simplystylishmom

Having kids on the cheap

27 Jan 2012 12 Comments

by simplystylishmom in Uncategorized Tags: kids, living in Vancouver on the cheap, parenting, saving money, vancouver

Living in Vancouver is expensive. It is ranked at 65th most expensive city in the world, third in North America (after NYC and Toronto)*. Add that to living in one of the most expensive areas in Vancouver: UBC. Add that to the fact that we have lived on almost  non-existent income for the last five years. Add to that we have two (hungry, growing) kids – and apparently kids can cost around $10,000 a year (there’s even a kid cost calculator, can you believe it?!) I”m not calling for a pity party, quite the opposite. I was inspired by my friend Kendra who like many of our other no-kids-yet friends posed the question, ” How DO you do it?” So, here are my tips on how to live in Vancouver with kids and a very tight budget.

1. Being second hand savvy. Over the last five years, craigslist and I have become good friends. Did you know it even has an iphone app? (I am probably the only blogger in the world still with a flip-phone – but for those of you who do… check it out) Craigslist has provided us with a never been used jogging stroller, toys, a stunning wooden kitchen (below), stroller accessories, cloth diapers, clothes, shoes, bedroom furniture, baby monitor….the list goes on.

2. Being a smart clothes shopper. So when craigslist isn’t handy (I actually don’t find it the best source of clothes as am VERY picky about what my kids wear), then try swapmeets. Swapmeets are like your local farmers markets – without the farmers and without the food. Basically behind the stalls are other thrifty Moms (sometimes including myself) who have washed their kids clothes carefully and kept them in good shape and are selling them for pretty decent prices (although in my opinion some people ask WAY too much for a scuffed ski jacket…), check out kidsvancouver for the swapmeet listings, mark them down on the calendar, get there early and have fun. I generally go to my local ones but sometimes I venture out the the mammoth Cloverdale swapmeet for some extra good savings. If not swap meets head to your local kids consignment store. Thankfully living in the westside, I have all the weathly Moms dropping off their designer clothes at consignment stores (my favourites are here, here and here) and if you time it right, they have wonderful end of season sales (50-70%) and I stock up on things for years (and I mean years) ahead. If you don’t have a problem with storage consider this! And if not consignment stores, head to H&M and Zara during sale periods and you can get some reasonable discounts on some lovely pieces. Apart from that if you have friends who have kids a bit older than yours always offer to help them out by taking clothes off their hands when their kids grow out of them and more than often people are pretty willing. Thankfully in our student housing area we also have laundry room drop boxes where not only do I get some fine pieces (eg. a Chloe dress!) for myself, but I’ve managed to score some decent finds for my kids too.

3. Scrimping on the neccessities. Use cloth diapers if you can. Some people can’t stand washing out poop or having the smell of urine soaked diapers hanging around. Fair enough. Or if your kids have super sensitive skin and whatever all-natural product you use, the diaper rashes don’t disappear. Again, fair enough. BUT if this isn’t the case, scope out craigslist, do your research online and get yourself some 2nd hand CLEAN cloth diapers and if the idea of cleaning them freaks you out, use a cloth diaper cleaning service: it is still cheaper (and better for the environment) than purchasing disposables (I can vouch for these, these and these brands of diapers). As for food, if you can and if you’re willing: breastfeed. This is a great money saver as formula is super expensive. But again, only if you can and if you’re willing. When they’ve completed the boobie phase, save money by doing bulk shopping at Costco and Superstore (don’t be afraid to buy no name products!) and then raid the $1 bins at your local produce market. Find out the discount days at your local super markets (eg. my local Safeway has 10% off on the 1st Tuesday of each month) and use coupons if you have the energy. Cook seasonal fruits and veggies as they’re cheaper and cut down on meat (my husband is a carnivore so we still eat white meat and fish, but have pretty much cut out red meat from our diet). For more tips on saving money on food in Vancouver, check out my friend Katie’s post.

4. Find free or cheap extra curricular activities. We can’t afford music, gym or sports programs instead, #1 goes to an excellent preschool that has music/gymnastics/cooking/swimming programs so the money I earn from my part-time job covers his preschool fees (and is cheaper than purchasing all those activities separately). Libraries, parks, beaches and trails are plentiful in Vancouver and thanks to our transit system (we don’t have a car: another way to save $!) this city is easy to navigate with a stroller and kid or two in tow. Local community centres and churches also have playgroups, bible camps, drop in times that are inexpensive or free. Again, do your research and you’ll find some in your area.

5. Spend $ on the important things ie. safety and your sanity. Car-seats and strollers are a must spend for me (car seats should only be purchased brand new and if you don’t own a car I reckon your stroller needs to be as good as a car, so invest in a good quality, practical stroller, but not one that looks like it’s from the space age) As your sanity, spend money on date nights, girl nights and me-time (pedicures, solo coffee shop visits etc). When your child is 20 they are not going to resent you for putting them in 2nd hand clothes but you will resent them if you haven’t given yourself enough special time away from them over the years. Date nights are a MUST. Baby-sit swap with neighbours or friends and make a point of having regular one-on-one time with your partner. This is imperative and even if we don’t go out we make sure one night a week is dedicated to chatting and hanging out together, rather than sitting on our respective laptops! You don’t need to spend much – get a dvd, make dinner at home, light some candles or go for a walk.

Additionally, other tips include minimising take-out foods/purchasing snacks, making your own coffee rather than purchasing it from Starbucks, having a pre-paid cell phone rather than a plan, not having a car or using your car sparingly. I could go on forever…but I’m handing this over to you:

Do you have any extra tips to share on how to live cheaply in an expensive city? 

* Since writing this post, this news came out… uhoh….

images c/o google