Nanny to Mommy

I think I did pretty good even if I do say so myself! :) I wanted to get the Brach's candy but they were CLEANED out and it was only the second day of the sale! Also on the way home, there was a crazy car accident and this guy tried to run and people chased him down and beat him up then a person had to be pulled out of the car and put on a stretcher. We had to stop short to avoid missing it, that's how close we were. Crazy stuff and I hope everyone was okay.

Anyways, my dear friend took me to Publix and we took that babies. It was...interesting...

So here's what I got:

4 Chips Ahoy Cookies BOGO $2.99 - 4 $1/1 Stocking Spree Home Mailer - 2 $1/2 IP = FREE
Bananas 2.53lb @ $0.69/lb - $1 produce from Baby Club = $0.75
2 Huggies Pull-Ups $9.99 (reg price) - 2 FREE coupons from emailing companies (everyone can do this!) - 2 $2 off Publix from in-store ad = $4 overage! :)
4 Yoplait Kids Yogurts 4ct 2/$4 - 2 $2/2 from Better Meals Happen at Home email - 4 $0.35/1 8/5 GM insert doubled = $1.20 or $0.30 each or $0.08 a cup! :)
2 Aquafresh toothpastes 10/$10 - 2 $1 Target IPs = FREE
1 Armour Turkey Meatballs BOGO $4.99 = $2.50
Publix Whole Milk $2.99 - $1 dairy from Baby Club  = $1.99

Total before taxes = $2.42
Total savings = $52.71

Total percentage saved = 96% SAVINGS! That's crazy! :)

So how did you do?

So another week down. I still have my FREEbie Friday list to get up for you all and I have some awesome giveaways coming up that I am SUPER excited about. And if you have been following my posts on Facebook then you already know who they are from! Anyways, today's Kroger trip was awesome. The kiddos feel asleep in the car on the way there so Hubby stayed in the car with them and I get everything I wanted, still talked to the cashier and a friendly shopper, and finished in record time. Funny how different a shopping trip can be when you don't have any little ones with you.


Anyways, on to the Savings! I didn't get a picture of this trip because once again the little ones devoured my attention but that's okay because they are more important...no offense. Today I shopped the Mega Event and the 3 day sale. I'm pretty excited when they have their 3 day sale. I stock up on bread until the next one! So here's how I did:

4 Kroger bread $0.88 = $3.16 (em discount)
2 Starbucks Coffee $7.99 (Terrible Price but we needed) - $2/2 IP (NLA) = $13.98
Fresh Selections Salad (Large Bag) $2.99 = $2.69 (em discount)
Mega Event Items:
2 Progresso Recipe Starters $1.49 - 2 $0.50/1 IP doubled = $0.98
2 Tennessee Pride 20 ct Sausage biscuits $5.49 - 2 $1/1 IP = $8.98
2 Smart Balance Butter $1.88 - 1 BOGO IP (mystery coupon, you may get something different)- 1 $1.75 IP = $0.13 for two! or $0.07 each
4 Huggies baby wipes $1.49 - 4 $0.50 8/12 SS doubled = $1.96
4 Smart Balance milk $1.99 - 4 $1.50 8/5 SS = $1.96
2 Bisquick Shake n Pour $1.45 - 2 $0.50/1 IP = $0.90
2 Mott's for Tots $1.88 - 2 $1/1 IPs (NLA) = $1.76
1 French's Dijon Mustard $1.49 - $1/1 IP = $0.49
1 French's Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce $1.49 - $0.50/1 doubled = $0.49

Total before taxes = $37.48
Total Savings = $58.25

61% Savings! :D

About $1.38 an item, not bad if I do say so myself! :)

I bought a TON of baby food (30 jars to be exact) a while back because Publix was having an awesome BOGO sale that made it (combined with a $1/3 Beechnut coupon) that I made money.

With a child you learn about things that you never thought wold be an issue. In the past few weeks my family has been dealing with Hand, Foot, Mouth or HFM, Sty/Stye also known as Hordeolum, and then a suspected urinary tract infection believed to be caused by bubble baths.

She seems pretty happy about it.

