While we all try our best to cut costs and make the most of our finances, we should never do this at the expense of our family. But while there are many recommendations about how to bring your family closer together when they’re living under your roof, how can families separated by distance ensure to maintain the bonds intact? If your loved ones live far away and you can’t afford to buy a plane ticket, then make sure you check out these cost-effective methods of keeping your family connected online:
- Get everyone using Skype – Get every family member a Skype account on their computers so they can speak completely free computer to computer with their siblings, cousins, grandparents and aunts. You can even add Skype credit so that your kids can call older relatives who may not have access to a computer. These calls cost practically nothing and Skype credit often lasts for months.
- Mobile phone calling apps – Mobile phone apps, such as Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, Facetime, and more allow for free conversations from cell phone to cell phone; all you need is an internet connection and some of these apps even allow you to use the camera, which makes people feel closer together.
- Mobile phone messaging apps – These apps for mobiles are proliferating at such a fast rate that it’s impossible to note them all down here, but apps like Snapchat, Viber, and BB messenger can all help keep families closer, especially where you don’t have the time to sit down and talk. Sometimes just a quick message a day is enough to let you know your kids are safe and well.
- Mobile phone games – We all know that most teenagers are reluctant when it comes to communication. But sometimes no words are needed. Let them set up word games or fun, educative games and compete against family members. It’s a simple way of saying “I’m thinking about you” without having to talk. Some games even have a chat box so they can exchange a few words.
5.Create a blog or family website – Blogs and family websites can be a fun, free or inexpensive way to share your life with all family members. You can sit down with your kids and make updating the website a family activity, not only connecting you to the relatives who are far away, but with those close to you as well.
6.Reunite the whole family – It is hard to get to see your relatives when they are scattered about the country, or even the globe. Trying to coordinate everyone calendars and budgets can be impossible, but if you do want to get everyone together, try looking into family reunion websites that everyone can contribute to, to arrange that all-elusive family reunion.
- Become savvy travelers – Keep a lookout for cheap deals and discounts, as most airlines have great offers from time to time. Travelocity and Orbitz allow you to register your favorite destinations and will alert you when there are offers available.
- Use price comparison websites – when you need to buy and send birthday presents, plan parties, or send cards, check out the price comparison websites that are available online and let them find the lowest prices for you. Sites such as Price Grabber and Shopzilla can help you save tons by finding the best price for the item you want.
Of course, there will never be a substitute for actually physically being with your loved ones and sharing a hug and a meal, but at least we can take advantage of the modern technologies at our fingertips to keep our family connected with very little or no cost at all.
