Kids

1. Look for alternatives to memberships; kids gyms vs free playgroups, library story times - Gold's Gym vs YMCA
2. Swap childcare with friends
3. Freecycle, Free-craigslist
   
4. Give essentials as gifts too
5. Half.com or used bookstores for books
6. Borrow books, videos, puzzles, music… from the library
7. Don't buy what you can borrow
8. Make and share a wish list.
9. Swap out, Trade and Borrow kid toys
10. Have less and love what you have.
11. Host a swap-meet
12. Netflix
13. Have friends take your "Professional" photos
14. At home hair cuts
15. Discount vision prescriptions
16. Keep date night costs down without keeping the fun down.
17. Use cloth rags in place of paper towels, baby wipes and Kleenex
18. Avoid disposable
19. To focus on your goals - pretend.
20. Package your own individual sized snacks and foods
21. Hand me downs!
22. Watch for community events
23. Invest in expandable entertainment
24. Garage sales
25. Go to a junior college first
26. Have a job while in college.
27. Get college credit while in high school.
28. Apply for scholarships and submit a FASFA.
29. Find an affordable college.
30. Live at home while in college.
31. Save for your kids college starting early.
32. Join a playgroup
33. Summer free bowling for kids and free movies for families programs
34. Make date night at home after kids are in bed
35. Communicate with family and friends so they can buy children's gifts that are valuable
36. Make your own birthday cakes
37. Stay home/isolated during cough and cold seasons
    
    
38. Teach your children to value money; have them earn in order to get which will also restrain you
39. Sneak snacks into the movie theatre :D
40. Homemade birthday cakes.
41. Keep a zip lock with sliced cheese, pepperoni and Ritz crackers ready to grab and run
42. UPromise
    
    
43. Cloth diapers
    
    
44. Breastfeed
    
    
45. Make your own baby food
    
    
46. Pillowcase Dresses
    
    
47. Stock up on good sales; school supplies, great toy gifts
    
    
48. Don't buy what you can make - homemade baby accessories; bows, clothes, covers, boutique dress up items, character accessories
    
    
49. Split an entrée with your child when eating out
    
    
50. Sign up for samples! Someone can use them even if you can't - formula is expensive
    
    
51. Re-Use: sew a shirt around into shorts, make brother's shirt into little sister's dress; as things shrink give them a new purpose
    
    
52. Make your own party decorations and invitations. Theme Birthdays with something you can supplement from a recent holiday (closeout sale).
    
    
53. Expand the fit of kid clothing.
    
    
54. Encourage all family members to create gift lists.
    
    Kid Related
    
    
55. Stack term insurance policies.
    
    
56. Have a will. (Try to get it written for free.)