BabiesandBargains

Why I stopped couponing.....

2013-06-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

I stopped couponing around the time Ellie came. I would coupon here and there but nothing insane or regular. Our budget has SHOWN it! We have started to run out of items in our stockpile. We were spending so much money. It sucks! So Jeff and I decided we had to get back in the game if we want to do things with our kids! I would much rather spend money on doing things with them then on food and household items!

Now I am back couponing...It will be different. I will not be grabbing every deal there is! I will only buy what we need on hand for 6-12 months at a time MAX! We also don't do much in the way of processed food...I buy the kids granola bars and every now and then fruit snacks but other then that I make most of everything for the kids...Jeff on the other hand....

My goals this week for couponing and saving money.....Hit up the Childrens Place sale and get Trevor some jeans for next year. Hit up the Semi Annual Sale at Bath and Body works for Christmas goodies next year. Hit up the Yankee Candle Semi Annual Sale again for Christmas gifts!

Check out Shaws(Friday) and Target(Sunday) for new deals, manager mark down meat etc. I figure starting slow will help me not burn out!

Here are details on my deals this week on YOUTUBE

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Cloth Diaper cleaning tips

2013-05-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

I now have been cloth diapering for 8 months! I wash typically every other day...I was washing every 2 days but quickly learned diapers needed to be washed more often so there weren't as many diapers!

Ive used Rockin Green and Charlies Soap now for my cloth diapers. Ive used 2.5 containers in the 8 months Ive been cloth diapering and prepping.

My routine is simple! Rinse(cold), wash(hot), Rinse(cold)! I try to line dry as much as possible as well! I have had to strip my diapers a few times...due to timing, washing to many diapers, etc. Here is a quick wash routine for my diapers!

Its seriously EASY! It takes no time at all. If you have ANY questions please let me know!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

How to shop Gymboree

2013-05-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick little video of our most recent Gymboree haul...I said we were low income...which we aren't but we are on a fixed tight budget for 6 people in the family!

My tips for shopping Gymboree:

ONLY buy off the clearance racks(I aim for 50% off or more)
ALWAYS watch the sales...red baloon, extra % off mark downs etc
USE GYMBUCKS ON SALE! I also try to get as close as possible to 50, 100 etc when using my gymbucks.
BUY ahead! If you see a great deal grab it.
RESALE your Gymboree! It has a great resale value!

I tend to shop the 50% off or more rack with a extra percentage off and a coupon! I also resale when we are done...I typically spend 10-12 per outfit and resale for about 5! So 5 per outfit for 2 kids works out well for me! I also like to buy in outfits. Gymboree is matchy matchy and I like that so if I see a great cheap piece I make sure I have something to match or its not worth it! Gymboree is seriously adorable on kids and I love it. I like my kids to LOOK like kids...Plus matching the kids is sooo much fun!

Current markdowns are 25% off now! Its a great time to get in there and make a purchase.

The girls in a matching OLDER Gymboree line you wont find in stores anymore

The girls in matching Cabana line which is still out in stores now!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Kick off to Summer

2013-05-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we celebrated Memorial Day weekend...as well as my birthday and a few members of my family! It was a lot of fun! After a week of rain the house/yard was a mess but Im trying to learn to let go!

Trevor kinda stuck to himself or with my cousins son. He just wanted to play and be a big boy. Hes getting of that age where he doesn't want to be associated with the kids...But doesn't realize HE IS STILL A KID! He ended up getting sick cause he ate to much crap and I tend to have him on a stricter diet. I think hes ready for Summer to come. I can tell hes dying for us to get the pool fixed so he can just swim all summer like he did last year. Little does he know hes going to be doing some "schooling" with me over the summer!

Aubrey OH Aubrey! I didnt see much of her as she was with her little BFF from school. However I know she was off the walls hyper and ended up falling asleep on the deck! She was drinking to much juice and just crashed hard! She was a hot mess by days end and the tub had a nice brown ring around it when she was done. This girl loves to be a girl but she can get filthy in no time! I have a feeling summer is gonna be spent just hosing her off. Shes also getting very fresh mouthed which I have to put a stop to this summer. I will not be dealing with her mouth all summer long!

Casey had a BLAST! He was a little more social with people he doesn't see often which is nice for him. Some of my family picked up on his major changes which I attribute to school. He had a lot of fun yesterday. I think this summer our ROUTINE will be key! Once we get him in a routine he will thrive. WE are going to work a lot on fine motor with him this summer with activities Ive found on Pinterest.

Ellie did a lot better this time with the people around. She didnt cry and freak out as much as she did the last time I had people over. She napped right before and during so it was nice I got a little break from her. She doesn't handle heat well which we learned again...I have a feeling this summer is going to be all about balance. I hope I can keep her on the schedule shes on now where she takes 2-3 longer naps a day....Those are the times the kids can get outside, I can get yard work done etc.

It was a great family weekend. The kids had a blast having people over and we did not leave the house once but to go to the grocery store! I really hope this is what summer is all about! I want us to really only need to run errands 1-2 times a week and if possible Id love to do them without the kids! We just want to enjoy summer and the laziness of it! We want to enjoy cookouts, smores and more!

I hope you had a nice long family fun filled weekend! Temps are about to get pretty hot here this week so we are hoping to kick off summer with a trip to the beach! I cant wait for these kids to get outta school!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Rudolph Club: MAY

2013-05-28T09:46:00.002-07:00


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Welcome to the Rudolph Club: your once-a-month meeting to simplify your holidays and get organized for Christmas!

