Cheap Mother’s guide to parties

When your kid is a bit older, say 10 or 11, write, “This is my first real birthday party” on the invitation. Coupled with a photo of your child looking forlorn, it will either spook the other parents completely so they don’t send their kid to the party (you can’t go, that child is a loser) – thus saving buckets of money on feeding and entertaining the little monsters. Or they will feel so bad for your child they will take out a second mortgage on their house to pay for a really cool present for your kid. That’s called a win-win situation.