June 25th, 2009 | No Comments »

Saturday, June 27 is your last chance to place a Tastefully Simple order to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  So far we have raised $50.

Please consider placing an order to support the Breast Cancer 3-Day. Twenty percent of all orders will be donated to Sandee’s Walkers, a team participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day in Philadelphia on October 16-18.

If you are interested in placing an order, go to the Tastefully Simple’s “search for host” page and enter the host’s name – Stephanie Huston.

Thank you for your support!

May 6th, 2009 | No Comments »

Please consider placing an order to support the Breast Cancer 3-Day.  Twenty percent (twenty-five percent once we have $500 in sales) of all orders will be donated to Sandee’s Walkers, a team participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day in Philadelphia on October 16-18.

If you are interested in placing an order, go to the Tastefully Simple’s “search for host” page and enter the host’s name – Stephanie Huston.  I will post updates here periodically to let everyone know how well the fundraiser is going.

Thank you for your support!

May 3rd, 2009 | No Comments »

With only 11 days to go until my scheduled c-section, I need to get ready to pack for the hospital.  When we had David there were things that I had wanted & forgot to pack, so this time I made a rather extensive list of what to bring with me.  I’ll be checking in on Thursday morning at 6am and won’t be discharged until Sunday at some point.  Steve will be spenging the nights at the hospital & we plan on breastfeeding so I have a lot of items for both of that outlined on here as well.  The other kicker is that food service is only from 7am-7pm, and nursing mom’s should try to eat every few hours, so snacks are a must.

Here’s what I have on my list…

For Me:

  • 2 Nursing Nightgowns - I hate the hospital gowns & want to change as soon as I can into something comfortable
  • Robe
  • Slippers
  • 4 Cotton Underwear
  • 2-3 Nursing Bras
  • Nursing Pads - some hospitals supply these
  • 4 Socks
  • Pillows - make sure they have a color or pattern so they don’t accidentally get confused with hospital pillows
  • Comfy outfit for me to wear home

For Steve:

  • Pillows - make sure they have a color or pattern so they don’t accidentally get confused with hospital pillows
  • Flannel Sheet
  • 3 changes of clothes
  • Clothes for sleeping (sweat pants/shorts)
  • slippers

Toiletries:

  • 2 bath sheets - make sure they have a color or pattern so they don’t accidentally get confused with hospital towels
  • poof or wash cloth
  • body wash
  • shampoo & conditioner
  • toothbrush, toothpaste, & mouthwash
  • deodorant
  • q-tips
  • comb & hairbrush
  • pony tail holders/headband
  • lip balm - hospital air is very dry
  • moisturizer - hospital air is very dry

For Baby:

  • Coming Home Outfit - NB and 0-3 mos since you won’t know how big the baby is
  • Spare outfit/Sleep Sack - in case there is a blow out diaper
  • Undershirts - for coming home 2 in each size just in case
  • Hat & booties - you won’t need booties if the outfit has feet, and the hospital will give you a hat
  • Receiving blanket - for the car ride home or hospital photos
  • Infant Car Seat
  • Breast Pump & accessories  – All hospitals can provide you with a breast pump for during your stay if you need to pump.  With a first child your milk could take 3-6 days to come in, but with a second child could come in within 2 days.
  • Boppy

Miscellaneous:

  • Folder of paperwork – Pediatrician contact info, My medical info, Birth Plan & Postpartum/Newborn Care
  • Cash for food (Steve)
  • Calling Card - you may not have a cell signal in your room, and this way you can call out of the building easier
  • Phone List/Email List
  • Baby Book & Pen
  • Camera/Video Camera & extra batteries/tapes
  • Cell Phone Charger
  • Laptop - some hospitals have wireless access, at the very least you can use it to watch movies or listen to music
  • Magazine or book

Snacks: This one is up to you.  The food at RWJ was pretty good, but the portions were small & I was always hungry.  I recommend some snacks that can be served room temp like crackers, granola bars, etc; as well as things that are a little more meal like such as cereal and cup of soup.  Find out if your hospital has a pantry in the postpartum ward & what is included.  Ours has a microwave, and you can bring stuff from home to reheat & eat once you are allowed to eat real food again.

Since I am not going to go through labor, I don’t have a reason to bring a labor bag this time.  When I had my son I needed a few other items to get through labor.  I had included: gatorade, popsicles, hard candy, cards, and other items to keep me busy if I was going to be there for a while.  If you have a little back massager or aromatherapy stuff you may want to bring that too to help you through the contractions.

