A budget-savvy mother of two has worked out the best back-to-school tips to help parents spend less money getting organised and more quality time with their kids.
Penina Petersen from Melbourne once lived in debt but after taking a good look at her budget she managed to claw her way out – and is now a budget queen.
The mother-of-two told Daily Mail Australia back-to-school can be an expensive and stressful time for parents – but she has worked out a way to cut costs at every turn.
Penina Petersen from Melbourne once lived in debt – but after taking a good look at her budget she managed to claw her way out – and is now a budget queen
The mother of two told Daily Mail Australia back-to-school can be an expensive and stressful time for parents – but she has worked out a way to cut costs at every turn
‘Being organised is obviously a big thing – and can save a lot of time and money,’ she said
‘Being organised is obviously a big thing – and can save a lot of time and money.
‘I pack a banana – the world’s most portable breakfast in my bag – that way you aren’t going through McDonalds and spending more money,’ she said.
The mother also said she has invested in a good coffee mug – because she realised she was spending the same amount on coffee every year as she was on car registration or Christmas.
‘I pack a banana – the world’s most portable breakfast in my bag – that way you aren’t going through McDonalds and spending more money,’ she said
The mother also said she has invested in a good coffee mug – because she realised she was spending the same amount on coffee every year as she was on car registration or Christmas
Petersen says the extra time she saves every night on cooking and washing up means she has more one-on-one time with her children
Petersen, who has a range of Dollar Dinners, cooks in bulk – once a month saving time and money.
‘You cook once. Which means you only shop once and instead of spending $200 a week you spend $200 a month.
‘That’s for a family of four and makes enough food to have left overs and feed my hungry husband.’
Petersen says the extra time she saves every night on cooking and washing up means she has more one-on-one time with her children.
‘They are growing up so fast, so we can spend that time reading or doing schoolwork instead of me being in the kitchen.’
She also makes the kids lunches in bulk – making a month of ham and cheese sandwiches at once.
‘They have a sandwich some kind of treat and an apple in their lunchbox every day – it costs about $15 a weeks to send the kids to school with food.’
Other back-to-school savings include cutting back on uniforms.
‘I only buy two of the nice monogrammed shirts with the logos – especially when the kids are young because they end up with texta all over them.
‘I send them off in the nice shirts on the first day or photo day or on excursions and the rest of the time they are in hand-me-downs or cheap $3 shirts.
‘Never be afraid of hand-me-downs I have a good circle of mums who have older kids who give me hand-me-downs – and I give our kids’ old things to the neighbours.’
As far as stationary goes the busy mum has her own preference.
‘They have a sandwich some kind of treat and an apple in their lunchbox every day – it costs about $15 a weeks to send the kids to school with food.’
‘Never be afraid of hand-me-downs I have a good circle of mums who have older kids who give me hand-me-downs – and I give our kids’ old things to the neighbours.’
‘I just buy the book packs from the school – they are usually a good price and you have to remember time is money too – and I would prefer to spend that extra time it takes to find everything on the list with my children,’ she said.
The mother drops her children off to school dressed in workout wear – because she knows she will go for her run if she is already out of the house.
She ‘never makes a special trip’ for anything – including shopping and will always go when she is already out of the house.
Petersen says following her tips is a lifestyle choice.
The mother drops her children off to school dressed in workout wear – because she knows she will go for her run if she is already out of the house
Petersen also uses money-planning apps, has gone paperless, putting all important documents in her phone and uses her phone calendar to keep on top of events
‘It is about getting your life back, not having to slave in the kitchen and not feeling that stress every day.’
Petersen also uses money-planning apps, has gone paperless, putting all important documents in her phone and uses her phone calendar to keep on top of events.
The family pour every extra cent into renovating their home.
‘We aren’t entirely miserly. We do splurge on entertaining friends, a great steak now and then and a nice glass of celebratory wine. Garden happiness comes and life under the stars comes cheap.’
The family pour every extra cent into renovating their home