How to Get Things Done When You Have a Baby: The Practical Parent’s Guide
Tuesday August 26, 2008 by Danelle Ice
Editor’s Note: This guide tells how to get things done once you have a baby (or babies) in the house. It is written for both men and women, new parents and seasoned parents alike. The links and photos throughout this guide will let you look at the mentioned items at Amazon, so you can see exactly what the guide is referring to. You’re never too far into parenting to take back control of your time and your life, so start today!
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Years ago, before I had children, I often wondered how people get things done once they have a baby. With shelves and shelves of pregnancy, baby, parenting, and family books at libraries and book stores, the necessary information is surprisingly scarce. It is difficult for new parents to figure out how the new family member will fit into their everyday routines. Where is the practical information that people need to know but isn’t written about in handbooks? What is okay? What is safe? What is practical?
Common questions asked about getting things done with an infant:
- Where do I put my baby while I take a shower?
- What do I do with my baby while I exercise?
- Is it okay for me to take a nap while the baby is awake?
- How do I go to my own doctor appointments with an infant?
- How do I find a babysitter?
- How do I make time for myself?
- How do I get things done if I have several kids?
- What if I have twins, triplets, or higher multiples?
- What do I do with my baby so I can get things done around the house?
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Free Samples and Freebies 8/21/08
Thursday August 21, 2008 by Danelle Ice 
Who loves free stuff? I do! I do! Frugal families like mine love receiving free food, household items, movies, health and beauty products, and children’s items in the mail. All of the free items below are really free: no shipping, no free trials, just FREE! Sign up now before they run out.
Free samples of Scott paper towels
Free samples of Maxwell House coffee
Free samples of New Bounce Awakenings dryer sheets
Free samples of Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash (must register for free, then confirm in the email they send out)
Free samples of Christina Aguilera Inspire perfume
Free samples of Calistoga Brand beverage 4 or 6-pack
Free Sesame Street Fire Safety Station Color and Learn books (must register for free)
Free samples of Purex (12 week wait)
Free samples of Sundance tea
Free samples of Pantene, Prilosec, Tide + coupon (P&G sampler)
Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.
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Walk for Alzheimer’s Research This Fall!
Thursday August 21, 2008 by Danelle IceVolunteer Opportunity: Alzheimer’s Memory Walk
Homemaker Barbi is a strong believer in supporting our communities through volunteering. Giving of our time is a wonderful way to feel great while making a difference. This fall, a nationwide event will be taking place in 600 cities to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care and research.
Many of us have friends or family who have been affected by Alzheimer’s. Whether a parent, grandparent, friend of the family, neighbor, teacher, or church friend, there are many people who touch our lives that could be slowed down by Alzheimer’s.
You can help: Volunteers of all ages are needed to either be a Team Captain or just participate in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, a 2-3 mile walk in your community this fall.
Participate with your kids to make volunteering a fun family activity. Even if you can’t participate in the actual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, visit their website and click on “Volunteer” to find other ways you can help get closer to a world without Alzheimer’s!
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How to Protect Produce From Spoiling with Sponges
Monday August 18, 2008 by Danelle Ice
Kitchen Tip: Don’t Let Your Produce Spoil!
It’s always a wonderful treat to find fresh produce on sale and stock up on the great find! However, how often does that produce start to spoil and mold before it can be eaten? A study by the University of Arizona in concert with the United States Department of Agriculture showed that each US family throws away an average of 470 pounds of food each year. We also throw away 1/4 of all the produce purchased for our families!
Make sure the food you buy gets eaten instead of being sent to the trash. Protect some produce which is quick to mold (such as strawberries and raspberries) from spoilage with this simple tip. When storing produce in drawers, crispers, or containers in the refrigerator, place a dry sponge in the container as well. The sponge will absorb excess moisture that can be the culprit of early molding and spoiling.
Bonus tip: Remember that bananas should never be kept in the refrigerator, for the sake of all of your produce! The ethylene gas they release acts as a speed-ripening agent on other fruits and veggies. Keep them safely away from other produce to prevent spoilage.
Check out Tammy’s Recipes for more Kitchen Tip Tuesday tips! Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.
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The Cheapskate Guide: 50 Tips for Frugal Living
Monday August 18, 2008 by Danelle IceThe following article was provided by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits. Thank you!
The Cheapskate Guide: 50 Tips for Frugal Living
Why live frugally? First, because it allows you to spend less than you earn, and use the difference to pay off debt, save or invest. Or all three. Second, because the less you spend, the less you need to earn. And that means you can choose to work less, or work more but retire early. Or take mini retirements. You have more options with a frugal lifestyle.