At Organized Christmas, we know that the holiday season can be fast and furious. Solution? Take a day once each month throughout the year to plan and prepare for a more-organized holiday season.

On the 25th of each month, we'll bring simple assignments and easy tips to try now for a simpler, more joyous season. Over the year, you'll tackle planning and preparations to make the season lighter, brighter and less stressful come December.

May Assignment: Catalog Shopping Tips

Summer is coming--but summer catalogs are already here. Crammed with bargains, gift ideas and inspiration, the season's mail order catalogs can be a true ally in the quest for a stress-free and organized holiday season.

Set aside summer issues of catalogs for these purposes:

Save Money

Summer is a slow time for catalog vendors, so they court business with clearance sales. Look for substantial price cuts on gift items, seasonal clothing and holiday decor items. Yes, that Pottery Barn reindeer is the same one you saw last November, but at a much lower price--and gift items like holiday sweatshirts are marked down to rock bottom during summer catalog sales.

Check gift lists and buy while prices--like the season--are hot. Use a free printable Catalog Order Tracker form to record purchases.

Control the impulse to overbuy ("Gosh, these leather key chains from Levenger are only $4? I'll buy 5 of them!") by planning and recording gift giving on a your Master Gift List form.

For more tips for catalog shopping, see our article, The Three "C"s of Catalog Shopping

Gift Ideas and Decor Inspiration

Even if you don't buy, catalogs can be a great source of gift ideas and inspiration for homemade gifts. Tear as you read catalogs, and drop the pages into a file folders marked "Gift Ideas", "Decor" or "Gifts to Make".

Inspiration can come from many quarters. Floral catalogs show models for swags and centerpieces that are easy to duplicate with silk stems from the craft store. Spotted in a public radio catalog: easy-to-copy felt puzzle mats that can be rolled up to store and protect puzzles-in-progress. Add a puzzle and some snacks for an easy family gift.

(We did one, too! Check Make A Puzzle Mat for instructions for this family-friendly craft.)

You may spot one-of-a-kind gift ideas for that hard-to-buy-for family member. (My favorite gift from Christmas 2001, a "Dogs Playing Poker" shirt for poker-loving husband, Steve, came from a summer catalog.) Food gifts and their presentation spark ideas for creating and packaging your own kitchen gifts.

Summer catalogs are a bonanza for an organized holiday planner. Tear 'em out to save time, money and mental energy for the coming holiday season!

May Rudolph Club Reminders

Craft check! Have you planned craft gifts and decor items? Summer vacations, kid sports practices and lazy summer evenings are a great time to add crafted gifts to your stash, so haul out April's Gifts to Make printable planner form and get crafting.

Reminder: Holiday Letter Entry

In February, those of us who write holiday letters began a Rudolph Day activity: noting the month's high points in a notebook or computer file.

If you're a letter-writer, take a few minutes today to add to your holiday letter file. What special moments, jokes or accomplishments have occurred during the last 30 days? Don't worry about style--just note any happy or interesting events to jog your memory come November, when you'll write your holiday letter

Keep Up With The Gift Closet

In January's meeting, we dedicated a "gift closet"--a closet shelf, deep drawer, or an under bed storage box designated to hold bought-ahead holiday gifts.

Time for a quick inventory check! Have you added gifts this month? Record them on the free printable Gift Closet Inventory Form. Your Gift Closet Inventory Form is a one-page reminder of what's tucked away for Christmas.

Keep up with the Christmas Club Savings Plan. Check with your local bank; many financial institutions offer "Christmas Club" accounts that make saving easier. If not, begin your own Christmas Club by writing a check, however small, to yourself on the 25th of each month. Deducted from the running balance in your checking account, but not cashed, this practice can help create a welcome cushion for holiday expenses.

Frugal Finds for May

Will your Christmas gift list include gifts in a jar? These popular layered baking mixes or journal companions require quart-sized canning jars. Buy canning jars now, while stocks are readily available for garden season.

Need more information about these popular make-it-yourself gifts? Find recipes, printable tags and tips here: Gifts In A Jar.

So basically this month we need to start saving cause we have NOT!

We do want to do some canning jar gifts this year and I want the pretty BLUE ones! Target has these but I wanna see if I can find some cheaper.

The master gift list needs to be updated and the toys under the stairs need to be Organized into Tupperware bins.

I want to pull out and set aside Christmas outfits and see what I need for who!

I plan on buying a gift card for Picture People for Christmas Photos(which will be a gift as well)

I plan on getting Ellie and my moms Stockings DONE

I also want to make a list of what I need/want for Ellie as she will not be getting much and doesn't have an opinion yet.

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Birthday Parties.

2013-05-22T10:25:00.001-07:00

This past weekend Aubrey and I went to a birthday party for a preschool friend of hers....This party was SOOOO COOL! It was a cooking place just for kids! The kids made a complete meal all by themselves. Seriously they were measuring, pouring, etc(My OCD was in overdrive)

It was such a mellow party which I loved! The kids weren't running around crazy! Aubrey really enjoys cooking and being in the kitchen in general. This was just right up her alley! As they waited for their lunch to cook they got to decorate TWO cupcakes...One for their and one to bring home!

Aubrey of course had a million pounds of icing loaded up on hers...That was the best part! They had complete freedom to do whatever they wanted. We had a perfect little afternoon at this party. Its parties like these I LOVE to attend...I get a little one on one time with the kids and they really enjoy themselves and their friends.

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Citrus Lane Review

2013-05-21T18:51:00.001-07:00

I mentioned back HERE where I was going to try Citrus Lane out! Make sure you use the code FIRSTBOX for half off your first box! Also get your friends to sign up...You both earn 10 dollars!

