Whether it be strangers, friends, or family, people who find out the number of children we have often wonder how we afford them all. Other times people will criticize us. Claiming we can’t support all our children when they have NO clue how much we make in a year. Spend in a month. Have in savings, etc. Just because we live in an age where as Pastor Voddie Baucham states, “The size of our families has become a matter of income and convenience.” It is sad that people often pass on having more kids because of the price tag they “think” children come with. While it may be “estimated” to cost roughly $12,000 a year to feed, clothe, house, and educate a single child in a year this does not mean it is the case for everyone. This is certainly NOT true for us. I want to go into a bit more detail on how we afford our big family. And why we would willing add more, if the Lord saw fit, without having a second thought about money or the “estimated” price tag. So, without further a due, Let’s talk money!
How We Budget Our Income
Since I am sure most people secretly want to know what our take home pay is to give them an idea of how we support our family, I will tell you that are range of income since having Olivia until the writing of this article has been $50,000 to $65,000. There have been tight times, but not due to the number of mouths we had to feed. It was more due to the irresponsibility on Sam’s and my part to not be the grownups and do better by our kids. Thank the Lord, He convicted us, and we are trying to make the best out of however He sees fit to provide for us. In the coming weeks I will go into more detail about how we realistically afford items for our big family. Such as Groceries, Eating Out, Clothing, School Supplies, and Travel and Vacation.
Extra Income
Extra Income for us may look like bonuses from work throughout the year. Yearly Tax Return. Items Sam may sell on Poshmark. Sometimes even money gifted to us at Birthdays and Christmas. While I do dream of turning this Blog into a full-fledged business that earns an income that is not our reality at this time. When we have received extra money over Sam’s paycheck, we put it toward whatever Financial Savings Goal we are working on.
Financial Savings Goals for us may include beefing up our Emergency Fund with each new child added to the family. I know Dave Ramsey says go with 3 to 6 Months Emergency Fund, but we are pushing for a 12-month Emergency Fund. Hello, with FIVE boys you are asking for an Emergency Room visit at some point! We also put extra funds toward Retirement or what we call a Kids’ Future Fund. This may include financially helping our kids with college, trade school, starting their own business, buying a house, etc.
The Four Walls
The first things we always budget is the Four Walls. This includes Food, but NOT Eating Out. An Energy Bill. Monthly Rent for our three-bedroom apartment. Which also includes Water, Trash Pick Up, Pest Control, and an Admin Fee. Then all things Transportation, such as Gas, Auto + Renters Insurance, and a Maintenance Fund. We put an allotted amount in this fund monthly. It will go towards Oil Changes, and any Vehicle Repairs as they come up.
Sam and I also have Term Life Policies. While these are not necessarily part of our Four Walls, we do view them as Essential. This is because, not only are we a one income family, but we also want to make sure are kids are taken care of should anything happen to both of us.
Non-Essentials
After the Four Walls, we budget our nonessentials. Prepaid Cell Phone Plans for Sam and myself. This contains just basic calling, text and no internet only Wi-Fi Connection for our grandpa phones. A few reoccurring subscriptions such as Annie’s Creative Girls Craft Club for Olivia and Other Goose for the Big Boys. A Miscellaneous Fund for those random surprises that may pop up in a month. Lastly, we budget for whatever monthly things are happening. Maybe a Birthday or Holiday. Doctor Visits. Seasonal Clothing. Homeschool Curriculum OR Supplies for the new school year. A Family Outing to a Local Attraction. Or giving to someone or an organization the Lord has brought to our attention.
How We Set Financial Goals
The times we have been irresponsible with money is when we did not have a plan. We soon realized whatever extra money we did have would quickly burn a hole in our pocket if we did not make a plan for it. Over the years our Financial Savings Goals have looked like increasing our Emergency Fund. Or creating Sinking Funds for future purchases. Some examples of this would be paying off a Midwife for a birth. Saving for a Sectional Couch, an upcoming Disney Trip, etc.
By budgeting the Four Walls first then non-Essentials are most basic needs are always met. Sure, there are times we may have to say no to something like eating at Chick-fil- A for all three meals. Getting pedicures on the regular. Or buying a kid a new toy just because they want it, etc. For our family those things are not more important that everyone having food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof over their heads.
Ramsey Solutions a financial company created by Dave Ramsey is a great resource we have used over the years that help with your personal finances. Whether you are learning to budget, paying off debt, saving for a house, or wondering how to invest your income for retirement.