I know what I’m going to hear in the comments, because it’s been done repeatedly with my other frugal articles: I have no life. This is boring. I might as well live in a box. You have to enjoy life sometimes.
All of which you might believe, but I believe I do have a life. A great one. One where I spend time with my family, where I have conversations and read and get outside and do things that are fun and exercise and focus on what’s important and spend my free time the way I want.
So, if you’d like some tips on frugal living, here are just a few, from a cheapskate. I should note that I do most, but not all, of these tips.
1. Go with one car. Many families have two or more cars. Besides your house, your car is probably your most expensive item. If you can do with one, you should. My wife and I both work, and we have six kids, and yet we have learned to manage with one car.
2. Go with a smaller house. Just because you can afford a larger house, doesn’t mean you should live in one. Live in as small a house as you can and still be comfortable. I don’t mean you should live in a one-room apartment with a family of four … you know what I mean. You can save thousands a year with a smaller house. Many times, if you get rid of a lot of clutter, you don’t need a large house.
3. Go with a smaller car. Again, you can save thousands by going with a smaller car. A car instead of an SUV, for example, is a big savings. Be comfortable, but don’t overdo it. You’ll save a lot on gas this way too.
4. Rent rather than own. This will probably spark a huge debate, as it always does. The thing is, just don’t assume that buying is the better investment. If you calculate the interest you pay on a mortgage, the cost of insurance and maintenance, buying is often much more costly than renting … and if you rent, save money, and then invest the difference, you can actually end up well ahead in the long run. Now, it’s not a given, so do a comparison, factoring in all expenses. Here’s a more in-depth article.
5. Look for used first. If you need something — I mean really need it, not just want it — see if someone you know has one that they don’t use or need anymore. Send out an email to family or friends, or just ask around. You might be surprised. I was about to buy a printer, and then found out my mom just bought a laser printer and didn’t need her old inkjet … saving me close to 100 smackeroos. If no one you know owns one, try freecycle.org or craigslist.org. Then look to buy used, at garage sales or thrift shops. You can find a bargain if you look around.
6. Eat out less. One of the biggest expenses in our daily lives is eating out — the average person spends well over $2,000 a year on eating out. Restaurants are expensive, including fast-food (not to mention the health hazards). It’s much cheaper to cook your own food. Our family creates a weekly menu, then we buy the groceries, and cook dinner (and lunch) each evening. Lately I’ve even been prepping it in the morning, so it’s a snap when we get home.
7. Eat out frugally. If you do eat out, check out these money-saving tips.
8. Brown bag it to work. Instead of eating out for lunch, bring your lunch.
9. Adopt a minimalist wardrobe. This tip won’t be for everybody, but I try for a minimalist wardrobe. I generally wear jeans or casual pants, a T-shirt or Polo-type shirt, and sandals or shoes. Plain, solid colors are my favorite. Everything goes with everything else, and I don’t have too many clothes. This saves me the stress of picking out an outfit, and I don’t need as many clothes.
10. Stop online impulse buys. This was a problem for me before I canceled my credit card. I used to buy online a couple of times a week. Now I buy maybe once every couple of months, using PayPal or someone else’s credit card. I’m not saying you have to go to this extreme, but realize that online buying can be way too easy (you don’t even have to go to a store) and therefore, we make too many impulse buys. Buy online if you really need something and it’ll save you money, but beware the impulse buy. See 30-day list tip below. 
11. Don’t shop. Don’t go to the mall or other shopping area or department store to look around and shop. Go to a store if you know what you need, and then get out. Many times people go shopping, with a vague idea of what they want, and get caught up buying much more. Or they go just for fun, as a form of entertainment. That ends up costing a lot. It can really add up. Instead, stay away from shopping areas and find other ways to have fun (more below).
12. Use a 30-day list. To curb impulse buys, create a 30-day list. When you want to buy something, other than a true necessity (medicine or food, for example), put it on this list, with the date you added it to the list. And make it a rule that you can’t buy anything for at least 30 days after you put it on the list. And stick to it. You’ll find that you buy a lot less with this system.
13. Cut out cable. I’ve talked about how I cut out cable before. It saves me money every month (in my area, about $60, or more than $700 a year), and also forces me to do things like read and have conversations and go outside. Win win.
14. Use the library. Instead of buying books, check them out. The library often also has a great selection of DVDs (depending on your area), saving you even more. Now who needs cable?
