Save $1000's on baby care!

Save $1000's on baby care! By switching to cloth diaper and making your own wipes!

There are more designs out there than the typical folded diaper with rubber pants. Most cloth diapers today look like regular diapers and are fitted.

Disposable Diapers for Malachi (6mths old) ($40.79) &  Halle(27mths old) ($39.81)

Based on ($80.60) from Sam's for 1 package diapers for each child 2 times a month
($80.60*2)= $161.20 per month
*12months= $1934.40 per year

For Malachi alone once I get Halle potty trained will be $978.96 per year * 2.5 years left in potty training = $2447.40
(the average child potty trains around age 3 which is what Matthias did and what Halle is on track for)

Investment for cloth diapers will range from ($100-$800). But you don't have to do it all at once. We are buying 4 diapers at a time for our investment until I have the correct amount I need. AND I will be able to use one type of diapers for both Halle and Malachi!

Savings so far by switch to "greener"-homemade/frugal Wipes:
Sam's Price $16.35 w/tax once a month = $196.20/year
If we have to buy wipes twice a month $392.40/year.
Switching to homemade initial investment: $14.84 in Nov/Dec of 2009.

Since that time I have used 1 roll of Bounty from a HUGE pack we bought at Sam's for the house. It cost was $17.00 for 12 (about $1.42 a roll).

Advice to Ladies about Valentines day & Other Gifts

So often I hear women complain "he didn't get me what I WANTED for Valentine's Day!" or "I gave him hints but he didn't get it"  And I hear from men "DON'T GIVE ME HINTS"...

MEN DON'T GET HINTS! THEY ARE NOT IGNORING YOU, THEY JUST DON'T COMPREHEND IT! Give them a break; if you want something tell them!

Ladies,


Don't drop hints to your husbands, boyfriends, fiances about Valentines day. Tell them what you would like. If you want it to be a surprise...give him a list of things that you would be happy to have. I tell my husband all the time "don't buy me flowers, they die, I want something that is useful and lasts".

I'm not against flowers, but I don't want him to spend alot of money on them. I would much rather have a $10 bouquet from Wal-Mart for a "just because" than to have him spend $50-$150 to get me roses on Valentines day.

Don't make it hard on the men, then be disappointed when you didn't get what you wanted! He's my list of general items that I would like to have for special occasions:

-Housework Coupon Book
-Gift Certificate for a message
-A personal message by hubby
-New houseplant
-New attachments for KitchenAid
-Dark Chocolate
-Coupon for a free morning to sleep in past 0500
-Coupon for a free afternoon
-Homemade by him Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

These may not be expensive things but are things that I like and would rather have than flowers that die.

Frugal (but appreciated) Valentines Day Gifts

Everyone lately is looking for ways to cut corners and save money where they can. Valentines Day is coming up soon and this is one area that you can save lots of $$$!

Flowers die with in days or a week if your lucky. Chocolate goes to the hips...or other places.  SO how can you stretch that dollar and still make your mother or wife feel loved?

1st STEP: LISTEN TO WHAT SHE IS SAYING... women usually give hints early! They will mention something they like or usually show you something. (This isn't fair to men, because men usually can't read the hints.) 

If you have to ask, then do it... It would better much better than her being disappointed. (hopefully, she won't get mad at you for reading her mind.) Or offer her this advice from another blog of mine:
Ladies,
Don't drop hints to your husbands, boyfriends, fiances about Valentines day. Tell them what you would like. If you want it to be a surprise...give him a list of things that you would be happy to have. I tell my husband all the time "don't buy me flowers, they die, I want something that is useful and lasts".

I'm not against flowers, but I don't want him to spend alot of money on them. I would much rather have a $10 bouquet from Wal-Mart for a "just because" than to have him spend $50-$150 to get me roses on Valentines day.

Don't make it hard on the men, then be disappointed when you didn't get what you wanted! He's my list of general items that I would like to have for special occasions:
-Housework Coupon Book
-Gift Certificate for a message
-A personal message by hubby
-New houseplant
-New attachments for KitchenAid
-Dark Chocolate
-Coupon for a free morning to sleep in past 0500
-Coupon for a free afternoon
-Homemade by him Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

These may not be expensive things but are things that I like and would rather have than flowers that die.

