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vbac or cesarean?
Has anyone had a vbac delivery(vaginal birth after cesarean)? I have been trying to decide which t...
October 2011
Shopping End of Year Sales to Save Money
Monday, October 31, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
As I purchased a Halloween costume for my youngest daughter this year, I complained to the cashier at the store about the price of Halloween costumes. (Yes, I’m one of those shoppers!) If you have more than one child, spending $15 and upwards for one costume can really crack a dent in the piggy bank. The cashier nodded and agreed with my com...
Monday, October 31, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
It's Halloween; how I can I NOT write about it?! We're pretty psyched in my house. The pumpkins are carved (though I think the adults enjoyed that experience more than the kiddo!), the costume has been picked (Alice as in "Alice in Wonderland"), and we're looking forward to meeting up with our neighborhood buddies for some trick or treat...
Shopping End of Year Sales to Save Money
Monday, October 31, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
As I purchased a Halloween costume for my youngest daughter this year, I complained to the cashier at the store about the price of Halloween costumes. (Yes, I’m one of those shoppers!) If you have more than one child, spending $15 and upwards for one costume can really crack a dent in the piggy bank. The cashier nodded and agreed with my com...
Food for Thought This Halloween
Sunday, October 30, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Tomorrow, you will be knee deep in Halloween candy and costumes. Your child will be buzzing around like a honeybee in an orchard of daisies, insanely excited about the festivities of the day, driving you nuts - just like they did when you were trying to carve the perfect pumpkin. You will sit in your living room, or at your kitchen table - a...
Saturday, October 29, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Have you ever scratched your head at the name a celebrity has chosen for their bundle of joy? I know I sure have. It seems that the trend of the past few years is one-upping other celebrities with crazy name choices. Do you think this trend is because Hollywood stars are “artists” or because an odd baby name will get them into the...
Saturday, October 29, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Have you ever scratched your head at the name a celebrity has chosen for their bundle of joy? I know I sure have, it seems that the trend of the past few years is one upping other celebrities with the crazy name choices. Do you think this trend is because Hollywood stars are “artists” or because an odd baby name will get them into the p...
Friday, October 28, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Cereal Steal This week’s bargain: Box of Post Cereal The sale: Box of Post Great Grains Cereal for $2.04 The coupon: $1 off per box Total price for a bag of food: $1.04 What was your biggest deal? Let us know in the comment section!...
Friday, October 28, 2011 by Stef Daniel
I recently read a blog from a mother who claimed that it was easier to be a mom and fit into "momish" groups since, in her mind - she was "pretty." Umm, okay? After I got over the sheer shock of such blatant narcissism, I have to admit I thought about the idea for a while. After all, for women this is a Barbie genera...
Thursday, October 27, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Just the other day, I sat and watched my daughters playing with their Papa. It struck me just how much they loved him and what a huge role that he, and the other many loving men in my daughter’s lives - have played thus far. Their papa seems to have endless time for them. After I had played on the hay bales with the kid...
If Your Kids Love PB&J, Stock Up Now, Before Prices for Peanut Butter Soar
Thursday, October 27, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
We are a family of peanut butter eaters. My kids love the stuff, and so do I. We make peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch; I concoct banana and peanut butter smoothies as an after school treat; and at night my favorite sweet treat consists of bananas, a dollop of peanut butter, a squirt of chocolate syrup, and some granola. All that might...
Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Steps!
Thursday, October 27, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
When it comes to child development, sometimes it is not about what we teach our child, but about what they teach us. Thanks! For two years, we've been sharing this journey together. In October 2009, my munchkin was just starting to toddle around independently. I'd been in my own journey as a parent for 2 years. It was at this time, I was blessed w...
If Your Kids Love PB&J, Stock Up Now, Before Prices for Peanut Butter Soars
Thursday, October 27, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
We are a family of peanut butter eaters. My kids love the stuff, and so do I. We make peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch; I concoct banana and peanut butter smoothies as an after school treat; and at night my favorite sweet treat consists of bananas, a dollop of peanut butter, a squirt of chocolate syrup and some granola. All that might ...
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
The baby bumps seem to be taking over Hollywood Boulevard! When I was pregnant each time with my three kids, I always paid attention to what celebrity was pregnant at the same time I was. It was always fun to see their bumps grow right along mine, though not so fun was watching their bumps diminish much faster than mine did after having the baby. S...
Would You Sacrifice Family Time for Big Grocery Store Savings?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
So this week I did it again: I turned on Extreme Couponing and tried to watch a few episodes without throwing up in my mouth. Didn’t work. I want to give this show a chance, but I can’t. My blood boils when I watch couponers stockpiling items in their basement for "future use." Things expire. And if you need eight hundred b...
Halloween Coupons to Help Save You Money This October
Monday, October 24, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
This weekend I dumped an extraordinary amount of money on two Halloween costumes. The reason? Being unprepared. Although I started searching online for various costumes the girls said they wanted – everything from a witch to Daphne on Scooby Doo – they were unable to make up their minds in time for me to place an order before leaving t...
