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Why Stop Using Detergent?

The first question that needs answering here is why you would want to stop using detergents to clean your clothes. Commercial washing powders and gels contain chemicals to whiten or brighten clothes, remove stains and give a fresh, clean fragrance. When your washing machine finishes its cycle, these chemicals go down the drain with the water and can have negative effects on the environment.

Additionally, some people believe that these chemicals can cause allergies and irritation of the skin, as residues are left on the clothes after the wash. Another reason to switch to laundry balls is that detergents can be expensive, especially if you have a large family and always seem to have a washing machine full of dirty clothes.

The Solution?

Manufacturers of laundry balls promote their products as being environmentally friendly, and a money-saver.  For those who have yet to encounter them, a laundry ball is a small plastic ball, which is filled with smaller ceramic or mineral balls. These are placed directly into your washing machine as an alternative to using detergents, and depending on the brand can be used between 45 and 1500 times. Prices vary from as little as $5 to as much as $50.

Laundry Balls Put to The Test

I was given a non-branded laundry ball by a friend and decided that it sounded like a brilliant idea, so I was eager to put it to the test. Over a period of 3 months, I used the laundry ball to wash my clothes, and the results were noticeable…but not necessarily good.

General discussions across the web suggest that what puts most people off laundry balls is the lack of fragrance. I was happy to keep an open-mind about this – after all who needs their clothes to smell of rainbows anyway? However, after trying a few washes, it was my other half who complained that the clothes just didn’t smell nice anymore, and I had to agree.  Following a suggestion found online, I added a few drops of essential oils to the wash, hoping for a cleaner scent, but it seemed not to have an effect.

More importantly, I felt that the laundry ball was not getting my clothes clean enough. When garments were very dirty (we are renovating a property, so the laundry ball was really put to the test!) they weren’t coming out of the wash clean first time. We also noticed that “whites” were looking dingier and greyer, which is OK for loungewear but not so great if you have to head to the office.

I admit – despite my determination to live a  more sustainable lifestyle, I gave up on my laundry ball and starting buying detergent again.

Give Laundry Balls A Go?

My experience with laundry balls was not great. The overall result of using a laundry ball seemed to be the same as using just water to wash my clothes, a comment which has been echoed elsewhere on the web. Studies into laundry balls of all types have shown that the movement of the ball in the wash is generally responsible for the cleaning action, despite the fact that many companies claim their product uses a special ingredient or technology.

Should you give laundry balls a go? If you are curious and want to see the results for yourself, I suggest borrowing one from a friend, or buying a cheaper version from the discount store, since there seems to be no link between cost and efficacy.

There are a number of dedicated bartering sites on the web, such as u-exchange.com and cracker.com.au, but you don’t need to go online to try bartering. Setting up a bartering group with friends, family and neighbours can be fun and will quickly demonstrate the great variety of services available in your local area.

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Photo: Karyn Christner

Here are some suggestions for utilizing salt around your house:

1. Pesticide spray. If you have kids in the house and want to avoid spraying harmful chemicals to prevent bugs, try this natural pesticide. Mix 2 tablespoons of salt with 1 ½ gallons of warm water and allow the solution to cool to room temperature. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and squirt around potential problem areas.

2. Fire extinguisher. If you have a grease fire in your kitchen, try throwing a bit of salt onto the blaze. While it’s not a replacement for a working fire extinguisher, it will keep the fire under control until you can attack it more aggressively.

3. Clean oil and raw eggs. If you spill oil, grease, or raw eggs around your kitchen, it can be a bear to clean up with just water and paper towels. As an alternative, sprinkle salt generously over the spill, wait for it to dry, and then sweep it up easily. While it’s not good to let the salt set for too long, a few minutes worth of soaking will do wonders for the spill.

4. Weed killer. In a spray bottle, combine 1 part salt with 2 parts water and spray directly on weeds. Since salt can also damage healthy soil or surrounding plants, use this mixture only in areas where you are trying to prevent all plant growth (driveway cracks, patios, etc.).

5. Remove bloodstains. If a garment gets a bloodstain, mix 1 tablespoon of salt with 2 ½ cups of water and soak the piece of clothing overnight. When you wash it as usual, the bloodstain will come out substantially better.

6. Sore throats. If you or your children are coming down with a sore throat, mix a cup of warm salt water and gargle with it. The salt water will help reduce the inflammation and cleanse the infected areas.