Here is a list of items that can be given to anyone. (the wording is towards women, but you can switch things around for men or children)

• Homemade coupons books: housework, favors, nights out
• Make Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries (or her preferred chocolate type)
• Make a homemade dinner WITHOUT her help!
• Personally written poem
• Handmade card
• Calendar with pictures through out the time married
• A day-off from housework and kids while everyone else does the work
• Homemade gift basket (see Gift Basket Blog)
• A Bubble Bath surrounded with candles
• Candles
• Her favorite drink and a new book
• If you have vacation time saved up, take the day off before or after Valentine's Day and spend extra time together.
• Make a cd or playlist on your MP3 player with just her favorite songs, spend the night dancing and serenading herr at home.
• Put together a shadow box of all the things that remind you of her or your special times together with a picture of you or both of you in the center.
• Make heart shaped cookies.
• Make your own candry wrappers with messages of love on them...use her favorite candy
• Give her gifts that pertain to her favorite hobby: scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, reading etc
• Lists! List why you love her, what you love about her, why you are glad you married
• Photo gifts...walmart and walgreens have inexpensive photo gifts that you can have made: posters, coffee mugs, throws, and more

Baby Food: Carrots & Carrot Juice for Baby

 Baby Food: Pureed Carrots
Ingredients:
Carrots (any amount-I use 3-4lbs because I make bulk quantities.)
Water

1. If you use regular carrots wash with veggie brush to remove ALL dirt or peel the carrots. Slice into sticks or if you have a food processor with a slicer slice the carrots
2. Put enough water over the carrots to barely cover the top.
3. Boil until tender-not mushy. They should still hold their shape but be soft.
4. Turn off heat and let cool 5 minutes.
5. Place into food processor or blender. Puree until you reach the consistancy that you desire.
6. Let cool.

Here you can either freeze "as is" or strain the juice.

To Freeze:
Cube Method:

1. Place pureed carrots from processor into ice cube trays and freeze.
2. Once frozen place in freezer bag and place bag in freezer.
3. Defrost the needed amount of cubes as necessary.

Jar Method:

1. Place in Freezer jars (use jars especially made for the freezer such as Ball/Kerr Blue Label canning jars). Using a wide mouth funnel helps prevent spills.
2. Leave HEAD SPACE of about 1-1/2 inches.
3. Place in freezer. Defrost 1 jar as needed. (To defrost jars move from freezer to refrigerator overnight.)

To get the CARROT JUICE:

1. BEFORE placing in jar use a mess strainer over a bowl and place 8 oz carrot in the strainer.
2. Press the carrots until the juice no longer comes out.
3. Move the carrots from the strainer to jars. Use a wide mouth strainer to prevent spilling the carrots.
4. Repeat this process until all carrots have been strained.
5. Take the strained juice and place in freezer jars using a wide mouth funnel.
6. Freeze

I use the carrot juice (and other juice from fruits & veggies) to make cereal instead of water or milk. All of my children loved homemade baby food and homemade juices.

Homemade Baby Wipes

Having more than one baby in diapers cost A LOT!!!!! I have been looking into ways to save money. Well I have given cloth diapers considerable thought, but I REALLY hate to do laundry so that just won't work for me. I have decided to save money by making my own baby wipes that contains soaps with lavender and tea tree oil.

Lavender has antispetic and antiinflammatory properties. Tea tree oil has antispetic and antifungal properties.

Please before using any essentials oils or soaps with essential oils in them, read for any precautions or warning labels. Some oils are completely safe on the skin but can be dangerous if swallowed.

To make 2 containers of wipes:
2 Plastic containers with lids (I use old huggies containers)
1 Roll Viva Paper Towels (Select-a-size type) (See Update)
2 TBS Avalon Lavendar Shower Gel (organic)
2 TBS Nature's Gate Tea Tree Liquid Soap (organic)
2 TBS Baby Oil
4 Cups Boiling Water (Allow to cool before using the wipes)

Prepare your paper towels by either cutting the roll in half and removing the cardboard from the center or tear each paper towel off.  {I cut the roll in half and then zig-zag fold it into the container.}

Boil your water get it to a good rolling boil. In a mixing bowl combine your soaps, oil, then add your water slowly 1 cup at a time. This will cause the ingredients to combine without making too many bubbles.

