Preparing for Baby on a Budget

We weren’t planning to have any more children after G. I got rid of everything. Then we decided to have 1 more. Our friends and family were super generous and bought us everything you could imagine for G. The child has never wanted for anything.  I had every baby gadget imaginable. 

I decided this round we didn’t need everything. There are so many things you use for a few months. I decided there were 2 things I felt had to be brand new - a car seat and crib. Car seats are non-negotiable for me. Amazon sells open box car seats. They are brand new but the box could be damaged. I was able to buy one for less than $50. The box was fine too. The car seat was completely wrapped up, box unopened and in great condition. The same car seat cost $150 at Target. 

I wanted a gray crib. I added 2 of them to my Amazon wishlist and watched the prices. I was able to get one for $100. I bought a brand new mattress at Babies r Us with a coupon when they were going out of business for $40. It was when they still accepted coupons. 

Crib

Car Seat

I wanted to show you were you look for the used & new options on Amazon. If you are using your Amazon App you will find it below the Add to Cart. If you click on the Used & New option it will show everything available at different price points. Be aware you may have to pay for shipping with some of the sellers. I always look for items Amazon is selling with Prime. Sometimes they get returns or the boxes just get banged up. As long as the product is fine I don't care if the box isn't perfect. 

I wanted a Rock n Play, bouncy seat, swing, play mat and double stroller. All these things I didn’t need brand new. I started looking on Facebook groups early on, so I had plenty of time to wait for a deal. I found a bouncy seat and baby gate for free. I got a Rock n Play and play may for $5 each. I REALLY wanted a 4Moms swing. This was a want not a need. I kept watching for one and found one for $50 in perfect condition. I was able to get a sit n stand Joovy stroller for $40 and a snap n go car seat stroller for $20. 

G still uses the stroller a lot. I feel we will need a double stroller. I will want to go on walks, to the zoo and outings. So the Joovy has an option to sit, stand and for a baby. There are so many double stroller options out there. I make Art crazy with how many strollers we have. All of them serve a purpose. You can't use an umbrella stroller on a hike and I don't want to use my Bob stroller when I am going shopping. 

A friend has a bumbo, bassinet, and exersaucer for us. Friends have given us clothes, bedding, blankets and swaddles. 

I have watched stores/online for diaper and wipe sales. I’ve been stocking up when I find a good deal. I don’t want to buy too many newborn diapers only because I don’t know how big the baby will be. 

We’ve really shopped on a budget for this baby. He won’t be using this stuff that long, so I don’t feel we need brand new stuff. We also are for sure done with having anymore babies after this little guy.  Physically I just can’t handle another pregnancy. This one has been really hard on me. I’m soooooo thankful for this little guy and I would happily do it all over again. 

What are your must have baby items?

Monday Thrive!

I know I haven't blogged in ages! I had a lot of stuff going over the past few months. I just needed to take a break.

1) I thought I would share a couple of recent purchases from Amazon. Who hates bra shopping? It kills me to spend $40-100 on a bra that will last for about 6 months. Ugh! Not only do they not last that long, but the process of trying to find one to fit is the biggest pain ever! I usually buy my bras from Lane Bryant. They fit me the best, quality is great and you can find a sale most of the time.

Well I decided to take a chance with Amazon and order this bra for $16.99. The nice thing with Amazon Prime is you can return things if they don't work. Well this bra is AMAZING!!!! I noticed the price keeps changing. Watch it and you can get it for under $20. Once the first one fit great I ordered a second one!

2) I don't think it's a secret how much I love coconut oil! I use that stuff all the time. I use it to take my eye make up off every night. I have been using it over my eczema before I put the other cream on it. It really has helped heal my skin nicely! I use it to cook the majority of the time. 

Amazon had a full gallon on for $17.99. Normally I buy it at Costco where it is $17.99 for half that amount. I was sooooo excited when my sister told me about this deal. I quickly ordered a gallon! I think this should last us for a few months. 