7. Test for rotten eggs. Combine 2 teaspoons of salt with 1 cup of water and place an egg in the solution. A fresh egg will sink, and a bad egg will float.

8. Remove tea and coffee stains. If you have stubborn coffee or tea stains on cups, clothing, or countertops, simple sprinkle salt on a sponge and rub the area firmly.

9. Extend cheese life. Finding moldy, hardened cheese in your refrigerator can be frustrating, so if you’ve already opened a package, wrap it in a towel moistened with salt water. The cheese will stay fresher for longer.

10. Repair walls. To fill up nail holes, create the following homemade mixture:

• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 5 teaspoons water

Mix the above ingredients together to form a thick paste and fill holes in wall.

Amazingly, this list is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to utilizing salt around your home. It truly is one of the most versatile materials to keep around, and with a little research you’ll realize that its uses are almost endless.

Did you try any of the ideas above? Share your feedback here or give tips for how you use salt around your house!

Photo: Dave Dugdale

With kids running around, it’s inevitable that you’ll need some basic First-Aid supplies for those cuts, scrapes, bruises, and bug bites. While it’s important to keep basic supplies on hand (like band-aids, Bactine, cotton swabs, gauze, and ace bandages), and a good private health policy works wonders (see healthinsurancecomparison.com.au to find one) you can also treat common problems with inexpensive supplies from around your home. Not only will these natural home remedies save you money, but they will also treat your wounds and infections in the most natural way possible.

1. Sunburn. If you don’t have Aloe Vera lotion at home and need some sunburn relief in a pinch, try any of these money-saving home remedies:

• Apple cider vinegar. Soak a rag or sponge in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the sunburn. It will take away the sting almost immediately.
• Baking soda bath. Take a lukewarm bath and add ½ cup of baking soda. This, too, will soothe the burn and cool down the affected areas.
• Lemon juice. Squeeze the juice of three lemons into 2 cups of cold water and use a sponge to apply it to the sunburn. Not only will this cool the burn, but it will also help your sunburn go away more quickly.

2. Benefits of rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is a staple in most home First-Aid kits, but are you taking advantage of all of its uses?

• Clean scrapes and cuts. In order to prevent infection in small cuts, apply rubbing alcohol to the site. It will cool the burn of the site and will also disinfect the area.
• Cold sore relief. Using a cotton swab, apply rubbing alcohol to an aching cold sore as needed. The sore will dry up more quickly with an alcohol treatment.
• Shapeable ice pack. If you have ever been frustrated because an ice pack doesn’t conform to your swollen knee or ankle, you can prevent this problem with rubbing alcohol. Simply use 1 part rubbing alcohol to 3 parts water in the ice pack, and it will become more pliable.

3. Poison ivy. Suffering through poison ivy can be extremely uncomfortable (especially for young children), so try some of these easy frugal remedies for relief:

• Oatmeal. Spread a thin layer of oatmeal over the infected areas and allow it to dry. The itch will be relieved quickly.
• Banana peel. Some claim that placing a banana peel over poison ivy will immediately relieve itching and burning.
• Baking soda paste. One of the most popular poison ivy remedies is a baking soda paste that consists of 3 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water. Simply spread the paste over the infected areas for 15-20 minutes at a time.

4. Bug bites. Find instant itch relief from one of these easy, homemade products you probably already have at home:

• Toothpaste. Perhaps you’ve never thought of this homemade remedy, but the chemicals in toothpaste will help soothe the irritation from a bug bite.
• Deoderant. Rub on deoderant like normal over bug bites and you will feel quick relief.
• Lemon juice. Treat bug bites with lemon juice and you’ll dry them out to prevent infection.
• Saliva. Looking for the cheapest option possible? If you apply saliva to a bug bite, some claim you’ll gain instant itching relief.

If you’re looking to save money, using home First-Aid remedies really is the most useful and cost-effective solution. So next time your kids scrape a knee or are out in the sun too long, try some of these ideas and see if they work as well as more expensive store-bought products. If so, share your feedback with us here (as well as you own ideas for home remedies!)

1. Babysitting. If you are reliable and love children, most families need babysitters from time to time. Let friends and neighbours know that you would be happy to watch their children while they run errands, go out, or keep other appointments. If you and the children bond well, they (and the parents) will want to have you back time and again.

2. Homemade food. Do you enjoy cooking, baking, and being in the kitchen? Here are some ideas on how to profit from your culinary creations.

