Thrifty Thursdays

As a stay at home Mom of 5 children, I know all about being thrifty. When my husband and I were dating, we both knew that when we had children, I would stay home to raise them. It isn't always easy, but my babies are worth it.
So I though doing a Thrifty Thursday post would be some fun!
The biggest cost saving thing I do is my cloth diapers!
When I started cloth diapering, I was pregnant with my third child. I had considered cloth diapering, but up to that point I did not have my own washer and dryer.
It is estimated that it costs $1200 per year to use disposable diapers on one child! so even if you have them potty trained at 2, that's $2400!! Wow! So, I asked my husband if I could buy some cloth diapers used. To begin with, I found some Kushies AIO diapers, because that's all I knew off. I spent $60 for 12  diapers. My husband humoured me, but really did not expect me to follow through.
As time went on, I built up a stash of pockets, prefolds and covers. I grew to love cloth diapering! I have even converted some people!
I am now on baby # 5, and she is exclusively a cloth baby!

What is thrifty to you?

Wordless Wednesday

Sleeping Babies

If you give a mom a muffin

If you give a Mom a muffin.....

I saw this a while a go and wanted to share it.

If you give a mom a muffin,

She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
She'll pour herself some.
Her three-year-old will spill the coffee.
She'll wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she'll find dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
She'll trip over boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her
she has to plan for supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look for her cookbook
("101 Things To Do With A Pound of Hamburger" ).
The cookbook is setting under the pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The check book is in her purse
that is being dumped out by her two-year-old.
She'll smell something funny.
She'll change the two-year-old's diaper.
While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring.
Her five-year-old will answer and hang up.
She'll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee.
Thinking of coffee will remind her
that she was going to have a cup.
And chances are... If she has a cup of coffee,
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

~author unknown

Ever have a day like that?

$15 Baby Sampler Giveaway ends 9/29/11!

Really easy to enter and to win.  Just enter via the Rafflecopter entry below.

Sea*Band Nausea Relief Band and Ginger Gum Review and Giveaway Ends September 21st!

Are You Pregnant, Suffering from Morning Sickness and Looking for a Drug-Free Remedy? Let Sea-Band, Drug Free Nausea Relief Bands, Put the Pressure on Morning Sickness So You Can Enjoy Being Pregnant

Morning sickness maybe considered as a right of passage for pregnant women, but the nausea can temporarily put your life on hold . Studies show morning sickness affects nearly three quarters of all pregnant women; however, the only problem (despite the name!) is that it doesn’t always come in the morning. It can happen anytime – morning, day or night – making it difficult and sometimes impossible for pregnant women to carry on with their everyday responsibilities like working, caring for other children, etc. Here’s where FDA approved Sea-Band Drug-Free Nausea Relief Bands can help! 

I have been battling chronic nausea with this pregnancy and it has been killer.  I don't want to eat but I do and I just feel like I want to vomit everywhere but I never do.  I was so excited when I was given the chance to review Sea*Band because I knew there was no hope for me.  When I got the package in the mail I broke it open like there was GOLD inside.  I quickly read the directions and put the bands on and popped a piece of the Ginger gum in my mouth (let me tell you I was feeling so horrible at the time) and within about 10 minutes I was feeling so much relief.  Yes!!! In 10 minutes!! By 20 minutes I felt fine!  I use to think these bands were a joke.  Seriously how does something like this work?

How Sea-Band Works…
Approved by the FDA, Sea-Band is the leading drug-free remedy for morning sickness, motion sickness, chemotherapy nausea and post-operative nausea. Most recently, a 2010 study, carried out at a German clinic specializing in migraine and headache therapy, showed that Sea-Band wristbands significantly reduced nausea and vomiting: 83% noticed perceptible reduction and 44% found their symptoms markedly reduced.
Sea-Band works by exerting constant, gentle pressure on a point on the inner wrist known as the Pericardium 6 (P6) acupressure point. It brings effective relief within five minutes of being applied and can be used before or after the onset of nausea. The all-natural, drug-free, latex-free Sea-Band does not cause the side-effects often associated with anti-nausea medication such as drowsiness, disorientation, dry mouth or possible interactions with other drugs. It’s safe for pregnant women, children, and patients taking prescription medications. Packaged in a convenient carry-case, they are washable and reusable, and available a variety of colors in sizes for adults and children. 

Well now that we know how they work and that they do actually work, I don't know how I ever went through my other pregnancies without it.  I don't wear it all the time but I can tell a difference when I am not wearing them.  The gum is awesome as well.  Serving size on the package says 2 pieces but I usually only do one at a time and it works fine...two if I am not using the bands.  It definitely tastes like a burst of ginger.  A little spicy and a little yummy! I knew ginger cookies helped but never thought about just sucking on a piece of ginger....and still don't think I will. I love love love the ginger gum!

Informative video:
Click here to watch an informative video about how Sea-Band wristbands work.  In addition, the company also offers Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Ginger Gum, for fast nausea relief with fresh, uplifting flavor. 

Where to buy Sea*Band:

Sea-Band products are available in the U.S. in Walmart, Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, as well as in Canada in Overwaitea, IDA, Familiprix, Guardian and other independent drugstores or pharmacies throughout North America or online at drugstore.com and at http://www.sea-band.com/shop.

Suggested retail price is $10.99 per pair in the US, and $12.99 in Canada. 

More information and special giveaways:
To learn more and to take advantage of special giveaways, connect with Sea-Band on Facebook at www.facebook.com/seaband.  

Want to win your own Sea*Bands and Ginger Gum?? Sea*Band has offered to give one lucky reader their own set of bands and some ginger gum.  Just enter the Rafflecopter entry below to enter to win! 

The Peaceful Housewife's Natural Household Cleaners e-book Review and Giveaway(closed)

Sponsored by Tomoson.com
I hate using harsh cleaners. The idea of using harsh chemicals where I have my children makes me nervous. So year ago I started researching home made cleaners. As happy as I was with the safety of them, they didn't preform as well as I had hoped. That's why I was so excited to review The Peaceful Housewife Household Cleaners e-book.
A whole book of natural cleaners, and house hold products! This books is 13 pages of gentle, yet powerful, cleaners and tips for us busy housewives.


Here is what I have tried so far:
Fabric Softener
I have tried just using Vinegar as a fabric softener substitute, and it is OK, but I miss opening the dryer and smelling nice fluffy towels. I put this to the ultimate test: Jeans and Towels!

Everything came out nice and soft. Not stiff. The bonus: You can scent this with any essential oil you like!

I also made some foaming hand soap. This is a great money saver for a family of 7!











Buy it:
Buy a copy of this money saving book for only $3.00

Win it:
2 of our readers have a chance to win their own copy! Get as many entries as you can!