INFANTS IN DAYCARE?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2008
INFANTS IN DAYCARE?
2022
Wed, 11-26-2008 - 12:20am

OK, remember this is a debate board, and I am going to play devil's advocate here, so please let's play nice.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2007
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 10:45am

My *challenging* child has a hard time with all artificial ingredients.

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Ducky

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2008
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 10:49am
I have tried all different things out on her and it was QUITE obvious that this corn syrup what caused her extreme hyperness.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2008
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 10:52am

That's great. My kids LOVE fruits and veggies and fight at dinner for more veggies all the time-lol!!
I have introduced my kids to all different types of food and while some of them might not be the better than homemade, I feel they get good nutrition in what I buy.

I am sure your kids like fast food and that is definately not the best thing for them either, correct?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2007
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 10:57am
wth?

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Ducky

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Ducky

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2004
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 11:20am

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This is absolutely true.

I've come to learn with experimentation that many sales and coupons are on a cycle. For example, this week, my preferred toilet paper is on sale from $6 to $3 1/2 off, and I have $1 off coupons. This same brand goes on sale regularly every other week for $1 off or $1.50 off. 1/2 off, I've determined, is the lowest possible price it's sold for. From reading about past sales and deals, I'm assuming this same sale will be available sometime about 3 months from now. So, I plan on picking up roughly a 3 month supply. Rather than playing hit/miss with the sales and buying when I need it, I'll end up spending approx. $45 for toilet paper for the year, whereas otherwise I'd spend $90-$110. When you multiply that kind of savings over several items that store well, that's how one can make a significant impact on the weekly budgeting.

Of course, as a stockpile grows, the grocery list becomes shorter and shorter. For the last two weeks, I've spent less than $80 for my family of four, and I primarily bought produce, milk and eggs. I can spend just a small amount each week maintaining my stockpile at the best possible prices. I'll spend a few dollars more next week, depending on what the sales are.

While searching out and reading about similar deals on toilet paper, there is also a cyclical sale at another store who offers single roll 4 packs that are free after coupons. I simply hate using single rolls. I'll pick up 3-4 packs while shopping at that store anyway for my donation pile. I totally agree that this would be tough to accomplish if I didn't have ample storage.

I know that it sounds extreme; at the same time, I know there are people who will go out of their way to hit an atm that doesn't require a fee, or who will time their utility bill payments automatically to save on a possible late charge or transfer credit balances constantly to take advantage of low interest introductory rates, etc.

Again, I absolutely agree that it takes time and effort, and an ample amount of storage to shop this way. It also helps tremendously that the stores I frequent are on the same route I take my kids back and forth to school on. I personally wouldn't do this if I had to take taxing trips all over town all of the time. Many of my shopping trips take less than 15 minutes because I've pre-planned them, I shop frequently at the same stores and I know where to find everything.

I just thought I would share simply because many don't seem to understand how a family can survive on so little, still maintain a solid savings rate, and eat healthy at the same time. It is very possible.

I spent the time on this post merely because I've calculated an estimated savings of $4000 for 2009 on our weekly budget. I personally take my weekly budget, spend what I need, and put the rest into savings... and I'm excited about this. We live perilously close to the next higher tax bracket, so I've determined that this is the best possible way to have more financial security in keeping a little more of our hard earned income.

Also, I live in Michigan, which has been facing some very tough financial times and the outlook only gets worse. I know many people who are facing harsh realities; and while me giving them a gift bag full of toiletries, canned good and pantry staples won't fix their situation, it does help a little. When I helped a family last month with these kinds of items, it meant they could afford to keep their home phone service on for another month. So, when I can pick up a case of canned soup at 90% off or boxes of biscuit mix for less than a dollar, I absolutely buy them. I prefer to serve my family homeade soups, but 1 or 2 canned soup meals a month won't harm them, either. Our state's social safety net is also crumbling, budgets are being slashed, and many people are being turned away when they need help the most, only to find charities are out of funds, only to find that friends and family members to lean on are in the same perilous situation. Maybe I am just a little paranoid... but I'll tell you, I vividly remember being young and broke, standing in the grocery store with cash that should have paid a bill, with a cart full of ramen noodles, cheap hot dogs, and trying to decide what to put back on the shelf so I could afford milk too.

Gosh, sorry all, said I wouldn't post more, and yet here I am rambling on and on about things you all could care less about.. sorry!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 11:21am

Best snacks at our house are apples, raisins and "red raisins" (dried cranberries), corn chips, and popcorn (air popped). In the winter we also have pumpkin bread, cranberry/orange bread and banana bread. I'd have quick breads in the summer as well but for some reason, they have evolved into a winter time snack. So while I'll make banana bread year round, it gets frozen and eaten in the winter.

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 11:29am

While I hate any shopping at stores that doesn't involve fabric, I'd hate having someone else do for me more. Which is why I do the grocery shopping instead of dh.

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2007
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 11:37am

I think that's great.


I admit that I could save more, but I don't have the space to stock pile.

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Ducky

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2007
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 11:40am
I

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Ducky

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2008
Wed, 12-24-2008 - 11:57am
Sav likes the Annie's, but Callahan doesn't.

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