• Make homemade salsa. Once you find a delicious recipe and gather the necessary ingredients, make a huge batch of homemade salsa. Next, find cheap jars at a thrift or bargain store in which to store and sell the salsa. To add a personal touch, you can even make a homemade label for the jar and sell them to friends and neighbours.
• Sell homemade pies, cakes, and cookies. Who doesn’t love baked goods? If you perfect a few specialty items, put together a menu with general descriptions and pricing. You can advertise to sell them for parties, as birthday gifts, or just as special treats for families.
• Sell jams of all flavours. You will only need fresh fruit, sugar, lemon juice, jars, and access to basic kitchen supplies to make delicious homemade jam.

3. Photography. Do you own a nice camera or love taking pictures on your own? You might find work photographing families or children. Many families love having family pictures done but rarely have the time or energy to make it happen. Advertise your photography services and offer to come to the family’s home to take the photos. When you’re finished, do some basic photo editing (if you have the software) and present the pictures to the family on a CD or thumb drive.

4. Lawn business. If you are willing to do some hard physical labour, advertise general lawn services. Here are some specific

Photo: Edgar C

services to advertise, but you can also help with other outdoor needs upon request.

• Mow lawns. Make sure you have access to a functioning lawn mower.
• Plant flowers and gardens. You might need a hoe and a shovel.
• Pull weeds. Offer to do the ‘dirty work’ in people’s yards. Don’t forget a pair of heavy-duty gloves.

5. Tutoring. If you excel in school and enjoy teaching, offer services as a private tutor. You could work with younger children or peers who are struggling in a particular subject. The benefit to this job is that it could also extend into the school year if good progress is being made.

6. Pet care. If you are an animal lover, offer services to take care of people’s pets. Here are some suggestions:

• Dog walking. Find some nearby neighbours who have dogs and offer to walk them on a daily (or weekly) basis.
• Pet sitting. If a family is going out of town, offer to come over to their house to feed, play with, and clean up after their pets.
• Dog and cat grooming. If you are a real lover of animals and have experience with your own pets, you can offer to bathe, brush, and groom the animals of your friends and neighbours.

7. House cleaning. Offer your services cleaning houses if you enjoy cleaning and have an eye for detail. You will need some basic cleaning supplies (rags, cleaning solution, duster, etc.), but you might be able to borrow certain items from the house you’re cleaning. You could offer to clean on a weekly or monthly basis, or do a deep cleaning before a party or event.

8. Music lessons. If you are a musician and are proficient on a particular instrument, offer to work with younger children or beginners who want to learn your instrument. If your students live nearby, you can offer to come to their homes for convenience. You could also put together group lessons for children who are considering taking up the instrument but don’t want to commit to official lessons yet.

Once you have an idea of what services you would like to offer, make a flyer to hand out to people around your town and neighbourhood. When some work starts coming in, make sure you stay in business by doing excellent work, being on time, and following through with all responsibilities. Hopefully with a little bit of preparation and promotion, you’ll be making money in no time!

Photo: Sugared Beauty

The older generation have much to teach us about the art of frugal living, especially those who have lived through hard times and had to scrimp and save to get by. In this article, we look at beauty tips which your Grandmother may have used – low-budget treatments for your skin and hair, made from ingredients commonly found in the home.

Beautiful Hair

One of the best conditioning treatments that you can use on your hair is one nearly everybody has in their fridge. Eggs are rich in protein and make hair feel shiny and lush. All you need to do is wash your hair as normal, then massage in a beaten egg. After five minutes or so, rinse thoroughly. You must be sure to use cool water, as too much heat will cook the egg into your hair – not a good look!

Chamomile tea makes a lovely rinse for blonde hair, while black tea or vinegar gives dark hair a nice sheen. Both of these can be used after your usual wash and are said to bring out natural highlights in the hair.

Shiny Teeth

Before toothpaste as we know it was invented, people used harsh, abrasive powders made from crushed oyster-shell, bricks and charcoal. I’m not going to suggest that you start using any of these to clean your choppers, although you could try Bicarbonate of Soda, which is an ingredient in many commercial toothpastes. Also known as baking soda, Bicarbonate has many uses around the home – from cleaning sinks to curing indigestion, and it can be bought cheap, by the kilo. Cleaning your teeth with Bicarbonate of Soda is easy – simply dip a damp toothbrush into the powder – but beware… it doesn’t taste very pleasant! I’d reserve this tip for those “I forgot to buy toothpaste” moments.