I got a full size bag of snacks, a board book, A GREEN TOYS stacker, a sample size lotion, a sample size dish soap! I was thrilled with the box! All of the items we will use! I was looking for ideas for her birthday and I may save the stacker for the event. The older kids took the book and have been reading it to Casey! Shes still a little to young for the treats but that's just because I started her late on food and don't really push it on her.

I LOVE Citrus Lane! I cannot wait for next months box! If you want to see me opening the box I made a quick video on Youtube!They really did gear it towards the age range that I put in.

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Cinco De Mayo 5k

2013-05-08T09:47:00.001-07:00

I ran my first official race since being pregnant this past weekend and boy was it fun! The course was VERY challenging to say the least but I LOVED it! This was the first race I didnt feel pressured. This was the first race I raced to have FUN! Now typically I race with people I know and this time I knew a few friends in the race but I knew they were going to be well ahead of me! So I started WAY in the back and just did my best. I am still not fully running yet as my PT said its best for my ankle if I walk/run!

Source

I did surprisingly well considering I couldn't walk the entire month of February without crutches! I finished in 39.01! I wanted a time of 40 mins but figured I would end up somewhere around 40-45! I finished and saw 41 and was happy with myself...Until I realized that was gun time and I obviously crossed the start line a lot later. All in all it was SUCH a fun time. I plan on running a few more races within this running club because its amazing. Its a really good time! They are super organized and its just about fun not being a HERO!

My next race will be in early summer...a 5 miler! I hope to be about 10 pounds lighter and closer to 12 min miles then 12:33 like I did this race. So basically I will need a finish time of 1 hour or less! I am going to keep training and get it done. I finally feel like I have my mentality back of eating right, little to no crap in my body and lots of running! I ran 16 miles last week which makes me feel energized!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

No spend May update!

2013-05-06T10:02:00.002-07:00

I am so proud of my husband and I! We literally have been paying bills, buying food we need and necessities! We even sold a CRAP LOAD of stuff around the house we werent using and earned a extra 500 we plopped right in the savings. Just a quick update. But we are doing so well this month! I am so proud! I think its just like a diet a few weeks in and it becomes routine again.

I do have to add my house is a lot cleaner and more organized!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Mommy Guilt

2013-05-02T09:26:00.001-07:00

Source: nickmom.com via Giggles on Pinterest

When we first bought the house I would clean every single day! I would wake up and not let the kids outside until the entire house was spotless....Then 2 more kids happened, kids started going to school, etc...Heck I dunno what happened! But I got a little care free! The house became more and more cluttered, messy, and not always eat off the floor clean!

Ive slowly been clearing out my home. Ive been selling A LOT on yard sale sites! Ive been throwing out crap! I haven't been buying more! Its been freeing getting rid of this stuff! I also learned how much I DO NOT need every clearance item out there. Its also been nice to let the kids just BE kids and play and have fun!

You will never ever get this time back and I regret sooo much focusing on the house when I should have been focusing on the kids! The past few days I have been really focusing on the basement and getting it really clean! In return I feel like I havent been holding/playing with my sweet Ellie as much as I should! MOMMY GUILT!

Please tell me I am not the only one that still finds the balance of clean home, playing with kids hard?!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Gazelle Intense Week 1

2013-04-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

So as you saw here we made a vow to get even more Gazelle Intense for April/May! So here is how we did for the first week:

4/23

Walmart 100.00
Groceries for the month minus one item 39.06
Cashback 60.00

4/25
King Kone 11.00(Entertainment money)

4/28
Target 60.54(food)

We also sold a lot of things on craigslist to the tune of about 400 dollars! So Jeff gave me some of that to stock up on some great sales at Target this week.

So yes we have 60 dollars to last us till the 23rd for our meal plan. I should have added that we only meal planned that much to get us to the 23rd...If we can stretch it to May 31st that will be great if not I know it will be minimal!

The Cash back consists of 20 for my blow, 20 for Jeffs, and 20 for entertainment! I do not plan on using the entertainment money this week. I am taking the kids to the park for free tomorrow. Jeff is taking Aubrey and Casey fishing this weekend while Trevor goes to a birthday party. We also have Soccer starting on Saturday. I think that is more then enough to keep them busy this week we do not need to spend money!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Citrus Lane

2013-04-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

I had seen Facebook ads with Citrus Lane and a few bloggers mentioned it but I was never sure if i wanted to try it. I like watching YouTube momas and decided after seeing a few unboxings I would like to give it a try! I was able to get my first box for 12.50 using a code FIRSTBOX!

I also signed up under a friend which gave both me and her a 10.00 credit for a future box which I thought was pretty great! My box will be for Ellie....You can get the box for any age or gender which is great! All boxes are different based on age and gender. Check it out! I will do a review once I get my first box.

They tend to be a little more green and earth friendly which I love! Do you have any monthly box companies that you subscribe to?
Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

My Cloth Diaper Stash: A VLOG!

2013-04-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

I made a quick VLOG about my diaper stash. I felt kinda silly vlogging but I found it go to quick to show off my entire stash. This is what we are using now that she is 6 months old! This entire stash gets me about 4 days and I wash in the middle of the two days. I typically always have stuff hanging up to dry.

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Organized Christmas: Jan-April Rudolph Club Meeting

2013-04-25T06:59:00.000-07:00

Organized Christmas

Welcome to the Rudolph Club: your once-a-month meeting for an organized Christmas!

