Just Call Me Cheap

20% Off at H&M

2012-02-11T00:52:00.000-05:00

H&M is offering 20% off of one item in-store with this coupon through February 14th.

I would so be on this but taking three kids to the mall would be me setting myself up for a psychotic break.

Thanks Slickdeals!

Breastfeeding is my Prison...

2012-02-11T00:41:00.000-05:00

When my first child was born I decided to breastfeed him for many reasons including the fact that breastfeeding is what is best for babies and breastfeeding is way cheaper than formula feeding.

My son and I, for lack of a better word, sucked at breastfeeding. We both had no idea what we were doing. I was in it alone because no one I knew had breastfed so my only saviors when I had questions were breastfeeding books and the internet. The one thing I really had going for me was that I am stubborn- I was going to breastfeed that baby whether he wanted me to or not and would do it even if it killed me. After a month and a half of not fun my son and I finally got it and after that we never looked back, even after I had to eliminate dairy from my diet due to my son's dairy allergy.

Baby number two was a piece of cake in regards to nursing with the only annoyance being that she also had a dairy allergy.

Baby number three also nursed like a champ right out of the womb but like the other kids also has the dreaded dairy allergy. The difference now though is that I feel like I am a prisoner- breastfeeding has shackled me to my baby. I love her but 24/7 it is me who is with her. Yes, I know I could pump and she could drink from a bottle to give me more freedom but I am very protective of my milk supply. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand so if she's not nursing then my body will think that it doesn't need to produce enough milk. This is why you really need to be careful about supplementing with formula- it becomes a slippery slope and then if you're not careful your body will stop making enough milk. I work for ten hours on Saturday and pump one time when I'm there, therefore to make up for that one messed up day the rest of the week the only milk she gets is when she is latched onto my boobs.

I would not change a thing though- even though I do feel stir crazy sometimes I really do enjoy breastfeeding. Being a mom is about making sacrifices and if giving up a little freedom means that I am giving my baby the best possible nutrition then how can it really be that bad? There really is something amazing about how my body is able to nourish a baby and make her grow. It's not all about helping the baby though- breastfeeding, along with the dairy free diet, has helped me drop all of my pregnancy weight already plus has blessed me with a wonderfully larger chest (though it will inevitably deflate once the baby is weaned).

I do want to say that even though I am pro-breastfeeding, I do not judge those who don't breastfeed whatever the reason is. In all honesty, this third round of breastfeeding has made me sometimes want to formula feed. I don't though because my daughter would have to be on very expensive formula due to her dairy allergy and because breastfeeding just seems easier to me because I've done it so much. Formula terrifies me because I would have no idea how much to feed the baby and formula would mean that I would have to get up in the middle of the night to prepare a bottles whereas now I can just feed the baby without getting out of bed and fall asleep while she's eating (what I am saying is that I am lazy and using formula would mean that I could not be lazy). I can see why someone wouldn't want to do it because sometimes I don't want to do it.

Breastfeeding is wonderful and is the best nutrition for babies but at the same time is not always best for the mom. Having kids is hard and a lot of the time in the first few years us moms are just trying to survive through the sleepless nights, tantrums, kids being sick, potty training and peer pressure from other moms that something has to give. We all have different things that we do to get through these years and anyone who tries to make you feel bad for how you raise your seriously needs to get a life.

Target- Nothing Exciting Here

2012-02-10T22:25:00.000-05:00

Up & Up Toddler Wipes $8.49 - $1.00 Target Coupon

Cheerios $2.84

Rice Krispies $2.99

Bush's Baked Beans $1.77

Natures Pride Whole Wheat Bread $2.54

Gold Medal White Whole Wheat Flour $3.64

4 lb Bag Oranges $2.99

1 lb Strawberries $3.44

Market Pantry Milk $3.39

Lenders Bagels $1.52

2 Minute Maid Orange Juice @ $2.89 each

2 Yoplait Kids Yogurt @ $1.89 each - $1/2 C

2 Simply GoGurt @ $2.59 each - $1/2 MC

2 Kraft Singles @ $3.04 each - $1/2 Target Coupon

Kraft String Cheese $4.74 - $1/3 Kraft MC (for snack @ son's school)

Bananas .96

Hello Kitty Ice Pack $6.59

Scotch Glue Dots $4.59 (for son's Valentines cards)

Less $3.32 in Red Card savings

Total: $64.04

My budget for groceries, diapers, health and beauty items and cleaning supplies, etc. is $100 a week (Friday through Thursday). Today I spent about $53 so I still have $47 left. I plan on stocking up on split chicken breast at Whole Foods for $1.99 a pound and also may be picking up some things at the normal grocery stores if there are any good sales.

