'It shouldn't be this hard': Sydney mum's advice to help cope with cost-of-living pressures

I'm so tired of worrying about money. It feels as though I take two steps forward and then three steps back.

The two steps forward I am in control of – sticking to my budget plan, colouring my own hair - and then the economy turns. I've given up on trying to understand the 'hows' and the 'whys'.

When we lost everything during the Global Financial Crisis, I was too busy trying to find an affordable rental while working and caring for my newborn, but I heard mentions of sub-prime something-or-others.

Now, as interest rates increase and cost-of-living pressures continue to bite, I am hearing talk of the consequences of handing money out during the pandemic and the war.

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The timing couldn't be worse, with Christmas just 74 sleeps away – and I really wanted a fresh tree this year.

It shouldn't be this hard. The only comfort is that we are all being impacted, and we all need to cut back.

What I like to keep in mind, and what I will explain to my children, is that it won't be like this forever. It's just temporary.

Sometimes times are good, sometimes they are not so good. Sometimes lettuce is $2, sometimes it is $6. Sometimes petrol is $1.50 a litre, sometimes it is $2 a litre.

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Here are some of the ways you can reduce the cost of raising kids until things settle down, ideas that are gentle enough to cause the least distress but ample enough to leave you with more money for increased mortgage payments and other cost-of-living pressures.

Second-hand kids' items

A few years back when I became a single mother, my mum pretty much stocked my entire kitchen with stuff she'd purchased at our local St Vincent's store. She bought me plates, cups and coffee mugs. My daughter started going along with her and loved it.

Stores like St Vincent's, the Salvation Army and Lifeline stores sell the most amazing stuff. Vintage! And most people forget it's often donated by people wealthier than us, so it can be really, really good.

For kids, you can find:

1. Clothing
2. Toys
3. Furniture

And that's just for starters. You can even check out local garage sales via your council website, Facebook Marketplace or ask family and friendship groups if they have any of the children's items you need that they'd like to get rid of.

Feeding the family

As David Campbell helpfully reminded us on Today Extra this morning, you can't buy second-hand food!

Still, there are plenty of ways to reduce food costs, and in fact this is the easiest way to save for most families.

Avoiding takeaway drinks and meals is a good start. Then you can:

1. Buy snacks in bulk online at Catch and Amazon, rationing them out week-by-week.

2. Introduce a couple of vegetarian dinners each week. Margherita pizza and salad, anyone? Or just choose cheaper cuts of meat like chicken drumsticks instead of chicken thighs

3. Meal plan, meal plan, meal plan. This is the easiest way to save at the supermarket. A fortnightly cycle works best. It helps you get organised and ensures nothing goes to waste.

Childcare and education costs

There isn't a lot of wiggle room when it comes to childcare and education costs, aside from taking advantage of jobs that allow you to work from home.

Still, it's worth considering these options:

1. Contact your childcare centre or school and explain you are in financial distress, ask if they can offer a discount or payment plan.

2. Organise with another childcare family or school family during the school holidays to swap babysitting days so you can both work.

3. Contact Centrelink and make sure you and your family are registered, or just update your details, to ensure you are on the system and can access support quickly if you, for example, lose your job, or just to ensure you are receiving the maximum assistance available to you.

Other advice for cutting the cost of raising kids

At the end of the day, we don't want our children to feel as though they are missing out. Life is too short to feel like that. Instead, you can:

1. Audit your children's activities, asking them to pick just one or reducing the number of dance classes or karate classes they attend;

2. Host their friends at your place for loungeroom movie nights or sleep overs instead of spending money on activities.

3. Consider a family-wide No Spending Challenge. January is a good time to try this. It is a great way to teach your children about your budget and come up with fun ideas together that don't cost anything.

Check out 9Honey's Simple Ways to Save budget series for more tips on reducing your family's spend.