At Organized Christmas, we know that the holiday season can be fast and furious. Solution? Take a day once each month throughout the year to plan and prepare for a more-organized holiday season.
On the 25th of each month, we'll bring simple assignments and easy tips to try now for a simpler, more joyous holiday season.

Over the year, you'll tackle planning and preparations to make the season lighter, brighter and less stressful come December.

January Assignment: Tie Up Loose Ends!

Its sad to say but I still have Christmas tucked away ALL over my house! I am going to grab a empty tupperware bin this weekend and get everything tucked away in it. It wont be organized like I prefer but better then little things here and there all over the house! Mainly clearance finds.

Gifting Solution: Set Up A Gift Closet

If you've begun to gather gifts for the coming year, it's time to establish a gift closet.
Don't let the word "closet" lead you astray; a gift closet can be any dedicated storage space, including a closet shelf, a deep drawer, or an under bed storage box. Because you'll want to add to your gift closet throughout the year, it should be accessible for additions and inventory.
To keep tabs on gift closet additions throughout the year. print a Gift Closet Inventory Form. It's a one-page reminder of what's there. File it away for year-round reference in your Christmas planner.

We have a gift area and it really is nice to have it all organized. Ours in under our stairs. I SOLD tons of clearance finds we were never going to gift! So I need to update the list in my home binder.

Great Idea: Make A Rudy Day Tote

Ready to celebrate Rudolph Day on the 25th of each month? The great holiday minds at Magical Holiday Home jumpstart seasonal spirits with a Rudy Day tote.
A simple bag, box or container, the Tote contains items selected to make Rudolph Day special. Depending on your preferences, a Tote might contain holiday CDs or movies, seasonal coffee mixes or a special mug or bowl--whatever puts you in the mood for holiday planning.

I have a Pandora Station on as we speak and am watching a Holiday movie...Judge me its okay saying I'm crazy cause I love Christmas doesn't offend me!

February Assignment: Begin A Holiday Letter!

Even the best writers among us can suffer from writer's block in November, when it's time to tackle an annual holiday letter or Christmas newsletter. Coming up with a good review of an entire year can be quite a chore, especially when so many other activities and tasks compete for attention during the busy pre-holiday season.
Solution: begin your holiday letter now. Open a file in any word processing program or mobile text app. Each Rudolph Day, jot down notes about the high points and special moments of the last month. Don't worry about editing or polishing these Rudolph Club entries: the goal is to gather the raw material for an annual review while it's still fresh and memorable.
If you include photos in in your annual newsletter, take a second prep step: designate a computer folder or photo box for special photos you may wish to include with your holiday letter. Tuck any promising photos away as you draft your "this month" letter entries. Come November, it will be easy to edit the whole into a sparkling holiday letter--and no writer's block!

We do not have a Holiday Letter...However I plan on setting aside a folder for my yearly calender I give to my mom and photo book. It will make it sooo easy to have pics organized by Month and I can just plop and go when a free coupon falls into my hands!

Make a Plan for Christmas Cash

Extra cash is never more welcome than during the holiday season. Now's the time to begin to squirrel away a few extra dollars for December's Christmas cheer.
Check with your local bank; many financial institutions offer "Christmas Club" accounts that make saving easier. If not, begin your own Christmas Club by writing a check, however small, to yourself on the 25th of each month. Deducted from the running balance in your checking account, but not cashed, this practice can help create a welcome cash cushion for holiday expenses.

I went ahead and started a Christmas Club account at my local credit union. I am putting aside 30 a week! YES that seems like a lot to some. However I know just Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas meal, Christmas Tree, Christmas Cards, cost us easily 100-150! Add in gifts, sites to see etc it adds up quick! My goal would be to have 1500 set aside for Christmas when the time comes.

Keep Up With The Gift Closet

In January's meeting, we dedicated a "gift closet"--a closet shelf, deep drawer, or an under bed storage box designated to hold bought-ahead holiday gifts.
Time for a quick inventory check! Have you added gifts this month? Record them on the free printable Gift Closet Inventory Form. Your Gift Closet Inventory Form is a one-page reminder of what's tucked away for Christmas.

I do need to update this as I said in my Janurary meeting. Once I have my list I will be starting gift ideas for my family. I want to make gifts for teachers, adults in the family etc. This will take time. I also want to make each of my kids something special.

March Assignment: Birthday Buying Strategy!

Buying holiday gifts can be overwhelming, so the Rudolph Club has an idea for you! Whenever you buy a birthday gift for a friend or loved one, buy their Christmas gift at the same time.
To make tracking birthdays easier throughout the year, add our Birthdays and Anniversaries tracker form to your Christmas notebook.
A Birthday Buying strategy has a lot to recommend it. Buying a birthday gift focuses attention on the recipient, so you're more likely to find just the right gift than when you hit stores in December with a long list and sore feet.
Buying year-round spreads the financial cost over a longer period. Finally, Birthday Buying is a low-stress way to accomplish holiday shopping without spending a lot of time "thinking Christmas" throughout the year. It's a natural for the Rudolph Club!

This seems like a fantastic idea...However I think it would hurt us...For all of the people we buy most have birthdays in May or early fall! I am going to focus on one family a month though. That should get me to Christmas time...For instance April can be my Aunt and Uncle, May can be my two adult cousins and their spouses as we tend to get something small, June will be my brother, July will be kids teachers gifts, August will start my mom, September I will start working on the kids..mine and the few we buy for!