You can really tell that my shopping has changed so much from a year ago. Then I was all into the deals and getting stuff for free. Now that I have three kids my priorities have shifted. Deals are great but my time is worth more than spending lots of time hunting down deals and stockpiling like a mad woman. If my family needs food I'm buying it, coupon or not. If my kids want something healthy I'm buying it even if it's expensive and puts me over budget. I am also going to be slowly moving towards buying all of my meat from Whole Foods because lets face it, the stuff at the regular grocery does not taste as good. I am willing to pay more for good tasting food because it makes my job of cooking easier and when I sit down to eat I actually enjoy the food.

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

2012-02-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

photo credit

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

2012-02-09T08:47:00.002-05:00

photo credit

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

2012-02-08T15:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Prescriptions are something that most of us have had to have filled at some point in our lives and if you are someone who has been subscribed many medications or have family members who do, costs can really add up.

Thankfully, Walgreens is easing the sting that many of us feel when we have our prescriptions filled with their Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. When you sign up for the club you receive discounts on more than 8,000 generic and brand name prescriptions, which in itself is a great deal, but a membership to the club also gets you discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies. On top of those great features, the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club also offers bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photo finishing services.

With all of the valuable features that the club offers, it is very reasonably priced. A family membership, which covers everyone in your immediate family (your spouse, dependents who are 22 and under and your pets) is only $35 a year. An individual plan is also a value at $20 a year. Just think about how much money paying that small membership fee will save you over the course of a year!

To support Walgreens and to keep updated, follow Walgreens on Twitter and like Walgreens on Facebook.

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

2012-02-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

4. have baby latched onto you all night

My life as a mom...

photo credit

Nothing Is As Fun As A Barrel of Laundry Powder...

2012-02-08T00:14:00.000-05:00

I figured since the majority of my life right now is spent doing laundry I may as well go balls to the wall about it.

I am now the proud owner of a 35 pound bucket of laundry powder, enough to keep me in indentured servitude for 1000 loads of laundry. At 9.5 cents a load it is a good deal, but not so good that I'm excited to wash clothes.

Charlie's Soap is the only detergent we use so how can I beat only paying 9.5 cents a load, having it shipped to my house for free and not having to worry about buying detergent for a million years (maybe not quite a million)?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Look, I Can Be Frugal!

2012-02-07T12:57:00.000-05:00

My daughter loves macaroni and cheese more than life its self. I only let her have it once in a great while, and when I do make it she could easily plow down a whole box by herself. Since I am a somewhat responsible parent I don't let her but then I always have at least half of the prepared macaroni and cheese leftover which ends up getting thrown away (my son doesn't like macaroni and cheese and I cannot have dairy plus I think saving the leftovers is just plain nasty).

Then I had an idea- why not split the box in half so I'm not wasting my money on half eaten food?

Basically, I just measure out half the ingredients to cook and put the other half of the pasta back into the box and the other half of the cheese mix into it's pouch. For anyone wondering- there are 5 ounces of pasta and 1 ounce of cheese mix in Annie's mac and cheese so I save 2.5 ounces of pasta and .5 ounces of mix for later. Then I tape up the cheese mix pouch, throw it into the box with the pasta and tape up the box where it waits patiently for my daughter's next mac and cheese bender.

See, I haven't totally fallen off of the frugal wagon!

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

2012-02-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I'm clumsy...

photo credit

When Will It End...

2012-02-06T22:24:00.000-05:00

photo credit

Last night my two year old daughter puked all over herself while she was sleeping. The smell was absolutely hideous. My husband gave her a shower while I grabbed the puked on sheets and pajamas and threw them into the wash. Luckily she only randomly threw up that one time so we were good in the morning and I breathed a sigh of relief that I wouldn't have anymore laundry to do.