I tried to pack everything in 1 suitcase & the diaper bag, plus a bag for snacks.  Last time it worked.   If you are having a vaginal delivery, you will be sent home from the hospital within 48 hours of delivery (in most cases), so you may not need as much clothing with you.  You can also make do without nightgowns, and you can wear the same clothes home as you wore in (as long as your water didn’t break while wearing them).  If your partner isn’t staying the whole time, then there is even less to pack.  Or you can always pack the necessities, and take them with you and have everything else at home for someone else to bring you if you decide that you need it at some point during your hospital stay.

You will also be coming home with a bit more than you came with (besides the baby).  Since you are paying for the diapers, wipes, and all that stuff already, you might as well take it all home with you.  Every time they take the baby to the nursery they will refill the bassinet cart.  When the baby returns, unload it to bring the stuff home.  We walked out with over a weeks worth of diapers this way, as well as wipes, pads, baby bath, and 2 basins!

Posted in Baby
April 23rd, 2009 | No Comments »

In my opinion, every pregnant woman should create a birth plan outlining her & her partner’s desires for labor, delivery, postpartum, and newborn care. This includes women having their first child or any subsequent pregnancy, vaginal delivery or planned c-section.

While it is true that the medical staff where you are delivering your baby know what to do, and you will be asked your opinion on non-medically necessary procedures, it is best to have a simple one page document in place that outlines your desires. It is best to create a birth plan some time in your third trimester so that you have time to discuss various options or concerns with your partner and with your midwife/doctor.

One thing you need to take into consideration when writing a birth plan is that the document is not a script for what will happen, but rather a general statement of your desires. If you are planning for a drug & intervention free delivery that’s great, but what if you need an emergency c-section? What if you want the epidural the minute you arrive at the hospital, but you have already passed the window and aren’t able to get one? There are a lot of what ifs to consider and discuss.

The best birth plans are very general, and broken into categories. Here are some things to consider when writing your birth plan:

General Information

  • Name & Spouses Name
  • Other support people who you want with you in labor & delivery
  • What OB practice you go to
  • Any & all allergies
  • Which hand/arm would you prefer they use for the IV?

Labor

  • Do you want to allow students or interns to witness labor?
  • How do you want to be monitored?
  • What types of pain relief do you want?
  • Do you want the nurses to offer, or would you prefer to ask when you think you need it?
  • Do you want to eat & drink during labor?

Interventions

  • Episiotomy or allow to tear?
  • Vacuum Extraction or Forcepts?
  • Pitocin or position changes?

Delivery & Immediately Following

  • Do you want to be told when to push or wait for the urge to strike?
  • Do you want to see the delivery by using a mirror?
  • Does your partner want to cut the cord?
  • Are you planning on banking the cord blood?
  • Do you want to hold the baby immediately after delivery while you deliver the placenta?
  • If the baby has to be taken from you for medical treatment, who will accompany the child?
  • Who will stay with you?

In case of an emergency/unplanned c-section

  • Do you want your partner with you?
  • What type of anesthesia do you prefer (if you do not already have an epidural in place)?
  • Do you want the baby & your partner to stay with you in recovery?
  • Do you prefer staples or sutures to close external incisions?

Postpartum Care

  • Room in or in the nursery?
  • Do you want the number of guests limited?
  • Do you want the number of non-medical hospital personnel limited?

Newborn Care

  • Do you want the baby circumcised in the hospital (if it’s a boy)?
  • Do you plan on breast or bottle feeding?
  • Do you want to meet with the lactation consultant?
  • What is your opinion on supplemental feedings, artificial nipples, or the use of glucose water?
  • Are there any vaccinations you do or do not want your baby to receive?

If you are having a planned c-section, there are still a lot of things to consider. While you do not have to address concerns regarding labor, you do have a lot of options about your pre-op & post-op care. Take the time to consider:

  • What type of anesthesia would you like?
  • Who do you want to witness the birth?
  • What type of incision will you have?
  • How do you want your incisions closed?
  • What forms of pain medication do you want?
  • How soon after delivery can you hold your baby?
  • What is the hospital’s policy on rooming in after a c-section?
  • How soon after delivery will you have the catheter & IVs removed?
  • When can you resume a normal diet?

I know that a lot of this seems overwhelming, and if you search online or in books the lists of things to consider will get even longer. Take your time going through this & discuss the various topics with your partner, midwife or doctor. Its better to address the what ifs when you are calm & rational, instead of when you have to make a sudden decision.

