When life gets expensive, my family of 7 plays the 'no-spend week' challenge. Here's the gist.

Tech Insider : Business
A parent and child write down their budget using receipts with an iphone and a laptop.
I have 5 kids, so unexpected costs can come up.

Images By Tang Ming Tung/Getty Images

We went on our first date night as new parents. I thought it would be harder to leave our daughter with a babysitter.

Tech Insider : Business
A couple walking down the street holding hands.
The author (not pictured) and her husband recently left their daughter with a babysitter for the first time.

Pekic/Getty Images/iStockphoto

I lost my job and was diagnosed with cancer within months. With 8 kids, I had no choice but to keep going.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Family photo
The author has eight kids.

Courtesy of the author

I moved my family to a tiny Wyoming town for 2 years to save money. Despite the drawbacks, our brief sacrifice paid off.

Tech Insider : Business
Author Christian Allred, wife, holding son
Short-term living in a tiny town in Wyoming helped us save enough money to buy property in a different part of the US.

Christian Allred

My 5-year-old started his long Christmas wish list in October. I finally found a way to keep him happy without breaking the bank.

Tech Insider : Business
A boy in a festive sweater writes in a notebook. A Christmas tree is in the background.
The author said her son (not pictured) started his holiday wish list back in October.

Isabel Pavia/Getty Images

As a twin dad, I try to prioritize alone time with each of my sons. I spent $1000 to take one to his first concert, and it was money well spent.

Tech Insider : Business
Dad and son at Oasis concert
The author took one of his twins to see Oasis.

Courtesy of the author

I'm in my 40s, single, and childless, so I moved in with my 90-year-old grandma. It isn't always easy being her caregiver.

Tech Insider : Business
hand holding
The author is caring for her 90-year-old grandmother.

seb_ra/Getty Images

As my kids grew older, I worried about losing them. Getting into their interests helped us connect more.

Tech Insider : Business
A family watches TV together

Maskot/Getty Images/Maskot

I let my daughter reject hugs and kisses at family gatherings. My boomer relatives initially felt offended.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
tiffany tuttle sitting in her car with her daugter with family members outside the car
The author's daughter didn't like being hugged by her grandparents.

Courtesy of Tiffany Tuttle

I put an end to cheap souvenirs. Now when I travel with my kids, I make sure we always do this memorable activity.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
The author's son learns how to make ramen during a cooking class abroad.
The author said she was tired of her kids asking for stuffed animals and t-shirts while traveling abroad. Now they spend that money on local cooking classes like this one where her son learned to make ramen.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith

Subscribe to Essay