Moms Talk Q & A: Pinching Pennies

New Port Richey Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in West Pasco County.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart parents take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic.

So grab a cup of coffee and settle in.

We're start the conversation at 1 p.m. today with questions and thoughts about the subject of our Parenting 2.0 column topic: Saving Money

Here's our Moms Council to weigh in.

Andrea Delaney is a mother of three in Holiday and an English major at Ashford University. Here are her thoughts on the subject today:  

In this tough economy we are all looking for ways to save money. This can be challenging, especially when you have children; challenging but not impossible.

With a family of five, and two of those being teenagers, I know the importance of stretching a dollar. When it comes to groceries, I buy my meat from a wholesale club like Sam’s. I have always been a coupon clipper, and although it can be time consuming it can really pay off at the check-out line. I also compare grocery store ads before planning the menu for the week. This helps me find the best bargains. Again, time consuming but worth it in the end.

We limit eating out and this includes fast food. For entertainment, we use our greatest asset here on the coast; we go to the beach. A picnic lunch and a game of family football in the sand is not only fun, but a great way to get some exercise. Best of all, it’s free! With the sudden spike in gas prices, I have learned to take care of all of my errands in one trip. These little cuts here and there help me keep my money where I need it most, in my pocket.

Analyn Megison is a mother of two and a contributor and columnist for New Port Richey Patch and Land O' Lakes Patch. Here are her thoughts on today's subject.

Spending time is a great way to save money for your family.  Spend time on dinners and barbecues with friends at their houses or at the park. That makes an investment in the relationships around you and saves money at the same time for your family.  Not a bad deal, if you ask me.  Spending time with your children and beloved friends is also much more entertaining and fun for all inolved than hunching over  a kitchen table clipping coupons and alphabetizing them.  Also, going outside to the beach or to play at a park is certainly a great way to save money on health care costs as well.

 A deck of cards and board games can also travel pretty much anywhere, outdoors or indoors.  Are there great to explore together?  Check and see if there is a group rate or deal for your group of friends that helps all of you save.  And laughter is always free.