Simple ways to budget and save money for young families

Printable planners, cheap family meals and small money habits that work on a real paycheck.

Page 1 of the free Monthly Budget Planner, a printable family budget sheet

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Budgeting & PrintablesPlan the month on one page.Saving Money & Frugal MealsFeed the family for less.Budget Home & DIYA nicer home without a big spend.Family FinanceMoney basics for a growing family.

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A card with the six steps of how to budget for beginners: take-home pay, every bill, everyday spending, kids and yearly costs, make it balance, check it weekly, next to a card naming the free planner pages for each: the plan, spending log, bills and sinking funds.

Budgeting & PrintablesHow to Budget for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide for Young Families10 min read

The five pages of the free budget printables set side by side: monthly budget, expense tracker, bill tracker, savings goal tracker and sinking funds.

Budgeting & PrintablesFree Budget Printables: The Whole Family Set in One Download6 min read

A checklist card of how to save money on groceries in four groups: before you shop, at the store, at home to waste less, and kids, snacks and lunches, next to a card with three before-you-shop steps: shop your pantry first, plan around the ad, list by store section.

Saving Money & Frugal MealsHow to Save Money on Groceries: 25 Tips for Families9 min read

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Saving Money & Frugal MealsHow to Save Money on Groceries: 25 Tips for Families9 min read

Three pages of the free Monthly Budget Planner in the order you fill them in: the bill tracker, the monthly budget page and the sinking funds and groceries page.

Budgeting & PrintablesMonthly Budget Planner: Set Up Next Month in One Sitting6 min read

Budgeting & PrintablesHow to Budget for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide for Young Families10 min read

Christmas gifts for kids on a budget, planned on the three pages of the free Kids' Christmas Gift Planner: a gift plan with a cap for each child, a want, need, wear and read page with a stocking list, and a relatives' gift list.

Family FinanceChristmas Gifts for Kids on a Budget: How to Plan and Shop7 min read

A card listing Dollar Tree DIY Christmas decorations: kid-filled ornaments, snow globe jars, a foam shape garland, a no-glue ribbon wreath, glitter glow votives and porch lollipops, next to a Saturday card with the three kid-led ones.

Budget Home & DIYDollar Tree DIY Christmas Decorations to Make This Weekend9 min read

Two cards on a peach background for Thanksgiving dinner on a budget: the menu for 10 (roast turkey and gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, rolls) and a Thursday plan with the turkey in at 10:15 am, sides in at 1:45 pm and dinner at 3 pm.

Saving Money & Frugal MealsThanksgiving Dinner on a Budget: Menu, Shopping List and Timeline10 min read

Made for family budgets

Try New Ways is for young families who want a calmer month with money. Every guide is written for budgets with kids in them, and a person edits it before it goes up.

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