It can be so easy to spend a lot on baby gifts, after all, everything is just so cute! Check out these tips that are sure to help you save big on all those baby gifts.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm currently in a big baby boom within my group of friends and family. Over the years I've found ways to cut costs on shower gifts while still maintaining a good looking gift. I personally like to create a gift consisting of practical items with something not so practical thrown in, like a pretty dress for a baby girl.
Here are some of my tried and true techniques that help me create a great baby gift on a budget:
Shop the Sales
I love the clearance section at The Real Canadian Superstore. I find the clothing adorable at a fantastic price! I've also found some great deals in the children's section at Walmart. Before you go crazy in the clearance sections, make sure you have a budget in mind for the particular person you're shopping for . It's very easy to spend, spend, spend!
Use Coupons
There are tons of coupons out there for diapers and baby toiletries. I find the baby toiletries make great fillers for gift baskets, and well, diapers are just practical!
Use Your Skills
Create your own gifts for the new parents. Sew a blanket or a set of burp cloths. Design and make a Baby's First Year book. If you are an experienced parent, create a helpful advice book, if you think the receiver would appreciate this. Paint a lovely picture for the nursery.
Team Up
If you would love the get the new parents something more substantial, why not go in with a group of friends or family on a more substantial gift? The gift is always appreciated no matter how many people go in on the gift.
Be of Service
The gift of time is truly appreciated. Offer to clean the house. Or do the laundry. Meals are always loved. Maybe even some baked goods that are great for snacking on for those late nights? After having my own baby girl, even having a friend over to simply hold her was much appreciated!
I hope I've given you some ideas to think about or at least gotten the creative juices flowing! Happy shopping (or happy helping)!
I'd love to know how you save money on baby gifts. Let me know in the comments!
Who couldn't use an extra $100 every month? Whether or not you're putting that money aside into savings or using it to pay a phone bill, it still equals $1200 at the end of the year! Now I don't think that number is something to take lightly!
I thought I would compile a list of simple and useful ways anyone can save an extra $100 a month. After all, a little here and a little there can really add up! I challenge you to use as many of the ways I have listed and see what you can come up with at the end of the month!
Know what stuff costs, so when you see a deal you can stock up! I’m sure there are several items you find yourself buying on a regular basis. If you know your prices and you happen to see one of your regular purchases on sale at a great price, buy as many as you can, to get the most bang for your buck.
Of course, this concept also applies to items you don’t normally buy, but you do buy occasionally. 🙂
What are your stock up prices for the regular items on your shopping list?
Here are 6 tips you’ll love on how to stock your pantry on a budget.
Having a well-stocked pantry can help make or break your grocery budget each month. The thing is, initially stocking a pantry with all the necessities to create great meals can be quite costly. It also takes time, unless you want to pay a fortune!
Here are some quick tips on how to stock your pantry on a budget:
Watch for Sales
The first way to save big money when it comes to stocking your pantry is to watch for sales on the products you know you will use in a timely matter. Be sure to stock up as much as your budget and storage space will allow!
Buy Ahead
Don’t wait until you run out of an item to buy it. This is a great way to ensure you’ll be paying top dollar! By buying ahead, you can purchase the pantry items you need when they’re on sale or on markdown, allowing you to purchase twice (or triple?) the amount than if it weren’t on sale.
Know what your family likes
Don’t stock up on things your family would rather not eat. Say you come across an amazing deal on kidney beans, but you know most of your family members hate eating them, it’s not worth the cost to stock your pantry with kidney beans that won’t ever be used, even if they were a great price.
Use coupons
There are always plenty of couponsout there that come in handy for stocking up on cereal, canned goods, bread and more. Bulk Barn also has a great coupon or two each month if you prefer to purchase some items that way. Coupons are also great for stocking your “household” pantry. I’m never without a nice supply of toothpaste, shampoo or razors!
Buy in Bulk
The unit price of rice, beans, or spices often goes down as the package size goes up. So purchasing items in bulk can be a great deal! I like to buy rice, flour and sugar in big bags because I know we’ll use it up before it goes bad. This is much cheaper for us then buying small packages each time we run out. On the other hand, buying small quantities of spices we don’t use often at the bulk food store, also saves us money.
