A Mom on a Budget

My last day of work was October of 2010, the day I went into labor with Nolan. Until that point, my husband and I were used to two good incomes. We had always planned for me to stay at home once we had children, but we had no idea what kind of sacrifices we would have to make to allow this.

And even if your are a working mom or a part-time working mom those kiddos are expensive! So that's why we're always looking for the best deals. Here's my 5 tips on how to save money once having kids:

1) Eat at home more--of course when they are babies you don't buy them food at restaurants, but even just you and your spouse's meal can add up. We rarely eat at a restaurant unless it's somewhere quick and somewhere we don't have to tip. Plus if you make food at home you can have leftovers that you can use for the next day. Not to mention it's healthier to eat at home and less processed. We also have our own square foot garden to grow some of our very own veggies.

2) Shop for clothes in the off season. I can't tell you how many deals I've found by just getting next year's size for my boys. We're talking like $2 for shirt or pants. Sometimes I find that to be a better deal than shopping at a consignment sale, plus it's new!

3) Find free activities to attend in your community. I've mentioned before we have a store called that has featured events that are free. Also visiting parks and many other museums are free. I think a lot of people miss out because they don't know these events exist--I stay connected by receiving newsletters or from Facebook pages.

4) Shopping stores that offer variety--like Family Dollar. I find that a store that isn't just a "specific item" store has more of a chance to offer you a bargain on many products because they have variety and more buying power. Where I grew up, we only had a few stores and Family Dollar was one of them. We found many great deals there.

5) DIY it. I know sometimes it can be more expensive to do it yourself, but most of the time you can find better deals on the materials for the project. We have completed a lot of our home improvements ourselves including: renovating our kitchen (cabinets, tile, paint, sink, etc.), building our own deck, renovating our guest bathroom (new vanity, tile, towel bar, paint, and toilet). It's amazing the money we've saved and how much we have increased the value of our home.

Now if you do have a baby in the house...like me, with two in diapers here's a great product and deal from Family Dollar:

Introducing the newest addition to the family of Kidgets products: Kidgets Baby Wipes! Available exclusively at Family Dollar, Kidgets baby wipes are made with a special three-layer fabric that is Thick, Strong, and Soft. Available in Unscented and Fresh Scent, they are the perfect addition to your changing table, car, or diaper bag. Convenient press-open lids make on-the-go changes a breeze!

Family Dollar's line of Kidgets diapers is also second to none. Family Dollar realizes that you want the best for your baby. That's why they developed Kidgets--a soft, absorbent diaper that's also a great value. With an ultra absorbent core, stretchable grip tabs, and cloth-like outer core, they are so sure that you'll love the Kidgets diaper that they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Check Kidgets Diaper and Wipes products out today--only at Family Dollar!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Family Dollar.

Natalie