10 Ways To Save Big On Kid's Things For Spring

For today's top 10 Tuesday, I'm sharing a few of my favorite tricks and tips to save big on kids' things for spring... and summer too! 

1. Make a list: I learned early on that kids don’t need nearly as much stuff as we think they do. Before my baby was even born, he had enough clothes to go a month without repeating an outfit—most of which he never wore because he grew too fast! That experience taught me to make a reasonable list of what was actually needed, especially with those unpredictable mid-season growth spurts.

I can’t recommend this enough: before the season starts, sit down and make a list of what your child will truly need—think shorts, shirts, shoes, and even seasonal toys. Don’t forget to factor in big future purchases like a bicycle, ride-on toys, or even a backyard trampoline (if you’re feeling adventurous). Having this list ahead of time gives you the chance to hunt for deals online and most of all, have guardrails when shopping so you don't buy what you don't truly need.

2. Shred old winter clothes: The last thing you want to happen to new spring and summer clothes is mud, grass stains, or road rash. Don't throw away winter clothes with holes in the knees or tears in the sleeves. Repurpose them! Cut pants into shorts and long sleeves into t-shirts and officially declare them: “play clothes.” That way, when ketchup or dirt won’t come out in the wash, it won’t break your heart—or your wallet.

3. Borrow Budget Busters: For those one-off family portraits or special occasions where you normally end up buying an incredibly expensive outfit, your child will most likely only wear once, reach out to friends and school social media pages.

4. Secondhand Shops: Places like Once Upon A Child and other children's secondhand shops are full of clothes, toys, and everything else you need to cover an entire summer wardrobe for under $20. Shoes too! 

5. Facebook Finds: In addition to Facebook Marketplace, every city has at least one Facebook mommy group that lists clothes exchanges and where big family sales are taking place. To find them, on your Facebook page ask your friends if they know of any great mommy groups on Facebook. I bet you'll get plenty of replies!

6. Yard Sale Heaven: Yard sales are goldmines for big-ticket kids’ items—think bikes, ride-on toys, or outdoor play gear, as well as clothes and sports gear. Pro tip: leave the kids at home and instead grab a friend, coffee, and make a morning (and lunch date!) of it. Happy hunting!

7. Discount Dealers: I still love Groupon after all these years. During the summer, I will search Groupn before heading out to places like Dave & Busters, Malibu Jacks, and other local places and events. Seriously, next time you are bored and looking for something to do, check out Groupon for local things to do at a deep discount!  Hello, winning!!! 
8. Daily Deals: Did you know there are hundreds of websites that crawl the Internet daily for the best online daily deals? They do, and then list them in an easy to search format so you can quickly search for items on your must-have list. My favorite is DealNews.com.

9. DIY For Family Health: When it comes to springtime treats and healthy fruit snacks, the budget can bust very quickly. I make our Popsicles, grow our fruit and cut out juice and soda, we are water drinkers during the warm months. If you have a sunny spot in your yard, patio or balcony, you have a place to grow your own fruit! Did you know strawberries grow well in a pot? Go to your local nursery and ask for help finding the right fruits to grow for where you live (Grower's Zone).

For a total of $20, I have strawberry plants, blueberries, and grapes thriving in pots and around my yard. The best part is that I can use that fruit to make Popsicles! (Read my Healthy DIY Popsicles post.)

10. Price Shop From Home.  There are way too many apps and websites available today that make price comparison shopping from home a breeze. Gone are the days of driving from store to store or waiting for the Sunday Paper deals. Pull out the list you made of spring must-haves and start going through each item online and list where the best deal is, for that item. Once you've gone through your list, check the entire list for stores that overlap to save you a bundle on shipping and time. Between the coupon apps and the compare-and-save apps, there is no reason to pay full price anymore.

If you have any great tips, please leave a comment below, or join my Facebook discussion, here. 

Life-Saving Tips To Keep Your Family, Pets + Home Safe In Cold Weather

To reach as many people with this article as possible, I'm going to avoid using all of the colorful four-letter words I prefer to use when describing cold temperatures, brutal wind chills, and deadly winter forecasts, but just know, I'm screaming, FU*K THIS SH!T, on the inside.

For many, including myself, the Polar Vortex Express is already barreling in. Deadly, brutally cold temperatures are about to ravish the USA. Unprecedented temps are hitting damn near all of us. Please, take every necessary precaution to keep your family, pets and home safe.

