Getting Groceries...Cheap!

As a stay-at-home mom, I am always looking for ways to save money on groceries. I am proud to say that in the last couple months I have become a coupon clipping, price shopping master. Most weeks I spend about an hour looking through ads and clipping coupons. This week I spent $75 on groceries (which actually included a few high price items including 2 packs of diapers and 2 bags of dog food) and saved $80! My husband pointed out that if I spent an hour looking for the specials, I had made $80 for an hour of work. Not a bad salary! I am still perfecting my craft, but it has become a game to see how much money I can save. I thought I would share with you my recipe for success:

1. Pull out the ads for the stores you frequent (I normally shop at Super Target, Fry's, and Sunflower Farmers Market).
2. Look for the best deals on meat products. From these deals decide on your nightly main course. (Check out this article on "How to Spot a Great Price on Meat").
3. Use sites like Stretching a Buck , $5 Dinners.com or Moms Need to Know to find great deals at your favorite stores + coupons.
4. Take out your clipped coupons and compare with ads. Also, check out coupon sites like coupons.com and redplum.com.
5. Know your store's coupon policy. For example, Target will accept their coupons plus manufacturer's coupons, so you are often able to get items for free or very cheap.
6. Look for stores to have double, triple, quadruple coupons (most will honor up to $1). When these promotions occur, use your coupons to buy lower priced items to get them for free or close to free.
7. If you find a super deal on meat, frozen/canned veggies, canned foods, etc. buy extra and stockpile.

Plus, check out my favorite website Stretching a Buck for weekly deals at these stores:

Kroger (Fry's)

Target

CVS

Walgreens

These are just a few of my ideas. Please leave a comment about how you save money on groceries.

Introducing Finger Foods

Much to my surprise, my seven month old daughter started feeding herself a couple days ago. About a month ago, my pediatrician recommended giving her Gerber Puffs so that she could begin learning to feed herself (with thumb and pincher finger). She has now mastered the concept! I have been doing some research and found some great information on starting finger foods that I thought I would share with you.

You can start your child on finger foods when they master the thumb-finger grasp (anywhere between 7-10 months) and when they begin to show interest in grabbing food off your plate.

Best Finger Foods:

• Cut up pieces of bananas or pears
• Baked apple cubes
• Melon cubes
• Pieces of avocado
• Pieces of baked sweet potato
• Peas
• Cut-up green beans
• Cooked, diced carrots
• Bite sized pieces of cheese
• Cereal such as Cheerios
• Cooked pasta
• Lightly toasted pieces of toast or bagels

Tips and Hints:

• Check with your doctor before feeding your child any new foods
• As with baby food, introduce finger foods one at a time
• Give your child a few pieces of food at a time
• Let your child "play" with the food, this is part of the learning process
• ALWAYS supervise your child while they are eating!!!!

Here are some helpful links:

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/infant/finger_foods.html

http://kidshealth.org/parent/food/infants/finger_foods.html

http://www.babycenter.com/0_finger-foods_105.bc

http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/baby-finger-foods.html

Baby Deals

Babysteals.com offers deals on everything from baby gear to maternity clothes. Drop by daily to check out the new special.

Thanks Rachel for this info!

Traveling with Babies

In honor of my trip this weekend, I thought I would blog about traveling with babies. Including this weekend, I have now gone out of town 3 times with my daughter. I definitely took for granted how easy it was to travel without a baby. Now I have to plan for everything...what do I take, what is the best time to leave, what are all the possible things that could happen, etc.

I have found that the following things are important when traveling:

• Make a list of what you need to pack.
• Plan the best time of day to travel (if we drive we like to start in the evening when we know our daughter will sleep the most).
• Travel as light as possible. Leave large items at home (i.e. take your baby carrier instead of the stroller if possible)
• If you are traveling by plane find a company in your destination city that rents out baby equipment so you don't have to bring your own.
• Contact the hotel ahead of time and rent one of their cribs.
• Have a container full of travel size toiletries (hair gel, shampoo, toothpaste, cotton swabs, etc.). When you pack go to the container and pack what you need.
• Pack one suitcase or bag with clothes, diapers, burp cloths, etc. and one for formula, bottles, bibs, etc. Then you will know where everything is!

