Money Saving Mondays - Babysitting!

Continuing series of Money Saving Mondays! I love to save money, post deals, and just in general make my dollar stretch a little further so keep up with me on Mondays for some easy ways to save money! This week, it all about how to save money when it comes to babysitting!

We all crave grown-up time, but with two young kids it can definitely be hard to come by (even with family in the area)! I thought I would put together a few ideas we had on ways to save costs on babysitters! Obviously, this gets easier as your kids get older (and as your friends get older – we were the first to have kids, so no swaps yet)!

Here are a few tips on ways to save costs on babysitters.
• The easiest way to save money on a date-night is to plan a date once the kids go to bed! You can always have a living room picnic in front of the TV while watching a great movie! The kids are sleeping, but if they really need you, you’re just down the hall!

• If you have friends with kids around the same age, swap kids with a friend. Make an arrangement to have one night a month for you to go out and your friend keeps your kids and one night a month you take your friends kids.

• There are a lot of classes at local community centers, churches, and even gyms that provide free or inexpensive childcare! Many also provide “Night Out” opportunities. Maybe, I’m too protective, but I am waiting until my kids get a little older to leave them with strangers for the evening (soon, I will let go a little bit, promise)!

• Look into a "mommies helper"! Mommies helpers are typically younger or inexperienced sitters who watch the kids while you are there so they cost less. These are perfect for single parents or just plain busy parents because it gives you an opportunity to get things done without entertaining your kids at the same time!(think power tools)

Have a great tip, please share it with me!Want to join in on Money Saving Mondays? Copy my button, post it on your blog, and leave me a comment with a link to your post (I will figure out the Mr. Linky thing soon)!