by Mrs Money

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I’m starting to realize that before I had a baby, I was pretty much a tightwad.  Since my baby’s been born, I’ve loosened up a little.  For instance, I’ve purchased a few new outfits for her that didn’t come from a thrift store.  I’ve purchased new cloth diapers that I didn’t really need just because I wanted to try them or they are cute (I can also re-sell them if I don’t like them, or when I’m done with them).  We’ve used the dishwasher and dryer more times than I’d like.  We probably aren’t saving quite as much money as we could (but we’re still saving).

I’m happy.  Spending a little money on things that are important to me makes me happy.  Hoarding my money doesn’t do me any good if I’m miserable.  One of my 2012 financial goals was to find a nice balance, and I’m still working hard to achieve that.  It’s a constant struggle for me, because most of the time I think I should live as cheaply as possible in order to save the most amount of money that I can.

Sometimes it’s overwhelming thinking about all the things we need to save for: unexpected expenses, retirement, the baby’s college, new vehicles, etc.  I have to tell myself as long as we’re saving something, we’re doing okay. Life is about experiencing things and living life to its fullest.  Having a baby really makes you have a new take on life, and I never imagined it would be this good.

by Mrs Money

Even when we were trying to conceive I knew I wanted to use cloth diapers.  When we finally got pregnant I started doing research (basically asking a million questions to one of my BFFs) and decided to go the simple route and try prefolds and covers. Prefolds are the cloth diapers you probably think of- the old fashioned ones your grandmother probably used.  The covers are a lot easier to use now and have snaps or aplix (velcro) that secure the diaper on the baby and keep the baby’s clothes dry.  There were many benefits for using prefolds:

1. They are cheap compared to other diapers like pocket diapers and all-in-ones.  I couldn’t afford $20 per diaper that would get used once and have to get washed. $1.50, I can handle that.  If one gets ruined, no big deal.  If I ruin a $20 diaper, I would cry.

2. They are natural cotton fibers, which come clean easier and rarely have stink issues.  Easy to take care of and wash!

3. There are many sizes to choose from, which makes a nice fit on the baby.

Overall, my biggest factor in choosing to use prefolds was the price.  We cloth diaper to save money, keep diapers out of the landfill, and keep chemicals away from our baby’s bottom.  I wanted to save as much money as possible but still be happy with cloth diapering.  Here is our current stash:

-24 Newborn prefolds from Green Mountain Diapers
-9 Newborn Proraps (covers)
-24 Infant prefolds from Green Mountain Diapers
-1 Bummis Super Brite Small Cover
-1 Thirsties Small cover
-7 Flip covers (one sized- fit baby from 7 lbs to potty training)
-7 BumGenius one size pocket diapers
-A few various covers and diapers I got from a friend

We started cloth diapering when our daughter was about a week old. We didn’t want to have to fool with the cloth when she was still passing meconium, and I didn’t want to be stressed about doing diaper laundry. Before she was born, I went back and forth on whether I would be buying newborn sized diapers because I didn’t know how big she would be. I am very thankful I did, because she is still wearing them at 6 weeks old!

I got over 20 free BumGenius diapers free off a message board I read. I just had to pay shipping. The diapers were very well loved and needed all the elastic and velcro replaced. After I repaired one diaper and saw how long it took, I sorted the diapers and passed on the ones I knew I wouldn’t be using to someone else. I kept 10 total, and still have 3 to repair.

So far we’re loving the cloth diapers. Penny seems to be happy when she’s in them, and even Mr. Money changes diapers! He’s got the prefold folds down, and it’s pretty awesome that he doesn’t complain about it. I’m very glad we decided to try the prefolds and covers right now! I may search for some used diapers if there are some different ones I want to try.

Would you use cloth diapers? Do you have any questions?

by Mrs Money

So far, I love being a mom.  I love taking care of my baby and doing as much housework as I can.  It’s been tough to get much done around the house because someone doesn’t like to be put down much.  She’s getting much better at it lately!  Here are some things I’ve observed since becoming a mama:

-Sometimes convenience is key.  We’ve done a lot of things that we wouldn’t normally do convenience-wise since we’ve had the baby.  We’ve gotten take out a few times when Mr. Money wasn’t in the mood to cook.  I’m not stressing about it, because we have a brand new baby and it’s not been excessive.  Sometimes you just have to be flexible!

-Some of my frugal ways are harder to execute with a little one.  Hanging laundry to dry and doing dishes by hand are just two examples I can think of right now.  It’s much easier for me to throw the clothes in the drier and run the dishwasher, so that’s what we’ve been doing!  I figure as long as we have clean clothes and clean dishes, that’s all that matters.

-Breastfeeding really isn’t “free”.  I’m eating a lot more food and have had to buy some nursing supplies, but compared to the cost of formula, I’m saving tons of money.  I am so thankful breastfeeding is working out well.  So thankful.  I don’t think I could swing the cost of formula each month!

-Money is not everything.  Ever since my daughter was born, I’ve been infatuated with her.  She is just the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and I’d do anything for her.  Staying home means we’ll have to make sacrifices, but I don’t think I could leave her right now.  It would break my heart.

As soon as we get her social security card, I plan on opening up a savings account for her.  I hope it comes soon! I’d like to get that taken care of. We’re adjusting well to life with the baby, and I feel awesome.  I am so happy, and she was definitely worth the wait!