Here are some great sites that have advice for travel:

Planning a Trip: http://www.babycenter.com/planning-a-family-trip

Travel Games for Babies: http://www.momsminivan.com/babies.html

Surviving a Plane Trip: http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/accessibility/ht/Surviveplane.htm

Packing Checklist: http://www.babycenter.com/packing-checklist-for-traveling-with-baby

Post comments about what you have found helpful when traveling.

Teething

My daughter has been constantly chewing on her fingers the last week or so which leaves me wondering...is she teething? I thought this would be a good opportunity to talk about some of the symptoms of teething and what you can do to help your child.

Symptoms:

• Irritability
• Drooling
• Coughing (due to excess saliva)
• Biting and gnawing
• Cheek rubbing and ear pulling (pain can travel to these areas)

Addition Possible Symptoms (these are thought to be correlated to teething, but have not been proven):

• Diarrhea
• Low-grade fever
• Not sleeping well
• Cold like symptoms (runny nose)

So what are some things that you can do for your child to ease the pain of teething?

• Offer your child cold/frozen teething rings
• Feed your child chilled foods such as applesauce or yogurt
• Use Baby Orajel or a similar pain relieving product
• Give your baby Tylenol (check with your doctor first to make sure this is ok)

Here are some additional resources:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_teething_11243.bc

http://children.webmd.com/tc/teething-topic-overview

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/teething/article_em.htm

Feel free to leave comments about what has worked well for your teething child.

Saving for Your Child's Future

If you have a baby, it is time to start thinking about saving for their future! With rising living and college costs, it is never too early to start saving for your child's future. When my daughter was born, my husband and I set up a savings account for her and established a monthly transfer to automatically save. It is crazy how fast the money adds up. There are several different types of savings account for children. The one that is best for you depends on your situation and how much you can afford to save every month.

Here are some links to check out for more information on types of savings accounts:

http://www.babycenter.com/saving-for-college

http://www.savingforcollege.com/college_savings_101/

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/savings/3-ways-to-save-for-your-child-s-future-1.aspx

Leave a comment about how you save for your child's future.

Developmental Milestones

After about 10 years in the workforce I have grown accustom to reaching goals, competing, and the pressure to perform. Being a stay-at-home mom has created a whole new set of challenges. Thanks to our society, there is a great deal of pressure for your child to be the first to reach a developmental milestone. I will admit that at the beginning I was slightly obsessed with when my daughter should be hitting the milestones and how she fared compared to her peers. After driving myself crazy, I finally realized that my daughter is going to develop at her own rate.

It is a good idea to know approximately when your child should be reaching certain developmental milestones in case there is a problem, but as I have learned these should only be used as guidelines. Here are some websites that provide information on developmental milestones:

http://www.pbs.org/wholechild/abc/index.html
http://www.babycenter.com/baby-development
http://www.parents.com/baby/development/

My advice is to let your child develop at their own pace. Spend as much time playing with your child as possible and make everything a learning experience.

Picky Eaters and Introducing Solids

My daughter started eating solids a couple weeks ago and so far we have fared well. She has eaten bananas, sweet potatoes, avocados, and pears. We are continuing to introduce a new food every 3 days. When talking to moms of 6-12 months old, I have found that I am one of the lucky few. Many moms have terribly picky eaters and don't know what to do. I have also found that many moms are now taking their children to eating specialists.

Here are some tips that I have found helpful when introducing solids:

• If your baby is breastfed, start with foods that have a sweet taste to them (similar to breast milk) like bananas, sweet potatoes, pears, apples, etc.
• Mix the food with either formula or breast milk, which will give the food a familiar taste.
• Make the puree very thin to start with so it has a consistency similar to formula or breast milk and gradually thicken.
• Let your baby put his hands in the food and "feed" himself.
• Know which foods are appropriate to introduce to your child. Check out Wholesome Baby Food for introduction charts.
• I am a big fan of making your own baby food. Not only does it save money, but the food has a nice fresh taste for your baby. Check out my older post for more details.
• If your child doesn't appear to like a food, try it again. In fact keep trying. Some babies take 8-10 times to like a food.

