Diapers - Frugal Friday

My children have always been on the large side at birth. Almost all of them weighed 9+ lbs (or very close to it). Three of them were so large that in the hospital I had the nurses looking for a package of size 1 diapers because they didn't fit into the standard newborn size that the hospital gives you. I always laughed. So, with this pregnancy, as with the rest of them, I went for my 3rd trimester ultrasound and they told me I was looking at another 8 1/2 - 9 lb. baby. I wasn't really surprised, but I will admit I was a little disappointed, seeing as I had been praying for a 'normal' size baby to deliver.  So, when it was time to start stocking up and preparing for this little girl I naturally went and bought size 1 diapers. I didn't even consider the newborn size.

Here I am, with a 6 day old baby that still fits into newborn diapers! She went through the package the hospital gave us and my wonderful husband went out and bought another package of 'peanut diapers' for her. (I've taken to calling her 'peanut' seeing as she's the smallest newborn I've ever had :).

All that was for my Frugal Friday tip ..... Save money on diapers!

Obviously the first week or two babies grow very quickly. But after that there are tons of ways to save money on diapers.

• Buy them by the case
• Use coupons
• Use a warehouse club that will give you a discount on the case, plus you can use one of there coupons and a manufacturers coupon all at the same time
• If you have an abundance of coupons that will expire before you will use them buy a bunch of small packages and use a coupon for every one. This is also effective if you're not sure you will use a whole case before the baby outgrows them.
• If you're not stuck on a specific brand (like me:) some generic may work well for you. You won't have coupons but may save just as much in the long run.

If you have any other suggestions I'm all ears. I've had as many as 3 in diapers all at the same time, so I'm open to any money saver ideas you may have.

Princess Sunshine

Princess Sunshine

Arrived: Feb. 20

12:42 am

7lbs. 4oz.

22 inches

Wordless Wednesday

My 4 girls

A Heart for Adoption

My friend Kimmie from Over the Moon with Joy has an amazing heart for orphans. They have 7 children (6 have been adopted) and are in the process of adopting their next daughter from Ethiopia.  I would like to help them raise the money they need to bring this little girl home to her new family.  I will donate all proceeds from the sales of either my patterns, and the afghan(s) I have for sale, to their adoption fund.  If you would like to help Kimmie out you can purchase any of my patterns directly in my etsy store. Make sure you visit Kimmie and tell her you made a purchase from me (Kristine) to help support her and/or leave me a note when you checkout in my store.  I'll make sure the funds go directly to bringing this little girl home to her new family.  Here is a picture of some of the items I have added.  I will be adding more soon.

Bubble Textured pattern

Fan Squares pattern

Quick & Easy Blocks pattern

Shades of Blue pattern

Post-Stitch Heart afghan or pattern

Preemie Basket-Weave pattern

Quilt Blocks pattern

Textured Star pattern

Purple Patchwork pattern

Winter Warmth afghan or pattern

Autumn Bloom Afghan is for sale.

Pattern will be available shortly.

Frugal Friday - Buying in Bulk

You can save money if you buy in bulk. I know some of you are thinking that I have a large family, so it makes sense for me to buy in bulk.  But, I buy in bulk even on items we don't use a ton of. 

For example: I buy egg noodles & elbow macaroni in 5 lb. bags.  If it doesn't come is a zipper seal bag I put it in gallon size storage bags.  Most items that are non-perishable come in smaller packages on the inside, so you don't waste it once it's open.  Companies are even making many perishables now with resealable bags to make it more convenient for storing the extra. 

I also recommend buying cereal at a warehouse club, especially if you and/or your children eat it daily (or even a few times a week). Here's why....You get two bags inside that box. The part that most people miss is that the bags are larger than that single box of cereal you buy at the grocery store. Take LIFE for example.  Most days, this would probably be my son's choice of cereal so I keep it in stock.  If you buy a box of Life in the grocery store it is anywhere from $2.75 (on sale) to $4.99 (at a more expensive store). Here's what you may miss. Most grocery store boxes are approx. 22 oz.  When you buy a warehouse box you get 2 bags, that are 31 oz. each, for about $6.49.  It's almost like getting a 3rd box at the grocery store free (but you don't need to wait for the sale).

There are many other items that, if you pay attention, are a value to you wallet.  Sometimes the math goes beyond the price....you may need to break it down by ounces, etc.