Toddler boots should not cost as much as mine!

Finding boots for a reasonable price for a baby or toddler should be easy. Thinking "Oh they are smaller than my size they should be less expensive" Not true! Ugg, Emu and Bearpaw prices are so inflated when the latter two are just Ugg knockoffs! 
Comparing Payless to Sketchers to Target to Childrens Place and Nordstrom (I know they are way expensive but I was just curious) the average price range was between $30-$40 and I saw some for over $100+! That seemed steep for boots that will be grown out of in a matter of months.  But here are some cute deals I found:

Useless Baby Products

Useless Baby Products

This is just because there are too many unnecessary things sold out there that are targeted to the first time mom who doesn’t want to forget to get anything essential. These things are usually overpriced and/or not essential.

1. Dreft Laundry Detergent. I know a baby’s skin is sensitive but they are still human and they can use laundry detergent that costs less. All Free and Clear and Tide make perfume less dye less detergents for less $$. Plus Dreft doesn’t even smell that good.

2. Bottled Water called Nursery Water that they sell at Babies r us. As if your baby needs special water only made for babies. Are you kidding me? Any filtered water is fine.

3. Bassinets. They can be used until baby rolls over and you need a crib or Pack N Play anyway. They are also too bulky to store in a closet and can cost way over $100. I would say this could be used for a maximum of 3 months depending on the size of your baby. There are a lot of products that may only last 3-5 months but they are not so costly.

4. Steam Sterilizers. You can sterilize just about everything in boiling water for five minutes and then you can wash by hand or put in the dishwasher.

5. Bottle Warmers. All I have to say is WHY? What will you do when your baby is used to warmed formula or breastmilk and you are out and about? Too much hassle when most babies are fine with room temperature formula and fresh breastmilk. Many even don’t mind it cold out of the fridge. To me it just means less $ spent and less time baby cries because you don’t have to sit and wait for the warmer to work AND make the bottle.

6. Bottle Drying Racks. I never had one of these because I used the Playtex Drop Ins and only had to wash the nipples. But all my friends that used them told me they just collects dust and the bottles don’t dry completely making you have to clean them again AND wash the drying rack. (As if you needed more things to clean)

That’s what I’ve got for now. Feedback on what you think is a Baby Unessential will be posted as well.

Diaper Review

Diaper Review

I'm comparing these from prices on http://www.amazon.com/ which usually has the cheapest diapers and they have free shipping. The store brands are being priced from each stores website. I am using size 3 to make an accurate comparison but if you do the math on any size the price per diaper will be the same.

Luvs $35.99 for 204 diapers which is $0.17 per diaper. These are great diapers. They are soft they don't leak and the price is amazing. If you register at http://www.luvsdiapers.com/ they will mail you coupons for $1 off

Pampers Baby Dry $44.99 for 204 diapers which is $0.22 per diaper. I think these are meant to wear overnight but if you do that with an older baby they tend to leak. They are great for during the day.

Pampers Cruisers $40.99 for 160 diapers which is money down the toilet (literally) I mean $0.25 per diaper. I have used these many times when I thought expensive meant better but they are good diapers but Pampers Baby Dry absorb more and they just convince new moms that if your child crawls or walks they need special diapers not to mention the wipes that they unnecessarily make to go with these. You can register for coupons but they don't send very many http://www.pampers.com/

Huggies Snug and Dry t $39.99 for 168 diapers which is $0.24 per diaper. I'm personally just not a fan of huggies for daytime. They seem cheep and they are stiff and look full all the time which causes you to use too many when unnecessarily changing your baby a million times. They also like to try and convince you that other diaper companies make diapers shaped for bricks. So whatever...I'm also not a fan of their wipes they sort of feel like wet paper towels. A little ruff for a soft little tush. However on there website you can also register for coupons. http://www.huggies.com/

Target Store Brand Up and Up $13.99 for 96 diapers which is $0.14 per diaper! They also offer discount if you buy online and they have store coupons they mail out. They are an amazing value and if you like huggies you will love these. They are a little stiff for me but I've used them to save money in the beginning when you go through 100 diapers a week with a new baby.

On a side note I want to do an honorable mention for Huggies Overnites $29.99 for 62 diapers which is $0.48 per diaper. I know this sounds ridiculous but if you have a problem with overnight leaks or your baby takes bottles or nurses frequently in the middle of the night these WILL NOT LEAK! They have never gotten full or even damp on the outside. You only need one per day so 31 diapers will last one month. You can also use the Huggies coupons with these.

Toys r Us Brand Especially for Baby Ultra Thin $19.99 for 144 diapers which is $0.14 per diaper! I love these! They also have in store coupons so you can get up to $7.00 off if you buy their wipes too which are great! They also have a rewards program too. They are not thin they just call it that because they have a thicker night time one that costs a little more. They are soft and run a little big and don't leak. http://www.toysrus.com/

Toys r Us Brand Especially for Baby Super Diapers $19.99 for 116 diapers which is $0.17 per diaper. I guess if you have a problem with leaks or when baby sleeps these would be good. And you can still get the in store coupons.

Kirkland Brand at Costco $39.97 for 208 diapers which is $0.19 per diaper. Not as much as I thought I would save by paying Costco $40 a year for my membership. Just because its there doesn't mean its a deal. Plus for the smaller size diapers, your baby may grow out of them before the box is empty. The price it's linked to here is www.amazon.com but here is the link for costco as well http://www.costco.com/

I also want to mention poor little Parents Choice at Walmart. I usually love everything by their store brand but the diapers were just so sad. They don't have a size listed anywhere on them so you can't tell a size 2 from a size 3 and they rip and leak very easily. I got 36 diapers for $5.97 so thats $0.16 per diaper. Thats all I'm going to say about this one.

The point is we are spending money on something that will be thrown in the trash within hours of using it. If your child has sensitive skin most of these diapers also come unscented. Just something to think about.

Why I HEART the $0.99 Store!

Why I HEART the $0.99 Store!

(by the way before kids you would never catch me there, but now I’m all about saving so there is still $$ left over for one cute outfit or a pedicure)

These are products they sell there that I love and the quality is great. Some of the stuff is seasonal but it should be there when you need it!

1. Floaties for kids/toddlers arms for swimming $0.99 a pair (they have Disney and other characters as well)

2. Intertubes and rafts for the pool each for $0.99

3. Earths Best baby food and Applesnax fruit that is all natural no sugar added that I feed baby. The Applesnax are 4 for $0.99!

4. Mylar and latex balloons. Some stores have both and some have one of the two. Also some charge $0.49 to add helium but you can still get 10 Mylar balloons for $15! I use them at all parties

5. Sand toys for the beach and park

6. Flash Cards with Disney and Barbie Characters to teach kids colors, shapes and words

7. Puzzles

8. Anything you would want to put into your kids birthday goody bags with their favorite characters on them (bouncy balls, pens, rings, tops, erasers)

9. Shaving cream that toddlers can use as paint in the bath tub

10. Disney stickers

11. Bathtub Books

12. Ice for boo boos shaped like Disney Characters