There are several ways you can start learning to cut costs at home without sacrificing comfort. For example, you can:
Enlisting your child's help with saving money and spending wisely is important. If you start while they're young, it will be much easier to say "no" to those high-dollar items they want later.
And while most toddlers and preschoolers won't understand the concept of financial responsibility for some time, now is the perfect time to introduce the concept of saving. Get a large, clear jar for saving change. Ask your little ones for help cleaning out pockets when you do laundry, cleaning the cushions of the couch or the floorboards of the car to find change for the jar. Let them earn some money doing a small chore like emptying the silverware basket or folding washcloths.
Then, take a picture of the jar with just a few coins in it. Talk to your child about something they'd really like to buy -- set a reasonable goal, like a small toy, truck or doll. Keep a picture of the near-empty jar and a picture of the "goal item" near the jar. Your child will be able to see the gradual progress, and when the jar is full, they can compare it to the picture to see how far they've come toward the goal.
