4 Easy Ways For All Families to Save Money

*This family friendly article on ways to help families save money has been brought to you by SingleCare. All opinions here are my own.

Having a family can be truly rewarding. It can also be the best and brightest accomplishment that two people can embark upon. And yet it can be so very expensive.

Take it from someone who knows. See I happen to live in one of the most expensive counties in the USA. According to Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the monthly cost for a family of 4 is $11,702. The annual cost is over $140K!

I mean I know having a family is expensive from first hand experience. But still, the numbers alone were daunting to me. I have been able to cut back on many of the necessities on the list for a family of 4 myself. Don’t get me wrong it isn’t easy by any means. But it is possible.

Want to learn some of the ways that have helped our family be more frugal and save money on many of our own major family expenses?

Then, read on below…

4 Ways to Save Money for All Families

 

1. Meal Planning is key for families to save.

One of the greatest expenses for most families with young kids is food. I mean like it or not, we all have to eat. And kids tend help add to the skyrocketing grocery bill. Even with the picky eater here. So in order to combat my ever growing grocery bill, I make sure to meal plan for the week’s meals ahead. I also put a certain amount of money aside weekly for groceries. Plus, I am not too proud to clip coupons on our favorites. I also only set foot in my local grocery store once a week with my weekly list in hand whenever possible.

2. Start saving on all family medical/health needs now.

With kids and families come sick days often enough. Even in the healthiest of times, I am still paying for health related items for them. But when they get sick, I am also paying for prescriptions for antibiotics. So a great way to help save money for my family’s health needs is to use SingleCare.

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What is SingleCare?

SingleCare is one of the best ways I have found for families to save on all health related needs. See, SingleCare offers savings on prescriptions, dental, vision, and even on-demand virtual doctor visits. I mean saving money seriously on any or all of these health related items is a godsend.

How does SinglesCare work?

SingleCare is actually FREE to join. Once you become a SingleCare member, you can save on prescriptions, dental, vision and also on-demand virtual visits. Plus once you sign up online, you can also download the app from the App Store or Google Play to use on all your mobile devices.

See I personally love the app and use it all the time! Because for all the numerous savings that I have been able to get for my family using the SingleCare app, it has truly been worth it. Recently, my youngest was in need of antibiotic from being ill. I was able to use the SingleCare App to find out pricing before having to actually have the doctor place the order right in his office. So, very convenient, easy to use and saved money in the process!

But how do you save money with SingleCare?

Because when members search for their needs on the SingleCare website or app, they are able to compare prices of different pharmacies and/or different medical providers. Members easily input the product/service they are in need of, as well as their local area. Such as when I was once again in need of filling a prescription for the antibiotic for my younger daughter. I searched through SingleCare app. Then, I hit enter and let the comparison shopping begin.

Plus, members don’t have to worry about networks, coverage limitations or deductibles. See I happen to love that there are no extra fees or costs for this, too.

How is SingleCare FREE though?

Again SingleCare is free to join. Members receive a FREE SingleCare member card. With this card, members save money when they fill a prescription using their SingleCare card or when they visit a SingleCare dentist, optometrist, or have a SingleCare online doctor visit. I, myself, was a bit skeptical at first. But for the times I have used SingleCare now, I am a true believer. Because again it is FREE and I couldn’t be happier about that!

When you sign up, you will supply a method of payment to your account for future healthcare needs with SingleCare. You aren’t billed anything though for being a member. See members are only responsible for services they receive during provider visits.  It is only then that these charges will be billed to your payment method associated with your member’s account. Plus, a SingleCare fee is already included as part of the costs displayed on SingleCare. This means there are no surprises when you receive your bill after your visit.

Personally, I also love this aspect as you only get charged when you actually use the SingleCare service. So, the overall user experience for me has most definitely been so much more helpful to stay organized and budget better in the end for prescriptions and health oriented bills.

Do all pharmacies accept SingleCare?

So many do! See their partner pharmacies include the following: CVS, Target, Longs Drugs, Walmart, Kroger, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, Walgreens and Duane Reade. I prefer Walgreens pharmacy personally. But again any of those listed are partner pharmacies. The local participating pharmacy of your choice simply uses your SingleCare card’s BIN and PCN number found on the card to process your prescription.

3. Work on kids’ clothing savings, as well.

Keeping kids clothed can also be costly. See I have lost count how fast both my girls outgrow clothes and shoes here. Here my girls are only a year apart. In the early days, I passed down clothes from my older daughter to my younger when I could. Nowadays, my girls are the same size. So, hand me downs are no longer an option for my kids. Still, we have friends with kids a bit older than my two. They hand clothes down to us. And we hand down some of our clothes to another friend with smaller girls. In this with sharing is really caring. Plus when I do buy new clothes for my girls, I look for deals as many of the larger chains will offer percentage off, deals on certain clothing items or even free shipping.

4. Frugal/FREE family entertainment also is a help.

Also, keeping kids entertained can also be expensive. Going to a new movie in the theatre alone for a family of 4 can cost anywhere from $50 – $75 depending on movie experience type. So, we set up a mini theatre like experience in our own home with large flatscreen TV and surround sound. Plus in the summer, we even set this up in our backyard for an outdoor movie night. I also buy kid movie favorites when they go on sale, such as Black Friday. And we quite often pop our own popcorn and make our own movie treats to enjoy movie nights here. While these initial cost can be pricey, the cost pays for itself for the overall amount of times a family can utilize this entertainment setup at home.

See it is that easy to save money as a family. Therefore, I highly recommend all families sign up and start saving on all medical needs with SingleCare. Plus, I hope that all my money saving advice helps. Here is to saving money on all you can now for your family!

How do you save money for your family?

Have you signed up for SingleCare yet?

Now, share with me in the comments…