Large family goes back to basics to keep costs down

RAISING a family is expensive – any statistical report will show you that – but it really doesn’t have to cost close to a million dollars.

CUTTING COSTS: Tanya Norman, pictured with Parker Bailey, Charlotte Altoft and Hayley Altoft, turns to board games to keep family entertainment costs down. Picture: john mccutcheon

RAISING a family is expensive - any statistical report will show you that - but it really doesn't have to cost close to a million dollars.

Mountain Creek mum Tanya Norman has found ways to keep down the cost of raising her extended family of six children, aged between 10 months and 18.

A 2013 report by the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) and AMP determined it cost close to $800,000 to raise two children to the age of 21. The cost of living in Australia has only gone up in the past two years.

But Ms Roberts has learnt creative ways to ensure it won't cost anywhere near $800,000 by "going back to the basics".

"We make our own food, the kind of food grandma used to make," she said.

"We make mince go further with vegies in it and for our children we have found hand-me-downs are the best.

"It's all just a matter of working together to help each other out a little bit."

Ms Norman has also found a way of keeping childcare costs to zero while earning an income.

"I run my own business as family day care," she said.

"This keeps me at home with my children, saves on childcare costs and earns me money as well."

The family also does a lot of op-shopping and keeps their eyes open for sales.

"We are always looking out when the toy sales are on.

"We try to make the most of what little we have and don't go out much.

"We entertain at home and make the most of where we live.

"We will also play board games at home together."

Living with a chef also helps "save on cooking".

"I can't remember when last we went out for a meal," Ms Norman said.

"He saves on cooking, I save on daycare."

Originally published as Large family goes back to basics to keep costs down