Whether you’re registering for baby gear or paying the tab yourself, it pays to budget wisely. By focusing on the products you truly need, you’ll have more money to spend on necessities such as diapers, diapers and more diapers. Your house will be less cluttered, too. Here are five baby products … [Read more...] about 5 baby products you shouldn’t buy
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5 ways to get the most from your baby registry
When you’re prepping for parenthood, a targeted baby registry or two can alleviate the guesswork for friends and relatives, help you get just what you need and avoid unwanted or duplicate items. But because you’re not paying the tab, it’s easy to ask for products you don’t need, stock up on the … [Read more...] about 5 ways to get the most from your baby registry
The (baby) formula for savings: Buy the store brand
Of course, for new babies, breast is best (and free). But if you want or need to use infant formula, go with the store brand. Store-brand infant formulas, labeled with the names of retail-store brands such as Target (Up & Up), Walmart (Parent’s Choice), CVS, Babies R Us, Sam’s Club (Simply … [Read more...] about The (baby) formula for savings: Buy the store brand
Free hands-on craft workshops for kids
If your kids love to get their hands dirty, they've got ample ways to get creative on the cheap. During free hands-on craft workshops offered at major retailers, they can assemble Lego creations, build their own birdhouses and jewelry boxes, turn clay pots into animals or decorative gifts and more, … [Read more...] about Free hands-on craft workshops for kids
Create sweet Valentine’s Day crafts using photos
Between digital cameras, cellphones, and an influx of school portraits, most of us have tons of great photos. And where are they? Stuck in a drawer or, more likely, in a computer file. If you have these great shots, you should use them. Print them out and make some simple, inexpensive Valentine's … [Read more...] about Create sweet Valentine’s Day crafts using photos
Six ways to save big on baby gear
Baby products are a $9.8 billion industry in the U.S., with hundreds of new products added to the lineup each year. With an ever increasing range of choices, and seemingly limitless options, shopping for a new baby can be daunting and expensive. Retailers and manufacturers are smart, though. They … [Read more...] about Six ways to save big on baby gear
Save money by sharing toys at a toy co-op or library
We teach our kids to share their toys, but toy co-ops and toy libraries take that idea to a whole new level. Toy co-ops form when several families pool their toys and take turns letting the kids play with them. Toy libraries operate on a larger scale, lending out toys just as traditional libraries … [Read more...] about Save money by sharing toys at a toy co-op or library
5 best photo gifts for less than $20
For simple, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, look no further than your camera. With your digital images and a few other materials, you can make affordable gifts for everyone on your list. Photo Calendar You'll find calendar templates at almost any photo lab or on websites like Snapfish and … [Read more...] about 5 best photo gifts for less than $20
Does it pay to return to work after baby? Do the math
This post is by Erin Flynn Jay, author of "Mastering The Mommy Track." Many new moms have mixed feelings about whether they should return to work after a too-brief maternity leave or stay home until their kids are older. Are you undecided about whether you should quit your job and stay home with … [Read more...] about Does it pay to return to work after baby? Do the math
Send a free photo book to U.S. troops
If you have a family member or friend deployed with the armed forces, you can create a FREE 20-page personal photo book and ship it to any APO, FPO or MPO address free through the USO Photo Book Program. This would be a wonderful surprise for those who are serving our country and missing … [Read more...] about Send a free photo book to U.S. troops
Kids’ crafts: Make a braided-rope dog toy
When it comes to kids' crafts, I like projects they can make and use rather than just make and throw away. During a recent sleepover in my house, I enlisted the help of two kids to try out one of the DIY projects I have bookmarked on Pinterest. Using fleece fabric left over from winter projects, … [Read more...] about Kids’ crafts: Make a braided-rope dog toy