Name-Brand Mommy

Mama Mio Boob Tube giveaway!

2010-06-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

Boob Tube- A product that reverses th effects of pregnancy, nursing, three children, sleepless nights, braless days, the complete interruption of your skincare regimen from the birth of your firstborn through the schooling of your last, and any other wear and tear your nyunga-nyungas may have suffered during your life time. It's a fantabulous product available only from Mama Mio, and right now, Five Monkies is giving away a tube of it. To enter for your chances to win, go to Five Monkies and:

Mandatory entry:

Head over to Mama Mio and let me know another product you feel like is a must have for every woman!

Optional entries:
Follow Mama Mio on Twitter
Like Mama Mio on Facebook
Make a purchase from Mama Mio. 10 entries
Subscribe to the madness. 3 entries
Follow this blog publicly
Grab my button
Blog about this giveaway. 5 entries
Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Can tweet every two hours.
Like Five Monkies on Facebook
Post about this on your Facebook wall. Can do this 1x a day.
Enter any of the other giveaways.
Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post.

As you can see, there's LOTS of ways to enter for your chance to win! So don't miss out... =]

For nursing moms:

2010-05-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

Get some free nipple relief. And for those of you moms who don't nurse, scroll down for several free formula samples! =)

Free Pampers Cruisers Diapers

2010-05-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

We could all use some free diapers. Or, well, our babies could... cough cough. Remember to do your Kegals, new mothers!

Scroll down for more free diapers, baby food, formula, and toher random goodies. And subscribe to make sure you don't miss any in the future!

Buy Bulk and Get Rebates

2010-03-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

A couple of major name-brand baby products have rebates out right now, and combined with buying bulk and using coupons, they're a great way to get A LOT for a little.

One is Huggies from Toys R Us. On April 2nd and 3rd only, if you buy 2 value boxes of Huggies diapers, you get a $15 Toys R Us giftcard.

The second is for Enfamil. In stores such as Target, you can find the great big $30 value boxes of Enfamil formula, and if you buy 3, you can mail in your receipt for a $20 rebate.

If you can find coupons to use with your purchase of these items in bulk, you can save even more. Use 2 $3 coupons with your diaper purchase and save a total of $21... Use 3 $5 coupons with your Enfamil purchase and save a total of $35.

Of course, you can also get plenty of baby stuff for free... Scroll down or subscribe for lots of free samples. =)

More free formula!

2010-03-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Another free sample of formula offer! In case you weren't aware, I've already posted about 20 links for samples of free formula, and many of them are still good, so scroll down for more free formula.

And free diapers, and free baby food, and free sippy cups... You get the picture. =)

Rewards Points

2010-03-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

If you're suing Huggies' Enjoy The Ride Rewards program: here are some free points:

5 Point Codes

BRSJTFPNPXPQPGB
BHGKFQLRTLMPPGB

1 Point Codes
BHFTWKKDNRTGPGB

If you use Pamper's Gifts to Grow rewards program, here are free points

30 Point Codes
GTGPLAY1USA2010
GTGPLAY3USA2010

10 Point Codes
MARFACEBOOK2010

I personally use Huggies' rewards program, and it's been very beneficial! You can earn point by finding them on packages of wipes and diapers, by watching videos, by taking polls, by visiting webpages, by emailing your friends, or by following me to see when I post free points! Points are redeemable for instant-win games and Sweepstakes (you could win anything from jewelry to toys to money to diapers to backyard play-sets), or you can use your points to purchase items from the Rewards Catalogue. For me, that means free diapers and bibs! =)

A Few Random Freebies

2010-03-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Free Prenatal Vitamins In case you've got another on the way! I don't, but, hey, maybe you do. You need prenatal vitamins anyway, so why not try 'em for free? And if you're not pregnant, word on the street is, prenatal vitamins can improve skin, nail, and hair health, so maybe you want to try some anyway!

Free Baby Food Be prepared for a mess. 'Nuff said.

Smarter baby? Free Chopin Classical Music Sampler probably won't turn your drooling darling into a statistics-spouting superbaby, but it's relaxing and may improve spacial skills. And hey, it's free, so why not.

Scroll down for more free stuff... diapers, formula, Juicy Juice sippy cups, and like forty three thousand other things.

More free Huggies! And formula!

