10 Baby Items You Won't Need

When I found out I was pregnant with my son Roo I was ecstatic. One of the things I was interested in was the birth process! You can learn more about the hypnobirthing technique like I did. I did a lot of shopping for baby gear before my baby shower and I ended up with a ton of baby items I absolutely didn't need, and I used many of them once if ever. When I found out I was expecting again I had a good idea of what things I would not need. I am going to share a list of baby items you really don't need to help you save money when you are shopping for a baby shower or your own little bundle of joy.

A baby wipe warmer- I received a baby wipe warmer as a shower gift. I thought what a cool idea and couldn't wait to set it up I envisioned my son being blissful when a perfectly warm wipe touched his skin...Then he arrived and I found I was never changing a diaper in the same place. I became a master of changing diapers in any location. The pads in the warmer dried out super fast and it mostly sat around using electricity. Save your money on this item, it is really not needed.

Baby Blankets- I saw so many cute blankets that I couldn't resist buying about a dozen for Roo. Then I had a baby shower and received 9 handmade blankets and 10 adorable mass produced blankets. We had so many baby blankets that I ended up giving 5 away right off the bat. We had so many blankets in the end that my son only used a few of them once or twice. We didn't need to buy any blankets for Harper as we had so many and friends and family have offered her handmade blankets also. Save your money, don't buy any blankets until after your baby shower. Really you need no more than 6 blankets in my opinion.

Toys that are aimed at newborns- Let's face it, we can't resist buying some of this baby stuff because it is cute! Toys are no exception. With Roo he had so many toys at birth that it was crazy. People that aren't familiar with babies will buy them toys at birth (or so it seems) then act very disappointed when baby isn't playing with them right away. If you need to buy toys stick with teethers, rattles and similar items. You are better off to buy toys for future play. Think the 3-6 month age range.

Clothes from the previous season- I have a well meaning relative that works retail. She buys up all of the kids clothes she can for my family at prices as low as $1 per piece. This always makes me feel bad! She might bring 20 items to us from the previous season. My infant daughter cannot wear a 3-6 month tank top and short set when it is January. Before she could wear it she will have outgrown it and that is a waste of money from the well meaning loved one. If you are going to buy off season clothes, think how big will the child be when it is spring? And buy a bigger size than what the child is currently wearing.

Infant towels- these are cute, who can resist tiny little towels?! But really they are so thin and flimsy they are not super effective for drying a baby. You can use your bath towels on baby, it will be okay!

Tummy Time Mats- These are cute and look fun too, but you can save at least $30 by not getting one. Put one of the lovely baby blankets you have to use. Offer baby a few of those toys you couldn't resist or were given as a gift. A rattle, a large inflatable ball  or a child safe mirror will do the trick of engaging the child while he or she is getting tummy time.

Pacifier Wipes- You think you are going to use these. You have good intentions. Then you realize how busy you are, you forget about them. These are a novel idea but in my opinion, they are not worth the money. 

Diaper Genie- I am sorry the idea of a huge container of soiled diapers just grosses me out. Plus, this is just silly! Just throw the diapers away with your garbage and save your money. The refills on these are too expensive anyhow.

Baby Powder- this smells nice, don't get me wrong, but my pediatrician told me not to use it, it is like rubbing sandpaper on delicate skin and can cause breathing problems if inhaled. He said frequent changes and use of diaper ointment when needed are better options for baby.

Baby Shoes- my daughter is 6 weeks old. She has 8 pairs of shoes for the 0-3 month size. She has at least 3 pairs of each size of shoe until she is about 18 months old... don't get caught up in this style game! One pair, maybe 2 if you can't resist of each size is more than enough. Shoes are really unneeded considering baby cannot walk.

I hope this list helps you save money on items for baby. I would love to hear from you, what items did you have that you found to be completely unnecessary?

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5 Ways To Save On Your New House Windows

5 Ways To Save On Your New House Windows

Windows are an integral part of a house which enhances the curb appeal, brighten up your home’s
interior and save a great amount on energy bills. Good choice of windows is extremely important
especially when you go for replacement windows or buying them for your new house. There are various
factors that you should keep in mind while staying within your budget. It’s not like you have to pay
expensive bills to get energy-efficient and best windows, there are several ways which can help you in
saving money on your new house windows. Read further to know these ways.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/SXVBfhjZGlU

1. Don’t Get Additional Features in Windows

Some window companies have this strategy of attracting customers by showcasing them the additional
(most of them are useless. features that you can get in the windows. Many customers think of it as a
great and innovative thing but these are just the ways of making money. So, in order to save money on
windows, make sure you don’t go for any futile features that add more digits in the payment receipt. 

