I agree with buying from op shops, it's amazing what some people don't want anymore....we don't need the best of everything.
As for toys etc, kids will play with anything, make your own or also get at the op shop. Lay by where possible.

Not only is making from scratch nicer & more affordable...you don't have all the nasty ingredients etc too. I'd rather make my own pizza than buy one from the shop that will cost $20 & not taste any good most times.

You can clean most things with stuff such as bi-carb & vinegar, no need to spend $$$ on bulk cleaning products.

One thing I do & I swear by, I get $$$ to automatically come out of my bank account at particular times for things such as ph bill, house pymt, car rego etc....so the bills get pd automatically. Or when they do come in they are not a huge shock as $$$ have been already pd off. This also allows you to know what you then have left to spend.

If you are needing things for a house, check out second hand shops or even somewhere like IKEA or Fantastic Furniture........not always best quality but great for beginners. You can always fix things up, paint etc to make them look nicer or different.

errr think that's all from me.