Then my son came downstairs this morning and proceeded to tell me that his diaper leaked (he's four but is a heavy sleeper so he still wears diapers to bed). I was highly annoyed, not at him but at myself. We let him stay up and watch the game last night but he fell asleep so my husband transported him to bed- I really should have woken him up to pee. More laundry.

Then I thought to myself what the heck- I've already changed the kids' sheets so I might as well change the sheets on my bed. Even more laundry.

Now I am officially behind on actual clothing laundry and I have a strong desire to just throw it all in trash bags and donate it so that I don't have to deal with it. Honestly, it seems like I either have a baby latched onto me or I'm chained to the washing machine. Forget about barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, this housewife is bare breasted and sleep deprived in the laundry room.

Lets just hope that there are no wayward diaper incidents or barf sessions tonight- if so I may just have to have a dirty laundry bonfire in the backyard.

Sprint Four Day Sale on Select Phones

2012-02-06T18:00:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Sprint. All opinions are 100% mine.

Attention anyone out there who is in the market for a new cell phone or cell service provider...

From February 5th until February 8th Sprint is having a four day sale on two of their popular cell phones.

The first option is for the Nexus S™ 4G which you can get for free when you open a new line of service or add a line to your current account. This is only good online; basically there is a $50 mail in rebate that is converted to an instant savings and then there is a $99.99 web only savings. All of this adds up to free for you!

The other option is for the HTC EVO™ 3D which you can get for $49.99 when you open a new line of service or add a line to your current account. This is also an online only deal; the $50 mail in rebate converts into instant savings and there is a $50 web only savings.

To sweeten the deal even more for those of you in the market for a new phone or cell service provider, Sprint is waiving the activation fee for new lines is is offering free shipping.

Making Money Blogging

2012-02-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

I want to preface this post with the fact that I do not make boat loads of cash through blogging. I don't make boatloads of cash doing anything actually because stay at home moms don't really command high salaries (or any salaries for that matter).

But, with that said, I do sporadically make a little money here and there.

One such way I do this is through Social Spark. Basically, you sign up with them and then they email you leads for blog posts sponsors would like written. Once you have accepted a lead your interest is sent to the sponsor and they decide if they want you to write a post or not. If so then you write your post and once approved about 30 days later you get paid in your Social Spark account.

What I like about Social Spark is that you can choose what kind of content you feel comfortable writing about and are also compensated pretty well. In other words, you don't feel like a complete sell out as a blogger writing for them. The posts are also not overly complicated to write- you are given specific guidelines of what needs to be included. Believe me, if it were hard this taxed for time mommy would not be doing it.

Something I do want to interject here while talking about making money blogging is one of my pet peeves in the blogging world- I really despise it when bloggers do not disclose when they are making money or getting something in return for blog posts. I see this all of the time and I think it is so wrong. Here is a heads up- many times when you see links to products on Amazon, links to promotions, links to many coupon sites, etc. the blogger is making money when you click through that link.

I see nothing wrong with trying to make some money but how hard is it to let your readers know that you have affiliate links in your post? So next time a blogger is plugging a deal that your scratching your head thinking "that's not even that great of a deal, why are they posting it?" realize that they are probably getting paid to do so and have not provided you with the common courtesy of letting you know so.

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate link. See, how hard was that to let everyone know that I am getting something in return for my post?

Menu Plan Monday

2012-02-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

Sunday

Steak Tips

Baked Red Potatoes

Corn

Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumbers

Monday

Husband won't be home for dinner so I'll most likely make grilled cheese sandwiches on whole wheat bread with fruit on the side for the kids. I'll just have a Healthy Choice frozen meal.

Tuesday

Roasted Turkey

Mashed Potatoes

Brown Rice (for me because I can't have dairy)

Brocoli

Wednesday

Ham

Roasted Potatoes

Corn

Green Beans

Thursday

Turkey Noodle Soup

Homemade Rolls

Corn

Friday

Take Out

Saturday

Working until 6 pm- everyone fends for themselves.

Pretty uninspiring meals this week but at least they'll taste good.

