Community Conversations: Frugal Parenting

Written by Carla, Halifax Public Libraries' Community Specialist

In an era where the cost of living continues to rise, finding ways to stretch a dollar has become a priority for many families. Recognizing the need for community support in this area, The North Grove, opens a new window and Halifax Public Libraries' Dartmouth branches recently partnered to host an enlightening community conversation program. This event brought together parents and guardians, and people with real-life experience to share their practical money-saving tips tailored to the unique challenges of raising a family.

Participants engaged in a lively discussion, exchanging ideas, strategies, and personal stories, all with the common goal of helping each other navigate the financial demands of parenting. Whether it was creative budgeting, cost-effective meal planning, or tips on finding affordable activities for kids, the insights shared during this event were inspiring and empowering. 

Here are some of the tips that participants wished to share: 

Food & Grocery

• Do up a menu plan in advance each week so that there is less food waste.
• Go early to the grocery stores, so that you can get the best 50% deals on produce and bakery (if possible, try freezing some items).
• Carpool with friends to take trips to Gateway Meat Market, opens a new window.
• Access the North Grove Community Food Centre, opens a new window and the Mobile Food Market, opens a new window for affordable produce.
• Follow “Savings with Gail,” “I Die for Deals,”  and “Coupon Cutie,” on Facebook for great shopping tips.
• Giant Tiger and No Frills are the only places that do price matching. Folks just need to bring in the flyer that they wish to match it to (or show it on their phone). 
• North Grove has a trading cupboard if you wind up getting items from a food bank that you cannot use, you can swap them for something different.
• Costco meals from their restaurant are cheap and very tasty. 
• Always gather reward points when shopping. 
• There is an app called Flipp, opens a new window, where you can search for products and the app will tell you where it’s on sale. You can use this app to price match too, to save on gas. 
• HRM facilities offer free menstrual products.
• Follow “Costco Shoppers Nova Scotia,” and “Costco Halifax/Dartmouth” for the most up-to-date Costco sales.

School 

• Access free school supplies if you sign up through Parker Street, opens a new window online before July 31 each year (opens in June). 
• Some community churches and organizations have free school supply events including SonLife Church, Christ Church, and all food banks associated with Feed NS. 
• Each school has a SchoolsPlus, opens a new window coordinator who acts as a community navigator to help families find resources such as free programs, clothing, meals, etc. 
• Often the best back-to-school sales are in June and early July.

Clothing 

• Some of the best second-hand clothing stores that are reasonably priced include SPCA Thrift Stores, Mission Mart, Frenchy’s, Salvation Army, and “Great Things in Store.” 
• Facebook Marketplace can be a great place to find free or deeply discounted kids' clothes.
• Occasionally events happen at Ikea, the Halifax Forum, and the Dartmouth North Community Centre wherein people can buy clothes by the pound or “fill a bag.”
• Buy clothing at the end of each season for massive discounts. Try to plan ahead in terms of sizing. 
• Two free clothing banks in Dartmouth include The Parish of Holy Trinity Emmanuel and the Dartmouth First Church of the Nazarene.
• If things go on sale after you’ve already purchased them, you can just bring in your receipt, and the store will pay you the difference (within 30 days). 
• The Zatsman Sportsplex, opens a new window has a pay-what-you-can membership.
• Some community groups coordinate winter clothing giveaway events. There is one for Dartmouth that is coordinated by the Library, opens a new window. 
• Follow “Dartmouth Halifax Hand Me Downs” on Facebook. 
• You can make doll clothes using clothes that are too soiled to sell or give away, and it’s a good craft project for kids to learn to sew.

Entertainment 

• The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, opens a new window is free on Thursdays through the summer.
• The Oval, opens a new window in downtown Halifax has free ice skating (with free ice skate rentals), swimming, as well as free bike and scooter loans.
• Cineplex has discounted movie prices on Tuesdays, and they do “Family Favorites” screenings on Saturdays for deeply discounted prices.
• Bring your own snacks to the movies (or from Dollarama, etc.). 
• The Library offers all kinds of free kids' programs, including crafting, science, puppet shows, and more. Visit our "What's On" calendar to see what's happening at a Library near you, opens a new window.
• The North Grove, opens a new window and other family resource centres across Halifax offer all sorts of free programming for families including some free morning day camps over the summer. 
• HRM Recreation has a funding access program, opens a new window wherein if you are low-income, you may be entitled to either free programming/day camps or deeply discounted activities.
• Beavers, opens a new window can be very affordable.
• Some families qualify for Kidsport, opens a new window funding for gear and clothing for sports.
• Alderney Gate Public Library has a plethora of free concerts every summer (both inside the Library and at Ferry Terminal Park), a few days during the week. View the lineup, opens a new window.
• Some SchoolsPlus, opens a new window groups coordinate free programs and camps over the summertime.

Gifts & Birthdays 

• Host a birthday party gathering at a public playground.
• Some stores offer birthday freebies if you sign up for their clubs including Giant Tiger, Booster Juice, Dairy Queen, Mastermind Toys, Toys R Us, Starbucks, Harvey’s, New York Fries, Tim Hortons, Cora’s, and Sephora. 
• Parker Street and Salvation Army both give away free Christmas toys for kids each year for people who identify as low-income.

Babies 

• Cloth diapers can save a bundle if you buy them used.
• Some family resource centres provide free diapers to families in need.
• Sobeys offers free prenatal vitamins for expectant moms.

Looking for more tips and tricks to help you save? We're also highlighting community suggestions to help you boost your wellness. Read it on the blog, opens a new window.