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How to lower your Grocery bill

5/6/2018

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I have read every method possible on lowering your grocery bill. From apps, to coupons, to watching sales, and honestly nothing worked for me. I tried couponing. I am not very good at it. Or maybe I just don't understand it. I know a lot of people succeed in couponing but I don't need 30 bottles of shampoo just because it was on sale. 

My household consists of myself, my husband, and my 22 month old. A week we were spending $250 - $350 a WEEK at the grocery store. That equals to $1,000- $1,400 a month for groceries. That is insane if you ask me! For the life of me I couldn't figure out what we were buying!

I literally cut our grocery bill in half all by myself! Like I said I read and read and read about all "magical" things that were suppose to help me save money, but nothing seemed to work. I'm sure if I now go back to those strategies I may be able to save even more. But for the time being I am going to stick with this method!

Here's how I cut our grocery bill in half!

1. Make an actual grocery list:
I would end up spending all this money at the store and end up coming home and still need items.
  • Place a notepad on your refrigerator. (This way when you run out of an item it immediately gets written on the list)
2. Meal Prep:
By meal prepping I know exactly what lunches & dinners I will make for the week. Every Sunday I meal prep our lunches or snack boxes.
  • Add all meal items to grocery list
3. Organize your grocery list:
Make categories so while your going through the isles it is easy to see which items you actually need.
  • I use different colors for each category on my list
4. Costco:
I never understood the hype about Costco and BJ's, until I had kids, a husband, and started meal prepping! Once a month we go to Costco to stock up on items for the month. By stocking up on these items we are not buying them weekly, which saves us money every week. Now you still have to contain yourself in Costco. Sometimes If i'm really hungry and try samples I think that we "need" that item then. No you do not. Stick to the list and the meals you are trying to make.
  • Once a month they send out a flyer with their sales. I will try to buy items that we use if they are on sale that month.
  • Great for stocking up on drinks, baby items, snacks, paper products, laundry detergent, bulk fridge items that you are using that week for meal prep
5. Peapod:
Peapod has changed my life! Peapod is a service through Giant that delivers your groceries to your home. You must spend $60 minimum but can order as many times a week as you want. You get to pick your delivery date and time. The produce and meat is always super fresh because it comes right from their warehouse. Peapod is not available everywhere. You have to live within a certain range. You can find all that information on their website.
When you first sign up you get 60 days free delivery. After that their is a delivery fee. Typically it ranges between $7-$9. Also when you first sign up you get $20 off your first bill. You still receive the sale price if an item is on sale at the store and are able to use coupons! By not actually having to step foot in a store I immediately save.
  • Huge time saver! Especially if your family is very busy or your a mom of multiples and want to avoid those meltdowns in the store!
  • By shopping online I stick to my list. I'm not wondering every isle just adding items because I'm hungry and they looked good.

By using these methods here is what our weekly and monthly grocery bill is now!

Once a month to Costco: spend roughly $250- $300
Weekly: store trip using Peapod Service: $80-$100

I budget in weekly to send $100 through Peapod. I honestly am always under that $100 mark every week!

So that grocery bill went from $1,000- $1,400 a month to $570- $700!! What a difference!!

Also not allowing my husband to tag along to the store helped us stay on budget as well ;]


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Hospital Essentials

4/4/2018

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Well we have finally reached the point where it's time to pack for the hospital. With Asher I did not pack correctly at all. I had forgotten multiple things and was mislead as to what to actually pack. I read alot on pinterest and Google about what to pack, but honestly alot of those things did not seem necessary. So here's what I am taking to the hospital this time around! 

I feel really prepared this time! I hope this helps all you expecting Momma's out there! I go for comfort! 

The Hospital Bag:
  • Slippers/ Moccasin's
    • Easiest thing to slide on and walk around the hospital in
  • Flip Flops
    • Easy to put on and you will want these to shower in
  • Yoga Pants
    • I packed 3 pairs. I just want to be comfortable
  • T-Shirts
    • Going for comfort here. Easy to slide on
  • Long sleeve shirt
    • ​I am typically a cold person so I may want this instead of a T-shirt
  • Nursing Cami
  • Socks
  • Nursing Bra's
  • Open front Sweater
    • ​​ Great to throw over your cami's or T-shirts to walk around
  • Belly Band 
    • I like the support around my stomach and back
  • Cell Phone Charger
  • Makeup
    • ​Last time I did not think this was necessary. I had a lot of visitors and it would of been nice looking back at pictures to of had a little something on. I am only bringing foundation, mascara, and chap-stick
I did not pack any underwear. Where I deliver at they provide these awesome mesh panties! I use those and ask for some to take home! Super comfy! Also the hospital provides me with pads, numbing spray and a squirt bottle to wash your area after using the bathroom. Don't forget to take all these items home! You will use them! If the place your delivery does not provide mesh panties, make sure to pack granny panties. Yes, granny panties. The bigger the better. You are going to want comfort and your going to bleed a lot.
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Toiletries:
  • Hand wipes
  • Tissues
  • Q-Tips
  • Toothpaste
  • Toobrush
  • Hair Ties
  • Hair Brush
  • Razor
  • Deordorant
  • Lotion
  • Shaving Cream
  • Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Body Wash

I packed for Adam and I. Last time I forgot hair ties! How in the world did I forget hair ties! Also last time I tried bringing full size bottles and literally everything that was in my shower. This time I scaled it down but still have all the essentials!

