When your heart wants to give your children the world, it can be difficult to say ‘no.’ But caring for your long-term financial picture is caring for your kids’ long-term financial picture. Because it is probably your children that will take care of you when they are adults. And your decisions today can make that more or less financially stressful for them.

One of the greatest joys in my life is being a dad. I cherish the responsibility of raising my two sons. I often feel as if there was nothing that I would not do for them.

I know I am not alone. Many parents understand this feeling. But actually following through with this feeling is not always best for them or you. And it is definitely not always best for your family budget.

Kids can be expensive, but often we allow them to take over a greater piece of our budget than what is necessary. There are many ways to reduce the expenditures you make on your kids while still providing an awesome childhood. Here are eleven ways to stop letting kids ruin your budget:

1. Stop thinking that the amount you spend on your kids indicates how much you love them.

We feel good when we can give our kids what they want. But spending money on our kids will never be an indicator of our love for them. There are a lot of terrible parents who give their kids everything they could desire. And there are a lot of great parents who can barely provide food and clothes.

There are a lot of terrible parents who give their kids everything they could desire. And there are a lot of great parents who can barely provide food and clothes.

2. Stop trying to give them everything you had or didn’t have as a kid.

Comparing the amount of money your parents did or didn’t spend on you is always dangerous. More than likely, your financial picture is different than your parents. And so you should not expect your kids to have the same childhood you did. Remember, they have only personally experienced one childhood—theirs. And they are probably pretty happy with it.

3. Limit extracurriculars

The costs of extracurricular activities can quickly erode a checking account balance. To manage these expenses, set your budget and prioritize the activities. You probably will not be able to do everything. And there is nothing wrong with that.

4. Take advantage of free opportunities

Most cities and towns have a number of free activities they offer throughout the year. Often, these include parks, concerts, movie nights, and other family activities. Instead of going to the movies theater, see what free activities are available in your town. In addition to saving money, this is a great way to help your children be involved in your local community.

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