2010-03-09T05:31:00.000-08:00

Get a free sample of Huggies Snug & Dry. It will ask your for your Costco member number; skip that line if you don't have one. You don't have to be a member to enter!

And, some free formula... Just because I love you guys. Nah, not really, just because I found it and I'm not too lazy to share it.

Parent's Choice Advantage Formula

Parent's Choice Gentle Formula

Parent's Choice Premium Formula

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it's the generic Walmart store brand... but it's still free formula. And sometimes, free formula is free formula. But if you can't stand for your child to have anything but the best, sign up at Strong Moms. You'll get tons of free samples from Similac, as well as 5$ coupons for Similac.

And, for even more free stuff, join Swagbucks. Search and win points, or follow their Twitter for codes to enter for points, or buy stuff online for points back, there are TONS of ways to get points, which are redeemable for just about everything under the sun. So, you can get free baby stuff... or, you know, just something for you. Seriously, everything from Restaurant.com giftcards to clothing to perfume to cell phone junk.

Check back soon for MORE free stuff! And check out my other posts for more free diapers, formula, Juicy Juice sippy cups... All those things children need in life.

More free diapers.

2010-03-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

So, apparently Pamper's is coming out with some kind of crazy new-and-improved super dry diaper. You may have seen the commercials on TV. They're really hyping it up!

For more free diapers... Scroll down to the two previous posts. I'll continue to post individual diaper freebies as I find them, at the risk of putting more extensive posts about the kajabillions of things you can get for free further down the page. So be dilligent, scroll down, and keep signing up for stuff! With the offers I've posted, I never go more than a week without getting some sort of free baby product in the mail-- Usually at least two diapers per week. It adds up!

PS At my local mall, in the department store Von Maur, there is a very nice 'Women's Lounge' with a nursing room, changing station, etc. And, the changing station is always stocked with wipes, diaper cream, baby powder, and-- get this-- individually-wrapped, one-size-fits-all free diapers! So next time you're at the mall, check and see if any of your department store offers this convenience. No, I don't use the publicly-available diaper cream and wipes (ew), but I can't say I haven't put a free diaper in my purse every now and then...

So take the baby, er, bull by the horns and don't give up on your quest for free diapers! Sign up for every free-sample offer you can when they're available, and be creative about ways to save money! =)

Thank you, HUGGIES.

2010-03-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

If you have ever visited my blog, you know I've reccomended that everybody and their mother immediately sign up for Enjoy The Ride Rewards without delay. In case you're unfamiliar with this site: It is Huggies' rewards program. When you buy Huggies, products (Or get them for free... *cough cough, scroll down, cough*), they come with a Rewards Code, which you enter on the site for points. You can also get points for emailing your friends, voting in polls, watching videos, and visiting other websites. Points can be redeemed for anything from free diapers to baby toys to gas money to chances to win extravagent vacations.

Points also occaisionally come out in newsletters that Huggies puts out. Here are some codes you can use to get a jump start with some free points:

5- Point codes
BCSTDHJZXTKPPGB
BCSQDDNXQFBBPGB
BFGSKHHXKPFTPGB
BFGMRKBCNNHHPGB
BDGTWXSQBJTXPGB
MLXRCCNRWKKWPGB
BGTRQWCSXXZRPGB
BFHFCXTSNWHKPGB
BCSRMTKWNZZGPGB
BDTWBWZGNZKQPGB
BDTXQTXPHPGXPGB
BFCWDQLZKNPMPGB
BFGHQNGNLPQPPGB
BFJZZGBBNBGPPGB
HKNZJZGMDNKBPGB
PLWGFZRJNXFWPGB
PQKXBRXMDTBWPGB
XZRSSFHSQGFLTMN
ZXLRKBTBBMNNPGB

1- Point codes
BGGHSPLHNBLFPGB
BHDKRRTJGTKSPGB
BHDXQNGLHTWCPGB
BHDZCSZGHZPLPGB
BGGPHNPFZNHMPGB

Just copy and paste these codes (one at a time) into the codes box on the site. They all have different expiration dates, so use them quickly! Btw, I haven't sorted them by expiratiuon date, so some may be already expired by the time you use them. If this is the case, don't give up; just try the next code. Most of them should still be good for at least a few weeks.

PS.Free Juicy Juice sippy cup! Hurrah!

