Sometimes, you need help with childcare. Whether you are just looking for a babysitter for an evening out, or whether you need someone to watch your children while you are in school, the cost of childcare can become very expensive.

While you probably need to budget money to cover childcare costs, there are ways to reduce what you pay. Get a little creative, and plan ahead, and you should be able pay a little less for childcare:

Save Money on Childcare While You Work

If you need to work, chances are that you need someone to watch your kids. However, if you are paying a lot in childcare, it can reduce your disposable income for the month. It can help to re-consider your financial situation and determine whether or not it might be to your advantage to have one partner stay home. If your financial situation allows it, and one of you wants to stay home, you can save money on what you spend for childcare.

Another option is to find out about your work options. Some employers offer discounted daycare for employers. Even if you don’t have on-site daycare at your workplace, it’s possible to find out if your employer offers some sort of rebate, allowance for childcare. Some employers have partners, and you might get a special rate for working for a specific company. In the United States, you can find out if your employer offers a childcare flex spending account. This allows you to save money for childcare with pre-tax dollars.

Because telecommuting is becoming a more popular and accepted option, you might be able to save on childcare by working at home. Find out if your employer will let you work from home two or three days a week. That will reduce your need for childcare, and even save you money on commuting costs.

Your school-age children might have extracurricular activities that can help you reduce the need to have them in daycare. You can also check with your child’s school to find out whether or not there is an after-school program that is free or discounted. Many schools offer extended hours, or the option for your child to stay a little later so that you don’t have the same paid childcare requirements.

If all else fails, though, and you and your partner both need to work, try to coordinate your schedules so that you both aren’t working at the same time. If you can trade off most days, your children will be in childcare less of the time.

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