Another thought – If you find a great deal on something when you buy it in bulk, but you don’t have the storage space, consider splitting your purchase with friends.
Think outside the “can”
Rather than always buying canned goods, (beans, vegetables), consider purchasing a bag of dried beans or a bag of frozen corn instead. Often, your money can stretch further if you go this route.
Armed with these tips, you should be well on your way to a stocked pantry on a budget! What tips and suggestions do you have for stocking a pantry on a budget?
Growing up I hated getting the same sandwich in my lunchbox. I craved variety but a sandwich is what everyone got. Even though my little girl is still few years away from starting school, I've been thinking a lot about school lunches. I've been determined to come up with a variety of different lunch ideas for my daughter. I've recently started putting together a list of back to school lunch ideas and I thought I would share.
Back to School Lunches on a Budget
Tortilla Wraps
Tortilla wraps are perfect for school lunches. They do not require utensils, the kids can hold them in their hand and you can get really creative with what you put inside. You can even get creative with the type of tortilla you use. Take one look at the grocery store and you will find flour, whole wheat, spinach and even roasted tomato tortillas. You can add lettuce, tomatoes, chicken, turkey, cream cheese, ranch or anything else that comes to mind.
Egg Salad Sandwiches
When possible I like cooking meals in advance. Knowing that I already have food prepared is just one less thing I have to worry about. Egg salad is so easy to prepare in advance and have ready for school lunches. I do prefer to put my egg salad on buns as it keeps the bread from getting to soggy. This is a great lunch to pack for school because it gives the kids a hearty lunch with lots of protein. The perfect mid-day energy boost!
Soups
Have left over soup from dinner? Don't be afraid to pack it up and send it to school for lunch. You can pick up a thermos to keep it warm and it gives the kids something different for lunch. Sending soup to school on a cold day is perfect way to warm them up!
Pita Sandwich
Pita bread is so yummy and there is so much you can do with it! You can make a pita pizza pocket, a pita chicken sandwich or even stuff a pita pocket with salad! You can change up your pita sandwich to fit your child's food preference.
Bento Boxes
Bento boxes are all the rage right now and with good reason. You can create some really unique and fun lunches using bento boxes. A typical bento box has fruit, vegetables, grains, calcium and a protein. You can skip a certain area if your child has a food allergy. You can let your imagination run wild and even get your son or daughter involved!
Snack Ideas
Yogurt Covered Raisins
Kale Chips
Vegetable Cups
Hummus & Crackers
Rice Krispie Treats
What do you like to do for Back to School lunches on a budget?
Small rooms can be a blessing and a curse. A blessing because there isn't a lot of room for tons of stuff, which means less to clean. A curse because they can get chaotic if not organized properly.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to organize a small room without investing in any expensive equipment. You do not need to hire a professional organizer to come in and create more space in your small room. Most of the items professional organizers use are available at local stores, you are simply paying for their time.
Here are some great ways to organize small rooms on a budget:
Use Bulletin Boards
Bulletin boards are great because they are affordable and they take up very little space. A bulletin board is great for pinning important documents, pictures and even hanging keys. You can do a lot of different things with bulletin boards and they truly do help to keep a small room organized.
Multipurpose Furniture
Using furniture for a variety for different purposes is a great way to save space and money. You can use a desk for work, but it can also be a TV stand. You can use a leather coffee table for seating and even storage. If you live in a small apartment or studio consider getting a futon as you can use it as a couch and bed.
Use The Closet
The closet provides more space than you might think. Need a home office but don't have the space or the funds to build one? Not a problem. Find a small desk and create a home office in your closet. This is a great space-saving technique and you can easily close it up when company comes over.
Use Shelves
Shelves are very affordable and provide you with much-needed additional space. You can use shelves in the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, living room, garage or any other small room in the house. If you really want to save some money, purchase shelves used from a Facebook buy & sell group,a thrift store or a garage sale.
Use Existing Space
Take advantage of the space that you already have in your home. Even in the smallest of rooms you can make more space without spending much money. You can purchase plastic bins that slide under the bed, hanging organizer units for the closet and even organizers that go behind the toilet. Most of these items you can pick up at Walmart, Amazonor your local hardware store.
I'd love to hear your ideas and hacks for organizing small rooms on a budget. Leave you comments below.