2. Get Bids from Various Companies 

Once you visit a window market, you would see an overwhelming number of window companies out
there with different window prices. The stupidity would be to visit a single company and sign a contract
with it without caring if it is as per your desire or not. A pro tip is to visit different companies, tell them
exactly what you are looking for, share your budget with them and get their offers. After you have
gathered quotes and offers from various companies, sit down and compare each one with others. At
last, pick the one that you think is the most reasonable with all your demanded requirements. 

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/2UE1givDiPM

3. Negotiate 

Never underestimate the power of negotiation. Whichever company you choose to get your windows
made from, don’t just give the amount that the contractor asked you for. Negotiate the double glazing
cost with them properly and calmly, you never know if they can give you a discount. Moreover, you can
also ask for some deals or packages as that helps a lot in saving some money on windows. 

Source: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1493895565436-93db25637518?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1050&q=80

4. Don’t Choose a Complicated Style 

More complicated the style, the more expensive it is. So, stick to a standard but appealing style of the
windows. If you are thinking about the curb appeal of your house, you can spruce it up with other ways
as well. Go for a simple but stunning piece of windows as they are low on cost as compared to the
stylish ones. 

5. Install the Windows Yourself 

Window contractors can charge so much money just to install windows in your house, especially if the
house is new. So, do some basic research on how to install windows, grab all the necessary tools and
start the work along with all precautionary measures. 

Add beauty to your house by adding beautiful yet cost-saving windows by following these simple ways
and save a valuable amount of money from your budget.

How to Save Money for Christmas

 

Photo by Joslyn Pickens 

When the Christmas season rolls around it is a time for gift-giving. However, before you go ahead and start spending, it is a good idea to try to save. 

With inflation rising, it's best to try to keep spending as minimal as possible. Here's a closer look at how you can control your spending this holiday season.

Create a Budget

The first step to saving money is to create a budget for the holiday season. First, write the names of all the people you want to buy gifts for and then decide how much money you want to spend on each of their gifts. 

This is an easy way to immediately control your spending. Once you have finished allocating the amount you want to spend, you can then calculate your expenditure. 

It might also be a lot more fun to try to fit the gifts you buy into the amount that you set for each person, instead of the other way around. Remember that getting gifts is simply a way to help us learn about the true meaning of Christmas. In the end, it's the thought that comes.

Use a Tracker

If you always have your phone with you a good idea will be to start using a tracker to keep your spending down this holiday season. It can be easy to say that you will think about how much you are spending in January. 

However, when January rolls around you will likely regret that you have spent so much. Getting an app on your phone to assist you with keeping track of your spending in real-time, is a good idea so that you can avoid regrets.

Start Shopping Early

One of the best things you can do is to start shopping as early as possible. The earlier you start shopping the less likely it is that you will overspend. 

Don't wait until the week of Christmas or the day before Christmas to start trying to find gifts. You are likely to end up having to buy things at more expensive prices. Take advantage of Black Friday deals and cyber week sales.

Combine Orders

If you decide to shop online you should consider combining your orders to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. Buying all your gifts at one time and then getting them shipped out at once is the best way to avoid high shipping costs when you are purchasing gifts online.

Stay Off Your Credit Cards

Another thing you can do is try to stay off your credit cards during this time. Try to use cash instead. 

This is where making a budget becomes critical. You can then pull all the cash that you need at once.

Once that cash runs out your spending is done. Do not carry your credit cards with you when you go shopping. This will make it even easier for you not to use them if you run out of cash.

Set Up a Dedicated Christmas Account

If you typically have a lot of people you need to give gifts to at Christmas, you can set up a dedicated Christmas account. You can start putting funds in it from January so that at the end of the year you will have a good stash of cash ready to buy Christmas gifts. 

The good thing about having a separate account is that you get a debit card for that account. It helps you to separate your money. Even if you don't save in the account every month, you can decide on your budget for Christmas spending, put all the money into that account and then use your debit card. 

