Great Thread - lotsa ideas! I have 7 kids and 1 income. I used to think why should my kids miss out on things just because they are from a big family but now I think do they need all these things!?? I spend more on my kids at birthdays rather than Christmas because of all the expense at once and they are cool with that. Op shops are great and each season they usually get 1 good outfit each new and its a real treat to shop for it (usually only at KMart, etc not a designer store!). I refuse to spend big money on round the house clothes and PJ's - who sees them! People are always giving me hand me downs and I never say no, I find I like/need to dress my kids tidy when out because people do look and judge you. I have a separate kids account that I put money into each week to pay for out of school lessons as they need them. Money was never a factor when we decided to have more children, they bring more joy than money can buy.