.
I think I can feel it even if I just reduce it once or twice a week.
If I prepare things like side dishes, frozen foods, and simple soups in advance, I end up ordering less.
10. Consider living expenses when moving
When looking at a house, you only see the monthly rent or deposit, but when it comes to houses with children, the surrounding environment also seems to affect the cost of living.
If daycare centers, schools, hospitals, supermarkets, parks, and kids cafes are close by, travel costs and time are reduced, and life becomes much more comfortable.
If parking is inconvenient, there is no elevator, or there are not many places to go nearby, additional costs may be incurred.
Personally, I think that raising children is more important than just looking at the price of the house.
I feel it is important to also look at “how comfortable you can live with people around you.”
Do you have any saving tips that helped you while raising a child in Gumi?
If you have any information about used toy trading, libraries, free programs, playrooms, restaurants, and inexpensive experiential activities, please share it in the comments 😊
Log in to leave a comment.
Comments 0