Care and Share: Stock Up On Cards

While we're thinking "birthday", why not bring some blessed organization to sending greeting and birthday cards? An organized home has a good supply of birthday cards, thank-you notes, get-well, sympathy and wedding cards on-hand. When it's easy to share friends' special days, or respond quickly to their challenges, we build strong bonds in our community and our lives.
This Rudolph Day, check your stockpile of notes and greeting cards. Do you need to replenish your supplies? Many families find it easy and cost-effective to purchase card assortments to have on-hand in Card Central; check warehouse stores or greeting-card catalogs for inexpensive card packs.

We do this and it really helps keep the cost down. I should do this with the .99 cent cards at Hallmark since every 3 you buy you get bonus points...HELLO free money for the reward system.

Reminder: Holiday Letter Entry

In February, those of us who write holiday letters began a Rudolph Day activity: noting the month's high points in a notebook or computer file.
If you're a letter-writer, take a few minutes today to add to your holiday letter file. What special moments, jokes or accomplishments have occurred during the last 30 days? Don't worry about style--just note any happy or interesting events to jog your memory come November, when you'll write your holiday letter

We do not do this but I plan on adding my fav photos from the month into my folder on my desktop for our photo gifts!

Keep Up With The Gift Closet

Time for a quick inventory check! Have you added gifts this month? Record them on the free printable Gift Closet Inventory Form. It's a one-page reminder of what's tucked away for Christmas.

April Assignment: Plan Holiday Crafts!

Truth to tell, most of us don't really think about holiday crafts until way, way late in the game. Say, November? But when you think about it, late spring and early summer offer far more opportunities for crafting and needlework than the busy days of autumn. Long summer car trips. The sidelines at the Little League game. Summer vacation, with a lighter load of church and school activities.
It's time to organize and plan crafted gifts or decor projects. Here are a few places to start, plus some tips for happy holiday crafting:

Crafting Tip: Plan Your Projects!

Too often, that crafty glow gets in the way of our thinking cap. Common mistakes when planning crafts include overestimating time available (leaving the crafter with a huge crop of UFO's, or, Un-Finished Objects), selecting overly-complex projects that outstrip skill or available time, or attempting too many different crafts.
To match time and skill with crafts projects, get a plan. We've made it easy, with a free printable "gifts to make" planner form. Use our planner page, or make your own to get organized for happy holiday crafting.

I need to look through my Pinterst and figure out what items I want to craft for home decor, what new recipes I want to try and what crafts will we do. My kids LOVE crafting! I would rather pick up supplies now while the inventory is high! I also find the craft stores to alternate the same few sales all the time so as I see them grab a few items and check off my list will save so much money then paying full price.

Four Tips For Successful Holiday Crafting

As you plan crafts projects for the holidays, keep these four principles in mind:
First, mine your UFOs! Drag those Un-Finished Objects from beneath the bed and the back of the closet. They represent stored time and effort, and something about them appealed to you when you undertook them. If you can finish what you began (even many years ago!), you're ahead of the game. Work those UFOs into your crafting plan to cut clutter and save time.
Second, don't be afraid of making multiples of a single craft project for gift-giving. It's an efficient use of time--and by varying crafts from year to year, friends and family will anticipate each new treat. If you make melt-and-pour soap, craft multiple gifts in a single session. If it's cross-stitched bread cloths, vary designs slightly from gift to gift, but be sure everyone receives a bread cloth.
Third, keep the recipients in mind as you craft. Often, crafts projects become more than a simple gift; they acquire a level of personal investment that can turn tricky if the crafter senses the gift isn't fully appreciated.
For decor-conscious friends, try a consumable gift of candles, rather than a matted-and-framed traditional needlepoint piece that may never see the light of day in their ultra-modern, minimalist home. A trend-watching teen will appreciate a home-sewn nightgown, but might turn up a fashionista nose at a hand-crocheted granny-square skirt.
For more information on frugal decor and how to select a holiday decor scheme, see our article on Frugal Holiday Decorating Tips. It's a road map to selecting holiday decor with an eye to organization and money savings.

April Rudolph Club Reminders:

Reminder: Holiday Letter Entry

Keep Up With The Gift Closet

In January's meeting, we dedicated a "gift closet"--a closet shelf, deep drawer, or an under bed storage box designated to hold bought-ahead holiday gifts.
Time for a quick inventory check! Have you added gifts this month? Record them on the free printable Gift Closet Inventory Form. Your Gift Closet Inventory Form is a one-page reminder of what's tucked away for Christmas.

Happy Planning I know I will be busy today getting some things nice and organized so I am not stressed this season! I'm telling you it makes Christmas soooo much more enjoyable to do things little at a time. We ENJOYED Christmas this year. No hustle and bustle.

Today flew by

2013-04-24T16:59:00.005-07:00

Today was the best day in a long time...I got back to the way life was when we moved into this house! We woke up, picked up the house(which was minimal cause I cleaned up the night before), and got on the road. I ran a few errands...meeting up with a friend, dropping stuff off at consignment, etc. I ended up buying a shirt and Trevor bought a book he had wanted.

Then we headed off to the park...The kids played for 3 hours! We had lunch, the older kids ran into school friends, and Casey tried things he wouldnt last year which made me sooo happy!

We came home some kids napped, we planted more tomatoes, kids played with the hose...

All in all it was a nice mellow day! I also got a run in which is always nice. I decided to stop tracking my runs...Its just so tedious to run in the door and track it. I like running to just RUN! When I got home Trevor looked outside and said WOW its night time already today flew by! I think we all had a lot of fun today :)

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Why I used to blog

2013-04-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

I used to blog about my daily life...What we did, the funny things the kids said, shopping hauls, what I was thinking etc....I havent blogged like that in a LONG time!