Affording Consumables

2010-02-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

With a new baby, even for the most advertisement susceptible yuppies, the biggest expense will probably not be the Eddie Bauer Crib, the new child-friendly car, or the 'green' shabby-chic decorated nursery. Even families that spend thousands of dollars on 'wants' for their new bundle of joy will wind up spending even more on the necessities: diapers and baby food (formula, cereals, etc). So for those of us who have no choice but to buy our cribs from consignment sales, decorate the nursery with hand-cut construction paper silhouettes, and sometimes share our bedrooom with the nursery while we bunk at our parents' or in-laws' place, the task of paying for all those consumables can seem daunting. Here are some freebies and tips for making the the bite easier to bear.

Diapers
Every baby uses diapers. You can get away without formula if you have the luxury of being able to nurse all the time, and you can extend your baby's cereal-less months from 3 to 6, but diapers are a must. If you want to buy the name-brand (Huggies, Pampers, Luvs), ALWAYS use a coupon. You should never pay full price for name-brand anything. There is usually at least one in the ad insert of the Sunday paper. If you opt for store-brand, I personally prefer Kroger, but experiment and find which one gives you the least trouble and the fewest leaks. Not all diapers are made equal.
Sign up for Enjoy the Ride Rewards-- Enter a rewards code whenever you buy Huggies, earn codes for taking surveys, and redeem codes for diapers, lullaby downloads, gift cards, etc.
Free Huggies Pure&Natural

Formula
Many, perhaps even most, mothers start out planning on breast-feeding, but are forced to at least supplement with formula due to pain, work schedules, etc. Even if you must go back to work after 6 weeks, you can attempt to keep your formula costs at a minimum by continuing to nurse at night. Most doctors insist that store brands are not as nutritious and are more difficult to digest than the name brands (Similac and Enfamil), so be sure to ask for lots of samples. Ask for samples WHENEVER you see a doctor: At ultrasounds and prenatal appointments, at the hospital after delivery, at the 2-week checkup, at your 6 month OBGYN checkup, at the 4-month checkup... Every time you see a doctor, do not walk away without a sample can of formula.
The Strong Moms Website: sign up and get free samples of Similac formula, as well as $5 checks for the purchase of formula (these will roll in and you will NEVER have to pay full price for formula)
Free Parent's Choice Formula (Gentle)-- Yeah I know, it's not name brand, it's the cheap kind. But it's free.
Free Parent's Choice Formula (Milk-Based)
Free Member's Mark Formula
Coupons for formula, etc from Gerber (About once a month they'll send you a packet with parenting information, 4 checks for $2 to $12 off formula, and coupons for either pacifiers, bottles, nursing pads, baby food, baby spoons, juice, cereal, etc, depending on the age of your baby)

Baby Food
You may feel like starting your baby on solids as soon as possible to reduce the cost of formula, but studies show that waiting until your baby is at least 4 months old, and feeding only iron-enriched rice cereal until the baby is at least 6 months old, greatly reduced the chances of him or her developing allergies, obesity, and gastrointestinal distress later in life. Once your baby is on veggies and fruits, you can use a food processor or blender to make your own baby food, but until then, stick with the rice and oat cereal specifically designed for babies!

Free baby food starter kit from Beech-Nut (includes cereal and jars of baby food-- I just got mine!)
Free next steps baby food from Beech-Nut
Coupon for $1 off Beech-Nut cereals (just click print)
Coupon for $1 off Beech-Nut Baby Food (just click print)

Also, if you are having ANY trouble affording things for your baby at all, check out WIC and see if you qualify. The program, called Women, Infants, and Children, helps middle- to lower-class mothers pay for food for themselves and their infants and children. It can be a HUGE help with helping you and your bundle of joy to meet your nutritional needs, and it is open to a wide strata of income classes, so even if you DON'T qualify for food stamps or other government aid, you may still qualify for WIC. Check it out!

Name-Brand Products... another online tip!

2009-11-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

We know we can get free samples of name-brand products online: everything from diapers to formula to Godiva chocolate to foot cream. We know we can clip coupons-- or print them off the Internet-- to make items cheaper. We know we could make some things ourselves, or just go with the generic version. But what about earning name-brand products online?

