PARENT SELF-CARE

Money Saving Tips During a Pandemic

Transport is another major cost. Some savings could be made by:

Using a bike along cycle ways or walk where possible (while staying away from others and maintaining social distances)
Having only one vehicle if possible until your situation improves
Using your vehicle the least amount possible. e.g. Go to the shop for one large trip rather than three smaller shopping trips or qualify for free home delivery
Refueling on the cheapest day of the week
N.B. I'd normally suggest using public transport or car pooling but during a pandemic I wouldn't do either. You know the level of risk you're willing to take.
I'm not going out so that saves money but you may not have that option

Hygiene Ideas

Saving Scarce Resources

If there is currently a toilet paper shortage, do number 2s just before you have your shower. That way you don't have to use as much paper to be as fussy as you would be normally. And encourage other family members to do the same... Gross but practical
Educate children about saving scarce resources. e.g. Allocate three squares of toilet paper for a wee for your kids. Become folders rather than scrunchers
Save sanitizer to use for if you have to leave the house
When you use soap leave it on a draining rack rather than in a soap dish so it lasts longer
Squash the remains of the old soap onto the new soap, as soap has been difficult to access at times
Use soap rather than hand wash as it lasts longer and is less expensive
If you shave put the used razor blade end into a small container with enough cooking oil to cover the blades as it prevents them from rusting, and they last longer
Buy hair products in bulk pump packs as it often works out much cheaper. You often get a better quality product for the same price
If you're not leaving the house, you could save on using deodorant
Wear clothes more than once
Wash in cold water and dry clothing outside on a line, or on a clothes hoist inside, rather than use the dryer
If surgical masks are unavailable make fabric masks for family members to wear, if they must leave the home. New research is indicating that countries who require residents to wear masks when they leave their homes (plus employ correct hand-washing regimens and social-distancing) have lower rates of virus spread.

Reduce Costs

Housing is a major ongoing cost and although moving to cheaper accommodation is an obvious choice for those renting under normal circumstances, it could be foolhardy during a pandemic.

If this is a possibility and can be done safely, it could create a larger saving than just about anything else you could do

Food Savings Ideas That Have Worked For Me

Shop from a well prepared list linked to a menu
Buy only the items on the list
Reduce the amount of meat you may normally eat as it's expensive. Try using lentils, beans or mushrooms to increase the volume of recipes. Or substitute chicken
Whole foods are much better value than high sugar, high fat, high carb foods
Avoid convenience foods as they're often geared to a premium working lifestyle. You could feed a family for what you might pay for just one meal
Buy non-perishables in bulk if possible as they're often half the price of smaller amounts
Buy on special, and ask for a raincheck if the items on special have already sold out
Don't shop if you're hungry as it's so much harder to stick to your list
Buy the most important items first and stick to a budget.
Rice, pasta, unprocessed cereals, dried beans, lentils, breads are usually inexpensive staples and can form the basis of many delicious, healthy family meals
Buy only the fruits and vegetables that are below your preset amount (that you can afford) per kilo. Potatoes and carrots are usually fairly cheap compared to many other vegetables

Setting Up a Menu & Linked Shopping List

DISCLAIMER: N.B. This is what I would do or am currently doing but it may not necessarily work for you in your current circumstance. All information provided is generic only and you are recommended to seek advice from a registered financial advisor or health professional.

Six Tips For Successful Home Schooling

Best Free Links: Self Isolating With Kids

How to Thrive in Self Isolation

Best Parenting Advice.com is a high quality parenting website designed with child and family success in mind. It highlights what successful parents do differently to those who struggle. Best Parenting advice.com provides free online resources for busy parents who want the best practical advice on: how to give kids a best start in life, better tips for parenting toddlers, effective child rearing strategies, behaviour management tips, successful goal setting and organizational strategies for successful families, easy family dinner recipes, self-care tips for time-poor parents and free kids learning games. The aim of Best Parenting Advice.com is to provide quality practical parenting tips and advice to best help children and families succeed, using the convenience of a website.