Below are a few essential Life-Saving Tips To Keep Your Family, Pets + Home Safe In Brutal Cold Temperatures:

1. Load up on layers. Wear layers of lightweight clothing while inside to stay warm. When you go outside, go all out! Cover all exposed skin and wear warm waterproof shoes. Parents, if you're not covered in sweat and feel like you've had one hell of a workout after bundling up the kids, then you're doing something wrong. Do not mess with this cold. Frostbite hits fast and hard. NEVER go out without gloves and a hat, they prevent the loss of essential body heat.

2. Protect your pets: I don't care if Cujo is chained in your backyard, bring his ass in! Ok, fine, if Cujo must stay outside, provide shelter, blankets, fresh UNFROZEN water and extra love.

The ASPCA recommended during cold spells:

• Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents. Booties provide even more coverage and can also prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
• Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt, and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
• Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in the wintertime. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather months can provide much-needed calories, and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help keep her well-hydrated and her skin less dry.
• Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. Also, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.

3. Don't space out on space heaters. Space heaters are dangerous AF, take all necessary precautions when using one; Place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable AT LEAST three feet away. ALWAYS turn off space heaters and unplug them before leaving the room or going to bed-- Children may turn them on without you knowing, unplug them for extra protection.

5. FIRE IN THE HOLE! If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. Make sure embers are completely out before going to sleep or leaving the house. Smokers, that nasty-ass can of butts by your backdoor? That can is a fire hazard, it causes many, many house and apartment complex fires when a lit ciggy is tossed in resulting in a ciggy-butt bonfire disaster. Move those butts at least three feet from your house.

6. Protect your pipes. I know running water, even at a trickle, looks like money slipping down the drain, but it's nothing compared to the plumber's bill. Remember, you are riding out a storm, not making life changes. Bite the bullet and open the taps. Another great way to protect the pipes is by opening the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach the plumbing hiding behind them. NOTE: Move harmful cleaners and chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.

7. Hardcore heat the house. Turn up the heat and keep it there day and night. It may cost a few more dollars on your bill, but, a broken pipe bill will make you throw up. NOTE: Creativity is not key. Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. DO NOT light a small fire in a safe space. DO Layer on the blankets and phone a friend.

8. Care for the car- Check tires, wipers, antifreeze and never go below a quarter of a tank.  Keep a winter safety kit in the trunk that includes a flashlight, battery-jump box, water and a blanket.

9. GENERATORS ARE NOT FOR GARAGES! Never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage. NOTE: Don’t hook a generator up to the home’s wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.

10. Love Thy Neighbor. Check on your neighbors and make sure they are at a minimum alive. This brutal cold can be hell on the elderly. Look out for those awesome people. You do realize, not only will you be elderly one day, you too will be a twenty-year-old at heart trapped in an old-ass body, be cool to them, because they are cool AF.

BONUS TIP: New Year's Eve Party-goers, getting wrecked-ass-wasted on New Year's Eve and frolicking outside in a drunken stupor is No Bueno. Booze and cold temps= Bad news. Stay layered up and don't think because you're boozed up you're warm and cozy. Not. Even. Close. Alcohol dilates warm blood vessels near the skin creating the impression of warmth, all the while it's lowering your core body temperature!

Please share this article with friends and family in the path of brutal temps, it could save their family, pet, neighbor, pipes, sanity...

Sources:

Red Cross

NYC Emergency Managment

ASPCA

NOAA

Parents, Take A Deep Breath. It's Coming...

One down, three to go.

With Halloween officially behind us, it's time to set the focus to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The holidays can go two ways for me. North or south. I usually fly easy into Thanksgiving, but crash like a drunken sailor by Mid-December. Then, drag my tired ass through Christmas and give what I've got left to New Year's Eve. Think: If I get dressed up for NYE it's a friggin undertaking.

Until Monday morning, I'm going to pause for the cause; my sanity. I'm going to loosely think of a holiday game plan. I'm going to try to get my head around the trials and triumphs of last year's holiday season and try to find a way to make the ride smoother.

More to the point, find a way to not over-extend myself.

The Mantra: I will not lose my shit this holiday season.

The Plan: When possible, avoid doing shit I hate and replace it with stuff I like doing.

I'm going to take a page out of Bad Moms Christmas Movie, and try to 'take back Christmas!' I'm going to try to find a way to love the holidays without killing myself in the process. I'm going to think of things I want to do, and make the boys go along. Actually, see something I want to see!

But for now, I'm going to take a deep breath and a few days to relax and enjoy the calm before the turkey storm!  I hope you will do the same. Parents, it's time to take control of the Holiday madness before it takes control of us!