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Pumping Bag:
  • Pump
  • Tubing
  • Power Cord
  • Bottles
  • Milk Bags
  • Nipple Cream
  • Breast Pads
  • Nursing Cover
  • Bag
  • Hands Free pumping Bra
Okay, so last time I did not have a pumping bag. My milk wasn't even in at the hospital either. I had no idea how to even get a pump. The hospital did help with this process which was nice. I actually have a new pump coming for this baby! If you would like your pump before hand here's how you acquire it.

Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. They will tell you if your insurance covers a pump and will give you a phone number to call. I then called the number my insurance provided me and it was a simple process. They verified my insurance and coverage, ask a bunch of questions, and ordered my pump. Also what was nice going through them is that they have pumping supplies at a discounted price. So along with my pump coming I also have milk bags, cleaning wipes, and breast pads coming too!

The hospital will provide you with a pump to use while there. I had a horrible experience and asked 3 times for someone to show me how to use it and if I was doing it right. I ended up being frustrated and not using it the whole time in the hospital. Once I was home, I had a friend come over and she taught me all the functions of my pump!
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Baby's Bag:
  • A few Onsies
  • Jammies
  • Pacifier ( If using them)
  • Going Home outfit
  • Swaddle
  • Burp Cloths ( my friend made me these amazing burp cloths that I am so excited to use! I had to pack them)
  • Boppy Pillow
  • Car Seat
  • Special Blanket
The hospital will provide you with everything for the baby! From wash, lotion, diapers, receiving blankets, and pacifiers. I like to bring a few things from home for pictures and like dressing my baby in their own clothes. 
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I love to be prepared and ready. Last pregnancy I went in for a check up and ended up not leaving. I was induced at 36 weeks. I thought we had a whole month still to prepare. This time around I know it is a little early but I want to be ready this time!
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PreBaby Stockpile

2/11/2018

5 Comments

 
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My goal this time around for this pregnancy is to be as prepared as possible! Not only were my husband and I first time, sleep deprived parents, but also very unprepared. We thought we were prepared. There are a lot of things people leave out when discussing pregnancy , child birth, and once baby as arrived. Since we have been through this once, I feel I have a better game plan and can prepare alot better! We are the family that everything unexpected does happen to, so I am accounting for all of those possibilities as well.

One of the most frusterating things was that we seemed to run out of everything. I'm talking EVERYTHING. My husband was constantly running to the store at 11pm, 1am, 3am for the most random things! This time around I hope to alleviate all of that unnecessary running. 

Jan 2nd this year we woke up to a pipe that had burst in our house. It has been quite the experience but we are staying positive and alot of good has actually come out of it! Three rooms were ruined with water, which included, living room, playroom, and our storage room. We are still in the middle of renovations but they are wrapping up fairly quick! With the storage room being destroyed I am now able to actually make it a functioning storage room. I have plans of getting shelving so I have a place to put all of my stockpile! This room is going to be packed with all of the essentials and labeled. So instead of going to Giant at 1am, my husband can walk to the basement and grab what is needed! I do plan to post pictures once it is complete!

Back to my list! This is a list that I have come up with of things that we use alot of, run out of frequently, or just easy convinence to have on hand. My goal is that for the first 3 months after baby girl is here is that we do not have to run to the store, except for things that you cant stockpile. Examples: milk, creamer, eggs, bread. I only want my husband to have to run maybe once a week for those items. 

I plan to be doing most of my stockpile shopping at Costco, Target, & Giant.

Bathroom:
  • toilet paper
  • shampoo & conditioneer
  • body wash
  • shaving cream
  • Q tips
  • toothpaste
Laundry:
  • detergent
  • softner
  • baby detergent
Paper/ Cleaning:
  • tissues
  • clorox wipes
  • paper towels
  • dish soap
  • dish washer pads
  • slow cooker liners
Medicine:
  • tylenol
  • infant/ toddler tylenol
  • gripe water
Baby stuff:
  • diapers
  • wipes
  • desitin
  • baby powder
  • formula( I do plan to breastfeed. I did with Asher & pumped. But there were nights Asher would not sleep more than 45mins and was so hungry. So I do plan to supplement if need be!)
Freezer: ( I plan on making 3 months worth or freezer meals, but for the days we don't want them these are our essentials!)
  • uncrustable PB&J's
  • chicken fingers
  • pizza bites
  • frozen pizzas
  • fries
  • hot dogs
Pantry:
  • juice
  • applesauce
  • mac n cheese
  • coffee
  • oatmeal
  • cereal
  • pasta
  • rice
  • water
  • Asher/ Adam snacks (cereal bars, fruit snacks, chips)
Mommy: ( I slacked in this area so bad last time. I had nothing. Literally nothing!)
  • nursing pads
  • milk storage bags
  • nipple cream
  • lotion
  • pads
  • witch hazel
​I hope you soon to be mommy's found this helpful!
Update: I have added photos of my stockpile! The only thing not pictured is all my laundry detergent & softener because I keep that above my washer and dryer.
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Diaper Stockpile

1/26/2018

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I had wanted to stockpile diapers when I was pregnant with Asher. I did not because everyone was telling me not to, that they grow out of diapers so fast, and that it is a waste of money. Well from experience, having to send your husband to the store at 11pm because you are out of diapers is not ideal when your exhausted. Each child is different and grows at a different rate. I don't plan to over do it with the stockpile, but I want a good cushion. I don't want to be running all the time for diapers!