How We Save Money Day to Day…
Make Sacrifices
Sacrifices will look different family to family. Maybe forgo some of the items listed below in order to bring down your monthly expenses. Then you could become a one income family, and a parent can stay home with your kids while they are young. Or maybe you do desire to have more kids and are curious how someone a few steps ahead of you makes it work financially.
For us sacrifices look like Pampering myself with Pedicures and Manicures or Highlights. Massages or Facials. Retail Therapy when I have had a bad day. Saying no to a House Cleaners or Lawn Service. Having multiple iPhones with Internet. Yes, we have gotten lost on road trips, but we made it out alive and now have a fun story to tell. 🙂 You also will not find High Tech items in our home like Alexa. A Ring Doorbell. Nor do Sam and I have Apple Watches sported on our wrists. We have chosen to postpone Extracurricular Activities for our kids until they are in First Grade. Yearly Family Vacations are something we also do without. Rather we make it a priority to spend every Friday doing something together.
Eating Out multiple times in a week. Buying Name Brand Whatever, unless it is on sale, or I have a coupon! We also don’t buy toys for the kids just because or out of fear they will cause a temper tantrum if we don’t. Saying NO to Credit Cards with Debt. New Cars with Payments. For multiple years we used our 5 passenger Jeep Patriot even though it didn’t have enough seats. While we saved for our Ford 12 Passenger Van, we would rent a larger vehicle if we all needed to ride somewhere together. We have also been a one Car Family for multiple years as Sam’s place of work was always less than 10 minutes from where we lived.
Delay Gratification
This one may ruffle some feathers, but you don’t need everything that Influencer you follow has. Or the items being advertised to you on social media. Our kids also know they aren’t going to get everything they see advertised on a TV commercial or that toy they HAVE TO HAVE at Target. If they have some spending money, then more power to them go buy that fun new thing. Sam and I try to be thoughtful about purchases made so we don’t wind up with regretting a splurge item 24 hours later. Impulse buys could possibly wreck your budget if it becomes the norm. Budgeting for your needs and then saving for wants will help you stay focused on your financial priorities and goals.
Saving Money on Groceries and Eating Out
In the upcoming weeks of our Big Family Logistics Series, I will discuss in more detail how we save money on Groceries. Some quick examples of how we do this are limit Eating Out. Make coffee and cook meals at home. Shop weekly Grocery Sales and use Coupons.
Crystal Paine aka Money Saving Mom is another wonderful resource to use if you are looking for ways to make your money go father. From grocery to clothing deals she is all about inspiring and helping people live within their means.
Cut Hair at Home
Typically, in our home we do cut the boys hair short for the summer. We live in the South and can get away with a buzz cut most of the year. For the colder months we take the boys to a barber shop and have them cut the boys hair in similar styles. As they get older, we will allow them the hairstyles they want to have. For now, they don’t mind looking like triplets or twins. Yes, we get asked this a lot.
Olivia and I will sometimes have my Mom trim our hair. Currently we are both growing out hair out, so this has been our go to. If we are feeling a hair makeover then we will venture out to have a professional cute our hair. I am also not one to dye my hair so keeping up with highlights isn’t something I deal with. I did dye my hair in my early 20s for the fun of it. As I have gotten older there are other things I would rather be doing with my time and money. Thankfully for now the grey hairs haven’t shown up 🙂
Accept OR Save Hand-Me-Downs
I wonder if people have it in their minds that as the seasons change, we go out and buy a brand-new name brand wardrobe x 6. Or if every time we add a new baby to our family, we buy all new baby clothes and items. I hate to bust bubbles but when you have multiple kids you put more thought into it than that.
Baby Items
Since our last 5 babies have all been boys, we hardly had to buy anything for each new addition. Other than a blanket, maybe an outfit or two, diapers, and pacifiers. All other baby items such as a stroller, baby carrier, diaper bag, play gym and toys, bassinet, etc. all get rotated down to the new baby.
Boy Clothes
While I wish we had numerous friends that handed us bags of boys’ clothes that is not our reality. Instead, we save clothes that are still in good condition from boy to boy in our own home. We also pack away clothes the Grandparents purchased if the clothes out of season. Or they may not be needed at the moment due to already having that item or multiple extras. We will use next year, if it fits, for the next boy in line. When each new season rolls around, we only ever buy a few items per kid by doing things this way. Jackets, Shirts, Jeans, PJs can all be rolled down to the next boy if still in great condition.