I am participating in I'm an Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

2012-02-06T06:54:00.000-05:00

This happened to me as a child and I was scarred for life...

photo credit

Peapod Delivery

2012-02-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

Nature's Promise Whole Wheat Bread $1.99

Stop and Shop Hot Dog Buns $1.50

Smart Balance Buttery Spread $3.69

Cooked Perfect Meatballs $5.99

2 Tina's Burritos @ .50 each

Straws $1.10

2.85 lb Steak Tips $14.22

Oscar Meyer Selects Beef Hot Dogs $2.25

Plumrose Bacon $3.99

2 lb Bag Carrots $1.79

Celery $1.99

Cucumber .75

Kiwi .33

Romaine Lettuce $2.00

Mariani Banana Chips $1.99 (kids tried and hated them)

Pears $2.67

5 lb Bag Red Potatoes $4.99

1 lb Strawberries $2.99

1 Pint Grape Tomatoes $1.50

McCormick Marinade Mix $1.00

2 Rold Gold Pretzels @ $3.00 each - $2/2 instant coupon

2 Stop and Shop Potato Chips @ $2.00 each - $1.50/2 instant coupon

2 Cheez-Its @ $2.50 each

Delivery Fee $9.95

Fuel Surcharge $1.08

Less $23 in discounts

Less $3 in coupons (handed to the driver)

Total: $54.26

Saved about 50%

Here is a breakdown of the discounts I received:

$15 from a home mailer

$2 for picking a "greener" delivery window

$5 bonus for signing up for Direct Check

$1 for using Direct Check (I will save $1 every time I use it)

The coupons I will be getting deducted are:

$1 off 2 Cheez-Its

$1 off Cooked Perfect Meatballs

.50 off Mariani Product (doubled)

I was impressed with the quality of the produce that was delivered as well as the bread's expiration date being a week away. It was nice having everything delivered, especially since I also got a pretty good deal on the total order. I also now have free delivery for the next 60 days (they will deduct $6.95 from my order; the delivery fee for less than $100 is $9.95 and the delivery fee for over $100 is $6.95).

I really do feel like I saved even more money by just not having to go to the store because there were no impulse buys and no buying crap for the kids to keep them quiet while I shop. I also saved my sanity because at this point in my life I hate going to the grocery store; it is a necessary evil of being a stay at home mom so I tolerate it but dread always sets in when I sit down to make out my grocery list.

If you want to be lazy like me you can get $10 off of your first Peapod delivery (and then the above mentioned free delivery for 60 days after your first order).

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Save 25% at Old Navy

2012-02-05T15:34:00.000-05:00

Through tomorrow (2/6) you can get 25% off of your online purchase at Old Navy with the code GAMEDAY (if you have an Old Navy, Gap or Banana Republic credit card the discount is 30%). Excludes everyday steals and jeans. Shipping is free when you spend $50 or is a flat rate of $7.

I just bought a bunch of shirts for my kids (for next fall/winter) from the clearance section (the only section I ever buy from) and some hat/gloves sets to donate next year. I ended up paying about $25 for ten items and got free shipping with my Gap Silver credit card (I got upgraded to silver status because I spend over $800 a year between Gap, Old Navy, Piperlime and Banana Republic- for a family of five $800 is nothing).

Go through Ebates for 2% cash back.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Revisiting My Budget

2012-02-05T11:00:00.001-05:00

I am not one for being told what to do- I still feel like I am a rebellious teenager sometimes and when I am told to do something one way I automatically do it the complete opposite way.

This craziness also applies to me telling myself what to do.

I tried making a budget with separate categories for groceries, household items, diapers and pet stuff (not including vet appointments) because I told myself that it would be better for keeping spending in check. I tried listening to myself but now I am rebelling. I hate having all of those categories- some weeks I need more money in some categories and less money in others. I don't like entering in what I spent into my spreadsheet and having the numbers taunting me because I spent too much on groceries while there is a small nest egg in the household or diapers category.

In an effort to streamline my life and get rid of little annoyances I am going to have a blanket amount for the above mentioned categories. As of right now it will be $100 per week- I think based on what I've been spending that this amount will suffice. If not I can always lower or raise it (most likely raise it because I have been a terrible deal stalker lately) because amongst other things, I am the CEO of my household and can do whatever I want.

