Budgeting can be tricky and if you have kids (especially those with special needs), you know that fitting their expenses into your plan might take some work. The hardest part of this task is finding a budget-friendly balance between what we WANT to give them & what we NEED to give them.
You WANT to give them the world, right? Every opportunity. They deserve to go the top schools, play the sports they love, see the best doctors, see the world and eat healthy food while they’re at it.
Unfortunately, this is hard to do & the defeat can feel overwhelming. Good healthcare, dentistry, therapies and extracurriculars are expensive. Similarly, cheap packaged foods are often pretty unhealthy, even if they are advertised as a healthy option. So how can we find that balance & create a budget to keep our kids happy & healthy? Here are a few first steps to take:
1. Prioritize
Life is all about balancing your priorities. We want to give our ALL in every aspect of our lives, but it’s simply impossible. Trying to do so can lead to fatigue and/or depression.
The first thing you should do is ask yourself what matters most. Is it dinnertime with the whole family? Is it grades? Or is physical health your top priority? Maybe its worth it to you to fork out the cash for that amazing private therapist, but your kid might have to sit out dance lessons for one season.
Similarly, when it comes to shopping for healthy & affordable meals, plan for and prioritize FRESH foods. Fresh produce is far, far healthier than artificially preserved food so plan your budget and your meals around buying crisp greens, juicy fruits & raw vegetables. Any extra room in the budget can be spent on canned and packaged meals & snacks.
Want some healthy recipe ideas? Go check out my friend Hilairie with BaumAssFoods. I have the ingredients for her loaded nachos already on my grocery list!
2. Reassess your health insurance
You need health insurance. ESPECIALLY with medically fragile children. The problem is, it can cost a small fortune & a lot of times you still have medical bills to cover.
While there is no one solution that works for everyone, I encourage you to stay up to date on your insurance’s policies, benefits, co-pays & premiums. Health insurance is essential so any changes are important, no matter how small!
Also remember that many dentists and other providers offer different plans for families and children. Your child should be able to access affordable dental services and doctor visits more easily than an adult Ask your provider about their provisions for childrens’ healthcare.
You can also touch base with your child’s healthcare providers. A lot of times, the billing department can set up a payment plan or lower invoice total because they have negotiated rates with insurance companies. All it takes is some initiative. Is your insurance plan changing soon? Are you making a job change? Has your income recently changed? Take all this into consideration & give your health provider a call to see if they are willing to work with you.
3. Lead by example
When it comes to preserving the health and happiness of your entire family, educating them is so important! Budgeting is a learned skill and will take some practice & adjustments. It is best to introduce the idea as soon as possible with your kids.
Try regularly inviting them to cook with you. Teaching them how food is prepared and why it is essential that they eat fresh, healthy food will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Not to mention that cooking together is a wonderful & budget-friendly bonding experience!
You can also teach your children how to exercise & how it can make you feel so much better. Get moving & have them join you! Moving your bodies & feeling fantastic afterwards is very healthy!
Budget-Friendly Activities:
- Kick a ball back & forth
- Go for a walk
- Jump on a trampoline
- Play tag
- Have a dance party
All in all, finding that balance between health & expense is worth doing. There is always a way to live healthy. Preserving your family’s wellness is something I encourage you to take into your own hands!