Shop All Year

Yes, you are trying to save money, but if you start your Christmas shopping a little bit every month by the end of the year you will already have a special gift ready for everyone.

Take advantage of all the sales that happen throughout the year and purchase something whenever you can. By the end of the year, you will have saved money and avoided the Christmas shopping rush.

Get the Gifts You Need

Getting gifts for the people you love at Christmas is critical. You don't want to disappoint anybody. However, gift-giving can rack up some very high bills. It's always a good idea to be as prepared as possible so that you can save as much money as you can for the new year. 

6 Things Not To Bargain Shop For

6 Things Not To Bargain Shop For

We all love a good bargain. Saving money is awesome and unless you are one of the nearly 500 billionaires in the United States, it is often a necessity.  As the financial adviser in my family, I try my best to get the most bang for my buck on every purchase. I check ebates to see if I can earn cashback.  I use my paypal debit card to purchase nearly everything I buy because I earn 1% cashback each month, which adds up! I look for sales, coupons and discounts. I even shop the closeout stores like Big Lots and Ollie's Bargain Outlet. Who doesn't like buying stuff at a lower cost?

In all of my attempts to save money, I have discovered things you should not scrimp on. Things that are just worth the cost in the long run. I want to share these suggestions with you to help you in your attempts to save as much as you can.

1. Laundry Detergent 

I say buy something good for several good reasons. One your clothes are meant to last. Washing them in something like the brand from Dollar Tree is going to take a toll on your clothes. You can take my word for this. I bought a new pair of jeans, washed them in the cheap cheap LA Awesome (or something like that) brand exclusively. Ya know what? In 6 months time the denim was so worn and threadbare all over that I was afraid to go outdoors in them for fear they might just fall apart! I bought a new pair of jeans to replace the holy than thou pair and went back to Tide... same brand of jeans, same style. That was 5 years ago... I still have the 2nd new pair today. Secondly, your clothes should look and smell good after washing them. A cheap detergent is mostly water, it just can't do the job as well as Tide.

2. Deodorant

This should be a no brainer. Buy something good, don't try to save money here... cause no one wants to smell your attempts to save money on a hot summer day....

3. Pet Food

If you can't afford to feed a pet quality food, you shouldn't have a pet. Feeding off brands of food, such as EverPet, will lead to health issues. Pets deserve to be cared for in many ways, but their diet is vital to the overall health and well being of any pet. 

4. Trash Bags

I have bought cheap trash bags before and ended up picking my trash up off the lawn as the bag rips, tears or whatever on the way to the curb. No fun, not worth saving $2 in my opinion.

5. Shoes

I think buying quality footwear is important. Not only do your feet feel better in great shoes, but they are safer. When my son was about 18 months old and on the go, go, go we found a great deal on a pair of well known kids shoes. I jumped on them. Days later I realized why they were so affordable... the hard way. The sole of the shoe detached, causing my toddler to fall and he got a black eye out of it. Since that moment, no more bargain buys on shoes. Find the new air force 1 here.

6. Pillows

Repeat after me. "I will not buy a $5 pillow. I will not buy a $5 pillow." 

I am not saying you need to spend a few hundred on a great pillow, but invest in one that is going to give you a good quality of sleep. I use a Technogel pillow. I love it. I can't sleep without it, without waking up in pain or exhausted. A good pillow is an investment in your quality of life. 

Do you have any items to add to this list? What do you think you should buy without bargain hunting?

4 Reasons to Be More Tech Literate If You Work From Home

 

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As fun and refreshing as working remotely can be, it can also come with its share of issues. You don’t get the same camaraderie with your houseplants as you do with your coworkers, at least most of the time, anyway. But another significant issue is tech issues. No matter who you are, tech issues can occur at any time, and it’s usually when you want them to happen the least. As you don’t have tech support on hand, it benefits you to be as tech literate as possible. 

It Will Save You Money 

Tech repair companies have a wealth of specialist knowledge that drives people to run to them whenever they have a computer problem. However, these can sometimes be costly, especially if you factor in parts and labor after the initial consultation. 

Knowing what to do if your startup disk is damaged or if your battery capacity has dropped significantly can save you a lot of money. You can repair and replace these issues by yourself by following helpful videos online. 

It Will Save You Frustration

A damaged device is bound to cause frustration. It could be too slow or it may struggle to stay connected to your wifi. Rather than consider whether it’s worth throwing your laptop out of the window (it isn’t) you should learn how to diagnose and fix these common problems to ensure you can avoid any downtime. 