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

2012-02-05T07:21:00.000-05:00

photo credit

Shaws- Saved 60%

2012-02-04T23:07:00.000-05:00

Shaws Apple Juice $2.29 - $2.29 Free Coupon (from game they have going on)

Entenmann Cake $2.99 (treat for my husband)

3 Chocolate Chip Cookies @.67 each (dairy free- yeah!)

5.99 lb Cook's Ham $10.12 - $2.00 Store Coupon

Rotisserie Chicken $7.49 (for our lazy dinner)

*Ritz Crackers $2.49 (dairy free, yeah!)

*Oreos $2.99 - $1/2 Nabisco MC (dairy free, yeah!)

*3 Prince Pasta @ $1.29 each

*4 Pace Salsa @ $1.49 each - (2) .50/2 MC (doubled)

*Kraft Singles $2.99

*less $5 wyb 10 participating products

Less $5.30 in bottle returns

Total: $26.12

Saved 60%

I sent my husband this morning to buy some soda that was on sale and town trash bags- when he got home I saw that he was charged full price for the soda so back to Shaws I went. I got it all straightened out and picked up some other things while I was there. I was going to get cheese and salsa with my Peapod order that is getting delivered tomorrow but since I had to run to Shaws I got the items there because they were cheaper.

I usually work on Saturdays but took today off (totally annoying story I won't get into). Due to me being home and not having planned on it we decided to be lazy and get one of those overpriced yet delicious rotisserie chickens. The only thing I can really say is that it was cheaper (and healthier) than take-out.

Star Wars Electronic Helmet for $5 Shipped! deal dead

2012-02-04T12:40:00.002-05:00

Walmart has the Star Wars General Grievous Electronic Helmet on clearance for $5 (reg. $19.97) with free shipping.

I have no idea who this guy is but my son loves Star Wars so I picked one up as an Easter present, plus who can say no to paying $5? I sure can't! In fact, why don't you pick a few- one for your kid and a couple for your toy closet?

Go through Ebates for 1% cash back (hey, any little bit helps!).

Thanks, Slickdeals!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Something Has Got to Give...

2012-02-04T11:00:00.001-05:00

photo credit

Sometimes I feel like a mommy prisoner...

Between taking care of the kids, breastfeeding, cleaning the house, laundry, grocery shopping and being a wife I am always tethered to someone and always doing something for everyone else. I am not blaming anyone for this- it is just how it is right now.

So, something has got to give. This week that thing is the grocery shopping- getting to the grocery store is a pain in the donkey butt plus I am going through a I-hate-going-to-the-grocery-store and a I-hate-using-tons-of-coupons stage. The perfect solution to this conundrum is Peapod!

I got a coupon in the mail awhile ago for $15 off of my first order so I decided to use it tonight. I got some really good deals and my order will be delivered on Sunday (I'll post details when I receive it).

Who knows- maybe I'll turn into a groceries getting delivered to my house junkie. I am a total control freak though so we'll just have to see if the Peapod people do a good job picking out my produce and making sure that the expiration date on the bread is at least a week away...

If you want to be lazy like me you can get $10 off of your first order. The delivery fee is $6.95 for an order less than $100 and $9.95 for an order over $100. You can also save $5 plus an additional $1 for signing up to pay by check (each order thereafter you save $1). If you really want to be cheap (like me) you can choose one of their "greener" delivery times and save between $1 to $2. You can also use coupons on your order by handing them to the delivery driver in a sealed envelope- the amount, if it's over $1 will be refunded to your form of payment.

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate link.

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

2012-02-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

Way to sugarcoat it...

photo credit

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

2012-02-02T07:00:00.003-05:00

photo credit

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

2012-02-01T13:18:00.002-05:00

photo credit

Just Call Me Cheap

20% Off at H&M

Breastfeeding is my Prison...

Target- Nothing Exciting Here

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

Nothing Is As Fun As A Barrel of Laundry Powder...

Look, I Can Be Frugal!

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

When Will It End...

Sprint Four Day Sale on Select Phones

Making Money Blogging

Menu Plan Monday

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

Peapod Delivery

Save 25% at Old Navy

Revisiting My Budget

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

Shaws- Saved 60%

Star Wars Electronic Helmet for $5 Shipped! ***deal dead***

Something Has Got to Give...

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

Un-Inspirational Sayings...

Star Wars Electronic Helmet for $5 Shipped! deal dead