While our finances are not necessarily the best, I am thankful that we are not so far into debt that we have to wonder whether or not to file for bankruptcy. Unfortunately, I know that there are people that have to face this and I’ve even had family members go through this. In my former life as a case manager I witnessed the devastation of a house foreclosure … being kicked out, locked out… I saw this firsthand with some of the families that I worked with.
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Ever since this ad about Pampers Limited Edition Prints came into my inbox I’ve been sitting on it… trying to organize my thoughts.  And, let me tell ya, this can be difficult with Rissa around.

Math + baby distractions + mommy brain = chicken nuggets

I’ve decided that I’m upset yet smiling slyly.  I don’t like that it’s being marketed as a budget friendly way to diaper one’s child.  But I like the idea that disposable diaper companies are feeling the heat from the love we have for our fluffy prints.  Are enough of us finally switching that they are starting to notice and take a financial hit?

In case you haven’t seen the ad here it is (I’m not quite sure why I still get their emails. I keep forgetting to unsubscribe from my former disposable days!)
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Oh my! So this is where my stash gets fun and expanded! When I was looking to make the switch, I was trying to find the most low cost way to do it. It pretty much came down to prefolds and covers. With prefolds averaging one to two dollars a piece and covers averaging about ten, you can put together a decent sized stash for less than $200.

Of course, the most economical route is to buy all one size covers, but these may not work as well for your babe as sized covers. At least you can get by with about 6 covers since you can reuse them multiple times before washing. If it’s wet, let it dry! If it’s soiled, you might be able to wipe it off and be okay. I’m usually not that lucky. For example, Rissa manages to get poo on the gussets of our Thirsties Duo Wraps. That requires a washing! (But at least it contained the mess!)
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Today I have a guest post over at Super Coupon Girl about using Freecycle to get some really great finds… like an exersaucer.  Oooh yeah.  Check it out!

Before I had Rissa, I indulged in salon services.  I went there about every 6 weeks, alternating a trim with cut and color.  I loved going there.

See, I find quality places that aren’t convenient or close to home.  Well, ok, so the place I was going was near where I lived while in college.  It was also near where we got married, so naturally I booked them for our wedding party hair!

We were married almost 5 years ago.  All that time, I continued to go to this particular salon to see my stylist… which is 45 minutes from my house.

Yeah, see what I mean? Not convenient.  Regardless, I even booked some massages there on occasion.

Well, the last time I went there was early October, before Rissa arrived.  Mmhmm, over 5 months ago.  Eek!

I stopped going to save money due to being on maternity leave and then having my job eliminated… it wasn’t cheap to go.  Cut and color appointments were easily $200.

But now… well, now I’m suffering as my gray is growing out.  And yes, it is BAD.  I’ve (sadly) been going gray since I was about 19 years old.  I really hope I don’t pass that on to Rissa.

When I say it’s growing out, I’m not talking about a few strands here and there.  I’m talking about almost my entire crown is gray if I don’t get it colored.  It’s THAT bad.

I don’t want to spend the money, but I don’t want to do the home kits either.  I’m hoping the social deal I got the other day is “on” because it’s half off.  I just can’t let it grow out all the way. I’m not ready to be gray all over, I’m only 30!

Not too long ago, I added four Econobum cloth diapering systems to our stash.  (I took advantage of a buy one get one free sale!)  I already knew I liked covers and prefolds, so I didn’t mind expanding our stash with these.  Although, I had never tried them before, so I wasn’t sure how they’d work for us.

Cute, new Econobums!

These covers and prefolds (well, it’s technically a flat) are one size, so they should last us until Rissa is out of diapers.  The covers aren’t fancy, but I bought a few with colored trim.  Otherwise they are completely white.  I have one of each offered color that I know of at this time.

The cover is a waterproof shell with a 3×3 snap system allowing you to adjust the rise as baby grows.  Rissa, while long for her age, is still fitting in her cover on the lowest rise setting.  She’s pretty skinny (12.5lbs but 25″ long!), but I can get the waist snug enough and everything has stayed contained thus far.  She’s tested them pretty thoroughly!
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<< Cloth Diaper Newbie: Day 2

We’ve been using cloth diapers full-time for a little over a month now.  During that time I used one (maybe two) disposable diaper while we were away from the house.  That was in the first few weeks and I didn’t have enough cloth diapers along in our diaper bag.  I wasn’t prepared and just grabbed a couple to take with.  The next time we were over there for over half the day, I packed plenty of cloth.

Unfortunately, I had to improvise with storing them to launder since I didn’t have a travel wet/dry bag.  Now I do, but haven’t gotten to put it to the test yet!

Reasons Why I Love Using Cloth Diapers
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Not long after I’d spent a decent (ugh) amount of money on baby clothes, I watched a news segment featuring ThredUP.  I thought the concept sounded great – parents swapping gently used clothing (and toys!) nationwide.  Some people are able to do this within their families, neighborhood, or even their own city, but some of us don’t have this option.

Take me, for example.  There really isn’t anyone to swap girl’s clothes with at this time in our family.  She’s way younger than most of my nieces and nephews on my side of the family and she’s the first little girl on my husband’s side of the family.  And we don’t really know our neighbors (and most are older without kids in the home).  (I did receive a nice donation of clothing that someone gave to my sister, which was awesome.)

I was trying to watch eBay for deals as well as buying on sale at the store.  Goodness little girl’s clothes are hard to resist in the store!  Well, right after I won some more clothes on eBay… I heard about ThredUP and checked it out myself.

"Clothes don't grow. Kids do."

Let me tell you – it’s a much better deal than eBay.  You get TONS more clothes stuffed in a box (they REALLY want that box stuffed full!) and it tends to be in better condition (without stains, tears, etc.).
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