Most people discover money at a young age and one of the biggest influences for most is mom. In the United States, on the second Sunday of May, we celebrate Mother’s Day. Similar to other holidays, many will spend money on a variety of things including presents, dinner, flowers, and brunch for their mothers. Do you know how much? According to the National Retail Federation Americans will spend $23.1 BILLION in 2018! Here are some ideas on how to save your budget and still make mom’s day special.
1. Take Mom out Somewhere Free – Gather your siblings and/ or children and take your mom somewhere nice. Go out for a day at the beach or visit a local attraction that she enjoys, like a flower garden. Maybe have a picnic at a park where she would take you as a kid. The day at the park can bring back old memories while creating new ones. Supplies needed for a picnic are minimal, making it easier to add them to your budget.
2. Flowers – If you decide to give her flowers, shop around for the best deal. Hand her the flowers in person; it’s not only a good touch, but it will also save you from paying for delivery. If for geographical reasons delivery is the only option, call several of her local flower shops to see if you can find a better deal than the national retailers. If your mom/ wife gardens, don’t forget the home improvement store. You can pick out her favorite flowers and plants often for a price of a single bouquet.
3. Have the Kids Be Creative – If you have small children, set aside an afternoon and help the kids make mom a gift. Your children’s age and abilities will determine what they should and could make. One idea is to help them record a video message, and then put it on her tablet or laptop. Make a breakfast on Mother’s Day and have the kids surprise her with their gifts.
4. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words – Give your mom a photo album of memories. If your mom prides herself with keeping up with technology, this can also be done digitally. Gather up pictures both old and new and arrange them in a photo album or in a slide show on a flash drive. It may take a while to find all of the right pictures, but it won’t cost you a lot if anything at all. If your budget allows it, buy a digital picture frame and pre-load the pictures. Chances are she will cherish that more than anything.
5. Give Her the Gift of Silence – A mom’s life can be crazy, busy, and hectic, so sometimes the best gift of all is taking the kids and letting her relax in a stress-free environment. This may not be for everyone, but giving her the option is one way to let her know how much you value the effort she makes for your family.
For families with young children, Mother’s Day can include taking the kids shopping for mom. When out shopping, don’t forget the budget that you’ve been working so hard to maintain. Mother’s Day can and should be saved for in your budget ahead of time as should other holiday or even back-to-school shopping.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms!