If you haven't already tried it, here's how it works: Search engines such as Swagbucks have advertisements on their webpages, and they get paid quite a bit when people view those advertisements. They want more people to view the page, so they entice people to use their search engine (rather than Google or Yahoo) by offering you the chance to win points, or 'swagbucks', whenever you search. These Swagbucks can then be redeemed for name-brand products, or online giftcards. Sounds simple? It is. I use Swagbucks about 5 times a day, and usually win 1 or 2 Swagbucks a day. A $5 giftcard to Baby Euphoria is only 10 Swagbucks.

If you already buy products such as Huggies, Pampers, and Enfamil, you can also sign up for their respective rewards sites. Whenever you buy a product, peel off a sticker on the package to find a code. Enter the code online for points, and use the points to enter contests, buy diapers, or redeem for other cool prizes such as photos from Snapfish, jewelry, music downloads, giftcards, and more.

You really can afford the high-quality products in life-- if you play it smart and always get the most value for your money!

PS-- In the last post, I wrote about a service called Cozi. I hope you signed up! If you were already a member, you got a FREE photobook from Shutterfly! Make sure you check out your Cozi account for your reward code, because you can only order your photobook through November 15th!

(See? It pays to sign up for these things! Now you can cross Grandma and Grandpa off your Christmas list!)

Enter Code Here

2009-10-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

If you're doing any of your Christmas shopping online, by now you have probably noticed an empty box on most check-out pages labelled something like 'Promo Code'. If you got to the website from an advertisement for a discount in an email, chances are the Promo Code field has been filled in. And if not, try filling it in yourself to save some cash this holiday season! Here are some codes, organized by popular site:

Belli Skin Care-- (Ready to get your body back? This stuff gets rid of stretch marks and sagging!)
BABYTALK= 25% off

Children's Place-- (The name-brand clothes we love)
BABYTALK99 = 15% off entire purchase

Diapers.com-- (As their slogan says, "Everything but the baby!"
BTNOV09= $5 off diaper/ formula purchase
10pampers =$10 off your diaper order, plus 50 extra pampers gifts to grow points
PLUS10PCT= 10% off of anything excluding diapers and formula

Pediped.com-- (Those cute little socks that look like shoes, because let's face it, babies just really don't need actual shoes.)
bt1109= free shipping

Santa's Ornament Shop-- (Don't you just NEED a 'Baby's First Christmas' ornament?)
Parent3= $2 off
MUSTSEE2= 2$ off

Wall Words-- (For making your nursery look like you hired an interior designer)
9280747= 15% discount

Lists: of the Grocery, To-Do, and Wish variety

2009-10-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

I think, as a mother, I can honestly say that without lists, I would be useless. They do for me what my short-term memory is no longer capable of. (By the way, new mothers are allowed to end sentences with a preposition, up until their baby sleeps through the night. It's a new grammar rule. Look it up.)

Sometimes, though, even a regular chicken-scratch-on-the-back-of-the-pharmacy-receipt list is just not enough to get me through the day. Here are some excellent tools for creating Super Lists that will not only make your more organized, but save you money, too.

Grocery Lists
Immediately sign up for Shortcuts.com. If you shop with a rewards card at any grocery store (Kroger grocery stores, such as Dillon's, are one such grocery store with free rewards cards), you can download all kinds of extra coupons directly to your rewards card. You can also get cell phone coupons for places like Taco Bell. Plus, a nifty-difty feature lets you organize an online grocery list, automatically reminding you which products (everything from diapers to yogurt) you have coupons for. Just print off the list, and bam! You're good to go.

To-Do Lists
Sign up for Cozi and create the ultimate interactive to-do list. The service will send you reminders and, even better, send your husband reminders! It also keeps track of appointments and runs as a cellphone app. In addition, if you sign up now, you can get a free hardcover photo album of your digital prints.

Where'd-My-Money-Go? Lists
The free service Mint is an all-in-one budgeting tool-- allowing you to plan your budgets, and see where your money actually went. It's nearly effortless, too-- It automatically downloads and categorizes your finances and transactions.

Wish Lists
If, anticipating the holiday season, your child has refused in advance to wear any itchy mauve knit sweaters from Great-Aunt Mirabel, you may be in need of the Wish List from Toys R Us. Or, create The Ultimate Wishlist by downloading the Wish Pot toolbar. Basically, it follows the same principles of a baby registry or wedding registry: you only get hand towels in a color that goes wit the rest of your bathroom. Or, in kid terms, you get exactly the Nintendo DS Pokemon Pearl videogame you wanted, and you don't wind up with the unwanted (but, to adults, seemingly similar-sounding) Gameboy Advance Pokemon Diamond. P.S.--This isn't just for kids. You're never too old for a wishlist.