Next put 1/4 of your towel in the bottom of each containers. Add in 1 Cup of your liquid mixture. Give the towels a minute to soak it all up. Then place the remaining towel in the containers splitting them evenly. Add 1 cup of the liquid on the top of the towel.

Allow the towels to soak up the liquid. Now you have 230 wipes for the total cost of $2.72.

My initial investment was 4 rolls of Viva paper towels (I had a $1 off coupon when I buy 4) {$4.96/$1.25 each roll}; Avalon Organic Lavender Soap-12oz {$5.59/ $0.47 per oz}; Nature's Gate Tea Tree Liquid Soap-16oz {$4.29/ $0.27 per oz}; and the baby oil and wipes containers I had in my home. My initial investment is $14.84. However, I will be able to make 920 wipe out of these four rolls of paper towels. After using all the paper towels I will still have alot of soap left over to make more.

(Please note these prices are from DeCA-the military commissary. You may find coupons for these online to help cut cost. Also, health food stores may carry other organic brands at cheaper prices-but not always.)

I do recommend using only certified organic soaps in these so that you know for certain that only the highest quality products will be used on your precious baby.

***Please note that some people have reactions to lavendar oil and tea tree oil. Use precaution. All 3 kids and I have very sensitive skin and have never had a problem using essential oils.***

UPDATE: I HAVE FOUND BOUNTY WORKS BETTER (select a size). I bought my paper towels at Sam's this time. The price is a little less per roll. However, I knew I needed a large amount for Spring Cleaning.

Baby Food: Pear Juice & Pearsauce

Making baby food is cheaper than buying premade.

Price below are found using Google & Google Shopping:
Gerber Pear Juice 4oz @ Walgreens $1.19
Gerber Pear Juice 4-4oz Pack @ Walgreens $4.59
Gerber Pear Juice 32oz @ Fort Myers Grocery Delivery Service $3.29

Gerber Pears 2nd Foods 2-3.5 oz pack @ Walgreens $1.79
Gerber Pears 1st Foods 1-2.5 oz pack @ Walgreens $1.59

I bought 3 pears of each Barlett, D'Anjou, and Red pears for about $3.50 total. From this I made 40oz pearsauce and 41oz Pear Juice. There's no sugar added and I only added "Fresh Fruit" to keep the food from turning color while exposed to air.

How I make my Pear Baby Foods:

Pear Juice & Pear Sauce at the same time: (FREEZER METHOD of storing)

1. Peel, Seed, & Core all pears.
2. Slice into approx. 1/2 - 1 inch cubes. {*Tip* If the 'meat' of the fruit is soft it doesn't need to be cut into smaller pieces. If the 'meat' if firm it needs smaller pieces}
3. Place in to sauce pan/stock pot fill to just above the pear's level.
4. Add in "Fresh Fruit" or other natural perservative to keep fruit fresh tasting and from discoloring. Lemon juice works well or Citric Acid aka Vitamin C.
5. Bring to a boil SLOWLY!
6. Boil on the lowest possible setting, until the all the 'meat' is tender.
7. Use a cone stainer over a large bowl to strain the meat from the juice. As the strainer fills up, place the meat into a food processor or blender.
8. Continue to seperate the juice and meat until all has been seperated.
9. To get clearer juice with less pulp filter a second time with a coffee filter in the strainer
10. Let juice cool.
11. Now that the juice is cooling and all the 'meat' is in the blend/food processor. Simply hit puree or turn on your machine. I let mine run for about 30-60 seconds because my baby is at the 1st foods stage.
12. Once it is to the consistancy that you like turn off the machine and let it cool.
13. Prepare for freezer...
• Use either clean ice cube trays and freeze into small cubes to store in freezer bags or freezer jars.
• OR place into freezer jars (Like Kerr & Ball Blue Label) and freeze in large quanities for defrosting for a weeks' use.
14. To freeze the juice:
• Once cooled. Place in quart size freezer bags to about 1 -2 inches from the top. Place on a cookie sheet then place in freezer to set firm.
• OR OR place into freezer jars (Like Kerr & Ball Blue Label) 8 or 12 oz and freeze.