If you are a parent of a toddler here are some great sites to help with your picky eaters:

http://www.parents.com/preschoolers/eating-nutrition/picky-eaters/

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-handle-a-picky-eater_64302.bc

As always I welcome your comments and suggestions for how you have overcome a picky eater!

Baby Toys

In this day and age, there is so much pressure to have the newest and latest things. I was at a playdate today with my daughter and got to talking with the other moms about toys. I do not own a lot of toys for my daughter nor do I plan on buying many. It seems that many of the magazines and websites geared for children are always promoting the "best toys" for learning and development. In my opinion, it is time to get back to the basics. While there are some great toys out there that do aid development, a child can learn from something as simple as putting things in and taking things out of Tupperware containers.

Here are my ideas for savings money when it comes to buying toys:

• If you are going to buy a large toy (i.e. exersaucer, Jump-a-roo, etc.) try it from a friend first and make sure that your child likes it
• Buy only one or two large toys and supplement with smaller ones
• Instead of buying toys in stores, buy online. I have found that Amazon is usually cheaper than the chain stores.
• Buy toys used from sites like Craig's List or even better, borrow used toys from friends.
• Buy toys and clothes at thrift stores. Not only are they dirt cheap, but the money also usually goes to a good cause. (Thanks to the moms today for this idea)
• Lastly, don't spend loads of money buying toys. Let your child play with your Tupperware, pots and pans, remote controls, and spatulas. They will learn just as much from these things and you will save a ton of money (not to mention keep your house from getting cluttered).

Bonding With Daddy

My husband took the first 2 weeks off after I gave birth to spend time with our new baby. I know that I am the luckiest woman alive because my husband insited on changing almost every single diaper those first couple of weeks. You might be wondering "why in the world would he want to change all those diapers?" and rightfully so. The answer is that this gave him a chance to bond with our new bundle of joy. Since I was breastfeeding, it was hard for him to find time to bond with her, so diaper changing time became daddy daughter time.

I believe that having your child's father bond with him/her is VERY important. For one, your child won't cry every time daddy takes her out of your arms. Additionally, a dad's involvement is important in a child's development. Children need the play time that only dads seem to be able to provide. There are many different ways that your significant other can bond with your child and it is your job to encourage this bonding time.

It seems that women (for the most part) seem to transition into motherhood much better than men transition into fatherhood. Many men struggle with becoming daddy. Luckily there are many websites dedicated to helping men with this challenging time (now you just need to get your man to swallow his ego and admit that he needs...gasp...help). Check out these resources on becoming a dad:
http://www.greatdad.com/
www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/362_757.asp
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/father.html

And these sites on bonding:
http://life.familyeducation.com/bonding/fathers/50557.html
http://fatherhood.about.com/od/newdadresources/a/dad_bonding.htm

Moms-don't forget that your significant other may not be able to do things as well as you, but you need to let him do it anyway (I have to practice this one)!

Breastfeeding

I have now been breastfeeding my daughter for 6 months. I feel this is a great accomplishment, especially considering it has not always been easy. I have had a few friends lately who have struggled with nursing their newborns. While the first few weeks are the hardest, there are several problems that can arise during the following months. I encourage all new mothers to breastfeed because the benefits to your child are great:

• Protects against infections/illness/allergies-your milk can transfer immunities to your baby
• Lower chance of SIDS
• According to studies enhances intelligence and development
• Better health later in life, including better dental health and a lower chance of cancer and diabetes

Most of us would do anything for our babies and this (in my opinion) is one of the best things you can do. In addition, the best result for you as the mom is getting back into your old clothes. Breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day! You can take these steps to ensure you get the best experience:

• Read, read, read-I prepared myself by reading every piece of advice I could find. This way I knew what to expect from the beginning.
  