Girl Clothes
Now for our daughter who grows like a weed we do usually have to buy her numerous items. Even then it never gets very expensive since we just stick to the basic clothes she will need. Since she has her own style, we do let her pick out what she likes. However, we get to veto anything that is not appropriate or maybe something with a character on it that we don’t like. Typically, we stick with classic pieces like denim, solid colors or fun patterns when keeping and buying the kids clothes. We do allow them to pick out a few pieces like Pjs and socks they really like. So yes, you may find Superhero or Hello Kitty PJs in our home. Maybe even some funky Valentine socks a stylish girl thinks will complete an outfit 🙂
Toys + Books
Toys and books are additional items that get rotated down in our home. With five boys in a row, when the older boys grow tired of something we will hold it back in a large Rubbermaid kept in a spare closet. Then it gets pulled out in the coming years if one of the younger boys show interest. There have also been times we are gifted with a toy or book we already have. That item will also get tucked away to have as a spare or for a younger boy to play with when he gets older.
Thrift First
When a need or want is brought to our attention we see if we can first find it at a Thrift Store. Here is an example of what this looks like… we are always in need of more chairs around our large dining room table. Whether that be due to when family or friends visit. Or a toddler that has graduated from the highchair, we can never seem to have enough chairs. Since this is an item, I am always looking for I was recently able to purchase two solid wooden chairs from a local Goodwill. I paid $32 rather than $99 for something similar at Walmart.
Now I understand shopping at a Thrift Store is like a treasure hunt. You won’t always find that Unicorn you are looking for. But it is still worth looking for those items you may not need right away and can afford to take the time to look for. I understand this may not apply in all situations, but it does pay to try and thrift first. If we are unable to find what we are looking for at a Thrift Store then we will shop around at Amazon, Target, or Walmart before making a purchase.
Pay for Quality Over Quantity
Depending on what we may need or want this one may take a second to save up for. We have learned over the years and as we continue to add more children that we have to buy quality items or else stuff will not hold up over time. Any other Mom of multiply boys saying Amen??? 🙂 Why bother buying the boys numerous Hot Wheels that break easily or go missing in the black hole of the couch. Rather we spend a little more on things like large Classic Tonka Trucks. Or maybe a few sets of Magna Blocks all the boys can play with over a small set of tiny Legos the younger boys may try to eat. The same goes for larger purchases like a sectional for our Livingroom, etc. I would rather buy a nicer item once than a cheaper version multiple times over.
Keep Things Minimal
If you have already read our Big Family Logistics Series (Part One)- Making Space for Everyone, then you know our family tends to lean toward the Minimal-ish side. We keep the furniture in our home pretty basic. Not only so we can use our space creatively, but we are also able to get by with less space when we don’t have stuff crammed everywhere. Clothing for our kids and toys are other areas we don’t overdue. Lastly, most of the Home Decor you will find in our home could be considered dual purpose or functional.
Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make Do, OR Do Without
This is another practice we try to keep as things can get expensive when you multiply a want 6 times over. Just because a kid may not like the current flavor of toothpaste does not mean we go buy them a flavor all to themselves. When the “GROSS” flavor is used up they may be able to pick the next flavor, so it is more to their liking. Recently we realized we didn’t have a diaper bag backpack for a nature hike. The 7-year-olds glittery cat backpack came in handy so no need to purchase a brand-new backpack. You better believe I will snatch up a nice backpack if I come across one I like at a Thrift Store! Thankfully in our house with numerous children we can get very creative when a problem or need arises.
Free Entertainment
Whenever we are planning our weekly Family Fun Day, we always check to see what parks or playgrounds are nearby. Maybe a Museum or Zoo in our town or close by offers Free Admission Days. Is there a festival or other seasonal activity happening that would be free to attend. Now there are times when we spend money to go to a Children’s Museum, Zoo, Trampoline Park, etc. We always try to make sure to research any free options that may be available first. This way we aren’t paying admission every week for something to do on our Family Fun Days. If we do need to purchase admission to something we first crunch the numbers to see if a yearly Family Pass would be more cost efficient. If it is, then we have no problem making that purchase since it will mean multiple visits over the course of the year to a fun place.
Have Additional Ideas? Please Share.
I hope you enjoyed this Big Family Logistics topic on Let’s Talk Money. Have additional ideas for big families to save money? Please share with us in the comments. Be sure to check back next Wednesday for our next Big Family Logisitic Series topics on Groceries and Eating Out.
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