Here are two sample birth plans:

  1. Birth Plan – This birth plan was written when I was pregnant with my son and was planning a drug & intervention free delivery.  I had not planned for the possibility of a c-section in this birth plan, and did end up having an emergency c-section.  Don’t make the same mistake I did, and consider all possibilities.
  2. Birth Plan for a Scheduled C-Section – This birth plan was written as a result of requiring a repeat c-section.  There is a separate page of information regarding postpartum & newborn care to keep things as simplistic as possible.
Posted in Baby
April 22nd, 2009 | No Comments »

Carter’s Outlets & Stores are having a great sale this week.  In addition to their winter stuff being on clearance (up to 70% off), everything else in the store is also on sale!  For example:

  • 2pc & 3pc pajamas – 50% off
  • footie pajamas – 60% off
  • 5pk body suits – 50% off
  • sun suits & rompers – $5-7
  • Terry Sleepers – $5
  • Sleep N Play – $7

There is also a Carter’s Coupon available that you can use in conjunction with the sale items.

I was able to get 2-3pc pajama sets, 1-2pc pajama set, 2 Terry Sleepers, & 2 Sleep N Plays for $43.20 (retail $124)!

March 22nd, 2009 | No Comments »

I came across a great site – It is run by a mother of triplets! During her pregnancy she gathered tons of contacts and phone numbers for free samples, free diapers, free formula. She has pictures of so many items she has received for free.

She put all this into a 35 page ebook.  I just ordered my copy of her ebook and am getting ready to print the request letter & labels so I can start getting free stuff (and you all know how much I like free stuff).  There are checklists and a page full of phone numbers that you can call to get free baby stuff.

Here is a quote from the triplets mom:

“If you are having a baby and you DON’T get this information you are throwing your money away. We spent literally hours upon hours gathering all of this information. You can now take this consolidated information (much of which is in a simple checklist) and get hundreds of dollars worth of FREE baby items and baby information.”

Find out more here (if this doesn’t show up as a hyperlink, highlight the entire web address, and copy & paste it into your browser):
http://tripletsmommy.com/free-baby-samples-ebook/?utm_source=Aff&utm_medium=TripletsMommy&utm_campaign=email hidden; JavaScript is required

March 22nd, 2009 | No Comments »

Free Crest Whitestrips Sample

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid65100.aspx

Live healthy on a budget

http://www.startmakingchoices.com/promotions/walmart.jsp?cookietest=true&src=Walmart_SMC_1208

Betty Crocker Coupons

http://freecoupons.dinnermadeeasy.com/DinnerMadeEasy/Default.aspx?Source=392

Eat Better America Coupon Booklet

http://freecoupons.eatbetteramerica.com/EBA1Coupon/Default.aspx?source=431

Free Diet Dr. Pepper

http://www.freedietdrpepper.com/

March 13th, 2009 | No Comments »

Here are some bonus codes for Pampers Gifts to Grow.  I got all but the last one to work for me.  Feel free to try them out!

GIVE09UNICEFGTG
HAPPYHOLIDAY089
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG
WELCOMEBONUS089
DONTFORGETGTG08
OHAMANDAAWGTG08
WELCOME2GTG0809
Posted in Baby
February 16th, 2009 | No Comments »

lastchancefw2008basic1

Please click here if you are unable to view this e-greeting. Or copy and paste the following link into your web browser:
http://media.tastefullysimple.com/HQOL/E-Greetings/Fall-Winter08/FW08BasicVersion.html

Contact me today to stock upon your favorites before they’re gone!

ss09hostaparty1

Please click here if you are unable to view the e-greeting above. Or copy and paste the following link into your web browser:   http://media.tastefullysimple.com/HQOL/E-Greetings/SSHostAParty/static.htm

Contact me today to book your party, and be among the first to taste our fabulous NEW Spring-Summer products!

As a host, you can earn many of these new products at no charge, plus gorgeous servingware from our Host Collection. To set up a taste-testing party with your family and friends, simply give me a call at 215-736-0934. You can also check out our latest products, recipes, host rewards and more at http://www.tastefullysimple.com/web/shuston

I look forward to hearing from you!

Stephanie Huston
Your Independent Tastefully Simple Consultant – 0043713

Posted in Tastefully Simple
February 13th, 2009 | No Comments »

Since becoming a stay at home mom in 2007, I refuse to pay regular price for anything. My new job has become taking care of my family and looking for every way possible to stretch a buck. I cut coupons, shop the sales, search out deals online, and look for alternatives to things my family uses anyway.  I have been compiling my resources and given the state of the economy, thought that there are other people out there that could use these resources too.