• Seek out help. There are several organizations such as La Leche League that provide support for breastfeeding moms. Most hospitals also offer a support group. Don't be afraid to attend one of these events. It is always nice to know their are moms just like you!


• Be prepared with all the necessary equipment. Buy a good breast pump. Buy a few good nursing bras. Buy some nursing blouses if you choose.


• Meet with a lactation specialist in the hospital. If your hospital doesn't offer one, meet with one right after you leave the hospital. It was strange to have someone messing with my boobs, but it really did help.


• Find friends that are breastfeeding. Talk about your problems and concerns with them.

Here are some great sites that provide more information:

http://www.breastfeeding.com/

http://www.llli.com/

Feel free to post any comments about what challenges you have had or other tips you would like to share!

Sleep! (or lack of)

Ah...the days of getting a full night sleep. I am afraid these days are over. I now understand why my grandma still gets up every morning at 5 A.M. despite the fact that her children have been gone for years. Having a child definitely changes your mindset about sleep. I now find myself getting up early just to take a shower. If I don't take a shower at 6 A.M. it is usually 3 in the afternoon before I get around to taking one! The time that Haley sleeps is the best time for me to get things done. Even right now I am blogging, eating breakfast, doing my make-up, and watching the Today show. The question is: how do you get your child to sleep?

One of the greatest challenges of being a new mom has been trying to figure out how to get Haley to sleep. Everyone seems to have advice about how to get your child to sleep, but what I have found is that every baby is different. There are several methods that have been proven effective. Check out these websites for advice on different methods:

www.babycenter.com/baby-sleep-problems-solutions
www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070100.asp

Here are the things that I have found effective (remember what works for one parent may not work for another):

• Create a bedtime routine (i.e. bath, book, song, bed)
• Create an nap routine. This should be different from your bedtime routine.
• Create an environment conducive to sleep (I purchased a sound machine to block out outside noises and to use as a cue to sleep)
• Be willing to try different things. What works for your child will most likely change over time.
• If you find something that works don't be afraid to use it. For example, if your child likes to nap in the swing, let him sleep in the swing. It won't hurt!
• Ask your partner for help. On days that I can't manage to get Haley to sleep, I give her to my husband and of course she seems to fall right to sleep. It also provides good bonding time for your partner.

Feel free to leave some comments about what has worked for you!

Homemade Baby Food

After checking out the prices for baby food at the grocery store, I have decided to make my own. I know that many of you may not have the time or desire to make baby food, but if you are interested I have found a site that is very helpful.

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/

This site charts when you should start different foods and gives directions and recipes for making the food. To make your own baby food there are just a few basics you need to get started:

1. Food processor or baby mill (I purchased a Black & Decker food processor for about $30 at Walmart)
2. Ice Cube Trays
3. Freezer Storage Bags

The best thing about making baby food is that you can make it up to a month ahead of time, freeze, and then thaw as needed. I have started looking through the weekly grocery ads to find when the fresh fruits/veggies are on sale. I cook the foods as recommended, mash or puree, and divide into ice cube trays to freeze. After frozen you can put the cubes in freezer bags. That's it! It really is simple and is a very cost effective way to feed your baby.

Ode to the Stay at Home Mom

I couldn't wait until the day that my daughter was born. I was so excited to be a stay at home mom and to quit my job. I never realized how difficult it would be. I always had the fairy tale vision of going to the park, keeping the house spotless, having dinner on the table every night, and finally having time for myself. A couple days after my daughter was born I found that the reality is the complete opposite. It's too hot to go to the park during the summer. Everytime I try to clean something, Haley wants to be held or wakes up from her nap. Dinner time=fussy time. There is little time I have for myself because there is always something that needs to be done.


The hardest part for me about being a stay at home mom is feeling lonely. After working at the same company for 8 years and constantly being around people, I didn't really know how to be alone. Sometimes the T.V. is my constant companion. I talk a lot to Haley (and our puppy), but it isn't the same as adult interaction.