With the help of these lists, you can become (or at least seem like) a mom who has it all together.

And don't feel bad if you next print-off grocery list reads as: 'Milk, Eggs, Vodka.'

You're not alone.

Tag! You're it!

2009-10-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Unless you live under a rock, if you are pregnant or have a child under the age of 2, you have heard of Taggies. They have flooded department stores and boutiques alike, and the name-brand item is all the rage in nurseries and mommy-and-me circles. Although Taggies are celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, they have just now really hit the scene in the States, and you may be wondering what your child is missing if you haven't already bought one.

If you have been living under a rock, your first question may be, one what? What is a Taggie?

The answer: Something with tags sewn onto it. That's it.Taggies sells blankets, clothes, toys, games, stuffed animals, and basically anything else that's soft and possible to buy for a small child. Marketed as 'security blankets', rubbing the tags is supposedly soothing to infants. According to their website, Taggies give baby "not only warmth and comfort, but enjoyment when playing with the tags. This is great as baby begins to unwind for nap or bed time. They will now lull themself to sleep, while clenching, twisting, and feeling the tags that are so much fun."

That's a large claim for some bits of ribbon sewn onto a piece of fleece.

While I'm a little sceptical of their sleep-harnessing powers, the Taggies generally conform to developmental specialists' suggestions that infants be given a variety of textures to feel in order to learn about the world around them.

Although Taggies claim that the bits of ribbon sewn onto their toys are 'intellectual property' that they spent a boatload of time and effort to develop, mothers have been putting textured fringes and borders on blankets for years. I was born in 1991 and as an infant, I had one such multi-textured blanket-- well before the founding of Taggies in 1999.

In conclusion, the name-brand product is all the rage right now, but any multi-textured fringed or bordered blanket will soothe your child and help him learn to appreciate the world around him. Or, you can sew your own tagged blanket. Simply cut wide ribbon into 3- to 6- inch pieces, fold in half, and sew to the inside of a seam around the edge of the blanket, shirt, or other product you are embellishing. I recommend using a sewing machine for this, not only for the sake of time, but for durability. Go over each tag several times and make sure your thread is knotted well. Never sew something on that could come off and pose as a choking hazard, such as a button.

When selecting your ribbon, look for a variety of textures-- ribbed horizontally or vertically, ricrac, corduroy, silky, velvety, etc. Also keep in mind that infants can see black and white first, followed by red, then bright colors such as deep yellow and green. Patterns should be in stark contrast, and while baby pastels look pretty to us grown folk, they are practically invisible to infants and do nothing whatsoever to stimulate their visual growth.

Or, if you have already subscribed to the Taggies craze, enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win even more tagged gear.

Close encounters with generic brands

2009-10-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, I love my name-brand freebies. If you signed up for the offers in the formula article, your mail box was probably also recently flooded with gifts and coupons. In the past four days, I have received 3 containers of powdered formula-- 1 EarlyShield Similac, 1 Soy Similac, and 1 regular Enfamil-- all the 18-serving size (That's 54 bottles for free!). Between Similac and Infamil, I also got $55 in coupons for formula and a $2 coupon for a vitamin supplement for breastfeeding mothers (I breastfeed and supplement with formula). I also got 3 Huggies Pure and Natural diapers.

Second-- I have an aunt who's a fellow penny-pincher, but more of the generic variety. She swears by Wal*Mart's store brand of diapers, and Target's store-brand of wipes. At my baby shower, I received several kinds of Target's store-brand wipes-- some with lanolin (a generic imitator of the Lansinoh variety), and I felt they worked just as well as Huggies' and Pampers' wipes.

So, when my aunt gave me a package of newborn Parent's Choice diapers, I decided to give it a shot. They seemed to fit better than either Huggies newborn or Huggies size 1 diapers at this stage in Sophie's life (9 lbs, 4 oz), and the inside seemed softer than Huggies size 1 diapers (but less soft than either Huggies or Pampers newborn diapers). However, they were rough and papery on the outside. Superficial judgements aside, we've also had an assortment of leaks with ou generic Parent's Choice diapers. Luckily, no clothes have actually been ruined, so it hasn't been a cost drawback yet, but it has been inconvenient. Even if you can't afford the name-brand in diapers, at least treat yourself to some free samples now and then.

