I don't know anyone who hasn't had to "cut back" in some way or another with the economy being the way that it is.  I'm very fortunate to still be able to be a Stay-At-Home-Mom, but I've had to stay on a budget to have that luxury.  I've always been frugal (or just plain out cheap), so this hasn't been a stretch for me.  To understand how much you spend, you really need to sit down and write it all down.  You will then be able to wrap your head around where all of your money goes and you can decide what is necessary and what isn't.

One of the biggest expenses is food.  If you have a baby, making your own baby food is the best way to save money.  You can use a blender if you don't have a food processor and chop up the fruits and veggies that you're preparing for your meals.  Bananas are the easiest to make, simply smash them up with a fork.  Not only is it cheaper, but it’s healthier.
 
Cutting coupons is a great idea, but you need to remember to use them. I used to clip coupons like crazy, just to forget to use them when I was checking out.  I usually only buy items when they are BOGO (buy one, get one free), or deeply discounted.  I now use websites that tell me which coupons to pair with those sales and I get them for a few dollars, free, or sometimes I make a profit.  Grocery stores also discount their meat right before they are going to expire; I buy it and throw it in the freezer.  The key to buying things only when they are on sale is to know what is in your pantry.  Be sure to check often, otherwise you will forget that you bought something and it might go bad before you get the chance to use it.

Check store clearance racks often.  One of my favorite stores updates their clearance selection on Wednesdays or Thursdays, so I run by on Thursday mornings while my son is in preschool. I was able to score some awesome Christmas gifts (including toys) this summer for up to 75% off.

Seasonal products go on clearance at the end of that season.  The end of summer is my favorite because I stock up on adorable children's outfits, shoes, swimsuits, pools, pool toys, etc for 75-90% off.  We spend our summers in the water, so it is better for me to buy those items at deep discount in August instead of at full price in May.

 
Don't forget to save whenever you can.  You never know when you'll need to buy something that wasn't expected, or have a repair expense of some sort.  If you continue to save, you'll also be able to "splurge" occasionally for fun items or activities for your family.

 
There are many great deals out there if you keep an eye out and start buying ahead of time.  Even if you find a great deal, don't buy it if you don't need it.  It is so hard for me resist a good deal, but I'd go broke if I bought every bargain I came across.  Living on a budget can take a lot of planning, but having the extra money is definitely worth it.

From guest blogger, Dee, Two of a Kind

I wish I could get someone else to potty train my child. There. I said it. It might be my very least favorite part of parenting. I’m so grateful that the peer pressure potty training technique of my sons’ preschool has been so successful. It seems that nothing can motivate a toddler like the opportunity to sit on the potty with his friends – AT THE SAME TIME IN THE SAME ROOM! Placing three little bums on three little potties in a row is genius in my book.

If only the preschool staff made house-calls to deal with the overnight situations or the out-and-about errands. Oh well, I guess I have to conquer some of these tasks on my own.

Here are 5 universal truths about potty training I’ve gleaned from my half-hearted participation in the toilet education of my own children.

You can lead a toddler to the toilet, but you can’t make her pee.
Yes, I have observed that children do it when they’re ready. It will never be on my own time-table, and I’m a control freak, so this one really hurts

When you ask, “Do you have to pee?” most children will lie to you.

I have asked this very question seconds before my child has wet himself in the car seat and on the couch. Ugh and ugh.

Sweatpants are your friend.
For quick potty runs, it helps toddlers to have pants they can pull up and down on their own-- and quickly.

Candy and stickers will only get you so far.
I am not above bribing my child for the desired result, although I do think we need to be careful not to throw a parade for every deposit in the toilet. (When does it end?  Will they ask their Kindergarten teachers for M&Ms? Their college roommates?) Wishing for a one-size-fits-all approach, I have been dis

appointed to learn that some personality types love the sticker chart and candy bribes while others could care less.