Monday, October 24, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
All of sudden, you find your little one, well, not so little anymore. That's the funny thing about growth and development. Sometimes it seems so slow, and then all of sudden you realize it has happened! Once your little one becomes a toddler or young preschooler, there's a whole new world to worry about. There's nutrition and perhaps first i...
Friday, October 21, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Doggy Has to Eat, Too! This week’s bargain: Kibbles n Bits 4 lb bag The sale: A bag of Kibbles and Bits for $2.49 (BOGO free @ $2.49) The coupon: $1.50 off per bag Total price for a bag of food: $.99! I was so excited - I had two coupons, and so I purchased two bags. So far, doggy likes it! What was your biggest deal? Let us know in th...
Friday, October 21, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Doggy Has to Eat, Too! This week’s bargain: Kibbles n Bits 4 lb bag The sale: A bag of Kibbles and Bits for $2.49 (BOGO free @ $2.49) The coupon: $1.50 off per bag Total price for a bag of food: $.99! I was so excited - I had two coupons, and so I purchased two bags. So far, doggy likes it! What was your biggest deal? Let us know in th...
Budgeting for Groceries: A Difficult Task
Thursday, October 20, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
While guidelines exist to teach those interested in budgeting about how much they should spend on items like a mortgage and/or lease, very little information exists about how much should be allocated each month for groceries. Feeding a family depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: the number of people in the family, the ag...
What Your Kiddo Watches - The Slower The Better
Thursday, October 20, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
I'm having a bad mommy blogging moment: As I write this, me and the munchkin are doing the exact opposite as what I am about to write. Truth is, the kiddo and I are snuggled on the couch. I am with laptop on my lap. Taking advantage of a few slower paced moments in the morning, Mickey Mouse is on our television happily singing and dancing&nbs...
What Small Treat do You Allow Yourself for Your Hard Work?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
The October 10th TIME magazine is stock-full of articles about saving money, extreme couponing and how much Americans spend. While all of the articles intrigued me, one small sidebar really caught my eye: Estee Lauder has reported its best sales in North America in a decade. That’s right: Lipstick sales are up 4%, and nail polish left lips...
Monday, October 17, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Have you had your fill of fall fun? I'm talking apples, leaves, pumpkins, cider, corn stalks, hayrides, and more! No? Now's the time! Let's face it, the clock is ticking (and for once, I'm not talking about my biological clock). I'm talking about Old Man Winter coming this way! When it comes to child development, getting out and enjoy...
Financial Conflicts: When Spouses Don’t Agree on Spending
Monday, October 17, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Over the past few weeks I’ve blogged about creating a budgeting plan for the family. I’ve received a great response from readers who have been working toward this, but one comment arose several times, and it is something I’ve heard over the years from my own friends: What do you do about finances when your spending ideals differ f...
Monday, October 17, 2011 by Stef Daniel
The other day, a conversation with my 4 year old and 13 year old, made me think of one of Jeannie’s blog posts that had me giggling. We have a Great Pyrenees puppy (although he is over 100 pounds) and had given him his first haircut. Shaving the tufts on his back legs revealed his ‘male parts,’ so to speak. ...
Saturday, October 15, 2011 by Stef Daniel
You would have thought that having had three children, I would be a pro at mommyhood by the time the 4th came along. Then she was born. In my hospital room, I unwrapped her from her tight swaddle to take a look at her. I wanted to SEE her, not just her face peeking out from a skullcap and receiving blanket. But ALL of her.&nbs...
Friday, October 14, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Bread Shaped Like Goldfish Rocks! This week’s bargain: Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Sandwich Bread The sale: A box for $1.64 The coupon: $.50 off that doubled to $1 off Total price for the bread: $.64. What was your biggest deal? Let us know in the comment section!...
Software and Programs for Tracking Spending
Thursday, October 13, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
If you have started following our budgeting posts and creating a budget for your family (and we have heard from many of you that you are, so congratulations!) you’ll find at the end of four weeks you are left with a stack of receipts tall enough to wallpaper your bedroom. Of course, you won’t want to do this all of the time – savi...
Thoughtful Thursdays -You Be the JUDGE – Are We Teaching Our Children to Be TOO Critical?
Thursday, October 13, 2011 by Stef Daniel
American Idol, the X-Factor, So You Think You Can Dance, Cake Boss, and a thousand other shows are turning primetime television into a literal judge fest. And now even Disney is hopping on board with reality television and creating a Shake it Up dance fest featuring kiddos of all ages strutting their stuff in the public eye. And you guess...
You Are What You Eat...Will Eating Foods Treated With Pesticides Give Your Child ADHD?
Thursday, October 13, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Just when we need something else to worry about, this study comes out from the journal Pediatrics. Are we what we eat? The BIGGER question: Does what our children eat affect their development? And, the final question, which this study addressed: Could eating foods treated with pesticides cause Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity...