Glowing Complexion

Exfoliants work by gently cleansing away dead skin cells, which can make your complexion dull. For the body, a simple scrub can be made by blending oil – sweet almond or jojoba if possible, if not olive oil or even sunflower oil will work – with sea salt. This mixture should be massaged into the skin in circular motions before you hop into the shower and rinse thoroughly. From time to time, I make this scrub with sugar instead of salt – doing this tends to detract from the frugal element though!

• To exfoliate your face, try raw porridge oats, mixed with honey. This indulgent mix heals and soothes the skin without causing irritation.
• For an instant, mini face-lift effect, egg white is your friend. Separate an egg and save the yolk (you can use it to enrich mashed potatoes later!), then beat the white. Apply to your skin and leave it for about 15 minutes before rinsing – you should notice a tightening effect on the skin.

Bright Eyes

Late nights, long days in front the computer screen and stress can all take their toll on your peepers. Granny may have suggested you put your feet up and place a couple of slices of cucumber over your eyes. If you haven’t got any cucumber in the fridge, try chilling a pair of metal spoons and placing those over your eyes to refresh and soothe them!

Photo: Ryan Hyde

We fill so many roles as mums that it’s inevitable our days will fill up quickly. Between cooking, cleaning, taking care of children, prioritizing time with our husbands, paying bills, running errands, and sometimes keeping down a steady job, our 24-hour days don’t always seem to be enough. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or short on time, here are some time management tips to get you back on track:

1. Make lists. I learned from my mother that lists can be a mum’s lifesaver, so I have little lists all around my house: daily to-do lists, grocery lists, don’t-forget-to-tell-my-husband lists, etc. Your mind is probably already swirling with your many tasks and responsibilities, so give your brain a break and just write things down so you don’t forget. Not only will your life stay more organized with lists, but you’ll also gain a great sense of accomplishment by being able to check things off.

2. Multi-task. If you’re to-do list seems a mile long, try to accomplish two or more tasks at one time. Water the plants while you’re waiting for dinner to cook, or make a phone call or two if you’re sitting in the waiting room at the doctor. Women are generally pretty adept multi-taskers, so be intentional about accomplishing more than one task at a time.

3. Plan meals for the week. Seeing that you’re technically in charge of 21 meals per week for every member of your family, figuring out what you’re going to serve each day can be one of the biggest challenges as a mum. We all know how frustrating it can be when dinnertime rolls around and you realize there is hardly any food in the house, so consider planning your meals before the week begins. If you correspond your meal plan with your grocery list, you’re guaranteed to cut back on time and stress around mealtime – and save money, as well!

4. Figure out where time is wasted. If you’re really serious about time management, it might be helpful to make up a detailed family schedule that accounts for all of the activities that go on during any given day. As you map out the day minute by minute, take note of times when there really isn’t much going on or you aren’t being productive. You probably feel like your days are jam-packed, but chances are you have some spare time in there that isn’t being used to its fullest potential. Pinpoint those time slots and increase your productivity. Scheduling errands to coincide with other trips out of the house are not only helps with time management, but saves money on gas, too.

5. Learn to prioritize. It’s important that you choose to prioritize tasks based on importance so that things that really need to get done aren’t pushed aside for other tasks. Maybe you can divide your to-do list into sub-sections like “To be done today,” “To be done by the end of the week,” or “To be done some time this month.” Make sure the pressing needs are taken care of before you tackle the optional or long-term tasks.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pace of your life, stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and put some of these ideas into action around your home. You really can get it all done with just a bit of intentional planning.

Do you have time management tips you’d like to share? Feel free to post them here!

Photo: epSos.de

Every couple of years the need for buying new furniture will probably arise in your household. Perhaps one of your children is getting his or her own room, you’re moving into a larger house, or that couch you got as a wedding gift 25 years ago is finally needing a replacement.  Furniture can certainly be pricy (depending on exactly what you need), so before you start shopping, read on for some tips on how to keep furniture costs manageable.

1. Ask family and friends. Even if you’re at a place where you’re looking for some new furniture, you may have friends or family members who are hoping to get rid of some of theirs. They might be downsizing or trying to unclutter their homes, and it would be a benefit to both of you to make a furniture swap. This might not always be the answer for finding new furniture, but it’s certainly worth keeping your ears open as your furniture search process gets underway.

