Money Saving Tips in Family Child Care

All family child care providers can take steps to save a little more money, regardless of your current income. With the extra money you save it's a good idea to earmark it for specific goals such as retirement, vacation, college fund, emergency fund, etc.

Here are some ideas submitted by family child care providers.

DyLynn Robertson, Portland, Oregon:

"I use the type of 'dishrags' that come in packs of a dozen instead of paper towels in the kitchen. With a group of 4-6 children I use about three-dozen each week and just wash them with the regular laundry. I do the same to wipe the diaper table after it has been sanitized, but has not dried in time for the next change...I purchased a different color/pattern than the ones I use in the kitchen and wash these separately."

Jenelle Sampson:

"I used to spend a lot of time planning, shopping, and organizing a preschool curriculum for my in home child care that was costing me a lot of money. Then I found a pre-made monthly curriculum complete kit from the website Funshine Express. Not only do I save a lot of money I also [save] time and I gave myself a raise! P.S. For the pay raise I informed my childcare parents if they liked the new curriculum (which was a one month trial) then I would adopt it and raise tuition by $12. Everyone was fine with it."

Deb McCarthy:

“I occasionally have everyone in my childcare bring in a certain food item that is part of a main dish. Then I make the main dish with the children and there is enough for everyone to bring home and parents don’t have to think about what is for dinner. My clients are always surprised when they pick up the children only to find the child is bringing home dinner. The last meal we made was Rainbow Soup. It was delicious! I also take pictures of the children while they are cooking or washing the veggies, etc.”

Annette Townsend:

“I don’t have a vehicle big enough to transport my kids and the cost of insurance is incredibly high so we take the city bus for our field trips. Each adult can bring 2 children under the age of 5 for free and any more just cost $1.25 each. I always bring my assistant and if we have more than 4 children that day I charge the parents. We take weekly trips to the library for story time and this year we’re planning a trip downtown for a nature walk at the creek.”

Kim, Normal, Illinois:

“Hi, I have been a licensed provider for over 20 years. One way that I save money is to put my food program check that I receive every month directly into a savings account. With delays in receiving food program checks or subsidy checks, I cannot count on them to pay the regular monthly bills in a timely fashion. By earmarking them as money for savings each month, it does not matter if they are a few days or even a week late since I do not count on them to pay the bills. In the past I have used tuition from one particular family to put into savings as well. In my mind, the money is already spent (for savings) before I even receive it.”

Sheila Holloway, Aurora NE:

“My saving money tip is: I go to auctions (general household type) and I am always able to pick up a box full of odds ands for crafts for a dollar or two (many times less). This weekend I bought a whole Christmas decorating set (8 ft tree-topper-ribbons-decorations-lights, etc.) for $10 and it is all one year old!!!!!! Plus I have bought all kinds of other things for the kids to work with; [I got] gifts, crafts, art supplies and more for 50 cents this weekend. I have even gotten to know the auctioneer so well that he knows what kinds of things I will take–and he arranges stuff so I get even better deals. Also, new toys in boxes–especially collector cars for boys–lots of them lately for $1 each!!! And we are never at a loss for games to play or puzzles to put together and I have not paid more than a $1 for any of them!!!!!”

What ideas do you use to save money?

Tom Copeland – www.tomcopelandblog.com

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/51221826112

For more information on money saving ideas, see my book Family Child Care Money Management & Retirement Guide.