3) I have spent the past 3 months going through every closet, cupboard, dresser, shelf in this house getting rid of stuff. I decided in 2018 we were going to live simpler. Why do we have so much stuff sitting in cupboards just taking up space? Stuff we never ever use. I have taken sooooo much stuff to the thrift store lately. I think I have taken about 10 car loads. That is just awful! I have sold some things. Just the thought of trying to deal with a garage sale was exhausting. I haven't missed one thing that I have donated. I mean can you really miss things that have sat in the back of a closet for years? It is also so nice to open a cupboard or closet and see space.

4) I have been following Emily Ley on Facebook and Instagram. She has such great tips to simply life. Normally I do all our laundry on the weekend. I sort piles and do 3-5 loads on Saturday. I hate this and have for awhile. I mean the last thing I want to do on the weekend is laundry. I don't know why it's more irritating to me on the weekend then during the week. Well Emily suggested doing 1 load of laundry a day. Just grab whatever clothes are dirty, don't sort, use color safe detergent, put the washer on a short load and do 1 load a day. I started doing this around the first of the year. I don't have enough laundry with 3 people to do a load a day. I try to do it when the basket is looking a little full. It's so nice not to have this take up my weekend. Art doesn't ever run out of work shirts. G doesn't run out of pants. That boy goes through a lot of pants during the week.

Emily also says complete the entire load of laundry. You can just wash & dry it and leave it in a basket for week. You do everything all at one time. When it's done washing move it to the drier and as soon as it's dry fold and put it away! I have always been good about folding it right out of the drier. I do not like to iron or steam stuff. If I take it right from the drier it is very unlikely I have to iron or steam things.

5) I have a large closet that is FULL of clothes. When I worked I always wanted TONS of options. After I lost weight I bought a lot of clothes. It was soooo nice to be able to just go into any store and buy clothes. This was a new exciting thing for me. Now I stay home and I wear jeans almost every day. I have been going through my closet and getting rid of stuff. Stuff I know I don't even like, doesn't fit right and stuff I am just over. I have gotten rid of a TON of stuff.

I turned all my hangers around with all my shirts. When I wear one of them I put the hanger back in the correct way. It has helped me wear stuff I don't always wear. It is also helping me to see things I probably won't ever wear again. I want to give it a good 6 months before I decide on things. With the different seasons I can't get rid of short sleeve shirts in the winter.

When I have less clothes it is easier to get dressed. There is less stuff distracting me as to what to wear. I also sort all my clothes by colors. All my tshirts are in one section, all my button up or dressier tops in another section and my cardigans in one section. I keep everything sorted.

I am not including my dresses or skirts in the backward hanger challenge. I only wear them when it's warm. I have so few that I don't feel I need to get rid of any right now. I have gotten rid of a TON of dresses and skirts lately. Stuff that I wore to business meetings at work. Thing I don't see myself wearing. Even if I went back to work I would need to update somethings.

Monday Thrive June 12

Happy Monday! Today G start's his first day of preschool! We are so excited! I can't wait to hear how much he loves his first day. I am sure I will pick up a crabby kid who has played like crazy and started learning new stuff already. I am planning to go to hot yoga today.

1) We have been on the hunt the past week to find a recipe for paleo pancakes. I buy the Birch Blender's Paleo Pancake Mix from Sprout's. We are going through a package a week. G has been on a pancake kick lately. I decided I needed to find a mix that would be a little cheaper to make. I don't have an issue buying the package for $5-6 when it lasts a month, but for each week I find it a little expensive. I am going through all the recipes I have pinned on Pinterest to try to find that we like just as much. When I find a winner I will let you know. Right now I haven't found one I like. G has been eating them with no problem. He is awfully picky these days, so I am glad he likes all my recipe testing. If anyone has a paleo pancake recipe they love let me know!

2) At the end of last summer I decided I was going to give up caffeine. I had read how it helped your adrenal glands if you don't have caffeine. I love coffee!!! I love the way it smells! I love the way it tastes with and without creamer. I drank half caff for a few months. Then I gave up caffeine completely earlier this year. I went from February through June with no caffeine or I would have a cup of green tea. The other day I decided to drink half caff again. I decided that was it. I am not giving up caffeine anymore. I need it in my life. Even a little bit of it. It just helps my mood. I am going to have 1-2 cups of half caff coffee each day. I REALLY love it with coconut milk.

