The last thing most new moms and dads want to think about is their financial situation. Yet, the harsh reality is that many new parents don’t understand how to budget for a family. If parents aren’t careful, they may have to dip into their savings to cover basic expenses. It’s never a good time to feel the financial crush, but it’s especially important for new parents to avoid money troubles. With that in mind, we’re going to provide four effective ways for moms and dads to save cash and set aside funds for a rainy day. Check them out here:

Take up Cooking

Knowing how to whip up a delicious meal on a limited budget is one of the most amazing life skills anyone could hope to cultivate. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a five-star chef to watch a few instructional cooking shows online. In many cases, following a recipe and creating a vibrant dish is more straightforward –– and fun –– than most people realize. Plus, by purchasing food items in bulk and from the grocery store, you can cut down on costly visits to restaurants

Hit the Pause Button

Impulse purchases can derail even the best-laid budgets. Though it may be difficult to resist the urge to buy cool stuff online, parents need to know when to forgo unnecessary credit-card expenses. One of the best ways to do this is to “hit the pause button,” so to speak. Bookmark an item that you want online and revisit it in a week. If you still feel strongly about it after the week has passed, then go ahead and buy it. Chances are though, you’ll forget about most nonessential things after a few days and won’t feel the same compulsion to buy them later on.

Cut Back on Driving

Gas prices won’t be going down any time soon. As such, parents can save quite a hefty sum by reducing their time spent in the car. If at all possible, consider alternative transportation options like carpooling, buses, trains, or even bicycling. All of these methods are more energy efficient than driving yourself and will keep you away from those costly gas stations.

Sweat the Small Stuff

Most big expenses don’t start out that way. Rather, staying on top of the little things will help you avoid debt and major cash outlays. Making credit-card payments on time, applying for the correct insurance program, and keeping up on household issues will help you prevent the crippling bills that can overwhelm new moms and dads. Remember, what may seem like a few innocuous cracks in your basement could turn into costly foundation problems down the line. (Don’t hesitate to contact a company like Brickworks Property Restoration should you notice any such warning signs on your property!) Though this is just one example, sweating the small stuff now will help you elude big financial trouble later.