Bring the kids! Kids can really help out!

 

 

Many parents dread going food shopping with their kids. Those tens of thousands of packages all seem to reach out to them and force them to say "buy me this!" Over summer vacation, the trips to the store can become a real challenge—unless you do something to change the mood.

Here's an idea:  put your school-aged children in charge of the coupons. Give them your shopping list, the Sunday paper and the store circulars. You'll avoid that tedious task and at the same time be teaching them how to save money.

 

Coupons are one of the best ways to save money, but surprisingly less than 3 percent are actually redeemed.

If yours are the kind of kids who need an incentive, give them half of what they save you.  Have them bring a calculator to keep a running total of the savings, and hand them their share at the checkout. Let younger children hold the coupons and search for the products.

Get ready to be surprised at how focused they'll be ... and how much more money you'll save. Another side benefit might be that your older children will suddenly take a keen interest in reading the Sunday paper!

 

Published 07/04/08