Since my husband deployed, finding bargains and saving money has become a little hobby of mine. Recently I went to Harris Teeter and paid $22 for $57 worth of groceries. For me, this accomplishment was nothing short of a miracle.

Let me give you the back story. When I was in college and a single gal starting a career, I was bad with money. My bank account always hovered too close to the bottom. Translation: I would happily spend the last $2 in my checking account at Starbucks! But when I met my husband, something in me changed–I had a strong desire to be a better steward of our money to create the best life possible for our family.

Have I slipped along the way? Oh, many times!! But the same desire for my family remains. Lately, I have turned to the internet to find some of the best ways to save.

Here are some of my favorites:

Groceries/Household Items

1. Southern Savers
2. Money Saving Mom
3. Sami Cone
4. Mommy Snacks

Other retail deals”

1. Retail Me Not
2. Woot
3. Shop It To Me

What other ones should be on this list?? What web sites provide the deepest discounts. I’d love to hear your comments and ideas!

© 2010, Amy. All rights reserved.

I don’t know about you, but lately I have been a little bummed when I pull out of the grocery store parking lot.  Not that I bought junk food, but that I spent more than expected; more than we originally budgeted for groceries.  As my family’s home economist (a la Dave Ramsey), I feel disappointed when I can’t keep the grocery bill down.

As a single gal, I spent $60 a week on groceries.  During our first year of marriage, we spent $100 a week on groceries.  Now with my husband, baby and a dog, we spend at least $150 on groceries every week.  Last week, we spent $183, so it varies (mostly up!).   Not to mention, we go to the commissary, which is cheaper than traditional grocery store.

After reading this article by Jenna at Bellies and Babies, I am on a mission to be a more mindful consumer.  When I asked her where she got her coupons and ideas, she directed me to Souther Savers, which has a ton of information on coupons and weekly deals.

What am I not willing to sacrifice for savings–fresh fruits and vegetables.  What am I willing to shift–the brands of items I already use; and going to a couple different places (including a farmer’s market) to purchase our weekly groceries.

This is my New Year’s Resolution: to find creative ways to keep more of our monthly income. If you have any creative solutions or ideas, please share!

© 2009, Amy. All rights reserved.

Yesterday I woke up with many items on my “to do” list.  It was the kind of list that makes you want to go back to bed without even trying.  The list was even batched together by time and location of errands and chores (a la Tim Ferris).  As soon as Jackson woke up from his nap, I was going to swoop him up, feed him, then we were out of the house, until he needed to nap again.

He is too big for most of his clothes and it’s getting cold outside, so we needed to go shopping.  Off to “Once Upon a Child” for play clothes, T J Maxx for outfits, Babies R Us for Sleepers, and Children’s Place for more outfits.  Are you seeing the flaw in my plan yet?  Every time I needed to get to another store, I had to pack up the stroller, buckle in the baby…You get the idea.

This is a much happier Jackson (the day before)

In short–it was a screech-fest for Jackson.  Although he was full, warm, and being pushed around in his stroller, but he just screeched at every establishment.  We even took a break at Subway for lunch to relax, but he started screeching and they turned up the music.  Ha! My best guess is that teething is the culprit.

I decided to throw in the towel.  Throw up the white flag.  Jackson-1, Mom-0.

But maybe I could just run through the Starbucks drive-thru to be consoled??

My little tyrant. My little Kim Jong Jackson was not having it.

You can beat me down by screaming in stores, but you can’t take away my STARBUCKS, friend.  Now I will turn up the music and try to tune out the screaming for another five minutes.

When we got home, I gave him a bottle and put him to sleep.

I call this "Milk Drunk Love"

So frustrated with the outcome, I decided to go online to see if I could simply order his clothes. After 20 minutes on the Children’s Place website, I had a basket full of 15 items, totalling $150.  Just as I was about to purchase it, I googled “Children’s Place + coupons” and instantly had the code for 20% off my order on www.retailmenot.com.  Ladies, in 10 seconds of searching, I saved over $30!!!  What is the cure-all for a bad afternoon–instantly saving $30 in no time!

Why didn’t I think of this before? Why was I shopping at four stores, driving all over creation when it could have been done online?  He’s nine months old, I should have figured this out by now.  Do you all have stories of driving yourself crazy when the simple answer was right in front of your eyes?  Do tell!

© 2009, Amy. All rights reserved.

When I first new that I was pregnant, a good friend and neighbor said that I should buy the book “Baby Bargains.” Since she is one of the best money managers I know, I went out to Barnes and Noble and picked up my copy (of course this is after I inhaled saltine crackers and ginger ale to kick morning sickness). 

When I first cracked open the book, my jaw DROPPED when I read that the average couple spends over $6,500 on a baby from birth to the age of one.  So…basically, right when we’re going down to one income, our expenses are going to shoot through the roof?

I had always heard that children cost over a million dollars in their lifetime, but really, can’t I get on a payment plan or something?

Good thing I kept reading, because if you follow their guide, they can put you on a plan to only shell out about $4,000 for your first child.  Still…I know what you’re thinking—what costs $4,000.  When you add up maternity clothes, crib, changing table, swing, food, diaper genie, stroller, it can be a pretty penny.  Just like planning a wedding, the basics seem so reasonably priced, then you realize you need a lot more than the basics.

How do they save you $2,600? No, it’s not through used, faulty cribs and items you would rather not pick up at a yard sale.  They teach you which items are worth the investment, like the Chicco KeyFit 30, which is the car seat I purchased with their recommendation.  It is amazing and deserves the A rating “Baby Bargains” gave it. 

The authors, Denise and Alan Fields, also show you which items you can really live without and ones you don’t have to buy until after the baby is born.

The rating system is terrific, and I found that their results were always very close to the Consumer Reports conclusions.  The difference here is that they wade through all the products for you and tell you which ones you actually need, rather than Consumer Reports, who simply rates products.

I have the seventh edition, but apparently they have a new version.  I am sure either one will definitely save you some money.

© 2009, Amy. All rights reserved.