20 Next Level Outdoor Space + Garden Hacks You Need To Know

I like to think of myself as an Urban Gardner. I have strange small spaces, odd shade times, and the city at my doorstep; with all, it's hustle, bustle, and congestion. Still, gardening is my therapy, so I work with what I've got. Sometimes, that means getting very creative. Below are twenty of my favorite gardening hacks, especially for those urban gardeners out there like me, trying to grow everything you can in a concrete jungle... 

And last... I'm trying this over the weekend!!

To see how-toe and more garden hacks, check out my Gardening Board on Pinterest.

5 Tips For Nighttime Potty Training

1. The child HAS TO BE READY- Night time potty training is a Physiological Developmental Milestone more so than a learned skill. Wait until at least a week of waking with dry diapers before even thinking about beginning nighttime training without the diapers.

2. Get a waterproof mattress pad, and a few disposable puppy pee pads for under the top sheet to make changing the sheets in the middle of the night less painful.  One tip recommended layering the sheets and pee pads to make multiple night accidents easy to change.

3. Limit liquids before bed. No explanation necessary.

4. Have that little pee machine use the potty right before going to bed.  Doing this will not only help with accidents but start an important bedtime routine element.

5. Never shame your little for accidents. Scolding will only cause regression. And no one wants that!

The truth is, Nighttime potty training is a lot like daytime potty training, your child is in charge. If he's not will to work with you, you don't stand a chance in hell.  

READER TIP: "Before going to bed, wake your child up and take him/her to the potty.  Do this for 2-weeks straight, and your child will learn to do it on their own."

I never tried that. I wa afraid I'd never get him back to sleep. The kid is as chatty as me!

What's your night time potty training plan?

How to Choose the Right Insurance Policies for Your Family

Insurance often gets a bad rap, but the truth is that it is necessary for protecting your family and your major assets. However, the policies can often seem complex and let’s face it talking about insurance is generally not high on anyone’s list of things to do.

Add to this the fact that your insurance needs will change over time. When you are single or renting an apartment, you only think about having car insurance or renters’ insurance. But now that you have a family, you will want to cover everything from medical expenses from your children to your home and ever life – after all, you want to make sure your kids are taken care of in case you or your husband are no longer around. (Don't forget the Will! Visit Prime Lawers today for more info!)

With that in mind, here are some tips on how to choose the right insurance policies for your family. While reading this article won’t make you an insurance agent, it will arm you will some of the knowledge you will need to make sure your family is protected.

Disability Insurance

While many people don’t think about these policies, the reality is that more than 30 million people experience a disabling injury each year. As such not having a disability policy in place means they are risking securing any future revenue in case they can’t work. Sure, you could rely on Social Security, but who knows how long that will last.

With disability insurance you can cover up to 60 percent of your earnings and this money can be used to make sure you have enough coming in to cover your expenses while you or your husband are out of work. For those who are self-employed, and that’s probably most of us these days, you can get an individual policy.

While this might cost a bit more than a group policy from a large employer, it is well worth the expense. In fact, long-term disability coverage is even more important for contractors and the self-employed as it will make sure you have something to turn to in times of trouble.

Collision Insurance

While most people focus on liability coverage when it comes to getting car insurance, having a good collision policy should not be overlooked. These policies will make sure you can get money back if your car is totaled.

If not, then you might find yourself without a car and with no money coming back from your insurance company. This is not a good position to be in as it probably means that your family will have to cut back on other expenses to cover the cost of a new car.

So, don’t end up with a car totaled and no gap insurance, as this could end up being a big blow to your family’s bank account.

Life Insurance

When talking about life insurance, the conversation is all about protecting your family’s finances – especially when the coverage is for the main breadwinner. Without this protection, you might risk protecting your family’s financial future.

Granted, this is probably not something you gave much thought to when you were in your twenty’s, but now that you have kids, it makes sense to ensure that their future is secured in case you or your husband has shuffled off this mortal coil.

When put in these terms you can see why life insurance is not that expensive. On top of that, you can investigate options such as term life, whole life, or universal life. These types of life insurance policies have been set up to allow consumers to fit the policy to their need and their financial situation.

Homeowners’ Insurance

You might not think that this policy will protect your family, but if something were to happen to your home, then you would want to make sure you have an insurance policy that will ensure you can keep a roof over your head.

Granted most banks will require homeowners’ insurance when you purchase your home but even for those who are lucky enough not to need a mortgage they want to make sure their home is always fully covered. When looking at coverage for your home, you will want to make sure that it not only covers your home but also your possessions.

Beyond that, you will want to choose an insurance company with a good reputation for paying out claims. Even if the policy costs more, it will be well worth it as you can always increase the deductible to lower the overall expense.

When it comes to homeowners’ insurance, you will probably never need to make a claim but if you do you want to make sure your insurance company will pay out without too much hassle.