It takes a village to raise a child…and a lot of money!  We want our kids to have as many experiences and opportunities as possible.  We want them to participate in fun kids activities such as sports (hockey, soccer, camps); learn to play an instrument (piano, guitar, drums…block your ears) ; paint, dance…the list is endless.  However, there is often a price tag attached!  According to the Canadian Council on Social Development, “…the cost of raising a daughter to age 18 in 2004 was an average of $166,549. For boys, the figure was slightly higher – at $166,972 – due to extra costs for food. “ 1.    If my brother has his way when we were kids that extra $423 would have been used for McCain’s Pizza Pocket!

Families across Canada are finding new and creative ways to save money and cut costs in order for our kids to access the amazing activities available.  Alison Griffiths, a Financial Reporter, has spent the past two years baking her own bread in a quest to save money.  She estimates that by baking your own bread, a family can save from $550 up to $832 per year.2  As someone who loves to bake but hates to cut coupons, I believe this could be a fun and healthy way to contribute to my family’s finances!  I can use the savings to purchase an annual family pass at Funtopia.  I am sure there will be enough savings for my oldest son to take Horseback riding lessons at Ranch Anne-Marie Lussier!

Make your own bread?  If the only thing you make is reservations, let The Kid Scoop save you money with our Super Scoop Deals and Coupons.  The Kid Scoop is an amazing resource for activities and programs for kids in the Greater Montreal area!  See all the amazing activities awaiting your kids in your specific community!!!

What are creative ways our Scoop Mamas and Papas save money?
Cindy – Mom of 4 & 6 year old – “Ask Grandma to get you that?”
Jennifer – Mom of 7 & 9 year old – Make a shopping list before I go grocery shopping so I don’t spend on items I really don’t need!
Igar – Still without kids but trying hard …at his own activities that is!
Cecelia – mom of a 6 year old princess. We just loooove the library. That’s the best way to travel, learn and have as many experiences for free!
Catherine – Mother to Vanessa 4 and Hailey 1. We bake our own bread, pizza dough and buns with the help of our bread machine. Pic-nics! Starting to make and alter clothing, blinds, bags. Cycling to cut on gas.
Janet – Mama of Noah 4 and Liam 2.   Well, baking bread of course!

Would you like more creative ways to save money, visit http://www.moneysense.ca/saving/?gclid=CLjvlPOIlKoCFQPc4AodAS8TzQ

To learn how to save money for your family, visit http://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/money/8-ways-save-money

To learn ways for new parents to save money, visithttp://www.canadianfamily.ca/articles/4-easy-ways-for-new-parents-to-save-money/

To read Alison Griffiths article, , “I save $550 a year by making my own bread,” visithttp://www.moneyville.ca/blog/post/1008107–how-i-save-550-a-year-by-making-my-own-bread?bn=1

To try the same bread recipe I will be making for my family, visit http://allrecipes.com/recipe/simple-whole-wheat-bread/detail.aspx

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(1)   Canadian Council on Social Development, “Stats & Facts  Families: A Canadian Profile”, n.d. <http://www.ccsd.ca/factsheets/family/>(accessed June 21, 2011).

(2)   Alison Griffiths, “I save $550 a year by making my own bread,” 2011 <http://www.moneyville.ca/blog/post/1008107–how-i-save-550-a-year-by-making-my-own-bread?bn=1> (accessed June 19, 2011).