Tuesdays Top 10 – Reasons I LOVED Being Pregnant
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Okay, so I didn’t really love, love being pregnant, at least not all the time. The first go around, I sort of felt like my body was being taken over by twin aliens, and the first few months were a tad confusing – because, although I WAS pregnant (very much so with twins), I didn’t feel pregnant. I expected it to b...
Paying to Shop: Will You Continue to Use a Debit Card if You Have to Pay a Fee?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Years ago I gave up my debit card and started using my credit card or good old cash for purchases. I had a debit card problem in college: I wouldn’t write down what I "charged", so my checkbook balance was always incorrect. Credit cards work well for me. As I’ve mentioned before, we get points for every card we use. Plus, I c...
Teaching Children About Money: Charge it, Please
Monday, October 10, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Here’s the conversation around our house lately. Daughter: “Mom, can I have $X for a new (fill in the blank).” Me: “You can earn it with your allowance.” Daughter: “But I only have $X.” Me: “Then how much more do you need to make it count?” Daughter, after calculating: “I need $X more...
Monday, October 10, 2011 by Stef Daniel
I recently undertook an essay assignment to get to the bottom of the whole "spanking" issue in parenting circles. My research took me to some formidable places, where statistics and research were smitten with the new brand of "no spanking" parenting - that essentially equated the occasional smack on the behind as a form of ...
Monday, October 10, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Are you too old for this? Sometimes, I think I am. What you ask? Parenthood, of course! Is there a magic age to have your first child? Is there a right age? Will your child's development be affected by your or your partner's age? Are there things you will or won't or can or can't do because of the age you are when you enter into this adven...
How Many Children do You Want?
Saturday, October 08, 2011 by Stef Daniel
I have four children. And although there are a lot of moms out there with more than 4 children, I have to admit that I feel like 4 is a lot of kids. I am often racked with parental guilt that I am not able to give each and every child the constant and undivided attention that they need and deserve. There are times when I am l...
Friday, October 07, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Tacos? This week was a so-so week for groceries around the house. I didn’t find a lot of great bargains out there, but this one was good for those nights the family wants tacos. This week’s bargain: Old El Paso Dinner Kit The sale: A box kit for $1.59 The coupon: $.50 off that doubled to $1 off Total price for the box: $.59. What ...
Spooktacular Tips for a Fun and Thrifty Halloween
Thursday, October 06, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
It’s that time of the year again: witches and goblins come knocking at the door, hands held out seeking treats they’ll eat until their stomachs pop out like a pregnant belly. My kids begin talking about Halloween as soon as school starts. As my oldest daughter says it’s her favorite time of the year because, “I get free cand...
Thankful Thursdays...Could You Afford to Save Your Child?
Thursday, October 06, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Today, I ask you to be thankful for all the healthy children in your life and to pray for those that are not. When our lives seem to take on frustrating twists and turns, it is easy to lose sight of just how lucky we are. The other day, a friend of mine posted on Facebook the dire needs of a child in her family. He was a heal...
Thursday, October 06, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
It was a late Saturday night and I had never heard her cry like this. I tried everything. I rocked her. I fed her. I checked her diaper. I tried laying her in her crib. I sung to her. I walked with her. Ugh. Nothing was working. Her screams were piercing my ears. I was nervous. I took her temperature. It confirmed that my little girl was sick. ...
She-Dar-Ma...GRRR - What's in a Name?
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 by Stef Daniel
My children think it’s hysterical. But me, not so much. Nearly each and every time I try to talk to my children or call one of them by name, my brain comes up with a combination of vowels and sounds that mimic some foreign language or cryptic code. I can be looking at one child, and will call her by another’s name.&nbs...
Creating a Budget: Categorizing Expenses for the Most Accuracy
Tuesday, October 04, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
In my previous posts about budgeting, I wrote about the importance of tracking your spending for a month or two to determine where the money is going. After you’ve done this, and you have an idea of what you are spending on various items, you need to categorize these expenses. Categorizing the expenses will allow you to create a monthly guid...
Tuesday's Top 10 - Stupid Things Parents Say
Tuesday, October 04, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Tuesday's Top 10 It’s Tuesday, and you know what that means. This Tuesday I am recounting the Top 10 dumbest things that parents say to their children. My parents said it to me, and I say these euphemisms to my own children. Why oh why do "us parental types" continue to perpetuate nonsense? Probably because ...
Teaching Children to Save Up for Something Promotes Long Standing, Financially Sound Decisions
Monday, October 03, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’m happy to report that this past weekend, my daughter, who has been saving tooth fairy, birthday, and chore money for the past two months, finally reached her goal: Enough to purchase the Barbie doll she’s been talking about nonstop for as long as I can remember. To say we were all elated is an understatement. That Saturday turned in...
Monday, October 03, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
I expect the best from my child. Always do, always will. Do you ever think about what makes a child excel during their formal school years? What influences a person to succeed in college or simply be happy and healthy in life? How did they get there? What skills do they have? What skills will they need? I watch families. I ...