2. Buy second-hand. There are a large variety of options for buying used furniture, and you can often get an excellent price for pieces that are lightly used. Here are some options:

• Garage sales. Find some local garage sales in your weekend paper and let the furniture hunt begin. You might consider going to sales shortly before they close up; sellers are often desperate to get rid of large items at that point, and they will probably cut you an excellent bargain.
• Consignment shops. Shop around at local thrift or second-hand stores and peruse their furniture sections. If you’re not in a time crunch, you could look periodically for several weeks and probably find a variety of new items each time you visit.
• Online. Visit sites like Craigslist, Freecycle, or eBay to find online listings for furniture products.

3. Consider refinishing a piece you already have. Perhaps you’re considering buying a new kitchen table because your current one is nicked, stained, and beaten up after years of wear and tear. If the table is still functional, you should look into having it refinished or maybe even refinishing it yourself. With only a few supplies and couple of hours, your old table could get a significant facelift and save you a great deal of money in the long run.

4. Shop at the end of the month. If you’re buying large pieces or furniture sets from a local furniture store, consider shopping near the end of the month. Many stores receive new inventory at the beginning of each month, so they’re eager to sell off what the already have to make room for new products. Depending on the store, the employees may even come down in price for new furniture if you negotiate with them.

5. Rearrange what you already have. If you’re looking for a new piece to compliment your living room or bedroom, think about what you might already have in other rooms of your home. Maybe there is a dresser in a guest bedroom you could move somewhere new or a table from a child’s room that would be perfect for your living room. Be creative and see what new combinations you can come up with before taking the plunge and purchasing a new piece.

If you’re in the hunt for some new furniture for your home, it’s important to shop around, look for sales, and set a budget on exactly how much you are willing to spend. With a little research and some purposeful shopping, you’ll be able to get exactly what you’re looking for without spending a fortune.

Do you have some tips for furniture shopping? Please share them with us here!

Photo: J. Bloom

You might be amazed at how much food your family throws away each week, even if you are diligent about trying to save leftovers and cook appropriate portion sizes. Whether it’s a couple of spoonfuls of vegetables leftover in a dinner pot or a few pieces of leftover breakfast coffee cake that no one ate, we are sometimes too quick to throw food out when there are alternatives to avoid such waste. Using leftovers and budgeting wisely can save money – and resources. Learn to become cognizant of how much food you really do dispose of, and then consider these tips to improve the efficiency of your kitchen:

Put away leftovers as soon as you can.

One of the easiest ways to inadvertently waste food is to accidentally leave perishable items out of the refrigerator for too long. Perhaps you didn’t have the chance to put away your groceries right away (and some dairy products went sour), or you don’t have time to clean the kitchen one evening after dinner (and your leftovers became stale and dry). This oversight can be a costly one when it comes to wasting food, so be as cognizant as possible about storing perishable items correctly as soon as you can.

Organize your fridge and pantry by expiration date.

It’s important to always be aware of foods that have an expiration date or can spoil quickly so you’ll be sure to use those up before they go bad. Instead of just pushing all of your current refrigerator and pantry items to the back of the shelves after a large grocery store run, be intentional about bringing forward the items you already have that have an approaching expiration date.

Be cognizant of portion sizes.

Whether you’re cooking for two or for ten, determining portion sizes can be one of a mum’s biggest kitchen challenges. You must always strike a balance between making sure your family is full while also not making so much that you’ll just end up throwing out a large portion of the meal. Here are some tips for realistic portion sizes:

• Read recipes carefully. Most recipes will include serving sizes, so make sure the quantities you use correspond to the number of people for whom you’re cooking.
• Watch children’s portions. Make sure your little ones are taking only what they’ll eat, as sometimes little eyes are bigger than little stomachs!
• Always be prepared for leftovers. Simply having an ample number of food storage containers on hand will encourage you to save leftovers and not throw away uneaten food.

Plan meals around leftovers.

Meal planning is an essential if you’re trying to stay frugal in the kitchen, but it’s important in the process of planning to make sure you can use up all of the ingredients you buy. Sometimes you have to buy in quantities larger than what a recipe calls for, so make sure you incorporate those extras into other recipes throughout the week. If you have to buy a large block of cheese for tacos one night, for example, make sure you can finish up what’s left by making macaroni and cheese, a cheesy chicken casserole, or a big bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese.

Don’t shop until you really need to.

This is often one of my biggest temptations in the kitchen simply because I am tempted to take a big grocery store run as soon as I run out of one or two kitchen staples. When and if you plan your meals for the week, challenge yourself to always start the week with meals that use ingredients you already have on hand. With a bit of creativity, you will be surprised at how many different meals you can whip up with what’s already in your pantry, even if your grocery list is getting long.