There may be some issues that are entirely out of your control, but if you know you can do everything possible to avoid common problems, you won’t have as much to worry about. 

It Keeps Your Information Safe 

Everyone thinks they are smart enough to spot a scam when they see it, but the reality is far different. Many people still fall victim to common online scams or tricks, so knowing how to recognize phishing emails among other threats is crucial. 

The more you know about what type of scams to look out for, the less likely you are to fall for one. It only takes one careless mistake to put all of your personal (as well as family and client) information at risk, so make sure you are careful. 

You Can Help Your Kids 

It isn’t just you that will benefit from being more tech literate. Learning about computers can also help your kids once they are old enough for you to feel comfortable about encouraging them to use technology for almost anything in their lives. 

By teaching your kids the basics of computer maintenance and repair, you ensure they are more prepared than you were at their age. This could even spark a passion for computers that directs them into a career where they will thrive. 

Tech Smart 

You don’t need to know how to take your computer apart and put it back together, but knowing a little more than the average person will save you time, money, and frustration and even give you the chance to pass your knowledge on to your kids. By getting to know your devices, you will be more confident and comfortable and never need to worry about downtime again. 

Restaurant Chicken Copycat Recipes

 

If you are hoping to save some cash on your food expenses, cutting out dinners in restaurants is usually the first to go. I gathered some of the best copycat chicken recipes to share with you. From copycats of Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings, to Panera panini dupes, this list has something for everyone. You will want to try all of these dishes to get the flavor you crave, from your home kitchen. I hope you will leave a comment to tell me what copycat recipes you have been making at home.

Panera Chipotle Chicken Panini  by Sweet Tea and Thyme

This panini tastes just like the chipotle chicken option from Panera. This is so easy to make at home when you crave fast food, but don’t want to go out.

Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches by Sparkles to Sprinkles

Make this perfect sandwich any day of the week, including on a Sunday to get the flavor you want. This is a great dupe that everyone will enjoy.

Parmesan Chicken Romano by Season and Thyme

This Cheesecake factory copycat is so easy and extra flavorful! It uses parmesan cheese to coat tenders for 6 ingredient dish the whole family will love.

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings by Sweet Silly Sara

Make this dish when you want comfort food, but don’t want to wait for a table at Cracker Barrel. This is cozy, delicious and not too complicated to make for wholesome, country style food.

Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits by Sweet Tea and Thyme

These honey butter chicken biscuits are perfect for any meal; breakfast, lunch or dinner! You are going to love the combination of chicken, sweet honey and flaky biscuits. 

Olive Garden Tuscan Chicken by Three Olives Branch

This Tuscan chicken tastes like it came from Olive Garden, but it so easy to make at home even on a week night.

Olive Garden Chicken Veronese by Season and Thyme

Save some money and still get the flavor of great pasta from Olive Garden, at home. This recipe is creamy, hearty and sure to be a favorite way to serve chicken for dinner.

Ensenada Chicken Platter by Season and Thyme

Make a Red Robin copycat for dinner at home. This is flavorful with juicy chicken and a southwest salad on the side. You are going to love this for a weeknight dinner with the family that stretches your budget while offering great flavors.

Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowls by xoxo Bella

These tex mex bowls have plenty of chicken, tasty veggies and crunchy chips to make a great meal. Enjoy these for lunch or dinner and are so easy to make.

Ruth Chris Stuffed Chicken Breasts by The Feathered Nest

This stuffed chicken breast tastes just like the popular option from Ruth Chris! But, it is so budget friendly when you make it at home. It has plenty of cheese and a great blend of herbs.

Outback Alice Springs Chicken by Two Pink Peonies

Save some cash and still get the flavor of a great, cheesy meal from Outback with this recipe. Everyone loves Alice Springs chicken, and this recipe is so easy to duplicate at home.

CPK BBQ Chicken Salad by From Valerie’s Kitchen

This recipe makes a great dupe of the popular California Pizza Kitchen bbq chicken salad recipe. You are going to love this for lunch, or with pizza for a take out fake out meal.

Chicken and Rice by The Cagle Diaries

Get Cracker Barrel flavor any night of the week with this tasty and budget friendly dish. It has hearty mushrooms, chicken and rice with a creamy sauce that is irresistible.