My blog became more so about me saving money and helping you! It was more a business! I am getting my blog back into a daily diary. I spent a few weeks re reading my blog about when we bought the house, the daily life etc.

So stay tuned if you like to see these kind of changes here. I think I have changed a lot from back then. I am trying to become more earth friendly, organic, crunchy, homebody, better person all around. Its just who I am the older I get. I used to care so much about what people thought of me, a clean house etc. Now I realize the most important place I can be is in my kids lives!

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Spring Cleaning: Playroom(1-2 week time frame)

2013-04-23T11:32:00.003-07:00

Spring Cleaning has BEGUN! This week or two is the playroom! The kids will be home so they can help me....Whats on our to do list....

1. GET THE CHICKENS OUTSIDE! I will get them outside, scrub the wood stove and floor! I also need to scrub the wall behind there.

2. Dump out all bins, baskets, etc. WASH the washable ones, hose out the plastic ones and dust everything!

3. Get rid of anything that is not wanted/needed anymore. Yardsale site it or just good will it!

4. Patch the scratches and repaint them.

5. Wash windows, spot treat floors, etc.

The playroom is a nice room but I tend to ignore it cause its in the basement in its own little area. The kids dont really play in it just destroy it. We have slowly been getting rid of more and more toys...Its getting easier to maintain. I will show before and after pics when I am done.

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April/May

2013-04-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

Our Dave Ramsey progress was AMAZING last month. This month I want it to be even better..WE are going to get even more bare bones! Our budget is so minimal its BORING! However we know it will make for our future trip to Disney that much better. Our life that much better!

I am debating cutting Cable this month and doing a Hulu or Netflix thing. The kids really don't watch much TV. I watch a few shows and Jeff watches sports so it would stink but we haven't figured it out yet if we gonna go that gazelle.

Our Grocery Budget: 100!
Our Personal Spending 100(Jeff gets 50 I get 50)
Our Entertainment 100!

We have a funky pay scale so we are paid a wide variety each week. So the remaining money after our bills, food, spending and entertainment will be split 3 ways.... 1/2 goes straight to Savings, 1/4 goes to our Bill/Food account, 1/4 goes to Sinking Funds(clothing, gifts, car repairs, registrations, Disney etc)

This month is going to be HARD! I really wanna try. I tend to get gung ho do great and then fizzle out. We did so great last month I wanna keep the momentum up! I am going to check in weekly. WE are using envelopes, tracking every penny on a notebook, etc. Jeff also has side work money and we have yet to figure out what we will do when that comes in besides his gas money!

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Ellies 6 months!

2013-04-17T18:27:00.001-07:00

Ellie is 6 months old! I just cant believe shes half way to a year old! Time is truly flying by! She is weighing in at 17.7 and 26.5 inches long ;)

Ellie was exclusive breastfed for up to 6 months. We tried a taste of my banana and apple or things like that when she was in the 5-6 month range. Literally a few days after I gave her some fruits and veggies. In the past few weeks she has had Mango, Pear, Carrots, Avocado. I buy a organic pouch and then if she likes I make my own. I want to try and make a lot of my baby food. I bought some cool pouches, a spoon to attach to them etc. She still nurses A LOT. She has maybe 1/3 of a pouch maybe once a day..For instance today she had none. She nurses a lot still shes averaging every 3 hours. She has a few long stretches in the morning, mid day and then clusters at night. She still hasnt had formula and wont if I can help it.

Ellie is still co-sleeping for the most part. I put her in her pack and play every night. She ends up in the bed around 2 or 3 a.m. I NEED to get her outta the bed. But its just not happening right now. I know she wont be in there much longer. At most she will get into her bed around a year when I stop nursing her. She sleeps in random spots in the day in her swing, in her sleeper, my bed, my arms, in the moby etc. Overall I have enough times during the day when shes napping that I can get things done here or there.

She is SOOOOO mild mannered. Shes just a sweet happy baby! Nothing really phases her. The kids can be rough with her at times and it takes a while for her to get angry. She really only gets upset when shes hungry or when she sees me and Im not holding her. For instance today I left to run and she was fussy so Jeff must have picked her up. When I got back she was fine I could see her. As soon as she saw me cranky and screaming...I pick her up and instantly she stops. She blows raspberries. She is taking a sippy cup of water(this is recently).

Developmentally she is a little behind. She isn't rolling, sitting, etc. She seems to have low tone issues much like Casey did. I am a little worried. She does things like not turning to one side(a sign of a weak neck), she throws her self back if we make her sit, etc We just put her in the exersaucer to try and get her core a little stronger.

She is still cloth diapered. She has only ever been cloth diapered. We finally outgrew the infant prefolds and fitteds. She is in size 2 thirsties, size medium sized diapers, one size diapers like bitti tutto no longer fit. We did have some stink issues but it was me not washing frequently enough. I need to do an entire post on cloth diapers.

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Spring Cleaning 2013

2013-03-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

My House, My Yard, My Life is a MESS!!

I hope to get myself together over the course of the next few months. I have been decluttering the last month...All I have left is my playroom, office, and stockpile. ONCE all rooms are decluttered we will be DEEP cleaning! My plan is a room a week. That will give me plenty of time to move everything around, scrub walls, floors etc. As I am going room by room I plan on making a list of what need touch ups, repairs etc.

Do you Spring Clean? I am trying badly to sell things on my local yard sale site...But Im getting to the point I just want to donate it all! Are you ready for Spring?

I also want to get our budget in check! I want to make the next few months budget as you should budget each month as they are ALL different. I want to also get my Dave Ramsey envelopes ready! I will get my life back! I will get nice and organized and CLEAN again so its easier to keep up with.