Third-- This blog is, if you haven't figured out by now, about how to afford name-brand quality for your child. I have shared with you many ways of doing this, through the use of free samples, rewards cards, coupons, and community resources. Another great way of giving your child quality products is to make them yourself. From a Sharpie-on-posterboard checkerboard patten that hangs over the headrest for your child to look at while in the car, to a scrap-fabric multi-texture tummy-time rug (a project currently underway... er... waiting in the closet for me to have some free time with which to complete it...), DIY is an excellent way to give your child quality, and unique, tools with which to grow developmentally, emotionally, and intellectually.

For great ideas to try in your own free time (I'm struggling to keep a straight face while advising mothers about what to do with their free time), check out Prudent Baby.

Finally, for more freebies, check out some of my favorite posts... like Affording a Name-Brand Education, and Stuff Mommy Deserves (like Godiva chocolate).

Stuff For Mom

2009-09-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

Being a mom is 24-hour job (even if you work outside the home), with no coffee breaks, paid vacation, sick leave, or worker's comp (tennis elbow and carpel tunnel from holding a colicky baby for hours on end, anyone?). After spending all this effort to get the very best in (free) name-brand diapers, formula, and education for your children, you deserve something nice for YOU.

Let's start off with some free chocolate. Some free Godiva chocolate. Yes, that's Godiva chocolate, as in the $10-for-four-pieces kind. This is why my blog is called the Name-Brand Mommy, not the lousy-cheap-generic-store-brand Mommy (even though that's realistically all I could afford without these freebies). Just sign up for a Godiva rewards card, and in addition to earning free chocolate when you make Godiva purchases (yeah, right), you'll automatically get a free sample of chocolate in the mail every month. Imagine what a treat it will be when, after a long day of unappreciated cleaning, cooking, and chauffeuring, a piece of quality chocolate arrives unexpectedly in your mailbox.

The next thing you need is a pedicure. As if you have time for that, right? Okay, then, how about a free super-rich foot cream. Kerasal is the good stuff. I promise. And you deserve it, after all your feet have been through (chasing after babies and walking for hours through Wal*Mart).

And how about a party? Yea, okay, sounds like more work than relaxation. But how about a professionally-planned party with food and entertainment provided? House Party offers users the chance to test new products-- new foods, unreleased albums, and pre-screened movies, software, games, and crafts. You pick who to invite, and House Party manages your RSVPs, plans your party, and provides the stuff. You even get extra freebies for hosting the party. Like a Tupperware or Pampered Chef party, only you don't have to try to sell anything. If it still sounds like too much of a challenge, sign up and you could wind up as a guest at a party in your area and still get the free stuff. And a night off. Woo-hoo!

Enjoy your freebies... next post, we'll return the attention to your adorable and deserving kids ;)

A Name-Brand Education

2009-09-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

As new parents, we probably all fantasize about where our children will wind up. These fantasies do not usually include the words 'community college' (not to dis on them; I will be at a local community college next semester, in fact). But the truth of the matter is, we all want to see our children get into a big-name university; something Ivy-League would be nice. And if not fully covered in Ivy, then at least a university with a few leaves to its name.

How do we get our kids there? The first thing we can do is aid their development as much as possible, starting as young as possible. You don't need the fancy expensive genius baby tutors; Parents as Teachers will do the trick. Even if you're still pregnant, they'll meet with you (for free, of course) and discuss what you can be doing to help your child have every advantage possible. They will continue to meet with you and evaluate your child's needs, and what you can do to reach the next developmental milestones, well into toddlerhood.

You can also help your child to reach milestones provide developmentally-appropriate toys for your child; Enter to win $100 in free toys from Fisher-Price or a Baby Einstein Package. Reading to your child every night has also been shown to improve academic success. Although not a replacement for reading to you child, these free audio children's books will be a greatly enjoyed supplement for in the car-- or whenever.

You can aid the intellectual development of a child of any age-- or of yourself-- by attending museums and other expositions. On Saturday, September 26 (Museum Day), you can attend most museums for free-- just download a free admission card from the Smithsonian website.