15. Find free entertainment. Find cheap ways to have fun. Entertainment often ends up costing a lot of money, if you go to the movies, buy concessions, or go out at night, go to the bar, etc. The average person spends about $1,800 a year on entertainment (not including eating out). Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have fun … but there are cheaper ways to do it.
16. Frugal exercise. Exercise is important, but it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.
17. Stay healthy. Easier said than done, I know, but staying healthy can save you tons of money on doctor’s visits, hospital bills, and medicine over the long run. An ounce of prevention, and all that. Eat healthily, and exercise. Simple and effective.
18. Commute by bike. Even if you own a car, commuting by bike will save you gas, and get you in shape at the same time. I highly recommend it.
19. Carpool or ride the bus. OK, you don’t want to bike it. So find a friend or neighbor who works near you, and arrange a carpool. Or take public transportation. Simple advice, but something a lot of people ignore.
20. Walk. Often we drive to the corner store, or to a school that’s less than a mile away. Leave a few minutes early, walk, burn some calories, and save gas.
21. Sell your clutter. This is not so much saving money as making it, but the frugal, simplifying cheapskate, like myself, will want to declutter and make a few bucks doing it. Hold a garage sale or sell it on eBay. It’s amazing what some people will buy.
22. Frugal gifting. Gifts can cost a lot of money over the course of a year. Look for ways to do it cheaply. Make a gift, or give a consumable. My family enjoys getting and giving cookies, for example. Here are some ideas.
23. Quit smoking. Not the easiest way to save, I know. It’s hard. Not only will you save on cigarettes (which are expensive over the long run), but of course the huge, long-term medical costs. Here are my tips for quitting.
24. Alcohol in moderation. If you drink one beer or a few beers a day, that adds up to big money each month. Some drink even more than that. It’s expensive. If you can cut your drinking to the occasional party, and once in awhile with friends (not all the time), you’ll save tons.
25. Sweets in moderation. Desserts and sweet snacks give us lots of calories with no nutrition. And we pay a premium price for that, in dollars and in our deteriorating health. Cut back on sweets (don’t eliminate them entirely of course) to save money and cut calories.
26. Drink water. Often we drink lots of calories through sodas, coffee, alcohol, juices, tea, etc. And that costs a lot too. Drink water, save money, save calories. Here are some tips for forming the water habit.
27. Batch your errands. Instead of running an errand or two every day, batch them into one errand day, and plan your most efficient route, to save gas and time. Also do as much bill-paying online as possible, to eliminate some errands.
28. Stay home. Becoming a homebody might not sound like a lot of fun, but it really can be. I love staying home with my family. We can do all kinds of fun things at home. Or I can spend a day alone, if the family is at school, and really enjoy it. It’s quiet and peaceful, I can read or watch a good movie or respond to comments on my blog or write. Staying home can save tons, in eating out expenses, shopping expenses, gas, and incidentals.
29. Stop using credit cards. Credit cards are not evil. And before you flame me, once again, I realize that they can be used to good purpose. If that’s how you use them, then that’s good, skip this tip. For others, credit cards make buying too easy, and end up making them buy too much. Not only that, but if you don’t pay your bill in full each month, they will cost you a lot in interest. The average American with at least 1 credit card has more than $8,500 in credit card debt. Don’t make that mistake.
30. Cancel subscriptions. With the wealth of information and entertainment online, do you really need magazine subscriptions? With all the news online, do you really need a newspaper subscription? If you can get DVDs for free or cheap, do you really need a Netflix subscription? Don’t flame me if you think you do need any of these — I’m just asking you to consider whether they’re really essential — the answer might be yes. Also consider other subscriptions you might be paying for — I’m not saying you should cancel everything, but seriously consider whether they can be canceled without much loss of value. Read more.
31. Make your own. I won’t go into all the possibilities here, but many times we buy things when really, we could make them ourselves for much cheaper if we get a little creative. Now, this might take a little more time and effort, but it can be fun, especially if you make it a family project. We recently made our own (very simple) bookshelves with only a couple of pieces of lumber, instead of buying them. If you don’t know how to make something, search for it online. You’ll most likely find some instructions.
32. Do it yourself. Instead of hiring someone to do something, try doing it yourself. Sure, it takes some time and effort, but it’s satisfying, and of course cheaper. It’s also educational, if you don’t know how to do it — again, do an online search, read up on it, and give it a go. Frugality freaks are DIYers.