Chicken Scampi by Amira’s Pantry

Save your cash and get the one of a kind flavor of Olive Garden chicken scampi at home. This recipe is fairly easy to recreate for a great weeknight meal.

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken  by The Cooking Duo

Make this black pepper chicken for a fast and flavorful dish that has all of the flavor of Panda Express from your home kitchen. This is a great recipe for weeknight dinners.

Find more favorite recipes here:

Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

Homemade Coleslaw Dressing

What Are Food Processors and How They Work

 Food processors are designed to save time, save money, and make food prep and cooking more fun. When it was first invented as “the Starmix” by German company Electrostar in 1946, the machine looked more like a blender, but already came with add-on attachments for slicing bread and milk centrifuges. 

The company behind Starmix focused on vacuum cleaners, so French catering company salesman Pierre Verdon had the market to himself. He already had Robot-Coupe (restaurant-level, commercial scale food processor) when he released the compact for home-use Le Magi-Mix in Paris in 1971. In the U.S., American engineer and inventor Carl Sontheimer refined Verdon's machines to produce the Cuisinart… and the rest was history.

How do Food Processors Work?

Food processors are equipped with a motor, a plastic bowl, and cutting blades attached to the shaft (near the bottom of the bowl). These blades/disks, which are replaceable, can shred, slice, cut or do any task the disk is designed for with every spin of the processor. 

The food processor is closed with a lid (usually with an open feeding tube where you’ll drop ingredients gradually). Most come with a pusher, so you could assist the food processor to shred or slice the ingredient. 

Food processors are super user-friendly and safe to use. All of them have safety features that prevent the motor from operating if the bowl isn’t properly attached, or if the lid isn’t closed shut. 

Many Ways to Use Food Processors

Now that you have a bit of background about the food processor’s origin and design, let me introduce to you the many ways you can use this kitchen appliance to your advantage. 

• Sauce and condiments. People who use food processors regularly almost always can do many condiment staples from scratch. You can make your own hummus, pesto, salad dressings (like vinaigrette and Caesar’s dressing), as well as mayonnaise, salsa, and all types of dips your heart desires. 

• Homemade baby food. If you can’t find baby food with a list of ingredients that fits your requirements, the food processor can be the best tool for making any pureed food for your baby. From veggies to fruits, soups, and all other “first food” to give your baby, you’ll find that most homemade recipes use a food processor to turn regular food into baby food. 

• Big-batch cooking. Whether you have a large household and feed a lot of people on the daily, or you have a catering business on the side, cooking for big batches can get tiring real quick especially if you’re cooking recipes with a lot of ingredients. If you need to slice or grate kilos of cabbage, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, beets, cucumbers, brussel sprouts, yams, potatoes, and other veggies, it would be dramatically quicker to do it on a food processor.

• Sausages, burger patties and other ground meat products. Although food processors technically cannot “grind” meat, they do mince ingredients absolutely well thanks to their sharp blades. Except for those with bones in them, food processors can cut through almost any kind of meat from beef to pork, veal to chicken, and even salmon and other types of fish. 

• Low carb or KETO recipes. If you’re trying to get healthy, getting a food processor will help you make cauliflower or broccoli rice in a flash. Turn nuts and oats into your own homemade flour that you can use to make all kinds of gluten-free recipes. You can even grind nuts and oats then mix them with honey or coconut flakes for your own energy bars with zero sugar.

• Homemade breadcrumbs. You can make your own crumbs with added herbs and spices only when you need them, so the breadcrumbs are fresh and tasty without any preservatives.

• Nut butters. If your household empties jars and jars of peanut butter and almond butter, you can save a ton of money if you use your food processor to make them yourself. You just need the butter, your choice of sweetener, and a bit of oil or water to blend with your mashed nut. 

• Any baked good that requires kneading. Most food processors come with a kneading accessory, which allows you to use the kitchen appliance as a stand mixer. Meaning, you can easily create pasta dough, pizza dough, or any kind of bread is possible without manually kneading the dough. That’s a lot of effort and muscle power saved with every recipe you try.

If you only have a budget for one countertop kitchen appliance, make it the food processor since it could definitely make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. It’s ideal for people  on-the-go who loves to do makeahead meals, eat healthier, save money on groceries, and just about anyone who is trying to try out new recipes.