Here are some of the things I do to make extra cash, earn discounts, and stretch a dollar. Feel free to add your own tips and ideas as well!

Shopper’s Hotline

Shopper’s Hotline is a survey program that our family participates in. The company sends you a scanner that hooks up to your phone line. Every time you go shopping (grocery shopping, clothes, toys, etc) you come home, scan everything you purchased, input the total spent, and then put your scanner back on the cradle. It then dials HQ, and transmits your purchase information. Each time you transmit your purchases you earn points which can be redeemed for a debit card that can be used anywhere. You also can earn additional points for answering surveys online through their site. Here are the points for cash break down:

625 points = $10

1,375 points = $25

2,500 points = $50

I don’t remember to scan every purchase every time (I tend to only do grocery purchases) and I have earned a $50 debit card in the last 4 months.

You can receive more information on Shopper’s Hotline by going to https://www.shoppershotline.com/about_.pro

If you would like to join Shopper’s Hotline, call 1-877-999-2949 and ask for Operator 10. Tell them that you were referred by Member #032322966. You can’t join unless you were referred by an active member. (Only one member per household & you must be at least 18 years old.)

MySurvey.com

MySurvey.com is an online survey website that anyone can join. You earn points for answering surveys & for referring friends. Each time you earn 1000 pts you are eligible to receive a check for $10 or you can let your points add up for a larger check later on. You can also opt to get merchandise instead of the check. Since you earn points for referrals, if you are interested in joining, let me know, & I’ll send you an invitation since it is all tracked through email.

e-Rewards.com

Another online survey site. You earn rewards dollars for each survey you answer, and can begin selecting rewards once you have earned $10 rewards dollars.

Pampers Gifts-to-Grow

Pampers diapers & wipes each have a Gifts-to-Grow code on them. Enter those codes into your Gifts-to-Grow account on pampers.com and you can earn free diapers, toys, gift certificates & more.

Soda Club

Steve & I got turned onto Soda Club about 4 years ago at the Great Big Food Show. Soda Club is a way of making soda at home. You purchase the bottles, and the carbon dioxide tanks, and soda syrups through them and can make your own soda, seltzer & tonic water for under 35 cents a liter. The syrups don’t taste exactly like the name brand sodas, more like the store brands, but they are still really good, and since you save so much money we don’t mind the difference.

Make Your Own…

A lot of things that you can buy out, you can make at home for a fraction of the price. Everything from pizza night (the easy transition for most) to making your own laundry detergent! Here are some website that I have relied on:

Laundry Detergent

http://natural-products.suite101.com/article.cfm/washing_clothes_for_pennies

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

Baby Wipes

http://www.justpeace.org/babywipes.htm

http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/homemade-baby-wipes-recipes.html

Cleaning Supplies

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html

Baby Food

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/

Meals Under $10

Some tasty meals that won’t break the bank. They work out even cheaper if you buy the ingredients on sale or with a coupon.

http://busycooks.about.com/od/dinnerrecipes/a/tendollarmeals.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/02/06/recession.recipes.irpt/

http://www.rachaelray.com/food/collections/budget/index.php?category=underten

StartSampling.com

Start Sampling is a great site for getting free samples & coupons for everything under the sun.

Triple Coupon Days

In the NJ/PA area SuperFresh and A&P offer triple coupon deals about once every 6 weeks. They will triple any coupon up to 75 cents, but the coupon has to be from a circular not from the internet. Pathmark also offers triple coupon from time to time.

Double $1 Coupons

Every so often Giant (in PA) will put Doubler Coupons in their circulars. These coupons can be used to double a $1 manufacturer’s coupon.

Upromise

Upromise is where you register your shopping loyalty cards and/or credit cards to earn cash back to send your little one to college. You earn any where from 1%-25% depending on the item or retailer. They are always adding new features and offers so check back often – http://www.upromise.com

Saving with 6ABC

6ABC-WPVI in Philadelphia has been doing weekly savings tips & tricks for the past few months. Here is a link to their website – http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/channel?section=news/consumer/save_with_6abc&id=6272766

Manufactuer’s Websites

Many manufacturers offer coupons, rebates, and/or samples on their websites. Since they tend to want you to receive their e-newsletters, I recommend creating a separate email account using yahoo, hotmail or gmail and using it exclusively for websites that will send you “spam”.