I LOVE Aroy-D coconut milk. This is the thickest creamest coconut milk ever! I have tried a lot of different coconut milk over the past year. If you add this to coffee it is AMAZING! I have been known to bring my own coconut milk in a little container when I get a black cup of coffee.

3) I have started a new routine for G. We have to leave the house early to get him to preschool each morning. That means I need to have him up, fed, both of us ready and out the door by 7:50/8am. I have decided I like getting up a little earlier in the morning. I get more done. I don't feel like the day is as long if I get up before 7am. I know that is weird, but I just feel like the day goes by faster when it starts earlier. Maybe it's all those years of getting up early for work. Anyhow I set an alarm in my phone, so at a certain time every night the alarm goes off to give him a bath. He then gets 30-45 minutes after bath time to play or watch 1 show. Then we go to bed. I also limit the amount of time he sleeps during his nap. This seems to be working much better for us. The past year I haven't been strict with a schedule as I was when I worked.

4) We love potato salad around here. Art I think would eat it every day. Sometimes I am like I don't have time to make that stuff. Boiling potatoes, boiling eggs, peeling everything, waiting for it all to cool, mixing it up, letting it sit in the fridge. Ugh just typing that out sounds exhausting. Well Instant Pot to the rescue here folks! Put the metal rack on the bottom of your IP. Place your eggs on top. I usually do about 3-4 eggs. I use 2 eggs for the potato salad and have 2 deviled eggs for us. G LOVES deviled eggs. Then I peel my potatoes, cut them in chunks and place them in the IP. I then put the IP on high pressure for 5 minutes. I let it do it's thing. Once the timer goes off that it is done I release the pressure. While the pressure is releasing I get an ice bath ready for the eggs. I use my rubber gloves to pull out the eggs. I put the eggs in the ice bath while I use a spoon to remove the potatoes from the IP. I let the potatoes cool in the fridge. I slice up the eggs and add them to the potatoes. Then I mix in my mayo and other seasonings once the potatoes and egg have cooled. This really works great. In about 1 hour you can have potato salad. It's better if you make this around lunch time, so it can all cool for dinner. Or even the night before works best if you want it for lunch. To me it's just much easier and faster.

5) Last week Art and I went thrift shopping. I ended up really only looking in the kids section of clothing. G has had a growth spurt and a lot of things won't fit him for the fall. He has worn the same shorts for 2 seasons. The kid is so skinny he has been able to do that. I like to grab nice stuff when I find it at the thrift store. I bought all the items below for $30. I spent about $1.50-$2 per item. The one item I spent more on was a pair of Burberry jeans. They were in excellent condition for $11. I did check on Ebay what I could sell them for if I decided not to keep them for G. Everything I bought was Gap, Gymboree, Cherokee, Shaun White, Children's Place, Guess and Burberry. The black jeans I am not sure if they were even worn. They were in great condition. 

I would really like to buy the majority of his clothes from thrift stores going forward. It saves the environment and it saves a lot of money too. At this age he doesn't care where his clothes come from. I like him to wear nice clothes, but I don't ever spend a lot of money on clothes for him. I will spend more on a special outfit for Christmas, but it has to be a functional outfit he can wear more than just one time. 

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post Monday Thrive appeared first on Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant. 

Monday Thrive

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a nice weekend! It has been soooo hot for us. It has been running in the high 80's. Thankfully it has been cooling off at night, so the house cools off too. 

1) I have been going to the thrift store for the past year and a half to buy G jeans. I usually buy him 1-2 pair from Gap. I buy him 5-7 pairs for play at the thrift store. I usually can buy them for about $1.50-$2 a pair. Depending on the brand and condition I will pay up to $4 a pair. 

I have a system I use when I am at the thrift store. I start a pile of his current size, must have an adjustable waist, straight leg and the knees need to look good. If they don't fit those requirements they stay on the rack. Once I have a pile I then go through my pile and pick out the best pairs. I went to the thrift store last weekend and I was able to score 5 pairs for $11. One pair is a 5T, but they were in really great condition for only $2.25. If the jeans get ruined for whatever reason I am not upset because I got a deal on them. 

