It started with diapers. After exploring the many options available to cover my baby's bottom I was left with a very disappointing discovery. My daughter Jovie was allergic to almost all of the more economical choices. If she wasn't allergic she leaked right through. This left Huggies and Pampers. Finding that Huggies perpetually smelled of pee as soon as she so much as dribbled, I turned to Pampers as my diaper of choice. Thankfully Walmart frequently has Pampers in her size on sale for around $24 where other stores sell the same amount for $34.99. But she wasn't always a size 4. In fact, for almost 2 months she was in size newborn which are of course the most expensive diapers to buy. This was when I really started to watch for sales. Many of the baby magazines I'd flip through had coupons for pampers and some thoughtful women from my church included coupons the'd found in their shower gifts. Once I had run through my supply I began to hunt for online coupons that I could print.
This led to the formula. Although I have no problem with someone choosing to bottle feed, it's a very personal decision, my goal from the beginning was to nurse as long as possible. Economically it made the most sense for us. Unfortunately Jovie was always an active baby right from the beginning and had difficulty keeping weight on. It was "strongly" recommended by public health that we supplement with formula and they would call that afternoon to see how her first feeding went. Strange that a suggestion would be followed up by a very presumptuous phone call. However, as first time parents we immediately went out and bought her the formula recommended to us- Nestle Good Start (with Omega 3 of course). Over the course of a couple of months we discovered through many bouts of rashes and diarrhea that Jovie had a milk allergy. We switched to Nestle Alsoy. Unfortunately, as often happens when formula is introduced, she slowly nursed less and demanded formula more. Thinking of my success with online coupons for diapers, I set out search for savings on formula. I found none for Nestle Alsoy but was able to switch to Isomil, also with Omega 3, and save $3 a case.
This led to my obsession. I began to search endlessly for baby related coupon that I could print. Coupons for Mum Mums, wipes, infant Tylenol-the possibilities were endless! After a year of this I started to expand my horizons. This was how I discovered Save.ca. Coupons sent right to my door? They will print them for you? This was wonderful! Now I only had to convince my husband Ben not to to through them out as 'junk mail'.
So here I am, now 17 months later and I have a new goal. With the exception of essentials, such as milk etc, I will not purchase anything unless it is on sale or I have a coupon for it. All the better if it is on sale AND I have a coupon for it. This is going to take commitment. This going to take will power. This is going to drive my husband crazy!
As I learn I hope anyone reading this can also learn. My plan is to shop and meal plan around sales, BOGOs and 1/2 price deals. The ultimate goal being that I will become a more organized person who values her family's time and money and learns to honor both them and God with how she does it. I hope to make the Proverbs 31 woman proud but man, do I have a long way to go!