Competitor Coupons

A lot of stores accept competitor coupons that are from the circular or are mailed out (not online coupons. Stores that go together include:

Michaels – AC Moore – Joann Fabrics

Babies R Us – Buy Buy Baby – Baby Depot

Sports Authority – Dicks Sporting Goods

Ask your local businesses too. Many dry cleaners, pizza shops, florists and the like will accept coupons from their competitors to get your business.

Baby & Wedding Registries

Everyone knows that when you get married or have a baby you can set up a registry at your favorite stores. But you can also set up registries for important events – new home, first birthday, christening, redecorating, etc. The benefit of doing this is that if you set up the registry online you don’t have to deal with a person in the store asking when the baby is due or when the wedding is since you are using those templates to create the registry. You will also be sent periodic coupons for discounts for items on your registry. In addition, when it is time to close out the registry many stores offer a 10%-20% off your purchase as you buy the remaining items on your registry. When you want to do the close out, add any & all items you are shopping for the day to the registry before you check out.

For example, when I closed out David’s Baby Registry at Target, I went and got the scanner to update the registry as I went through the store. As each item went into my cart, it got scanned. I updated the registry before checking out & got 10% off my total purchase. Since Target allows you to take the 10% off of diapers & formula (which BRU does not) I was able to stock up on things we would need down the line.

Combining Coupons

Don’t forget you can combine a store coupon & a manufacturer’s coupon on the same item for bigger savings.

Coupon Exchanges

Find friends to exchange coupons with or start a swap box at work in the lunch/break room. Put in any coupons you won’t use, and take the ones you will. This works especially well with pet coupons, baby coupons, health & beauty aide coupons, and cleaning product coupons.

Check Unit Prices

The store brand isn’t always cheaper. Between sale prices & coupons the brand name item can often cost you less. Same is true for buying the bigger package. Check the unit price to see what it the better bargain. Also, if you won’t use it all up before it expires, then buying more of it isn’t worth it.

Shop the Ads

They always say plan your menu based on what’s on sale. I find that spending a few extra minutes comparing ads for the expensive stuff (meat, cleaning supplies, & health and beauty aides) and possibly going to 2 stores can save a lot of money.

Buy Milk at Halo

Or other dairy. Halo Farm is located in Trenton/Ewing area next to the Trenton Farmers Market. They only sell milk by the ½ gal, but it only costs $1.20 – that’s only $2.40 a gallon! Much cheaper than at the grocery store.

Plant a Garden

Even if you are in an apartment you could have a garden that cuts your produce bills during the nice weather, and if you have a house you can grow enough to freeze through the winter months too. Seeds are cheaper than plants, but take more of a time investment. You can grow lettuce, peas, string beans, herbs, onions/scallions, strawberries, tomatoes, and peppers in containers if you don’t have much space.

If you love fresh fruit you can plant blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry bushes in containers as well (some varieties work better than others ask questions at the nursery you choose to use). If you have the space to plant a few fruit trees, there are some varieties of peach trees that don’t need a second tree for cross pollination, and there are some apple trees that have 2 varieties of apple on the same tree! The only catch with fruit trees & bushes is that you often don’t get fruit until the second year, and a decent crop the third year.

Join a CSA

If you don’t have room for a garden where you live (or you don’t want to do the work) you can always join a CSA Farm – Community Supported Agriculture. CSA’s are great because for a flat rate you get a share of the farm each week during the growing season. Most CSAs also have some pick your own produce, but a lot of it is often ready to go so all you have to do is pick it up. For more information about CSAs go to http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Grocery Coupons Online

Here are a few sites for getting grocery coupons online. You just have to install the plug-in and you are ready to go:

http://www.smartsource.com

http://localsearch.courierpostonline.com/sp?aff=1170&skin=100

http://print.coupons.com/CouponWeb/Offers.aspx?pid=13306&zid=iq37&nid=10

http://www.grocerycouponnetwork.com/

http://www.grocerycouponsusa.com

http://www.pgesaver.com/Sites/PG_eSAVER/Page/HomePage/

Store Coupons

Most of these sites compile printable coupons as well as online coupon codes good at a variety of retailers.

http://www.momsdiscounts.com/

http://www.retailmenot.com/

http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/

http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/

http://www.valpak.com/coupons/home

http://discounts.shopathome.com/

http://shortcut.com

http://www.mommysavers.com/

http://www.couponmom.com/

http://www.becentsable.net/

Posted in general