On the flip side of all this, being a stay at home mom is very rewarding. I am there to witness almost all of my daughter's new milestones. With all the time we spend together, Haley and I have developed a very strong bond. I am free during the day to do different activities. The best feeling in the world is when Haley smiles at me or laughs with me and the ability to know what to do when she is upset is something that no one will ever be able to do as well as I can.

Here are some of the things that I have found helpful in adjusting to motherhood:

• Meet new moms. Try a website like http://www.meetup.com/ to find a group of moms in your area. The group that I am a member of holds daily activities. It is a great way to get out of the house and to connect with others in the same situation.
• Take time for youself everyday. Don't feel guilty taking a nap, a bath, or even reading a book during your child's naptime. Your child will reap the benefits later!
• Find events around the community to attend during the day. Many public libraries have baby storytime aimed at babies from newborns to 2.
• Make a schedule for your baby, but be flexible. Don't be afraid to go out of the house every once in a while during your baby's normal naptime.
• Find someone responsible to watch your baby so that you can go to a movie or even get a pedicure every once in a while.

Whether you are a stay at home mom or you are returning to work, the transition can be very hard. Check out these resources from one of my favorite websites:

www.babycenter.com/stay-at-home-mom-dad

www.babycenter.com/working-mom-parents

Diapers, Diapers, Diapers (and poop)

My daughter, Haley, was born on March 16th, 2009. To my surprise she arrived 3 weeks early! I am usually a very prepared person, but due to her early arrival I had not had a chance to pack my bags for the hospital or to put the finishing touches on the house.

After Haley was born, my husband and I discovered that there are newborn diapers. All this time I had assumed that diapers started at size 1 (which of course I had plenty of at the house). So once we got home my husband went to the store and much to my surprise came back with the right brand/size of diapers. I knew that she would use a lot of diapers, but I don't think I really grasped just how many. I also didn't realize how expensive diapers are and how many brands would not work for her.

I remember a couple of days after Haley was born...my husband and I were eating breakfast and Haley was asleep in our room on the other side of the house. Suddenly we heard a loud noise. We looked at each other and said "no, it couldn't be". Well it was. Our little bundle of joy had just pooped and we had heard it across the house. Who knew a little one had so much force. We soon found out that she could "blow out" of almost any diaper. After the last 5 months these are the tips that I have for new moms:

1. Register for a couple packages of newborn and size 1 diapers. It will be nice to have them on hand and will give you a chance to try a couple of brands. You can always return a package if you are one of the lucky few to have a baby too big for newborn diapers.
2. Try different brands. What works for your friend's baby may not work for your baby.
3. Look for any way to save money on diapers (see below for some tips)
4. Always pack additional outfits for unexpected blowouts and line your infant carrier with a burp cloth if you have a "blowout" baby like mine (trust me this is much better than washing the infant seat cover).
5. If you have a poop stain that just won't come out of your baby's clothes, put the outfit in the sun for a few hours. I don't know how it works, but the stains come right out.
6. Have your husband change as many diapers as possible for the first couple of weeks. My husband changed almost all of the diapers for the first 2 weeks and it was a surprisingly great way for him to bond with Haley (plus it gives you a nice break).

Money savings ideas:

1. Visit manufacturer's website and sign up for their email/mail coupons. Here are a couple of the sites:

http://www.huggiesbabynetwork.com/

http://www.luvdiapers.com/

http://www.pampers.com/

2. Buy diapers at a wholesale club such as Cosco or Sam's Club. Make sure if you buy a large box that you buy it when you baby is first using a size. They can grow out of them quickly! Also, look in the mail for the coupons that these clubs often send. I was able to get $9 off when I purchased a box of diapers and wipes.

3. Use diapers.com. This site will give you $5-$10 off your first order and best of all they are delivered right to your door. They will also email you their specials.

These are just a few of my tips. Please feel free to leave comments with any other words of advice or money saving tips!