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Dave?!

2013-03-27T11:13:00.002-07:00

We have always somewhat followed Dave Ramsey and his way of life...We were never ever super strict about it though. The time has come. We have made up our mind on our home, our family size, etc. We know what we want for the future. We do not want to spend our entire 30's and 40's living it up and then when the time comes to retire we cant.

"Too many people try to do the new job, new spouse, new house, new car thing in 18 months. That's a good way to end up broke. We've got to resist the temptation to catch up with our parents in 18 months. Slow down. You have the rest of your life to play catch up. After all, it's just stuff." — Dave Ramsey

In the past 6 years we got married, had a baby, bought a house, gutted and completely renovated the house, had another baby, lost a job, found crappy jobs, found a great job, had another baby! Its been very crazy and chaotic and I never feel like we spend wisely enough and save as much as we should!

Our goals are simple! Our priorities are pretty similar. The most important thing is we are both on board! I swear you cannot do Dave if both parties aren't on board!

Step 1: Baby EF *We have savings that we do not touch! Its basically a if the car blew up, if the roof crashed in, etc. We inherited it and kept adding and our plan is to let it grow so one day we have something to give to the kids if they need it* We are no longer contributing to it and will set our BABY EF! This means sell everything we can, save every penny we can and get 1000 in the bank for emergencies! Our hope is to get this done in 3 months!

Step 2: We don't have any consumer debt just our home and my student loans and a few medical bills. Yea apparently we go big or go home! We would like ALL medical bills gone by years end, and 1/8 of my student loan debt gone. I would like to finish school and want to do it with NO student loan debt and not withdrawing anymore.

These 2 steps will take us all year if not most of next year but I think we can do this...

We plan on a grocery budget of 100 per week.

We plan on a household budget of 100 per month. House hold items include our cleaning supplies(which we are making most of these days), diapering supplies(for ellie), chicken items, cat and fish items, paper products, etc.

We do plan on getting 3 Summer passes...We are going to let each kid pick a pass and try to alternate each week where we go. We will also be doing Parks, beaches, lakes, etc. All those FREE or close to FREE things this summer.

Our goal is to live frugally but not dead broke. We do want the kids to keep with sports, do some fun stuff over the summer, etc.

Will you join me on our journey?! I need to get some sinking fund envelopes started and am having a hard time making them out. Do I stop decorating my home? Do I scale back and have one giant kids party?

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Where did you go?

2013-03-25T20:09:00.004-07:00

I honestly did not think anyone read this blog anymore! I have gotten so many comments, messaged etc from tons of readers. It made me feel special..I wont lie ;)

Lets see here since I had Ellie my life has just been PURE chaos! I thought its just the holidays life will slow down and I will get a handle on this. I still have not! I always feel behind, loss, overwhelmed. I keep telling myself it will get better just treasure these moments.

Ive been back working out on a regular basis for a while now. I got up to 4 miles again then fell and messed up my leg. I was in my boot for 3.5 weeks and now a brace. I was not told I CANT work out so I have been slowly getting back into it the past 1.5 weeks. I even went to the gym with my boot on! I think I need my gym time. Even if I am not losing weight I am toning, I am clearing my head etc. I did lose 6 pounds in the past 1.5 months which is nice. My eating is so on and off. I have my good and bad days. Sweets are KILLING me! I have such a sweet tooth and a fast food crap tooth lol. I am TRYING to curb that.

The kids have all been testing me a lot in different ways.....

Trevor is super mouthy, very sneaky, and having MAJOR dietary issues. The kid refuses to drink water, gets backed up, and you can see where I am going with this. Its VERY frustrating as a mother cause kids can get really mean. He is doing VERY good in school. He is excelling in all of his subjects. I do have to watch him with his laziness. IF he does something wrong its simply cause he was rushing or lazy. He is always worried about what is next instead of what he is doing right now. Hes been asking to play football in the fall and in all honesty I just do not think he is mature enough yet to handle it. So we are trying to find something similar with less dedication and commitment.Hes a huge help overall when he is home! He just adores Ellie and will help me with her anytime I ask.

Aubrey...Oh Aubrey you are such a middle child! She DEMANDS so much attention. Im trying so hard to give her enough. Sometimes I do sometimes I dont. Shes getting so much older. Of course older comes with nasty little girl tude, fits etc. She went to her first sleepover with a friend where mommy wasnt having a baby, date night etc. She had lots of fun. Shes doing AMAZING in school! OH MY Shes sooo smart! She doesnt play into the drama and her BFF is is boy! Shes so funny! She really enjoys when I take her and Ellie places and we have a GIRLS day! She loves playing outside in the snow. No lie that girl has made 10000 snowmen this winter. Shes really good with Casey...She knows how to soothe him and when Im having a hard time balancing him and Ellie she always steps in to help!

Casey...Oh Casey! His "trying threes" have kicked in FULL swing lately. He is very defiant and wants it his way! He is still having issues in school. He is getting more involved and talking about kids. He still is very much on his terms there but he is improving. We go back and forth with his sensory...He starts doing so well then one little thing sets him back 12093192381293 steps. He just adores Ellie...So much he tried to give her apple chunks, has hurt her trying to help her etc. We really have to watch our little Lenny as we call him. Hes sooo full of life. He always has us laughing. He enjoys the kids being home but still is never very far from me. He really enjoys our mornings with just me and him when Ellie is napping and the kids are in school. He gets SUPER chatty!

