Raising a son is so costly now days. Everything he needs and wants is slowly depleting your bank account. If you plan on having enough money left to send him to college, than you need to cut back on the things you buy for him now. Here are some money saving ideas that will cost you little or nothing...

Instructions:
Is your son's hair getting a little shaggy? There is no need to waste gas to drive him to Super Cuts, where you not only have to pay for a haircut that you could have given him at home, but you are expected to leave a tip too! Instead, do this: Sit your son on a kitchen chair. Maybe offer him a pillow to sit on to make him more comfortable. Place a bowl on his head. Use a plastic bowl, as a heavy one may hurt a little when it clunks his head. You may have to try out of few bowls to get the perfect size. Tell him not to move as you trim the hair that extends below the bowl. There, done! Won't he look nice on picture day?!

Who can afford new clothing anymore? If your son wants new clothes, he needs to put forth effort in getting them -- after all, it's he who wants them. Have him go door-to-door and ask the kind people in your neighborhood if their kids have clothes they have outgrown (kids his size or bigger, of course). You would be surprised at what people throw away... this is a great recycling idea! So what if he brings home a few lacy shirts or dresses. Sooner or later he needs to get in touch with his feminine side anyway!

School lunches... every kid deserves one. But lunches bought at school are so expensive; instead, the night before school, make a peanut butter sandwich for him. Forget that costly whole grain bread. White bread is good enough! One slice of bread with peanut butter spread on it, then folded over is all he needs to hold him over till he returns home. Why make this the night before? Because you can throw it in a bag and set it in front of the door where he can find it without bothering you. See? You don't even need to get out of bed before he leaves for school. Oh, for a drink... water is so good for him. If the peanut butter gets stuck to the roof of his mouth, he can rinse with unlimited water at the water fountain!

Your son deserves a sweet treat now and then. At least one of his friends in school would probably give up their chewing gum after chewing to hell the flavor out of it (a true friend would). Also, these treats are often found under the school cafeteria tables and under desks.

Do you give your son an allowance for house-hold chores, such as taking out the garbage? Nonsense! Tell him he is about to learn his first lesson on what it's like to be an adult... "Sorry son, you have been laid off." Then have him experience the satisfaction of doing volunteer work!