The sleepless nights will hopefully be over but the expense probably hasn't decreased. You will probably have found yourself upgrading your child’s cot to a small bed (extendable if you’re clever!), buying new shoes and clothes every few months and perhaps spent a small fortune on childcare so you could return to work. Anything you can do to minimise expenses and maximise disposable income and savings will obviously help to ensure a more carefree and happier upbringing for your child, as well as a brighter future.

The f-Team has had a brainstorm on ways to save you money. Also, check out our list of useful sites that have very helpful forums to exchange ideas and tips on raising a family.

budget!

Create a household budget and stick to it! Check out the 'useful sites' page for great websites that offer online budget calculators. It may help to calculate how much you spend annually on items such as gifts and travel, which vary in cost from month to month, and then average it out over each month. Or you may prefer to design a month by month budget so that you can see which months are the most expensive for you (e.g. summer holidays) and save in advance for those periods.

Checking your budget regularly, and comparing it to your bank statements, will ensure that it is realistic and achievable. You really will be a happier family if you know that some months you will need a bit of imagination to think of fun, cheap days out, and other months you can splash out and plan a fantastic holiday for everyone.

chipper childcare

There is a free part-time ‘early education’ place available for every three and four year old. An early education place means that your child can attend a ‘registered provider’ (nursery, school or playgroup) up to 12.5 hours a week (usually 2.5 hours over 5 days) for 38 weeks of the year. You may be charged a fee for any additional childcare services that exceed the ‘early education’ place entitlement. Visit www.surestart.gov.uk to learn more or www.childcarelink.gov.uk for info on local childcare services.

Ask your employer about childcare vouchers. If your employer is registered with a childcare voucher scheme, then you could save between £900 and £1200 in a year (depending upon whether you are a standard rate or higher rate tax payer). This is due to the fact that the first £55 a week of childcare vouchers is free from tax and national insurance contributions. Many companies now recognise the benefits of helping their employees (you’re more likely to return to work!) and pay directly towards a childcare scheme, which can mean providing childcare vouchers or a subsidy to a childcare provider.

As an employee, you must agree to some of your salary being ‘sacrificed’ i.e. your cash salary is reduced by the amount that your employer pays towards childcare, and your employer will need to issue you with a revised employment contract. The negatives: you don’t automatically have the right to return to your previous salary when you no longer need childcare assistance; receiving this benefit may affect your entitlement to state benefits and tax credits.

improve, don’t move

Moving house is very expensive, not very enjoyable with little children and can incur lots of unforeseen expenses. Why not use your imagination and extend your home? The latest extension to your family may be tiny but the furniture, toys and clothes that come with baby require a substantially larger space.

An alternative to moving is to extend upwards or outwards. A loft conversion can be a haven for new parents, with an en-suite bathroom and a walk in wardrobe. A conservatory also adds another room to the house and can be a lovely play area for your child. If you’re concerned that ‘munchkin 1’ may take over your home office when ‘munchkin 2’ arrives, consider a garden office – there are some very stylish office ‘sheds’ that are designed for the home professional.

If you simply find your home cluttered and you don’t need a whole extra room, then it may be cheaper to simply create more space. There are some very clever storage solutions that can make a shoebox seem like a walk in wardrobe! Check out the home section of our f:mall for online stores that offer great storage solutions and cashback!

It’s also worthwhile to keep an eye on mortgages and regularly check to see if you could be saving money by switching – watch out for ‘exit’ fees in your small print though.

supermarket hell

Most parents dread taking their children food shopping as it usually involves tantrums and chasing them round the aisles. Some shops have crèches so you can leave your lovelies there for an hour and enjoy some peace and quiet. Alternatively, do your shopping online – zero tantrums and embarrassment!

Avoiding taking your children food shopping is not only good for the soul, it is great for the wallet. You are far less likely to make impulse buys and will be able to focus on what ingredients you need for each meal for the next week. Creating a menu for the week ahead can save you 10 to 20% of your food bill. If you know exactly which ingredients you need for each meal, you will only buy what you will definitely eat. However tasty some food may look, if you’re not going to use it then it’s a total waste of money. Planning one shopping trip a week will also stop you from popping to the shops every other night.

Try to buy some goods from cheaper outlets, such as Aldi or Lidl. You probably couldn’t do your whole shop there but they offer some great cheaper alternatives for branded goods from supermarkets. If that’s too much bother, try some own-brand items from the supermarkets – there’s not usually that much difference in quality but a whole heap in price! Also, buy food unpackaged where possible (e.g. fresh fruit and veg is usually available loose and unwashed) – eco-friendly and cheaper.

bills, bills, bills

There has been a lot of press over the last couple of years about changing gas and electricity suppliers. You can make big savings by changing but try to get some recommendations first – cheapest doesn’t necessarily mean the best customer service.

Another way to save money is to ask your water provider to install a water meter, but only if you think you are paying too much. Ask friends and neighbours how much they pay on a monthly basis and calculate the potential savings.

happy holidays

When planning your family summer holiday, compare deals at your local travel agents and online. Often, if you are prepared to travel to an airport a bit further away, fly at off-peak times or book early you can get a better deal. Also, consider taking your own food on board so you can avoid paying the £10 per person for a not particularly tasty meal! Remember that children under two years are usually allowed to travel free.

Alternatively, why not holiday in the UK? We have such a beautiful coastline and mountainous areas, and most places are family friendly. It can be so easy to just pack up the car and head off, rather than applying for baby passports, lugging suitcases around and soothing tears during take off. Camping is making a huge comeback, and there are some ultra cool accessories for the cynical parent who would rather a package holiday in the med. Campsites are also realising that families want better amenities and so hot showers and clean toilets are becoming the norm. It might even bring back some happy memories of camping as a child in the 60s and 70s!

family workout

Gyms are becoming more family-friendly and offer classes for parent and baby, as well as providing child-friendly facilities (e.g. small pools and crèches). Some gyms allow kids to go free under a certain age so drop ‘em off at the crèche and jump in the Jacuzzi – successful family workout!

Keep fit by walking your kids to school – you’ll be greener and leaner! Some schools have started the school ‘train’ where all the children walk together instead of catching a bus. This could be a good suggestion at parents’ evening if a lot of the school’s children live near to each other.

home share home

With rising property prices and interest rates, moving up the property ladder can seem daunting. If you really have your heart set on a bigger garden for the kids or a house in a nicer neighbourhood, why not consider buying a larger place with friends and separating the house into two. That way, all the children can enjoy a bigger play area and the parents get the house of their dreams.

other bits and bobs

Join clubs and read magazines that give you discounts and special offers. Buy secondhand items (other people’s trash may be your treasure!) or visit toy libraries if your children get bored easily with the same toys. Phone 020 7255 4604 (The National Association of Toy & Leisure Libraries) for details of your nearest toy library.