Save Money Before Your Child Even Gets Here- What?!

In 2011, CNN reported that the cost for having a baby had grown more than 40% in the last decade, and that chances were good that this trend would continue! If you are a new mom or you are looking forward to a pregnancy, that’s about the last thing that you want to hear. Being a parent isn’t cheap, but the truth of the matter is that it doesn’t have to be as expensive as some people are making it out to be, either. When you are considering how to save money on your baby products and your household products, there are a few tips that you can use.

Network
If there are other moms in your area, chances are good that they are going to be wondering how to get rid of things just as you realize that you need them. Baby equipment like cribs and changing tables are expensive, but they are also limited use items. After their babies get to a certain age, they are going to want to trade them out for different things. Network with other women to figure out what items can be traded around.

Clip (Online) Coupons
While you are going to get plenty of coupons through the mail, don’t forget to look up coupons online. More and more stores are offering online deals and email coupons and if you get on the right mailing list you can expect to see some truly impressive savings. Clip your coupons. Ideally, start doing so long before the baby arrives. There’s nothing wrong with stockpiling things like baby food or diapers.

Get On Mailing Lists
While most people pass of mailing lists as spam, the truth of the matter is that the right mailing list can be worth all of the frustration. Get on mailing lists for a number of different places where you shop, and you’ll discover that you can find out about deals long before other people do. Also, simply being on a mailing list can make a huge difference when it comes to things like pre-sales and secret deals.

Hit the Second-Hand Stores
Some items you will want to buy new, especially where infant safety is concerned, but there are plenty of items that you can find very easily if you go to a second-hand store. For example, you can find many small home appliance at the right store, including toaster ovens, toasters and mixers. Similarly, if you need dishes or pots and pans, a second-hand store will give you some excellent options. Be ready to do some searching and remember that it can take several visits to different places before you find everything that you need.

Get Crafty
When it comes to clothing for young children, there is a good chance that you can make them yourself. Babies are small and require only a small amount of fabric. If you know how to thread a needle, you will discover that it is very easy to sew some clothing for your small baby.

Don’t despair; while it is expensive to have a child, you’ll find that there are some great ways to save cash.

Pregnant and Beautiful

I think I can let this picture speak for itself so I will keep this post short. Alessandra Ambrosio posted this picture on her Facebook page .




Simply gorgeous!

Another hilarious video I recently found that a Dad posted! He asked his 3 year old daughter to help clear the dishes by placing her bowl in the sink. This is her reaction... Enjoy!

Anyone else have a funny story or video they would like to share?

Fabulous Flea Market Finds

Fabulous. Fantastic. Free. Wait... no not free! Almost free though. I love going to the flea market Sunday morning bright and early! I never know what I am going to find, and a lot of the time I don't even know what I am looking for- but to me that is the excitement of it. All sorts of things can be found at the flee market for DIY projects, household items, antiques, or just things that you like! My most recent purchases fall under the category of "Things I Like!" They cost me a whopping $6 total... I know, I know I splurged, but what can a girl say? I love turquoise!

     


Ring- $5
Necklace- $1

Anyone else have some great finds from their local flea market!? I love hearing about other peoples treasures as well!!

Inspiration

The Ellen Degeneres Show is one of my all time favorite shows to watch! (Whether its on DVR or not!) I wanted to share this clip from one of her shows because I found this young lady, Mo Isom, to be truly amazing. I hope you do as well. Enjoy!

Reading to Your Baby In the Womb

Something I did while I was pregnant was read to my little girl. I had no idea how close to her it would make me feel. It was such a wonderful experience I had to write this post to share some insight of why reading to your baby before he/she is born can be a great experience for all mothers! 


A miracle is growing inside you, and before you know it, you will be holding your new baby in your arms for the first time! As you prepare for baby's arrival, there are a number of things you will probably do naturally: rubbing your belly, singing to your baby and fixing the nursery to be just so.

Some parents take it one step further and read to their baby in the womb! Though developing babies don't have the ability to hear early on in the pregnancy, Medline Plus medical encyclopedia suggests that baby's ears are developing between weeks 19 to 21 of pregnancy. This doesn't mean your baby can decipher words, but rather the tone, rhythm and inflection of your voice can be easily detected after these weeks. (Think of this "hearing" as though you were hearing a television through the wall of the next room.)

Have you considered reading to your unborn baby? Support is rising up from moms everywhere, and even TV's popular celebrity doctor Dr. Oz has encouraged new parents-to-be to read to their babies in utero.

In an article co-written by Dr. Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen, the suggested benefits of reading to your unborn baby include fostering early brain development and establishing an auditory bond with your baby. Reading is thought to give your unborn baby a "head start," so to speak, by providing him/her with the foundation for language. Not only that, but hearing your voice (in the manner that you will be using it to communicate with your baby after birth) is thought to have a calming effect on your baby in the womb and gives your baby the opportunity to learn and recognize your voice distinctly as its mother's.

However beneficial to the fetus reading in the womb may be, your baby may not be the only one who benefits! Some mothers testify that reading to your unborn baby is beneficial to mommy-to-be as well. When you read a story to your baby bump, you may find you develop a stronger emotional bond that personifies your big belly. This helps you mentally prepare to be a new mommy, and you will be an old pro at reading stories like, "Guess How Much I Love You" by the time baby is born!

In addition to letting baby hear Mommy's voice, it is now commonplace for a father to take advantage of the opportunity to talk and read stories to his unborn baby. After all, why should Daddy miss out on all the fun? It may be a great way to develop cohesive family bonds and good "practice" for when baby actually arrives.

Of course, these are the suggested benefits of reading to your baby in the womb. Just as there are mothers who swoon at the idea, there are also mothers who would feel completely silly doing so! It is up to you to decide whether this is something you feel is appropriate and beneficial for your growing family.

Dancing 2 Year Old

As I was sitting at my computer today I saw the cutest, most adorable video and just had to share it. Let me introduce 2 year old William Stokkebroe! Enjoy!