33. Stop paying interest. I mentioned the interest of credit cards, and auto loans, and mortgages. I consider them a waste of money. I’ve talked about how to live without credit before, and I recommend it for a frugal lifestyle. Consider any other accounts or loans where you pay interest, and see if you can eventually eliminate as much of these as possible.
34. Reduce convenience foods. Frozen dinners, microwavable stuff, junk food… anything that’s packaged and prepared for our convenience is not only more expensive than something you cook yourself, but also most likely less healthy. I’m not saying to eliminate these completely, but reduce consumption.
35. Travel frugally. I actually don’t travel (or haven’t for years), but if you do have to travel, some advance planning can save you money. Airfare is most expensive, usually, so look to buy your ticket in advance, and look for deals. Also consider train travel. Shop around for car rental rates, as they can vary greatly (or use public transportation). Look for cheaper accommodations, or stay with a friend or relative. Just a note: I do plan to travel, but not until I finally eliminate all of my debt.
36. Cut the cell phone. This will not be a popular suggestion either. If you don’t like it, move on to the next one. It’s not for everybody. But think about this: 20 years ago, most people didn’t have cell phones. And miraculously, they survived. A cell phone is not a necessity. It’s a convenience. When people needed to make a call, 20 years ago, they either waited until they got to a destination (wait to make a phone call?!), or pulled over and used a pay phone or a phone in a business establishment.
37. Cut your own hair. Again, this one isn’t for everybody. Personally, I use electric clippers to shave my head. It’s easy, it’s cheap, it’s minimalist, it’s care-free. I don’t worry about my hair getting messed up, or having to fix it in the morning. However, I’m not saying you should shave your head. Many people cut their own hair, in many simple but nice hairstyles, long or short. Saves money and time.
38. Maintain stuff. This is a no-brainer, but we don’t often think about it: if you take care of what you have, it will last longer. You’ll then spend less on buying new stuff. When you buy something worth maintaining, take a few minutes to read the maintenance manual, and create a maintenance checklist that you can attach to the item. For important things like your car’s oil changes or tune-ups, put them in your calendar.
39. Save energy. There are little things we can do to lower our power bill. I don’t use a dryer or hot water heater, although those are a little extreme.
40. Save gas. With the rising price of gas (and no end in sight), fuel has become a major monthly expense for many people. Small things can add up to big savings.
41. Only buy bargain clothing (when you need clothes). Instead of buying new, look for thrift shops with good clothes. Or buy new, but only buy the stuff that’s 50% off. Look for the bargains, and you’ll save a ton.
42. Telecommute. Telecommuting doesn’t necessarily give you your dream job, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. But in addition to allowing you to work in your underwear (and who doesn’t have that dream?), telecommuting saves money on gas, on eating out (if you eat lunch at a restaurant), and on buying expensive work clothes (all you need to buy is underwear, right? And no, don’t buy used underwear).
43. Plan ahead. Sure, easy to say, hard to implement. But if you make it a habit to think ahead to things that are coming up in your life, you can save a lot of money. For example, if you think about where you’re going to get your meals when you go out to do errands, you can pack a lunch or dinner instead of eating out. If you pack a big container of iced water, you don’t need to buy expensive bottled water. If you know that a birthday is coming up, you can buy a gift on sale instead of spending more at the last minute.
44. Cook ahead. If you have one free day a week (or even a month), cook food in big batches and freeze in dinner-sized portions. I don’t do this all the time, but I have done it and it saves money (buying big can often save) as well as time. You have to plan it out a bit, coming up with a menu and shopping, cooking enough meals for a week or a month. But once you’re done, your meals each night (and for lunch if you like) are quick and easy. This saves you from eating out or eating convenience food when you’re hungry but too tired to cook.
45. Wash clothes less. Some people wear clothes and then wash them, but I’ve gotten into the habit of wearing my clothes more than once if they’re not really dirty. I use my nose as a test — I don’t want to wear clothes that smell, but most times the clothes are still perfectly clean. This saves on washing.
46. Sun-dry clothes. When my parents were young, everyone used a clothesline to dry clothes. Now dryers are ubiquitous, because they’re fast. But if you don’t wash a ton of clothes, it’s not that hard to take a few minutes to hang them up. You’ll save a lot in electricity, plus your clothes last longer.
47. Eat less meat. I’m not saying you have to become a vegetarian (although you could always give it a try), but once in awhile, eat meatless dishes. And as meat is expensive (well, the fresh kind is … Spam is cheap), you’ll save money on meatless dishes. Again, I’m assuming you cook with fresh meat, not canned.
48. Save on groceries. For my family of eight, groceries is a major expense. With some simple habits, we’ve been able to save a lot of money.