I will update on Ellie separate as she is about to turn 6 months and will update that! I know 6 freakin months already! We have also dealt with RSV, Im struggling with 4 kids, Im doing okay health wise, we have had RSV, we have chicken updates, some organizing updates, and some home projects...I will be blogging more. Im aiming for 2 a week! How are you? Did you miss me? Probably not ;)

Grovia Cloth Diapers

2013-03-01T11:24:00.000-08:00

This is a Grovia all in one diaper. I actually had set these diapers aside before even using them cause I hated the newborn Grovia so much(I mentioned them here). Im SOOOO happy that I ended up needing them one day and decided to use them. Believe it or not these are one of my FAV diapers for Ellie. I have never used it on Casey as it just wouldn't be absorbent enough for a night time diaper.

These diapers do not leak! I have even considered buying some more of the snap in inserts to use. These diapers get soooo snug to her and I love it. I only have the one size aplix version. The aplix is SOOOOOO sticky and doesn't get crap in it. I just LOVE these! They aren't a night time diaper and you cant add to them to make them more absorbent but these are a awesome diaper. These are also pretty affordable and one of the few diapers that are sold locally where I live which is a plus!

I feel bad for Grovia cause they do have a bad wrap with their newborn diapers but definatley give their one size a try. I plan on getting one more cause I just love them so much! However they do run small I think. So if you have big babies or older babies these might not last as long.

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Blueberry Cloth Diapers

2013-02-28T11:13:00.002-08:00

This is a Blueberry Cloth Diaper. It is a one size pocket diaper. I paid a decent amount for this diaper it was one of my more expensive diapers. I bought it cause people seemed to go gaga for them! Me...EH...Its just a diaper. It is super easy to stuff as it doesn't have a sticky PUL. It does get pretty big which I like cause I can use it with both my 15 pound 5 month old and my 30 ish pound 3.5 year old at night!

We have never had a leak with these and they wash out pretty good. I don't think this one even has a stain on it! If I sold all my stash and had to buy it again I probably would but it wouldn't be one of the first diapers I ran out to get. It does get pretty snug, the snaps are holding up very well! It doesnt have a hip snap which I am finding I am a VERY big fan of. All in all these are a pretty good diaper just a little pricey in my opinion!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links.

Binder 2013

2013-02-25T08:23:00.001-08:00

One of my goals for 2013 was to get more organized. Thanks to pinterest, youtube videos, and my own OCD I was able to make a very nice binder for under $15.00! The beauty of the internet is the ability to find pretty much ANYTHING you want to put in your binder. I wanted a one stop shop for all my important items so I don't get behind, late, misplace, etc Which was happening ALL to often towards the end of the year!

Here is my entire book..See not much space at all...I have 4 "envelopes" for our coupons, gift cards, as well as Dave Ramsey envelopes! They are labeled Food, Household, Clothing and X mas Birthdays! I keep MOST of our xmas/birthday money in our special account but keep a little on hand in case I see a good deal. I can pop these in and outta the binder as needed. I try and keep them in the binder when Im not using them.

Next I have my fav section! I sit down each weekend and check our calenders, meal plan, grocery plan etc. Its all basically RIGHT HERE! Jeff and I can peek at this each week and know whats in store. I love knowing what I have to do that week.

Each of my dividers is not only a divider but a double sided envelope. On this one I have a bunch of stuff I need to take care of...i.e here you can see a bank deposit, a prescription, home owners insurance questionnaire, gym reimbursement...If I have extra time I always try and grab a item or two from here and take care of it. On the back its stuff that I have taken care of that needs to get filed away. Our ICE info is also here but its full of family members phone, address etc so you can see that :)

Here I have our budget area....I have in our envelopes bills that need to be paid and the back has bills that have been paid and need to be filed. Then I have all our budgeting worksheets! My husbands income varies a lot Summer vs Winter can be almost 1000 difference! So we use the Dave Ramsey Monthly Cash flow plan(Which I redone each month), Monthly Spending worksheet(this makes sure we stay on point), and our Dave Ramsey Budget based on two-three different incomes so depending on pay that month we are staying on track! Our holiday budget is also in this area!

I also have a menu section which I go through each month and make a day and theme...We tend to stick to certain areas depending on the year of course:

New, Breakfast, Italian, Mexican, free, Pizza, Daddy cooks, No meat, Grilling, Kids pick, etc

I also have a grocery list planner for what I need for meal planning and what we are almost out of. I kinda want a DEAL sheet here too knowing about upcoming deals, stock up prices etc.

I have a dates and home section that houses birthday, anniversary calenders as well as invites, wish lists etc. I like to keep a couple cards in this area as well for a quick card if I need one.

I also have our home projects I want to complete, important house info, Cleaning checklists, Our stockpile inventory list, etc. This area I feel still needs a lot of work. Id like this to be a monthly area I visit to check off items on our to do list.

Finally our last area...My receipts and tracking our expenses. I put all receipts here and then as I track them I decide if they are worth keeping for a month or two or not. MOST places I shop do returns with a card so I rarely need to keep them. I try and track every couple of days so it doesn't get to overwhelming!

Some things my binder needs...Im going to make envelopes for the binder for important things like address labels, stamps, etc. I also want a pair of scissors in here as well. Its coming along but this thing has helped SOOO much! I have my own binder for the kids stuff...I will post that one if there is any interest!

Just some of the sites I used:

http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/

http://pinchalittlesavealot.blogspot.com/

http://frugalliving.about.com/

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/printable/christmas-planner

http://thecouponproject.com/

http://www.daveramsey.com/home/

Also check out my Organization board on Pinterest!

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