Of course, the next question is, how to afford Yale or Stanford? The name-brand university costs quite a bit more than the generic community college! If your kid is still in diapers, I recommend Upromise. A division of Sallie Mae, UPromise gives you cash back on grocery purchases, restaurant meals, online shopping, and many other purchases-- even for major appliances, such as refrigerators and houses-- and puts the saved cash towards your kid's college fund. Brilliant. Imagine how much money you'll spend on, well, stuff in the next 18 years. Now imagine if you could use 8% to pay for college. Dartmouth: paid for.

If your kid's a little older and looking at going to college in the next couple years, or if you're looking at going back to college soon, it may be more realistic to set your sights on scholarships. Make sure your kid (or you) takes all of the practice ACTs and SATs he or she possibly can, as well as any IB or AP classes he or she can reasonably handle. Free practice questions are available online; you school or community may also offer affordable prep classes. Schools also want students who exhibit leadership, so your kid should be involved in extracurricular activities: sports, clubs, and community service. Bonus points if he or she wins a major award for organizing a community service project, like these fine gentlemen (high school friends of mine).

Once your resume is ready, start applying for scholarships. Zinch and Fastweb will match you up with scholarships based on personal strengths and extracurricular activities.

Whether you child's in diapers or high school, hopefully these resources will help you to see that name-brand pennant on their bedroom wall in the years to come. =)

When you need something you just don't have...

2009-09-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

Sophie and I joined a baby-parent group at our local birthcare center, which meets for an hour and a half midmorning once a week, and it was just wonderful. I strongly recommend looking for one in your area, or joining an online community for new moms such as Strong Moms, Cafe Mom, or Mom Logic. These communities offer excellent support:something every mother needs.

While at the parent-baby group, the nurse who directs the group and answers questions firmly suggested that I see my doctor ASAP because I just wasn't healing right. So I called my ob/gyn at about 11, and the receptionist was sure I could get in some time that day, and would call me back to tell me when to come in. I live in a suburb out of town, so I decided to wait around in town until I got the call.

I wound up seeing the doctor around 5 pm.

Being an ever-vigilant mom (riiiiight...), I had packed 6 diapers for our 3-hour trip to town. Unfortunately, I did not count on it turning into a 10-hour trip. In the last hour, I was forced to construct an emergency diaper out of 3 maxipads.

If you need free diapers, I do not recommend trying to make your own using maxipads. It proved not to be leak-proof. Instead, I recommend a free sample of Huggies. Or, check out my post about making Huggies fit your budget.

Also, don't hesitate to ask your ob/gyn, pediatrician, or the hospital where you give birth for free samples of formula. Most have plenty on hand and will be glad to share. Or, scroll down to Formula vs Boob for more ways to get free formula.

So keep using free samples whenever they're available! And, in light of my creative diaper alternative, please share: What's the craziest substitute you've ever had to use as a mother? And, did it work?

Keep your fingers crossed and your junk email address at the ready...

2009-09-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

Many people think it's a waste of time to enter sweepstakes, but I don't. After all, someone has to win them, and I might as well have a shot at it. One thing I do recommend: create an email address specifically to use on sites that may send junk email so that all that spam doesn't flood your personal email account. But, remember to check your junk email address regularly so that you don't miss a notification if you win!

Here are some sweepstakes sites I've found:

Enter to win a digital camera

Enter to win Bambino diaper trial pack

Enter a cute photo of your baby for cash

Or, vote for my adorable daughter Sophie taking her first bath!

Follow my blog and check back soon for more coupons, deals, freebies, giveaways, free samples, and sweepstakes! Or scroll down through the next couple of posts if you need free formula (yesterday's post has been updated with 3 new sites from which to get free samples of formula!) and free diapers. (Who doesn't?!?)

Formula Vs Boob: The debate continues

2009-09-12T05:22:00.000-07:00

My daughter is eight days old today-- hence so few updates last week! ;) They say it takes 2 weeks to get back into the swing of things, so hopefully by next week I'll be updating every day again with coupons, freebies, ways to save, and other resources for parents who want the best and just can't afford it without help! (Believe me, I know-- after picking up a prescription yesterday, I have exactly $3 to last me till next week...)

And on the the subject of this post-- I'd opted for breastfeeding. Healthier, cheaper, and, according to some, less stinky diapers (yay!). Unfortunately I've had quite a bit of trouble getting the hang of it, and we had to supplement with formula. I'm not of the if-you-use-formula-you-will-go-to-Hell school of thought, but it was still disappointing because I felt inadequate and formula is EXPENSIVE. Luckily, we got soem free samples. If you need some samples of Infamil, just print off this certificate and take it to your doctor. If you have not had your baby yet, register with Infamil and/ or Nestle Similac get certificates to take to the hospital with you to get a free diaper bag in addition to your samples.