I use 12 oz freezer jars for juice and 8 oz freezer jars for baby food. I also keep the minor pulp in the juice instead of straining it with a coffee filter. Malachi is on a sippy cup already so it doesn't clog up as easy as a bottle. I use the Gerber Nuk stage 1 sippy/transition cups.  He has not been on a bottle since he was less than a month old. He has been strictly nursed until recently.

Bubble Paint

1/2 Cup Ivory Flakes
1/2 Cup Water
Food Coloring

1. Beat the ivory flakes and water until thick.
2. Pour small amounts into baby food jars and add a few drops of food coloring to each jar.
3. This can be used as finger paints.

Cinnamon/ Applesauce Ornaments

3/4 Cup Applesauce
1 Cup Ground Cinnamon or 4 oz Jar
1 TBS Ground Cloves
1 TBS Ground Nutmeg
2 TBS Glue

1. Mix all ingredients in a plastic bag.
2. Roll out and use cookie cutters to form shapes and put hole in top of ornament for hanging ornaments (use straw or coffee stirrers to make holes).
3. Let air dry.

Cornstarch Clay

1 Cup Cornstarch
2 Cups Baking Soda (1lb box)
1 1/4 Cups Water
Food Coloring

1. Mix ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Cook & stir over medium heat.
3. When thickened like dough, knead for 1-2 minutes.
4. Use cookie cutters to shape & let dry overnight.
5. You can also paint the shapes.

Crunchy Dough

1 Shredded Wheat Biscuit
2 TBS Glue
Food Coloring (optional)

1. Crumble the shredded wheat into a bowl.
2. Add the glue and food coloring and mix together until cereal is coated.
3. Shape into your design. Objects will air dry in 12 hours.

Crayon Chunks

Broken Crayons

1. Line each cup of a muffin tin with 3 paper cupcake liners (the aluminum ones work best).
2. Peel the wrapping off of the crayons and fill each of the cups halfway with the pieces. (You can sort them by color or mix several colors together for a rainbos effect.)
3. Place the muffin tin in a 250 degree oven for about 20 minutes until the crayons pieces have melted.
4. When cool, peel the liners from each crayon and you've got big new crayons.

Decorative Dye

You can color rice or pasta with this easy dye.

1 Container with Lid
1 TBS Rubbing Alcohol
Food Coloring

1. In a small tightly lidded container, put rubbing alcohol and 6 drops of food coloring.
2. Place items to be dyed in the mixture and secure lid.
3. Shake the container gently for 1 minute.
4. Spread the items on paper towels to dry.

"Gak" Like Stuff

1 Cup Glue
3/4 Cup Water
1/2 Tsp Borax
1/4 Cup Water
Food Coloring

1. Mix glue and 3/4 water until no longer sticky.
2. Separately dissolve borax in 1/4 cup water.
3. Add borax solution to glue solution.
4. You will get a thick clump of slime
5. Knead the mixture about 5-10 minutes.

Potpourri Molds

1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Salt
1 Cup Potpourri
1/3 to 1/2 Cup Water

1. Mix everything and refrigerate for about 5 minutes.
2. Then place in cookie cutters or molds to set and let dry.

Post Office Ink

1 Tsp Food Coloring
3 TBS Liquid Starch
1 TBS Water

1. Mix together.
2. Use in shallow tray with stamps or rollers

Starch Paint

Liquid Starch
Powered Tempera Paint
Water for Consistency

Mix together and start painting.

I don't have any measurements for this. I'm one of those cook/make without measurements.

Salt Paint

2 TBS Salt
1 TBS Liquid Starch
1 TBS Water
Few drops of liquid tempera

1. Mix in a small bowl.
2. This will be roughly textured.

Sand Sculptures

1 Cup Sand
1/2 Cup Cornstarch
3/4 Cup Liquid Starch
a few drops of food coloring

1. Cook over low heat about 1 minutes.
2. Use cookie cutters for molds and let set for a few hours.

Tattoo Paint

Shoe Paint
1 TBS Cold Cream
2 TBS Corn Starch
1 TBS Water
a few drops of food coloring

Mix everything and start painting.

Tree Ornaments

4 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
1 1/2 Cup Water
Acrylic Paint
Shellac

1. Mix all ingredients and mix for five minutes.
2. Roll out very thin and cut out shapes.
3. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-60 minutes.
4. Ornaments are ready when they puff up and turn brown.
5. When cool, paint with acrylic and then shellac.