Baby Isle & News

Big news

 I've mentioned in one of my posts that I had some news! Do forgive me that its taken a bit to reveal that I had a Beautiful Baby boy in Aug of 2021! Please forgive me that I should have shared these news with my readers a lot earlier; however, for postpartum reasons and just being a busy mom I was super late to share. Nevertheless, time passes so quickly and now my son Ben is showing me the world through his eyes which is so sweet and Joyous.

Diaper's🙋

I can't say that I can provide thoughts on all the different diaper's because we ended up only using 2 different diapers' Pampers and Rascals. Please note prices don't include tax, prices vary they are just a general comparison.

Pampers

I personally chose Pampers because I felt that it provided my son the protection he needed. We would still have to change him one time during the night but that would still help us through the night. He had less blowouts in general and that was before Pampers came up with the blowout protection feature on the backs of their diaper's.

Price $39.97

# of diaper's: 66

Size 7

price per unit: $0.61 each diaper

Rascals

I also had tried Rascals premium diaper's, but I didn't like their brand as the cuffs seemed me to be too wide. The waistband area where the rascals brand is printed was also too stiff for my liking-it felt like if he bends over in them that his stomach would hurt, even though the tapes had plenty of room.

Price $19.97

# of diaper's: 40

Size 7

price per unit: $0.49 each diaper

Clothes🙌

We definitely could save more money in this department if we shopped second hand but instead I am selective in the kinds of clothes we purchase.

Walmart

They have clothes from birth to 5T, that are $4 Canadian dollars (they sell out of the good clothes quickly). I choose to buy clothes such as pants and shirts for outside play where I don't really have a preference for style or if they get torn.

I don't buy shoes from here because the soles don't have any grip and are super slippery; they always smell like plastic which just puts me off lol. 

Carters

We shop online and purchase dressier clothes or clothes that might still be for everyday but a bit nicer. I do buy all my shoes, rain coats and hoodies from Carters.

I often don't buy Jeans, dress shirts as kids just grow out of it so quickly, and I don't have many special outings to go out yet. Plus Ben is not a fan of buttoned up shits yet. Also once in awhile I buy a toy from there but I try not to as we are not a fan of the selection of toys.

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Share some ideas about how you save money around the house; we can inspire each other in our money saving journies and interests😊.

Savings pennies at a time: Kitchen sponges & comparables

As the old adage goes those who look for money find them!

Although most people don’t carry physical pennies in our hands, saving pennies matters when you are striving you accumulate wealth. 

Kitchen

Katy's vision:

 

I buy sponges from 2 different stores for very different reasons:

Store #1:Dollar store:

Value: You can get a pack of 10 sponges for  $1.25 to 1.50.

Katy's Trick:

This is not for everyone (some may finds them too small and fiddly lol) but if you are able to pull off using a smaller sponge for your dishes and you have a smaller household then why not?

Method: I cut these in half so that you are able to get double the amount for the same price. So that means you are essentially getting 20 half size sponges for $1.25, over time you are saving and its cumulative. 

Reason: I use these for everyday dishwashing for plates, cutlery and mugs.

Store #2 Any brand name store Safeway, Walmart, Save on Foods, Save on, Thrifty (or similar in your area)

Value: You can buy a multi package of 6 sponges approximately, for usually $5.00 so that works out to about $1.50 each sponge. Of course there are different types of sponges (some have the scrubber attached, others are solo and some are non-scratch); I choose the scotch Brite or Vilida sponges (scratch resistant or regular) Alternatively, i also revert to the name brand store's sponges brand. Thus, for example Save on Foods would be Best Western; Walmart brand would be Best Value and so on.

Katy's Trick:

I usually select the heavy duty sponge, as I am looking to save on some elbow grease. I choose brand name sponges such as Scotch Brite or other similar brands and then I am able to actually cut the sponges into even more pieces. Perhaps I do go overboard but I cut them down to 4 pieces vertically.

Reason: I use these sponges for more delicate glasses (non-scratch sponge), or pots and pans that need a good scrubbing, with experience I found the brand name ones do perform a bit better. 

Method: I still cut them in half sometimes, but because they are for a bigger job I keep them whole so I can get a better clean and can save time that way

Advantages of dollar store sponge:

#1 you get 4 times as much usage out of the same money.

#2 you change your sponge more often to have a clean smelling sink without the guilty feeling of throwing away money.

Advantages of name brand sponges:

#1 you don't have to scrub as much

#2 They save you time in handwashing.

Happy New Year everyone!