        First of all I had never heard of HFM. As most of you know, I worked at a day care and was a nanny for five years. I never have even crossed a case of HFM. But apparently it is on the rise. What it is are small red bumps located on the child's hands, feet, mouth, and around their buttock. According to the pediatrician, there is a rise in outbreaks and my daughter had a very mild case because she was showing little to no signs of pain. She did not want to eat which is normal considering that is where the bumps first appear. The cause is from children putting their hands or feet in their mouth. If the child's hand aren't properly washed all the time then the germs can cause this. As with other things, I believe there really isn't a rise of this disease just a more knowledgeable population.



Next on to Stye Eye. The little girl I take care of has a stye that she may have to get removed. Styes are not suppose to last more than two weeks and although not painful can be irritating. They are usually caused by germs getting in the eye due to excessive rubbing of the eyes. The way to get rid of a stye is by making sure the area stays clean, avoiding touching the eye, and warm compresses 4 to 5 times a day.


The Case of the Bad Bubble Bath:
Did you know that you are not suppose to use bubble bath even as an adult? The FDA says they can not regulate any shampoo, conditioner, other hair products, soaps, body wash, or bubble baths because they are not considered something that is consumed. But these types of products go over our eyes, ears, mouths, and pores through out our skin. For 25 years studies have shown that bubble baths are not safe but yet now we have Sponge Bob Bubble Bath, they even make a variety of Baby Bubble Baths. I did not know I wasn't suppose to be giving my daughter bubble baths. I remember having bubble baths as a child and thought what better way to make a bath fun.  My daughter was showing signs of discomfort so we took her to the doctor. I wish it didn't come to my daughter's discomfort for me to realize that the chemicals used in your everyday products, aren't always as safe as you think they are. The doctor said let them play in the plain water, then stand them up, wash them off, rinse off with a cup or bucket of some sort, and take them out. And as cute as bubble bath pictures are, they aren't worth the discomfort of your little one.


This all basically comes down to this...wash your child's hands as often as you would your own and watch the labels on the products you use. Also do research. I would have never guessed bubble bath was harmful until this happened. So if you don't know what a chemical on a label is, then look it up. HFM, Stye, and Bubble Bath mishaps are all common mistakes that I just don't want you to make. And if you are reading this thinking it could never happen to me, well I thought that same thing.

So I have a 20 month old as of yesterday! I still can't believe with each month going by how big she is and how much she can do. She is absolutely amazing. I love her so much. Time seems to go by so fast with children.


So yesterday we also went to Kroger. It started raining while we were in the store and not only did me, hubby, and sweet pea go but we also had my friend's daughter (who I take care of) with us as well. So getting all the groceries in the car and the two little ones was a big ordeal. So we only saved 45% but this was our time to get things we needed like produce and dairy items. I also needed paper products as well because my HUGE stockpile of toilet paper was depleted. I also didn't manage to snap a picture because we were trying to get both little ones in the house and everything put away before my in-laws came over for dinner. But here is the break down of what I bought:

Kroger Napkins = $1.67
Bounty Paper Towels $5.99 x 2 - 2 $1 coupons = $9.98
Powerade $0.59 x 15 - 5 B2G1 FREE coupons = $5.90 or $0.39 each
Kroger Whole Milk = $2.50
Tennessee Pride Sausage Biscuits $6.99 x 2 - 2 $1 IPs = $11.98
Fresh Express Garden Salad - $0.40 coupon from mailer = $2.29
Cucumbers x 2 = $1
Charmin 12 pk Toilet Paper $5.99 x 2 - 2 $1 = $9.98
Kroger Tuna x 4  = $3
Kroger Bacon Bits x 2 = $3.97
Kroger shredded cheese x 2 - $0.70/2 coupon from mailer = $6.72
Kroger sliced cheese - $0.40/1 from mailer = $2.10
Stayfree pad 2/$4 - $2 from 7/22 SS = FREE
Rubbermaid Sandwich Kits $5.99 x 2 - $1.50 IPs = $8.98
Kroger bread = $1
Kroger Large Eggs = $2.69

Total after coupons = $64.25
Total Saved = $57.30

53% savings. Over budget but got things to help save money in the future like the sandwich kits so hubby can bring his lunch. :) Going to also try and submit for this P&G rebate, I think I bought enough. :/ Remember, we get an employee discount. The mailer coupons are from the Kroger home mailers that everyone can get when you sign up for a Kroger Plus Card. Each mailer comes with different coupons specifically for your family's needs.

So how did you do? Please post your link below! :D