There's no such thing as "Cheap" Child Care

I've found out one of the most difficult tasks as a parent can be finding someone you trust to watch your children. Whether it's for a night out with your partner or a full-time sitter while you work, you have to be careful and thoroughly research the people you leave your children with. There's just no real way to be frugal or cheap when it comes to paying for child care. This is one time when money can't get in the way of quality. Cheap just won't cut it when your child's safety, emotional and educational needs are involved.

How can you assure your child will get quality care without going bankrupt?

You'll have to learn to scrimp in other areas to afford care for your child. Being frugal in all other areas could afford you to pay for childcare. It's a sacrifice of course, but well worth it.

See if a trusted family member can watch them. While you probably wouldn't want them to keep your child every day, a family member works out nicely for special occasions. Perhaps one of them would like additional income and if need be, watch them while you work. It would most likely be more affordable than hiring someone outside the family.

If you have a job that is flexible and allows you to stay home, then you can do most of your work while your child is sleeping. Maybe hire someone to come in one day a week to care for the kids so you can get a huge chunk done and meet deadlines.

Trade child care with a friend. Setting up a child care exchange system can work out well if you have kids around the same age. Take turns watching each others children and it won't cost you a dime.

Work opposite shifts than your partner so one of you will always be around to watch the kids. In tough times, this can be a great solution but be sure to find time to spend alone with your partner.

Universities will sometimes have a daycare affiliated with it. They usually offer open spots to faculty and students but if there are any left over, you may be able to have your child placed there. Typically, child development students are caring for the children and it's very affordable.

Don't be too proud to seek financial assistance for childcare if you qualify. The US Government has state listings for child care information available. It's definitely an option to explore if you've exhausted all others.

Remember, the care of your child is the best investment you'll ever make so you never want to opt for the cheapest care just because it's cheap. Ask family and friends for referrals, check with your church, search classifieds and online for local babysitter listings, do background checks and ask for references. You can never be too careful.

How do you afford childcare? What sacrifices do you make?

Frugality isn't punishment, it's freedom

What is frugal? Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines frugal as "characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources". But exactly, what does that mean? Some people are naturally better at being thrifty than others. I'm not one of those who it comes completely natural to, so this is why I'm writing this blog. I've recognized the need to be more careful with my spending. I have a large family and I'm tired of barely making it every month. Some people are frugal out of habit, others learn to be more frugal because of their situation. There are many reasons to learn to live on less. Whether it's because you want to be a stay at home mom and need to live on one income, you've lost your job or simply because you want to start saving instead of spending - being frugal doesn't have to be painful. Join with me in my search to spend less and live better!

Living frugally isn't a form of self punishment. Yes, perhaps in the past you've been careless with spending but that doesn't mean you're taking a total "time-out" from spending because you've been bad. I think spending less, sticking to a budget and starting to save is more about freedom than punishment. Sure, it's going to require a good deal of will, determination and discipline but there isn't much in life that's worth doing that doesn't require effort and sometimes, sacrifice.

So, think about what being frugal means to you. To many, when they hear of someone being frugal they think of deprivation. Images of people living in rundown shacks, making their own clothes from old sheets and making ketchup soup with the packets they picked up from McDonald's come to mind. For some, that may be how they live but for most people, frugality means improving their quality of life through simplifying things. In today's world, everyone is so rushed and a lot of their purchases are on impulse. When something wears out or breaks, they're off to the local department store to purchase another. Sadly, there are many people who don't comparison shop, they just get what they need and are on their way.

Sure, being frugal may mean having to give up $4 dollar coffees and $600 handbags. Being frugal may mean we stop feeding a grand monthly to our gas hungry SUVs. Being frugal may also mean we look at the price on the box of garbage bags before we throw it in our cart. In the end, you'll realize being thrifty doesn't have to be extreme or painful. It's simply taking a step back and rethinking the way we spend our money, our time and our lives.