Learn to compost or start a home worm farm.

Food that has become rotten or spoiled must be thrown out for obvious reasons, but instead of just tossing it in the trash, consider starting a home worm farm or small compost. Not only will you be turning your food waste into something beneficial for the environment, but you will be saving money on outdoor soil and possibly cutting costs on garbage disposal services.

While some food waste is inevitable, simply being aware of how much food your family really does throw away can be an impetus toward taking practical steps to eliminate it. More than anything, eliminating waste involves intentional decision-making and deliberate usage of every food item in your home (in a timely manner). And keep in mind: saving money on the family food budget could eve help you save for the next family vacation!

What are some of your tips for cutting down on food waste? Share your ideas with us here!

Your child might be in nappies now, but even at an early age, you can teach positive financial behaviour. With thousands of young Australians finishing education in debt, your actions now could help to build a stronger future for your child and hopefully prevent them experiencing the debt/poverty cycle which many now face. Thanks to lifeinsurancecomparison.com.au for the inspiration on this article idea!

Photo: RoarPett

Your Attitude Counts

Wake up to the fact that your attitudes to money and spending will rub off on your child. If you are an impulsive spender, your child will pick up on this and imitate your behaviour, which could cause problems when they become independent. Today’s parents create the financial issues of future generations, so take some time to think about your relationship with money, and what you can do to make it healthier.

Teach With Real Life Scenarios

A simple way to teach a child about how to keep up with financial responsibilities is to demonstrate how you handle your household bills. This is a lesson they will take forward into adult-life and works well because it builds on real life scenarios. Why not show your child that you keep a record of how much money you will need to pay your bills and prepare to pay them by putting money aside for this purpose. Explain what the outcome of not paying bills is, and why sometimes you might have to do without luxuries or extras in order to stay up to date with essentials. For example  – “If we don’t pay the electricity bill, the electric supply to our home could be cut off. So we wait until next month, when we have more cash, to go on holiday for the weekend”.

Another way to teach your child about budgeting is to take them to the grocery store with you. Before you set off, sit down together and plan a meal, discussing how much different ingredients cost and setting a total spend. While you are in the shop, point out prices on shelves, and show your child how to work out which products are the best value by comparing weight per kilo or 100g, as this gives a more accurate result than simply looking at a price per packet or jar. A calculator may be helpful here, especially if mental arithmetic is not your forte! As the kids get older and become more confident, you can even give them a budget and let them plan and shop for a meal by themselves!

Should You Give Pocket-Money?

Giving your child pocket-money has its advantages and can help teach youngsters how to save up for things that they want. The idea behind pocket-money is to only give a set amount of money to your child each month, and be clear that once they have spent it, they won’t get any more.  Thus, if they want something which costs more than they can afford with one pocket-money payment, explain to them that they can put some or all of the money aside each week until they reach the necessary amount. Removing the “instant gratification” of buying children everything they want, the moment they want it, teaches important life lessons.

How much pocket-money you give is a personal choice which relates to what you can afford and what you feel is appropriate according to the child’s age. You need to be specific about what the child must use the money for – little kids might be told that their allowance will pay for their lollies and small toys, while teens might be given a larger allowance and told they must use it to buy clothes and books for school or pay their own mobile phone bill.

Should you give kids pocket-money as a payment for doing chores? Some parents think that this is the wrong route to take, as a child should be taught to be a useful member of the household and not expect payment for helping out with something which is their responsibility. But the choice is ultimately up to you.

Teach Your Kids to Save

If your child receives gifts of money from friends or family, encourage them to put at least some of it aside in a savings account. Most banks offer child friendly accounts which are designed to make finances fun(and no risk of overdraft!), so let your child sign up to learn the benefits of saving money.

Earning a Wage

When your kids reach their teens, getting them interested in earning their own money teaches good habits for the future. The legal minimum working age varies throughout the states, so check the legislation in your area for details. Parental consent is normally needed when a child applies for a job, and the number of hours they can work is strictly regulated. Allowing a child to work can help to build their confidence throughout all aspects of daily life – and there is nothing more satisfying for the young worker than that first pay-check!

The wonderful thing about investing time to teach your child about money, is that you may learn something too. One day your youngster may even pipe up with “But Mummy, why do you do XYZ with your money, when you can save cash doing it like this?” That different perspective may well show you that there is always room for improvement!