Winter has drawn to a close, and while it certainly hasn’t been too bad of a winter, spring’s arrival is a welcome one. It’s just a matter of time before the green grass peeks out, and the flowers begin to bloom! But with spring here, and the most costly season behind us, now is the perfect time to have a little frugal, yet frivolous fun.
Here are 10 tips and ideas that will keep you on budget and having fun in Calgary this spring:
1. Pull an idea out of a hat. Surely you’ll agree that time should be set aside to spend with your family, but it’s not always an easy job to figure out what to do. To simplify things, have each family member write down a couple of activities on separate pieces of paper. Fold, and place all of the papers in a hat, jar or basket, and when the time comes to spend the day together, randomly pick one out. Either have a parent pick one each time, or rotate between family members. Try to stick with simple things that can be done regardless of the weather, or that won’t break the bank. Some ideas to consider: go on a nature walk, drive out to the mountains for the day, have an athome movie day, play board games or go on a picnic.
2. Get some apt apps. Make use of your smart phone and download a few apps that will make life a little easier. A few suggestions: ShopWise is a free app that helps you get great deals and save time at your favorite stores; the Michaels app, also free, gives you craft and project ideas, coupons, and event information; Back in Black, $3.99, is an app that helps you reach your saving goals, control your spending and create budgets to get your finances in check.
3. Plant some herbs. While it may be a little early to start planting your garden, it’s definitely not too early to begin planting some potted herbs. First off, choose small or medium-sized plain terracotta pots. Have your children paint and label the pots as desired, with nontoxic paint. Next, choose a variety of herbs to plant - keep in mind that different herbs require different lighting and amounts of water, so it’s best to keep one variety per pot. You can start the plants by seed (just follow the guidelines on the packages), or transfer small, pre-potted ones. Place the plants on a windowsill or side table that your children can reach, and have them water, measure and care for them.
4. Invest early. Get ahead of the game when it comes to teaching your kids about money and start up their own bank account. These accounts provide a space for birthday cheques and allowance, and encourage kids to save up, rather than spend their earnings right away. You could also offer an incentive for them to keep saving, such as contributing a small amount each time they reach a milestone (for example, an additional $10 per $100 they save). You can also encourage them to put some of their money in a savings account each time they deposit into a chequing account, and teach them the difference between having one account to build up savings, versus the other account for spending.
5. Out with the old, in with the new. Kids grow out of everything right before your eyes; whether it’s clothes, shoes or even likes and dislikes, it’s seemingly impossible to keep up. Having to replace items like bikes, rollerblades and skis is inevitable, and expensive. To get around spending a fortune at the beginning of each season, sell or swap any items that are not going to fit next year. Take them to a thrift store, sell them on kijiji, or if you’re trying to get rid of winter items, stow them away until the fall and sell them then. This gives you the opportunity to offset the cost of new equipment, and can give you, and others, the chance to buy inexpensive, gently-used goods.
6. Join Facebook groups. There is a huge selection of groups on Facebook that are geared toward helping parents out. Some are all about providing coupons and sale alerts (like Mom N Tot Deals (Canada)), while others also give more general information and links to events. Who knows, you may just make a few friends, too!
7. Feed the birds. The days are warmer, and the flowers are almost in bloom – it’s the perfect time to do a little bird watching. To keep our fine feathered friends in eyesight and pique your children’s interest in them, create birdfeeders together that will draw the animals closer to your home. To make a simple birdfeeder, cut one metre of twine (or similar hefty string) and tie one end of it around a large pinecone. Cover the pinecone generously with peanut butter and roll in birdseed, dried fruit and sunflower seeds; using the remaining string, tie the pinecone to the branch of a tree. Just don’t hang the birdfeeder too close to doorways, as fallen seeds can attract mice and squirrels!
8. Get your kids in the kitchen. Kids who are interested in food will ultimately make better eating choices, and be more open to different ingredients and dishes. That sounds like a healthy start, doesn’t it? But instead of just trying to get them to pay attention, pick up a couple of kids cookbooks (Company’s Coming makes a wide variety of books – from snacks, to baking, to general cooking – check bookstores or go online at www.companyscoming.com for options) and go through them with your child. Ask them what recipes look the best to them, and then make a plan to cook each recipe over a period of time; do help explain the steps, but let them do the work when it comes to actually making the dishes.
9. Mommy and me movies. If you’re at home with baby all day, you know that there are few opportunities for you to get out of the house and break up your routine. Instead of hiring a sitter, head to the movie theatre and enjoy a show for $2 off regular admission, when you bring your child (this deal applies to children two and under). You’ll also benefit from lowered volume and brightness, a changing table and a baby-friendly environment. The Stars and Strollers program takes place on Wednesdays at Cineplex Odeon Crowfoot Crossing, SilverCity CrossIron Mills Cinemas & XSCAPE Entertainment Centre, and Sunridge Spectrum, and on Thursdays at Scotiabank Theatre Chinook. Check out www.cineplex.com for details.
10. Video game discounts. The cost of video games adds up; and whether you’re paying for them, or your teen is buying them themself, a bit of a discount would undoubtedly be welcome. Instead of letting the no-longer-played games collect dust, trade them in at EB Games (there are 13 locations in Calgary) and receive 40 per cent back in store credit. The benefits are not limited to games; you can also trade in old game consoles for big savings. Check out ebgames.com for details and locations.
Stephanie is a freelance writer specializing in travel and food writing. For more information, visit www.stephaniearsenault.ca.
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