2) I recently bought a new tumblers. I don't want to use plastic cups anymore, so I bought a stainless steal one on Amazon. It's a Haute 30 oz tumbler in a light pink. Let me just say this thing is AMAZING! I left it in the car twice on days when it was 80 degrees for up to 4 hours. I had ice water in the cup. When I returned to the car there was still ice in the thing! 

I bought these straws to go with my tumbler. I really like them. When I run the dishwasher I just through the straws in. I have enough to rotate. 

The instructions for the tumbler said not to put it in the dishwasher. I have been diligent about hand washing each time. I love this thing! It is worth the money especially for the summer! I took it with me to the zoo last week. It fits in my stroller cup holder. I had nice cold ice water through our entire zoo visit. If you know me then you know I drink A LOT of water. Water is so important for your health! Make sure you are getting your water in each day. 

3) I have talked about BeautyCounter's Mattifying Powder during a previous Monday Thrive. I have to say again how much I just love it. This past weekend like I said it was really hot. One morning I didn't put any powder on after I did my make up. Usually I put on my concealer, then put on some powder. Once I have completed all my eye make up right before my mascara I also put on the powder. I have noticed it helps my mascara stay in place better all day. Well I noticed a HUGE difference by not using it at all one day. Possibly from the heat too but I looked like a raccoon half way through the day. I don't have a problem with my eye make up coming off if I use the powder. 

4) Can we talk about toddlers and straws? Why do they need to bite the ends of them? This cup was like 5 minutes old and already the straw was destroyed. A week later this same straw is bitten up half way down. I had to buy more sippy cups since we stopped using bottles. It has been 3 weeks since we took his bottles away. He doesn't ask for them anymore. Once in awhile he will mention them. If he wants milk he is happy to have it in a cup. 

5) I took Bart to work almost every day for 7 years. I usually had a good store about the riders at least once a week. You do become immune to the insanity going on around you. I learned very early on to put headphones on or I would end up being highly annoyed every day on my commute. I don't have patience for nonsense in the mornings and some of these folks - holy cow!  Well last week I took G to San Francisco. On the way home we were at one of the stations. I looked to see some person sleeping on a bench, but they had so kindly taken their shoes. It cracked me up! They weren't on their couch. People walk all over those benches, so they could have kept their shoes on. 

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post Monday Thrive appeared first on Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant. 

Purging

We are having a garage sale on June 29 at the in laws. Last Saturday I wanted to go through the garage because there is a lot of stuff out there we need to get rid of. Art suggested I go through my closet while he ran to Lowe's. He is very nervous to leave me alone in the garage. I honestly don't know why because I haven't ever thrown his stuff away. I told him it wasn't necessary for me to go through my closet because I didn't have anything to get rid of. Well see the picture below for the small pile of stuff I found. 

I found a pile of clothes that no longer fit. I don't know why I have been hanging onto some of this stuff. I found distressed capris in 3 different sizes. Everything I got rid of is all too big. I found a few purses to get rid of too. Some of them are just not my style anymore and it will be a very long time before they come back into style. 

I also went through the spare bedrooms. I bought a lot of decorating stuff at the thrift stores, garage sales and stuff I got on freecycle. It is now time to declutter the closets. No reason to hold on to this stuff.

Habitate for Humanity Resale Store

Last weekend Art and I went to Habitat for Humanity Resale Store and St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store in Oakland. I LOVE going through this place. Last time we went I found the chippy white window. Our trip this time we came home with just lots of pictures.

 

I really wanted a shutter. I didn't buy one because I didn't have a specific idea on what to do with it yet. I plan to look around Pinterest to find some ideas and go back for one.

 

Lots of old windows

 

Fire burning stove

 

Cabinet with a sink inside. It was a little random and we cracked up laughing when we opened the door.

 

Toilets anyone?

 

These doors were amazing!

 

I would have liked this little guy to put in our front yard! It would have looked really cute with some potted flowers.

 

The rest of the pictures below are just random shots of stuff in Habitat for Humanity. It is almost dangerous to be in that place because there is stuff EVERYWHERE. I had to crawl behind stuff, while stepping over more stuff to get back to look at some shutters. I couldn't even get a good picture of what I went to look at because there was so much junk in the way. You have to really like to dig through stuff.

Thrift Shopping!

A new thrift store opened near our house. Boy did I find some great items! I wish I knew someone these things would fit.

