A high cost of living has been a point of public and private discussion for some time. The cost of everything from housing to food to entertainment has seemingly risen dramatically in recent years, and some areas are feeling the pinch more than others. For example, the Cost-of-Living Index from the World Population Review indicates that Californians’ cost of living is 42 percent higher than the national average, while Oklahomans’ cost of living is 14 percent below the national average.
Even residents living in places with a lower-than-average cost of living are not immune to concerns about how to pay for daily expenditures like food, gasoline and utilities that in many instances have become considerably more expensive in recent years. As parents navigate the rising cost of living, they can keep these pointers in mind in an attempt to save money on daily expenses.
Bundle entertainment-related expenses. A 2025 report in Adwave noted that the cable television penetration rate dropped from 88 percent in 2010 to 35 percent in 2025. By 2025, 77 million households had already cut the cord with cable TV. While families may have cut costs to reduce what they spent to watch their favorite shows, the explosion of television streaming platforms, which now number more than 200 across the globe, has made it possible that some families are spending even more on TV now than they were when they had cable years ago. Parents paying for multiple streaming subscriptions each month may be able to cut back on that spending by bundling subscriptions. If bundling isn’t possible, look for deals through mobile service providers, or consider canceling subscriptions to seldom-used platforms.
Make a list before going to the grocery store. Shoppers know how easy it can be to make impulse buys when visiting a modern grocery store with dozens of displays and as many as 20 aisles of merchandise. Without a shopping list in hand, it can be easy to succumb to temptation and spend more at the store. Parents can make a list prior to leaving for the grocery store and only purchase the items that make the cut. Over time, making a list and sticking to it could save parents a considerable amount of money.
Make use of cash back offers. Some credit cards feature cash back offers where users earn cash back on all purchases. (Note: Some cards limit cash back to certain categories, such as gas.) Even a cash back offer of 2 percent can save parents a considerable amount of money over time, but only if cardholders pay the balances in full before interest accrues each month. A 2 percent cash back card used to make $10,000 worth of purchases can earn cardholders $200 in cash back rewards.
Be more efficient when driving. Gas is a big monthly expense for families. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average driver spent $201 per month on gasoline in 2024, the most recent year with full consumer spending data. Families might spend even more driving kids to and from practices, games, dance recitals, birthday parties, and other activities. Parents may be able to reduce their gasoline consumption by resolving to be more efficient when doing things like running errands. The fewer short trips drivers make, the more efficiently their vehicles consume fuel.