49. Frugal Christmas. Christmas is expensive, especially in America (if you live in an area that doesn’t celebrate Christmas with a huge amount of buying, or doesn’t celebrate it at all, skip this tip). People go on crazy shopping gorges. It’s insane. While it makes the retailers and manufacturers happy, it doesn’t make our bank accounts happy. Break out of the cycle and find cheaper ways to celebrate Christmas. Here are some great ways to do that, and here are some more.
50. Eat a cheap breakfast. Here are some great ones.
Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.
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Does Free Stuff Really Ever Come in the Mail?
Friday August 15, 2008 by Danelle IceWill I Really Get the Free Stuff I Sign Up For?
Readers Ask:
“Does any of the free stuff (like samples, freebies, and magazine subscriptions) really come in the mail? I mean, do you ever really get the free stuff or is it just a scam?”
This is a great question, and if you’re new to the freebie and sample world you may have wondered the same thing yourself. There are all kinds of great free items listed on HomemakerBarbi.com, but does anyone ever really get them? YES!
My family gets so much free stuff in the mail that we have contemplated getting a bigger post office box (it’s always so crammed full that we’re sure the postal workers must be angry with us!). I no longer photograph all the free stuff we get because there is just too much of it. But as a little proof, let me show you photos of about HALF of the free items we received (over the whole month of July and 2 weeks of August):
- 20 free magazines
- 29 loose coupons (some for free products at the store)
- 6 conditioner samples
- 6 hair styling product samples
- 5 shampoo samples
- 5 facial products
- 3 tea bags
- 3 perfume samples
- 2 bottles of multi-vitamins
- 2 travel size lotions
- 2 sample packs of tampons
- 2 training pants
- 2 body wash samples
- 1 package of Ziploc plastic containers
- 1 coupon book
- 1 full-size bottle of nasal spray
- 1 supplement sample
- 1 childrens’ book
- 1 Cartoon DVD from Fisher Price
- 1 granola bar
- 1 insulated lunch bag
- 1 recipe book
- 1 mini box of cereal
- 1 sample of dog treats
- 1 travel size toothpaste
- 1 Crystal Light drink mix
- 1 sample of Metamucil fiber
- 1 greeting card
- 1 lotion sample
- 1 box of Ziplocs big bags
So if you have ever wondered if it is worth it to sign up for all the free samples and freebies that appear on HomemakerBarbi.com, the answer is yes! I won’t be buying shampoo, conditioner or magazines for YEARS to come. Read about the Top 13 Free Things to Stop Paying For Now. Sign up for our awesome freebies and feel a little extra breathing room in your shopping budget!
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More Money: $73.73 from Paid Surveys
Thursday August 14, 2008 by Danelle Ice
$73.73 Came in the Mail From Paid Surveys!
For the months of June and July, I received $73.73 from completing paid surveys! It’s easy to make money from home in your spare time, and it’s completely FREE. Paid surveys are a great way for homemakers, single parents, college students and retirees to make money from home. Who couldn’t use a little extra money to help their household with expenses and debt? If you haven’t read Homemaker Barbi’s Free Guide: Make Money with Paid Surveys yet, check it out now. It contains helpful tips to get you started making money from home today. No scams, no gimmicks. If you already know how paid surveys work and just need to sign up with survey panels, this link is for you: Homemaker Barbi’s List of Paid Survey Companies.
I have very little time to complete surveys, so I only do the ones that pay the highest. There is usually a waiting period of 4-6 weeks from the time you complete a survey until you are paid. Be patient and keep doing them, and in no time the payments will start showing up!
Here are the recent payments I have received (real money, deposited in my PayPal account or paper checks mailed to me) from different survey companies lately:
- $6 check
- $5 check
- $2 PayPal
- $6 PayPal
- $5 Amazon gift card
- $25 Amazon gift card from Lightspeed
- $17.33 check from Viewpoint Forum for 2 surveys
- $7.40 check from Opinion Outpost for 2 surveys
Plus, I received the following products to test. I have since completed the surveys for both of them, but still have the free products!
- Full bottle of tinted moisturizer to test from high-end cosmetic brand
- 2 months’ worth of laundry detergent and dryer sheets to test
It’s important to me to let people know that paid surveys are a viable way to make extra money. It’s easy, and you can start doing it right now. You won’t become a millionaire doing surveys, but who couldn’t use an extra $73 to help out when fuel prices are so high?! If you haven’t read our free survey guide, give it a whirl now!
Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.
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