Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
Oh how we love to celebrate birthdays: the blessings of another year and the joy yet to come in the next year. However, the cost of birthday parties can quickly add up before you know it. Instead of regretting this year’s celebration, learn how to save money on birthday parties with these simple tips.
Think Outside of the Cake
We love a good baking reality show. Cakes that spin and shoot fire out of them are a marvel to take in, but your little birthday boy or girl doesn’t need such an expensive piece of confectionary. After all, the cake is made to be eaten not kept for years. So don’t pay too much for what basically amounts to sugar, eggs, and flour. This year, you could make milkshakes or a pie or even a dozen or two of your grandma’s best cookie recipe. You don’t need a fancy cake. Ask the one you’re celebrating what dessert would be their favorite way to celebrate a special day.
Reusable Decor
Instead of purchasing every character item in the birthday aisle annually, try to find a few pieces that you can use each and every year. Not only does this create a special tradition within your family, everyone can use/wear it cutting down on costs. From a birthday sash to a special plate, from reusable bowls and baskets for food, you can add a piece each year. If you or your little one still longs for a special theme, then purchase the napkins only. HINT: red is the perfect color for reusable decor because it can be used for a number of holidays and birthday themes.
Limit “Friend” Parties
For parents, one of the most challenging birthday avenues to navigate is whether to have a small family celebration or a full birthday blow out and invite every kid in class. Our family has decided we can’t quite afford to have a friend soiree every year, so we designated to have special “friend” parties at ages 5, 10, and eventually 16. You could choose an every other year rotation or other significant milestone ages. On the off years, we have a party for our extended family to celebrate our birthday girls.
Hit Pinterest or Ask Your Friends
Not sure how to decorate your home for the party? Hit Pinterest or ask your friends on social media for ideas that fit your theme. Be sure to mention that you’re looking to spend as little as possible. You’d be shocked at the number of very creative people who would like to help you save money and have great ideas!
Sign Up for Freebies
If you didn’t already know, I have a deep addiction to all things FREE. Birthdays are the very best time of the year to snag things out and about without spending a dime. I’ve rounded up some of my very favorites in 15 Great Birthday Freebies. From beauty products to restaurant meals and everything in between, I’ve gathered up some of the very best programs I look forward to every year. As with any freebie or coupon, be sure to use a designated e-mail address specifically for that purpose only. This will keep your work and personal inboxes from being clogged with offers and newsletters. Try to avoid birthday freebies that require you to make a purchase (i.e. free dessert with an entree, etc.) because let’s face it, that’s not really free. But then again, I am a freebie purist.
While I’ll be the first to admit that the trappings of a birthday celebration are incredibly fun, the true reason we celebrate is LIFE. So why not spend time and not money on birthday, celebrating what truly makes another year special – the person you’re celebrating.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
