As a mother of two, I understand the perils of kids’ health.

For one, preschools and schools can be an epicentre for germs. Kids also have weaker immune systems so they tend to pick up bugs much faster than the typical adult would. For working parents, having to stay home and take care of sick kids can come at a cost, not to mention the high price of medical care, so it’s in our best interests to keep our kids healthy.

Prevention is better than cure!

Here are some of my top tips for keeping kids healthy, without breaking the bank:

Consider making a budget

Although this may seem fairly self-explanatory, drawing up a budget is one of the most important steps you can take when you’re thinking about cutting back on costs. If you can pinpoint any health-related areas that seem to be costing you more than you would like (for example, health insurance or fresh food), then you’ll be able to take steps to reduce these costs. Unnecessary expenses can be a big drain on your bank account, so by identifying problem areas and considering alternatives, you should be able to pinch pennies a little easier.

Plan ahead

Planning meals can help you to not only keep your kids’ dinners and lunches balanced and nutritious but also keep costs down. If you think about the week ahead of you before you do your shopping, you can prevent yourself from unnecessary spending. Consider some fairly cheap but wholesome meals, such as a stir fry or fried rice. Also, home-cooked meals are almost always more cost-effective (per head) than eating out – and they’re healthier too!

Encourage a balanced diet

It’s important to ensure that your kids are eating the right kinds of food. Nutrient-rich meals full of vegetables and protein should help keep their immune systems boosted to help fight off any bugs that do come their way. Also, this doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive venture. By basing your shopping around what’s in season or what’s on sale instead of what’s the most convenient or tasty, you should be able to cut back on costs. For example, out-of-season fruits such as raspberries or nectarines can be extremely pricey at the moment, so try switching them out for apples or kiwifruit, which are in season now.

Take preventative measures

Immunisations are a great way to prevent a lot of illnesses that children can pick up. Chickenpox, rubella and a wide range of other diseases can be almost completely prevented at an early age with a vaccine. In the long run, vaccinating your kids can potentially save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in hospital bills and medical fees and they’re typically subsidised (either wholly or in part) by the government or your private health insurance. Not to mention, vaccinations can also save your child’s life. Have a look at our list of immunisations for children to see whether you can claim the cost of any of them back.

Play outside

For one, this gives you the joy of having happy children. Not only do kids usually love playing outside, but it will also boost their endorphins. Secondly, exercise is great for your kids’ all-round health, fitness and wellbeing. Whether it’s at the park, on a walk around the block, or just kicking a ball in the garden, playing outside with your kids is completely free and can be instrumental in keeping them in good health.

It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to keep your kids healthy. There are plenty of cost-effective measures you can take and if you run out of ideas, you can always jump online and find more!