What I am doing right now is when I need diapers for Asher, I pick up a bag for the baby as well. A great tip my bestie just told me last is that Wal-Mart accepts name brand diapers for returns, even if the diapers are not bought there. Well how great is that! She got a lot of diapers at her baby shower and had an over abundance of size 1 diapers. Once her little one was in size 2, she took any unopened boxes/ bags of size 1 diapers to Wal-Mart and exchanged them for size 2. Great tip to know!

Asher did not last long in size 2 or size 4. I based my list off my experience with Asher. Like I said it is not a huge stockpile but I know it will help!

A diaper raffle is great for baby showers! 

Diaper Stockpile List:
Newborn: 1 box (Asher was out of these quickly!)
Size 1: 3 Boxes (Asher was in 1's for awhile!)
Size 2: 3 Boxes
Size 3: 4 Boxes
Size 4: 1 Box
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Goals   for 2018

1/21/2018

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I have big plans for 2018. I have alot of goals I would like to meet and I feel I have picked realistic goals! I literally have a list for everything! Lists are really helping me keep focused and help me remember what to do. Alot of these goals I plan to have met by April at the latest. I plan to meet these goals before baby A #2 arrives! If you are planning to become pregnant or are currently pregnant, you are going to want to follow these next posts over the next few months!
  • Repairs to the home
We decided to "cash out" on our living room. Adam was able to complete our living room in 2 days and our carpet guy came on the 3rd day. We currently have our living all back together! We are thinking about cashing out on the playroom and storage room as well. ServPro has yet to return my calls about getting on the schedule. 
  • Completing Rooms
We have been changing some of our rooms but have not fully finished a room. A few rooms are missing finishing touches. So I have hired an interior decorator to help me finish the rooms that need finished! She comes tuesday and I'm super excited!
  • Be more organized
This is one I would like to keep with throughout the whole year! Before Asher I had alot of time. I didn't think I did, but I did. I used to be organized and know where things were. I used to be able to take the time to put things away properly. Well that all went out the door! Being organzied and everything having its own place is something I love. I hate clutter! Today a good friend of my was so generous to come over and help me tackle 2 closets that I really let go. It's amazing what we accomplished!
  • Dipar stock pile
I don't plan to go crazy in this department. I know babies grow out of dipars super quick, but I would like to start a small stash!
  • Potty training Asher
I would love to not have 2 in dipars! We are slowly working on this and really hope we can accomplish this before May!
  • Padsicles
The truth is, I had no idea what it was going to be like after giving birth. Literally everyone kept this part a secret from me! Well since I have been through it once I now know what I can prepare to make things easier for me! 
  • Nursery
My children are going to have to share a room until one is old enough to move into the other bedroom which is downstairs off the living room. Asher's bedroom is tiny. I have come up with some great solutions though to really make it work!
  • Stockpile
We really weren't prepared when Asher was born. We thought we were, but we really had no idea! We were very exhausted first time parents. I can remember Adam running to Giant literally at 1am because we were out of toilet paper. Or other random things. Poor guy lived at the store every night at the weirdest hours. This time around I have compiled a list of items that we can stockpile to prevent this from happening. I have joined Costco and plan to buy alot of these items there. Our storage room is going to have shelves so I can store all the items there. My goals is for the first 3 months after baby is here is to not have to go to the store. I plan to only send Adam once a week for milk, creamer, eggs, yogurt & bread. The things you cant buy in bulk!
  • Freezer casseroles/ crockpot meals
I can't even explain the amount of money we wasted eating out! I was so exhausted & so drained I did not cook at all after Asher was here. For like the first week or so family memebers did help with meals, but life gets busy and once those meals stopped we resorted to take out. I have been getting my recipes together and plan to make a ton of freezer meals!

So stay tuned! I plan to post all my lists and my recipes! I hope this can help others that are expecting! I know it seems like alot, but hey once you start nesting, that would be a great time to knock these out! I have wonderful friends that want to be involved and my mom plans to help me get all of these goals accomplished before the baby is here! I plan on doing these things end of Feburary/ March. I am due in May but you never know! Asher was 4 weeks early!

Other things I will be doing that I probably wont blog about are my baby registry and maternity pictures! I have a very busy next few months, but am super excited! I want everything to be finished so I can just enjoy both my babies!! Trying to reduce stress!

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