UPDATE Sept 14 2009:
More free formula samples!
Parent's Choice Immune Support
Parent's Choice Gentle Formula
Parent's Choice Milk Based

And back to the original post:

We also got some great help from a lactation consultant at the hospital and a member of my local chapter of La Leche League. They helped me to find someone from whom to rent a breast pump, which is much less irritating to my skin than my daughter's tongue-thrust suck. Also, I can start pumping milk to save (good for 5 months in the freezer!) to use for when I go back to work and school so that I don't have to use (and buy) formula then.

Also, I got a prescription for something called Triple Cream-- more than just lanolin, it has antibiotics and prevents infection and thrush (yeast infection in the baby's mouth). Unfortunately, it was about $90, and I wasn't sure how much insurance would cover. I had $33 in cash, and decided if it cost more than $30, I just couldn't afford it. Luckily, it cost $30 even! So... $3 to get till next week. Luckily, between my infinite free samples of diapers (scroll down a few posts to read more about that) and my new breast pump and formula samples, we should be fine for another week. =)

Good luck saving money and getting the best for your kids, and don't forget to look at the picture of my beautiful new daughter Sophie in the next post! =)

The baby is here!

2009-09-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

Sophie was born on Friday September 4th at 9:24 am after 17 hours of labor (boy, was that fun). She weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long. She's absolutely beautiful. Catching up on sleep whenever she's asleep, but check back soon for more links and ways to save!

Sites that offer free samples and coupons

2009-09-02T06:57:00.000-07:00

Babies Planet
Baby Center
All Baby Freebies
Baby Zone
Club Mom
Mom's View

Other Resources:
Mothers At Home
National Association of At-Home Mothers
Parents Anonymous
Parents Without Partners
ABC's of Parenting
Depression after Delivery

To afford Huggies...

2009-08-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

I'm the kind of girl that grits her teeth or sighs when she sees a purse adorned with two entwined ovals... "Don't they know that's a Coach knock-off?" is going through my head.

I have the same mindset when it comes to, well, everything. Surprisingly I get it from my dad, who has never worn a knock-off of anything. Not even tennis shoes. From my mother, I inherit a penny-pinching mindset (luckily, because I'm an 18-year-old mother-to-be without a college degree or job). This blog is about using these two sets of values-- a desire for the best of the best with a need to save money-- and helping you to do the same.

My baby is due September 7th, so I'm stocking up on things I'll need right now. Basically, that means diapers. I am amazed at how expensive they are, but I want to get the Huggies, not the off-brand! What if the off-brand aren't as good? What if they give my daughter diaper rash? What if the other babies in daycare grit their teeth or sigh at her Shuggies or Snuggies or whatever? "Doesn't she know those are Huggies knock-offs?"

The first wonderful resource I found was the Huggies Rewards Program. By purchasing Huggies, or by taking polls, watching ads, etc, you can earn points, which can be used to enter drawings for more diapers. How nifty.

I would also recommend joining the Babies R Us rewards program: for every 9 boxes of diapers you buy, you get a tenth free. Plus, if you go to Toys R Us and register for baby gifts, you get a free diaper (just the one; but hey, every diaper counts) plus a $5 coupon. Yes, you can use it for diapers. Oh, and everything you register for that nobody buys you? You get %10 off of it after your due date. Or 'due date'. I wouldn't be surprised if people who aren't pregnant haven't registered before, and you'd get the savings.

And, of course, check your local newspaper for ads and coupons. I clip all the diaper coupons, and noticed that Babies R Us is doing a promotion right now: If you buy 2 boxes of Huggies, you get a $10 Toys R Us gift card to be used on your next purchase.

Using these methods, as well as coupons clipped from my local newspaper, I bought 2 boxes of diapers today. I still paid $53 for 34 days' worth of diapers, but I also got the $10 gift card. I also paid only around 19 cents per diaper, while the Consumer Report of 2001 suggests that diapers cost 25 to 45 cents each. So I guess I did all right.

I've also found a few websites from which coupons can be printed off, as well as sweepstakes websites. I'll update with those later. In the meantime, good luck not got broke on diapers.