Let's face it: Children aren't cheap. While the smiles, laughter and joy they bring are priceless, the doctor bills, clothes and shoes, toys, dental work and college tuition add up to a small fortune.
From the supermarket to the movie theater, going out with children can be expensive, but it doesn't have to burn a hole in your wallet. This mother of two has some tips on how you can keep some of that hard-earned cash in your wallet without sacrificing fun.
Forgo ordering a child's meal at a restaurant. If your meal includes elements your child will eat, just ask for another plate and portion out some of the food.
Order appetizers, or an appetizer sampler, instead of entrees. It's cheaper, gets to the table faster and, chances are, you'll wind up with something that will appease even the pickiest pint-size palate.
Brown-bag it when heading to family venues. Meals at zoos, ball games and other venues can cost a lot; some places allow customers to bring in packed meals. Bag a few homemade sandwiches and some drinks, call it a picnic and have fun with your family instead of waiting in line for an overpriced corn dog.
Take advantage of kids-eat-free deals at restaurants. For example, on Tuesdays at Super Burrito Factory in Modesto, a child eats free from the kids menu for every adult entree purchased. The same deal is offered on Monday nights at Buffalo Wings & Rings, which is in the same shopping center, Village One Plaza, at 3020 Floyd Ave.
Here's a sampling of other kids- eat-free deals in the Modesto area:
International House of Pancakes, 2098 W. Orangeburg Ave., Modesto, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Chevys, 1700 Standiford Ave., Modesto, Tuesdays after 4 p.m.
Sweet River Grill & Bar, Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto, 2600 Geer Road in Turlock and the Merced Mall, Tuesdays
Strings Italian Cafe, 2601 Oakdale Road in Modesto, 1501 Geer Road in Turlock, 1125 S. Main St. in Manteca and 731 E. Yosemite Ave. in Merced, Sundays and Mondays after 4 p.m.
Go for take-and-bake pizza instead of takeout. Pizza you bake costs about half of what pizza chains charge. Better yet, buy ingredients at the store and make pizza as a family. Maybe if the child gets to spread the veggies on the pizza, he'll actually eat them. (We can dream.)
Go for an early dinner out and hit up "early-bird specials." Small children are often hungrier earlier in the evening anyway, and it will help you avoid crowded restaurants and hunger meltdowns.
When heading to the movies with a gaggle of children, order one large, refillable popcorn instead of the child's box (which typically includes a child-size popcorn, candy and soda). Want to bypass ribcage jabbing and exasperated cries of "Mom! She won't hand over the popcorn!"? Bring along a few disposable bowls or cups -- or ask for some extra cardboard trays at the concession stand -- and divvy out the snack during the previews. If candy is a movie must-have, dollar stores often have good deals. Juice boxes also provide a cheaper -- and healthier -- alternative to fountain soft drinks.
Check The Bee and its Scene section, mailers and Web sites for restaurant coupons and deals. Frequent diner? Consider buying an "Entertainment Book," which has dozens of restaurant coupons, suggests Good Housekeeping's editors in "Good Housekeeping Good Deal & Smart Steals." Go to www.entertainment.com.
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