Sunday Suit! 

Isn't this plaid suit a beauty?  I snapped a picture of it and sent it to my mom. I told her I had found my Sunday Suit. She replied asking if I was serious? I might be a little daring with my clothes these days, but 1970 is NOT my style!  I can't believe it was actually for sale and not in the trash!  Although the suit would have been great for a 70's party!

Along the wall are a bazillion dresses! I told Art I need to find a dress for Stephanie's wedding. He pulled out this beauty for me! Art didn't understand why I refused to try it on. 

Front /\

Back /\

Queen of Bargains!!!!

I really like the Tippi Sweater from J Crew in neon pink. Do you see a trend here with the neon pink? Well I thought I need to calm my neon pink purchases down a little. I really don't need another sweater.  I have this thing for J Crew clothes. Back in the days when I lived in ND from about 12-16 I use to get J Crew catalogs in the mail and I LOVED their clothes. I use to always dream of the day I could afford to purchase their clothes. Well guess what now I can fit into their clothes and I can afford their clothes on SALE. lol

On Saturday Art asked if I wanted to go check out the new thrift store that just opened down the street from us. Well when do I ever turn down shopping even if it's at a thrift store?  A person would have to be crazy to say NO to shopping! Plus if I found something at the thrift store 90% of the time I can justify buying it because it's at a discounted price. 


Well I was wondering around the thrift store and what do I find?  A Tippi v-neck gray sweater!!! I snatched that sucker right up!  It was marked $4.99. Who could go wrong with a J Crew sweater for $4.99. I looked it over really well to make sure there weren't any stains, tears, holes, snags etc. The sweater looked in great condition to me.  When I got up to the register the guy said all the clothes were 30% off today.  Whooooopppp!!!!! I snagged that sucker for $3.50. AMAZING! It is in the pile of laundry right now, so I didn't get a picture. It is just like the picture below, but v-neck. 

Siri on my iPhone calls me Queen of Bargains....there is a reason she calls me that! I am THE queen of bargains. 

I bought the umbrella holder at a thrift store for about a $1. Then I found some "weeds" at Michael's for $1. I needed a lot more weeds to add to my container. I actually found a bunch at the Dollar Tree this past weekend. I spent a total of $6 for my arrangement.

I am still trying to decided where to put it. Right now it's near the front door. Every time I walk around the corner the weeds brush my legs and scare me half to death. The other morning I almost screamed bloody murder when I felt them on my legs and then I remembered.

Thrift Store Find!

I have been wanting a beverage dispenser for awhile now. I really wanted a Ball brand, but they have been pricey when I look for them online. Look at what I found at the thrift store this past weekend. Price tag said $12.99 with 30% off. Turns out it was 50% off!!!!! I was soooo excited!

This beauty now sits in our fridge with lemon flavored tea. Works like a charm and doesn't leak either. :)

Master Bedroom Wall Decor

I have been struggling as to what to do with the large walls in our master bedroom. I found this inspiration on Remodelholic and saved it as a favorite. I have been collecting picture frames for MONTHS....not sure what I was going to do with all of them. I knew at some point I would find a use. I am proud to say I have used every single picture frame I have bought.

I spray painted all the picture frames black. I used Lowe's .99 black gloss spray paint. They keep the cheap stuff hidden, but it works awesome!

Black Master Bedroom Wall

I decided I needed to lay out all my picture frames on the floor to figure out where I wanted everything. I then took an old Rachael Ray Magazine and cut out the picture frame size in paper.

Traced around each picture frame, cut it out, and taped it to the wall.

Here are the picture frames laid out with the papers over the top

All the papers taped on the wall

FINISHED!

I'm very pleased with the end results. I have a "P" I might but on the green plate or inside the picture frame above the green plate. The two little pictures in the large frame are of DH and I as 1 year olds.

Thrift Store Finds

Here is my weekend Thrift Store Finds! I spent a total of $13.98 - 2 lampshades, 3 trays, old fashion milk bottle, shelf, picture frame, small salad dressing glass container, plaque, and a hangy thing for my wall. I was hoping the lampshades would work on 2 new lamps I got from freecycle. Doesn't seem like they will work. I am sure I will need these brand new black lamp shades eventually.