I took Cara to Physical Therapy yesterday to see if they could help her start walking. She actually started to take a few steps here and there, but nothing to get too excited about...until Tuesday night. We left the girls at the sitter and when I went to pick them up, Cara was a walking maniac!! She was walking across the room, back and forth. And then on Wednesday at church, she did the same thing. Why can't I get her to walk at home? Anyway, I will probably not be taking her back for a follow-up at the Physical Therapist. She still falls a lot and is real wobbly, but I think she will continue to improve. I wish I had never been told that she might have club foot as a baby. It put ideas in my head and undue concerns. I have probably been overly paranoid, but when I saw other babies 9 or 10 months old walking, I started to think Cara was behind.
Another thing on my mind is how to get Merilee started on some home preparation for schooling. I want her to be able to write her name and know her address, phone number, etc. before she starts school. I am also very lazy in this area and need easy ways to implement teaching tools. She is still having problems with her ears! I think I wrote about this in my last post.
I have been doing a lot of reading about stay-at-home moms who write about how they live frugally. As a necessity, we have been having to take this more seriously, and it is not easy. I have learned so much from these moms who "work" to save money at home so they don't have to "work" outside the home. I never hear about moms locally who are true "scrimpers". I don't know if ladies don't say much because they are embarrassed or if they just assume that everyone knows their "tricks", but I am all ears. I have learned so much from "mom-blogs"! We have committed to some of their ideas, such as not spending more than $40/week (for daily living expenses). It is not easy. I have taken a calculator to the store and write down the price next to everything on my list and I can't go over $40. It adds up fast!! So, since I have picked up some tips, here are some others that we do now:
- Wash out ziploc bags and reuse them.
- Make food from scratch (it's healthier too).
- ONLY SHOP ONCE A WEEK (learn to be creative when you run out of something). The less I am at the store, the less trendy items, decor, new foods, clearance items, and other things that "call my name" have to tempt me to buy them.
- Move current decorations around so that it feels like "new".
- For free entertainment, rent Redbox movies on Monday with their promo code.
- Look for coupons, why pay full price!! I even sent an email to "Tofutti" and asked for coupons for Cara's milk free food products and they said they would mail me some!!
- I have been requesting free samples from links on the blogs I read. I got the first one in the mail yesterday. I was so excited. It was a Walmart sample of Orville Redenbauckers 100 calorie smart cakes and an individual bag of popcorn, including a packet of $6 worth of coupons. I now eagerly check the mail for samples instead of bills.
- Of course, I buy used clothes for the girls 95% of the time. I believe in consignment, thrift stores, and garage sales!!
- The last thing I can think of right now is to keep the thermostat at 68 degrees (bundle up!).
What are your "tricks"?
Sorry this got kinda long and boring, but now maybe I can go to bed and not have to have this all running through my head. I do want to say how grateful for my family and friends. And above all, I have been richly blessed by my Savior for everything that I have and things that bring me true happiness.
3 comments:
Those are some great tips! Kit and I need to use some of them more. Thank you for your thoughts!!
One thing I thought of that I do is watch for the out of season clothes to go on sale or hit the thrift stores. They are cheaper and you can buy ahead for the next season. I also love to buy decorations at the thrift store and fix them up to suit my house or the holiday they're for.
We try to be frugal, buy we could always be better. I can't wait to read others' ideas and more of yours! Thank you for your post!
Lizzie didn't walk until 14 months-and I was relieved! I know it's a big milestone, but they're easier to chase when they just crawl.
I buy almost everything off season. Another thought would be to do a clothing or even home decor exchange with friends/family/church.
We actually keep our thermostat at 65-66 at night. We always turn it way up (summer) or down (winter) so it won't kick on while we're gone during the day.
Another one is to maximize gas usage by planning out your errands ahead of time. You save gas by going in a logical path and it's best to go to the farthest location first and work your way home.
For entertainment-we are big on free places and check out movies from the library free. Game night is always a hit here! For get-togethers, pot lucks are way cheaper than going out and usually easier than fixing a meal yourself. You can also plan your family menu around what's on sale, eat produce in season, and use meat as an ingredient instead of THE dish.
This time of year, thinking about gifts, I always shop year round so I can get good deals and then I store things until birthdays or Christmas. I know it's a novel, but I'll post again if I think of anything!
HI Leighanne! This is blog-ignorant Jamie gentry..lol Thank you for letting people comment now without being bloggers. I honestly have no clue how all this works. Yours always looks so nice!
My big things that drives people crazy but does save remarkable is to unplug anything and everything when you are not using it. It really does save money. Even the t.v gets unplugged when we leave and at night. We don't even keep an alarm clock plugged in anymore bc we use our cell phones as alarms(no sense in wasting power)
Also, even Noah now is great about lights off if you leave the room and at open windows for light until you can no longer see. Then try to only use a one bulb lamp.
You know we have to be tight with our money too!! Lord knows though I cannot keep the thermostat on 68; however, I do keep it on 68 when we are gone.
Ok enough I have only tonight left to pack the last few things. Hope you are feeling better and if you need to, bring your laundry over on saturday if you are feeling better!!!! We won't be doing laundry and you could at least get one or two loads done. xoxo I am so thankful for the Luckinbill family!
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