This website provides examples of what worked for me over decades and you are welcome to use these ideas as you see fit but you do so at your own risk. Best Parenting Advice.com does not provide any guarantee that this information will work in every circumstance with every family or with every child. It is your responsibility as a user of this website to ensure that you adhere to any recommended safety suggestions either implicit or explicit on this site and supervise your children while playing any games suggested. Similarly users of this website are advised to follow any recommendations for seeking professional advice as all information on this site is generic. Best Parenting Advice.com is an independent website and is not affiliated with any other groups, clubs, religious organizations or educational systems.

Best parenting takes time. The best parenting advice ever is simple: Do your best, don't give up and love your children, no matter what.

...Simple Steps to Successful Parenting

PARENT SELF-CARE

Money Saving Tips During a Pandemic

​

Transport is another major cost. Some savings could be made by:

Using a bike along cycle ways or walk where possible (while staying away from others and maintaining social distances)

Having only one vehicle if possible until your situation improves

Using your vehicle the least amount possible. e.g. Go to the shop for one large trip rather than three smaller shopping trips or qualify for free home delivery

Refueling on the cheapest day of the week

N.B. I'd normally suggest using public transport or car pooling but during a pandemic I wouldn't do either. You know the level of risk you're willing to take.

I'm not going out so that saves money but you may not have that option

Hygiene Ideas

Saving Scarce Resources

If there is currently a toilet paper shortage, do number 2s just before you have your shower. That way you don't have to use as much paper to be as fussy as you would be normally. And encourage other family members to do the same... Gross but practical

Educate children about saving scarce resources. e.g. Allocate three squares of toilet paper for a wee for your kids. Become folders rather than scrunchers

Save sanitizer to use for if you have to leave the house

When you use soap leave it on a draining rack rather than in a soap dish so it lasts longer

Squash the remains of the old soap onto the new soap, as soap has been difficult to access at times

Use soap rather than hand wash as it lasts longer and is less expensive

If you shave put the used razor blade end into a small container with enough cooking oil to cover the blades as it prevents them from rusting, and they last longer

Buy hair products in bulk pump packs as it often works out much cheaper. You often get a better quality product for the same price

If you're not leaving the house, you could save on using deodorant

Wear clothes more than once

Wash in cold water and dry clothing outside on a line, or on a clothes hoist inside, rather than use the dryer

​

Reduce Costs

​

Housing is a major ongoing cost and although moving to cheaper accommodation is an obvious choice for those renting under normal circumstances, it could be foolhardy during a pandemic.

If this is a possibility and can be done safely, it could create a larger saving than just about anything else you could do

​

Food Savings Ideas That Have Worked For Me

Shop from a well prepared list linked to a menu

Buy only the items on the list

Reduce the amount of meat you may normally eat as it's expensive. Try using lentils, beans or mushrooms to increase the volume of recipes. Or substitute chicken

Whole foods are much better value than high sugar, high fat, high carb foods

Avoid convenience foods as they're often geared to a premium working lifestyle. You could feed a family for what you might pay for just one meal

Buy non-perishables in bulk if possible as they're often half the price of smaller amounts

Buy on special, and ask for a raincheck if the items on special have already sold out

Don't shop if you're hungry as it's so much harder to stick to your list

Buy the most important items first and stick to a budget.

Rice, pasta, unprocessed cereals, dried beans, lentils, breads are usually inexpensive staples and can form the basis of many delicious, healthy family meals

Buy only the fruits and vegetables that are below your preset amount (that you can afford) per kilo. Potatoes and carrots are usually fairly cheap compared to many other vegetables

​

DISCLAIMER: N.B. This is what I would do or am currently doing but it may not necessarily work for you in your current circumstance. All information provided is generic only and you are recommended to seek advice from a registered financial advisor or health professional.