Saving Money for Your Children
Child Benefits
Sometimes, we need that little boost of income to help support our growing kids. In the UK, the government offers Child Benefits and Child Support for those that are eligible. If you don’t Talk Tax then you might not be aware that you can claim money from the government in order to help raise your kids but it’s entirely possible that you are eligible and unaware of it…
Are you Eligible for Child Benefits in the UK?
In the UK, you are eligible for child benefit if you are the responsible adult for a child under the age of 16. You are also considered eligible if you care for a child under the age of 20 who is in full time education who still lives at home. If you also look after a child as their guardian, you may be entitled to Guardian’s Allowance.
What you’ll get if you apply for Child Benefits in the UK
When you apply for Child Benefits in the UK, you’ll receive £20.70 per week per child. This amount is subject to change, so it may be worth double checking this on the government website at the time of reading this post. If you would like to apply for child benefit for subsequent children, you may be able to receive £13.70 per child. When applying, you will need to mention how many children you look after. You can receive these amounts even if your family has split up, and payments are usually made every 4 weeks into your chosen account.
How to apply for UK Child Benefits
In order to claim for Child Benefits, you will need to fill in the CH2 form and send it to the following address:
Child Benefit Office
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE88 1ZD
Enclosed you will also need to have the original birth certificate ( or adoption certificate). If you don’t have this then you can order a new one.
Many claims can take up to 12 weeks in order to be processed and for payments to be placed into your account.
Shopping Online
Although there are bargains on the high street for the little ones, online searches will more than likely yield cheaper results for more products. For example, essential items like socks and school clothes can be found on eBay for a fraction of the price.
In order to find some of the best deals, take the time to shop around online. This can mean comparing prices of eBay and Amazon and choosing the cheapest option. Remember, always take post and packaging into consideration when saving money on kids items, as postage can add extra costs on items without you noticing.
Another way you can save money on clothing is for finding cheaper deals with Head Office Finder, who offer head office numbers for high street stores.
Makeshift Crafts
Ever spend way too much money on craft items for the kids? It can take it out of you seeing your money go down the drain. But again, there are ways to save money here. Create sock puppets, soup tin wind chimes and more from everyday household items. This way you’re not spending money on items that will only be ruined and (probably) binned down the line. Looking for ideas, google some cheap and quick craft ideas to get you started.
Deals for Family Days Out
Looking to save pennies on family days out? There are so many ways in which you can do so. For example, Merlin 241 tickets can be found on household items such as handwashes and dishsoaps. Simply take these to a Merlin attraction to redeem the offer. Not only will you be saving money, but you will be saving the environment, as Merlin attractions recycle where possible.
If you’re looking to save money on larger family holidays, take a look at Travel Zoo who offer voucher codes for experiences around the world as well as in the UK.
Disclosure: Guest post by Gina Kay Daniel.