Money Saving Tips: Part Two

I was going to share the recipe and finished product for Dryer Lint Playdough, but seeing as all the lint I could find was full of the boys' hair trimmings and my post-partum fallout, I chose plan #2.

Know a newspaper carrier.

This tip alone has saved me over $63 on coffee in the last 24 hours.

My dad's first cousin Lloyd (my first cousin once removed?) is a penny pincher. Thrifty & frugal, he has been known to paid by the grocery cashier.

Fortunately his job as a newspaper carrier allows him access to the extra coupons and ads. I called him yesterday looking for more of the $1.50 off coupon for New England coffee; I only needed 10 or so. When we went to collect the goods, he had a total of 42.

I had to immediately seize the opportunity as the BOGO sale ended last night. Because Bi-Lo only allows 10 coupons on a single item at a time, I had to stop at two stores, using 20 of the coupons.

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night" can keep this gal from a grand opening that invariably offers freebies. And so it was, despite the inclement weather, that I loaded up my trio of boys to go to our new Publix.

We strolled through the store, stocking up on coffee (2/$5.79 - coupons = $1.40/ea) and Progresso soup for my parents (3/$4.00 - coupons = $.83/ea). We sampled ham and pineapple, signed up for door prizes, collected giveaways from the pharmacy and local newspaper, and got 2 free reusable totes.

(Doug just doesn't understand my obsession with freebies. I simply love those small hotel samples even though I don't ever use them. Free pencil? Sure. Frisbee? Of course! Koozie? Why not - someday I might remember to use it so my hand doesn't freeze.)

I generally feel pretty bold brandishing my coupon accordian, ready to take on the overpriced grocery stores, eagle eyes ready for BOGO items with additional double coupon savings, eager to spend as little as possible. I must admit I felt a little embarrassed this time. So much so that I was willing to go in twice (thus dividing the number of coupons used).

As if I thought I would be inconspicuous - woman with beautiful baby and balloon in backpack and two small children in tow. One employee even commented, "Weren't you just in here?"

But thanks to my hoarding, we have ample caffeine supplies for the next year. And to celebrate we baked on our own Publix cake.

P.S. If any should need coupons for Progresso soup, Skippy peanut butter, Kleenex, Degree deo (unless you've switched to baking soda), Fruit Roll Ups, canned biscuits, frozen vegetables, Wishbone dressing, Soft Scrub, etc. - I've got plenty!

Money Saving Tips: Part One

In these hard financial times, it is important to save every penny possible. Thankfully I stumbled upon my copy of Super Baby Food (thrift store find by my sister - she warned me the lady was a quack but there was some good info, too). Lest you think this is just an essay on the merits of making one's own baby food rather than purchasing the toss-away jars of pureed vegetables, think again. By purchasing this book, you get a wealth of information beyond the recipe for Super Porridge, the benefits of supplements like brewer's yeast and kelp, and the dangers of having meat in your house.

Under Section B, a busy mother learns she can save money by

• washing Huggies brand baby wipes (just think of the money I could have saved over the last 4 years)
• making a waterproof baby bib out of an old shower curtain (washed in hot water and bleach), duct tape, and velcro.
• constructing a reusable overnight diaper for the not-yet-trained-child: "I folded and placed two or three wipe-up towels, washcloths, or a cotton diaper between his legs inside the underpants, over which I put rubber training pants. Worked just fine for those nights when my son had an accident, and I figure I saved the better part of a dollar each time. By the way, I had to put this contraption on him after he had fallen fast asleep." Yeah, I bet he woke up in the morning and exclaimed, "What in the world happened!"
• making hairspray by mixing "sticky ingredients into water: lemon juice, honey, corn syrup or even Elmer's glue! (I think you could save a step and just let your child eat pancakes with syrup and then rub their hands through your hair).
• forgetting deodorant: "I believe that deodorant isn't necessary at all, except maybe on hot sticky days. Plain baking soda will keep you dry and comfortable. Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon onto your palm and smooth it under your arm. (I think I'll replace Doug's deo with Arm & Hammer and see what happens).
• making knee pads for a crawling baby from the cuffs of an adult's socks. "Make yourself a similar pads with old socks and sponges or shoulder pads." (Maybe this could be the next accessory in a Kellys Kids catalog).
• not buying outlet covers: "Remove the cover...place electrical tape over the slits...replace the cover. The disadvantage of this method, of course, is that you cannot plug an appliance in this outlet." (Another excuse not to vacuum).

Some other more useful ideas include:

• keeping unopened ketchup packs in the freezer to use as icepacks for small boo-boos (on more than one occasion I have used a rubber band to hold one onto a burn on my fingers).
• buying cheap washcloths at the local box store to use for cleaning up baby after meals (I got something like 15 for $3, use them all day/every day, and can easily bleach them).

I don't want to share too many of my goodies just yet. I'll leave you waiting with bated breath.