31 Days of Baby Saving Tips: Day 2 - Use Cloth Diapers

I did a LOT of research on cloth diapers, in regards to the different types, styles, and brands.  And then, I reviewed the budget, and bought the kind I thought was best, but that we could actually afford.  I was given a $50 Amazon gift card as a shower gift, received free shipping because my order was over $35, and used gift cards earned through Swag Bucks for the remaining cost.  I worked out beautifully!  Even though they ship from China, I went with the AIO 12 diapers with 12 inserts combo.  They are amazing - fit great, no leaks, easy to wash, and dry!  I do diaper laundry every day and a half, so 12 with the occasional disposable is perfect for us.  It a great way to save money, even if I would have had to pay cash, it was less than $60 for 12 diaper covers and inserts.  We don't pay for water and electric where we live, so we are really saving.  But even if you did there have been many comparisons made that prove that cloth diapering can save you a bunch of cash!
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31 Days of Baby Saving Tips: Day 1 - Stock-pile Diapers

 One thing babies need a LOT of is diapers.  If you choose to use disposables, you will go through hundreds of them before your child is potty trained.  I knew that I wanted to cloth diaper when I got pregnant, but I also knew that I wanted to have disposables on hand for when we were out and about so I wouldn't have to drag dirty diapers around and back home to be washed.  We were given some diapers as shower gifts, but 90% of the other diapers we have used or have stock-piled came from CVS.  They run the best promotions!  The sale price of $8.99 per jumbo pk is the same as every where else (Giant, Rite-Aid, etc), but they have the added savings of ECB's, CVS store coupons, with manufacturer coupons.  I've been able to stock-pile hundreds of diapers for just pennies.  Usually the deal is buy $25 or $30 and receive $5 or $10 ECB's or CVS gift card.  I can also use a $4 or $5 off $20 or $30 purchase CVS coupon, plus manufacturer coupons, and use ECB's from previous purchases to pay.  Then after you pay, you receive $5 or $10 ECB's/gift card for the next time.  Stock-piling diapers by using sales, coupons, store coupons, and promotions, will save you a boat-load of moo-lah!

September's Budget Update

This month started off crazy with spending, but ended up under budget!  I love that when that happens!  Here's how the month broke down...

• Week #1: $145.38 oop, Earned $11 ECB's
• Week #2: $87.86 oop, Earned $10 ECB's
• Week #3: $6.32 oop, Earned $10 CVS Gift Card
• Week #4: $2.12 oop (just 2 newspapers), Earned Zero

Total OOP: $241.68
Total Earned $31
Total Remaining: $58.32

Weekly Spending Report: 09/14-20/2014

To try to get things back on track, I only shopped at 1 store this week.  Picked up some good deals...

• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $6.32 oop, Earned $10 CVS Gift Card

Total OOP: $6.32

Total Earned: $10 CVS Gift Card

Total Remaining for September: $60.44

Weekly Spending Report: 08/31-09/06/2014

This was another good stock-up week!  We spent more than normal, but we got some great deals, and I'm pleased with how we started off the month.  I also sliced and froze quite a few FREE Bell Peppers from my father's garden - they will be great this winter for fajitas and chili.

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $16.11 oop (no picture, just sausages, sour cream, hot dog buns, 1/2 gallon 2% organic milk granola bars, and dried pineapple)
• Wednesday's Giant Trip: $51.69 oop

• Wednesday's ALDI Trip: $30.16 oop (not pictured are 3 cases H2O, and 2 pkgs Hot Dogs)

• Wednesday's CVS Trip: $44.42 oop, Earned $11 ECB's

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Total OOP: $145.38

Total Earned: $11 ECB's

Total Remaining for September: $154.62

Weekly Spending Report: 09/07-13/2014

We continued to stock up on great deals this week as well.  Luckily we spent less than last week, hopefully, we'll continue that trend through the rest of the month.

• Sunday's Baugher's Trip (just Honey crisp Apples): $9.95 oop
• Wednesday's CVS Trip: $10.12 oop, Earned $10 ECB's

• Wednesday's ALDI Trip (Granola bars, Crackers. Sour cream, Cookies, Organic Bacon, Peanut butter, and Batteries): $14.51 oop
• Thursday's Giant Trip: $27.95 oop

• Saturday's ALDI Trip: $22.96 oop

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (just 2 newspapers): $2.12 oop

Total OOP: $87.86

Total Earned: $10 ECB's

Total Remaining for September: $66.76

August Budget Update

August was a grest month.  Not only did we stock-up on a LOT of great deals, but stayed well under budget!

• Week #1: $38.27 oop, Earned $5 ECB's
• Week #2: $59.74 oop, Earned $22.67 ECB's, $10 CVS Gift Card, and $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swagbucks
• Week #3: $31.99 oop, Earned Zero
• Week #4: $88.34 oop, Earned $7 ECB's

Total OOP: $218.34
Total Earned: $49.67
Total Remaining for August: $81.66

Weekly Spending Report: 08/24-30/2014

We had just returned home from vacation this week, so I needed quite a few things at the store, and did some great stocking up...

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $41.58 oop

• Thursday's CVS Trip: $3.30 oop, Earned $7 ECB's 

• Thursday's ALDI Trip: $36.64 oop

• Friday's ALDI Trip: $6.82 oop (just some mints, cookies, and organic 2% milk)

Total OOP: $88.34

Total Earned: $7 ECB's

Total Remaining for August: $81.66

Weekly Spending Report: 08/17-23/2014

A really easy week...

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $31.99 oop

Total OOP: $31.99
Total Earned: Zero
Total Remaining for August: $170.00

Weekly Spending Report: 08/10-16/2014

I worked every day this week, so I had to sneak out and run errands one evening. I really hate shopping in the evening after working all day, but you have to do what you have to do sometimes.  Luckily Howard cooperated and wasn't fussy.  I managed to get through CVS and pick up most of the freebies, as well as Giant, where I stocked up on enough ice cream to last the summer. 

• Monday's CVS Trip: $17.71 oop, Earned $22.67 in ECB's and a $10 CVS Gift Card

• Monday's Giant Trip: $38.85 oop

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (2 newspapers and 1 pkgs Doggie Poop Bags - for dirty diapers on the go): $3.18 oop
• Earned $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swagbucks
  

Total OOP: $59.74
Total Earned: $37.67
Total Remaining for August: $201.99