The range of normal is broad.
Wondering when your child will stop needing diapers at night? I just learned that between age 3 and 7 is considered normal. That’s pretty wide open, but should offer you some comfort if you find yourself tossing a package of pull-ups into your shopping cart for the same kid who correctly read “Gun Show Coming Soon” from a highway billboard

My only real tip after my battle-scarred journey down the potty training path is to offer opportunity and don’t force the issue. Children can smell your anxiety and pressure and they rebel against it.

Do you have any tips or lessons learned to share?

By Heather from rookiemoms.com

[photo credit: Child Care Learning, Ontario]

I can count on one hand the number of times my husband and I have had a date night sans children in the past three years. In the midst of sleep training, diapers, and meltdowns, it's too easy for the weeks and months to go by without some alone time as a couple.  But like any relationship, tim

e and communication are vital for growth and renewal.  Here is some inspiration for securing regular date nights:

Make a schedule and stick to it. While I realize how unromantic it seems, we'd likely never have a date night if it wasn't on the calendar.  Scheduling date nights ensures we have child care and allows us to make reservations, pre-order show tickets, or any other prep necessary to make the most of our night.  Blocking those nights off also gives us something to look forward to and ensures that this time together does not take a back seat when life gets busy.

Make a trade with another couple.  For some families, the cost of child care prohibits regular date nights.  Offer to take turns babysitting for another couple so that each of you can enjoy a night out together every other month.  Not only will you save money, you'll develop and deepen a friendship with another family.

Make it a night in.  If finding child care is simply too difficult or expensive, commit to regular date nights while the kids are sleeping.  Regularly pencil in a date to spend time with your spouse.  Whether it's playing board games, watching a movie, cooking a special dinner, or simply engaging in a long conversation, these moments to reconnect will do wonders for your relationship.

Make it memorable.  And by memorable, I don't mean expensive. This is your opportunity to reconnect as a couple, so decide together how you will spend your time away from your kids.  Some of our best date nights didn't involve lavish dinners or swanky hotels but rather conversations into the early m

orning or snuggling with hot chocolate and a movie at home. Take a long walk, explore a new museum, work on a project together...the possibilities are endless.

Make your spouse the priority.  I'm guilty of stealing every moment I'm away from my kids to catch up on housework, errands and life. Be sure to preserve this time of togetherness by committing to focus this time on your spouse.  Before your scheduled time away, talk about how you'll deal with distractions that threaten to get in the way of your time together.

Date nights are like fuel for your relationship.  Regular time together will improve your relationship with each other and your relationship with your children.  This commitment to each other also sets an example for your children as they begin to learn about relationships.

By guest blogger, Caryn Baily, Rockinmama

My kids are 1 and 3 and are extremely jealous of each other.  My aunt was in town last week and had to laugh because both get so much attention, but they are still so jealous.  If I'm doing anything with Isabella, Evan comes right over and either does the same thing she is doing or just makes sure to get in my line of vision.

It has really been like this from the day my little girl was born.  Evan loves his sister so much and has always showered her with hugs and kisses, but I guess he still feels like he should get all of the attention.  I did understand because I was breastfeeding and infants just require a lot of one on one time.  I made sure to play with him every time that she was napping(there is no sleeping when the baby sleeps if you have more than one child).

Isabella is now 1 and recently started showing that she was jealous at times.  Both kids have started acting out more when they feel they need attention which can be a little annoying.  I try to either ignore them or calmly tell them that isn't the way to act.  Giving them attention for negative behavior doesn't' fix anything.  I make sure to take a few minutes here and there to do fun activities that involve just one of the kids.  It can be as simple as pushing trucks around the floor with Evan or pushing Isabella on the swing.

We try to do many things together as a family, but as they get older, I see that the kids benefit from occasionally taking time to do separate activities.  I recently took my son to see a movie while my daughter and husband played at home.  A few weeks before that my husband took my son to the river while I took my daughter to the park.

It isn't always about how much time you should spend with each separate child, what you're doing during your "alone" time is what matters.  I notice a big difference in my kids if they've recently had some fun one-on-one time with mommy and daddy-even if it was a 5 minute activity.  Sibling jealousy is completely normal, but it helps to do simple activities to show each of them that mommy and daddy will always have time for them.

By guest blogger, Dee, Two of a Kind