Nanny to Mommy

Making your own baby food is not only economical but you also know what is going in your child's food. I recently received a Magic Baby Bullet Baby Care System which I love! And so I did a little Pinterest research and, thus, this little copy-cat baby food recipes list was born. The thing is, my daughter ate TONS of other baby food products. And I wanted to know what was in her food and that there were no preservatives. Now I must admit, I didn't do the best at making ALL of her baby food, although I did try (of course I only had a blender because lightning struck my food processor after one use, no joke). But I did try and buy organic when I could. But that can be pricey. But if you are on a budget (and who isn't, these days?), making your own baby food is definitely the way to go. So here's a list I have found of my daughter's favorite baby food items, but the Pinterest-found copy-cat version! PLUS some other fun tips and tricks to help you with making your own!

So as some of you may know, we bought a 2005 Saturn VUE from Car Max. But it was a DUD! UGH! It has been very annoying dealing with this but since it was under the week (yes, week) return policy and 30 day warranty, we just returned it. The transmission was shot and a few other things messed up. So my husband is back to be my chauffeur (he has a manual and I can only drive an automatic). This week I went over budget but not by much and I did get things we desperately needed (cheese and dog food). Doesn't it seem that you run out of everything at once? I went to my trusty Publix and Kroger stores. Things didn't go as I planned at Kroger but I believe that was because my husband was annoyed by the whole process at that point. Any who, here is the break down of my shopping trips:



Went to Publix first (brought my trusty reusable bags):

4 Kraft Ranch Anything Dressing BOGO @ $2.85 = -$0.30 (2 $1/2 TQ & 4 $1/1 Manu)
2 Purina Busy Bones BOGO @ $3.49 = -$2.51 (2 $2 PQ & 2 $1/1 Manu)
4 Gerber Graduates crunchies and 3 puffs @ 4/$7 =$3.25 or $0.46 each ($2 off $12 TQ & 7 $0.50/1 Manu)
3 Dial Antibacterial Hand Soap @ 10/$10 = $0.40 (1 $0.50 TQ & 3 $0.35/1 Manu)
32 lb bag Purina Dog Chow (not pictured) @$17.99 = $15.99 ($2 off PQ)
2 Sargento Sliced Cheese @ 2/$5 =  $2.45 ($1/2 PQ & $0.50/1 plus $0.55/1 Manu)
Dozen Publix Large Grade Eggs @ $1.59 = FREE (FREE TQ)

Total spent = $22.47
Total Savings = $49.44


Then we headed to Kroger:

Kroger Fruit Bars @ $2 = FREE (coupon b/c #imabzzagent)
Kroger brand Swiffer pads @ $3.59
Kroger Pizza @ $3.99 = FREE (coupon b/c #imabzzagent)
2 Tennessee Pride Sausage biscuits @ $7.49  = $14.33 ($1/1 IP manu & $0.55/1 manu)
2 Kroger shredded cheese @ $2.19 = $3.68 ($0.70/2 Kroger mailer)
Bananas @ $0.57/lb = $0.82
2 Fresh Selections Salad @ $1.79 = $3.58
2 Kroger Croutons @ 10/$10 = $2
Kroger sliced cheese @ $1.79 = $1.39 ($0.40/1 Kroger home Mailer)
Dial Hand Soap @ 10/$10 = $1 (forgot to use $0.35/1 but did get Saving Star $0.50)

Mega Savings:
4 Huggies wipes @ $1.99 = $3.96 or $0.99 each (4 $0.50/1 Manu)
2 Ritz crackers @ $2.19 (last minute buy because I couldn't find the M&Ms) = $4.38
3 Original Cheerios @ $1.99 = $2.97 or $0.99 each (3 $1/1 Manus)
1 Skintimate Shave Gel @ $1.97 = $1.42 ($0.55/1 Manu from Kroger Mailer)

Did get $2 Catalina and 102 Fuel Points. Also Remember we get an employee discount.

Total Spent =$40.85
Total Savings = $34.56

TOTAL FOR BOTH: $63.32 ($13.32 OVER Budget)
TOTAL SAVINGS FOR BOTH: $84

TOTAL PERCENTAGE SAVED: 57%

Okay so today I saved 83% at Publix and yes I had some freebie coupons that I got through trading, there are some things that even non-couponers can get for cheap. :)



Huggies wipes - $2.43 (regular price)
2 Earth's Best cereal bars - $3.29 (regular price)
Earth's Best cheese crackers - $2.39 (regular Price)
Earth's Best vanilla cookies - $2.39 (regular price)
Yobaby drinkable yogurts - $3.99 (regular price)
Bananas - $0.69/lb - $1.44
Red Grapes - $1.69/lb - $2.82
Asparagus - $2.49/lb - $2.61
2 Wishbone Dressings - BOGO $2.65
Gerber Goodstart Formula - $13.69 (regular price)
Gorton's Fish sticks - $5.99 (regular price)
2 Ragu sauce - BOGO $2.19
2 Pam cooking sprays - BOGO $3.49
Ocean Spray Craisins - BOGO $2.45 - $1.23
Huggies Big Pak - $19.99 (sale price)

Total before coupons: $73.88

Coupons Used:
- $5 off $50 from Boy Scout card
- FREE Gorton's product $5.99 exp 3/31/12
- $1 off Yobaby exp 3/31/12
- 2 $0.50/1 Ragu Printable
- 2 $0.50/1 Wishbone Printable
- FREE Gerber Formula (value $12)
- Gerber check $3.50
- Publix $3 off Huggies diapers (not jumbo pack) from baby club
- Publix BOGO - Buy Huggies diaper get wipes free $2.43
- $0.75/1 Huggies wipes manu
- FREE Big Pak Huggies diapers $19.99 exp 3/31/12
- $1/1 Craisins from March Disney Family Fun Magazine
- 4 $0.55/1 Earth's Best item (received from emailing them and telling them how much I love their products)

Coupon savings: $60.77

Total paid after taxes: $15.55

83% Savings! :D

"Coupons
-
the crack cocaine of middle aged married American women",
quote from 'smartarse001'
on The Krazy Coupon Lady's youtube page.

I coupon. I'm not ashamed of it. I actually get excited about it and enjoy doing it. I've saved a ton of money for my family in the few weeks I have done it. I'm a twenty five year old stay-at-home mom. I worked a full time job before I had my daughter. So going from two incomes to one income PLUS another person was an adjustment.

I must admit, I got into it because of that show Extreme Couponing on TLC. Yes, I joined the fad. But now I can't believe I didn't do this before and I don't understand why everyone doesn't shop this way! It has been like an extra income for our family.

These are BABY things I got for a GREAT deal:

Countless jars of Beechnut Baby Food plus a box of their cereal for FREE

Our review:
HUGE FAN! I can not say enough great things about this baby food. Perfect texture, tastes good, the only thing is I wish they made some in BPA free plastic containers as in some varieties the metallic lid can make the food taste funny.

Gerber Graduates for FREE

Our review:
She is almost two now and we are STILL huge fans Gerber puffs and crunchies. The veggie and tomato varieties of the crunchies are her favorites and the sweet potato is her favorite of the puffs! :)

4 Beechnut Toddler Mini Meals for FREE


Our review:
Not a fan which is sad to say because she loved their actual baby food and loves the fruities now. Sweet Pea didn't care for them and I didn't care for the texture. They are suppose to be stage 4 (whatever they means) but stage 3 Gerber baby food has a thicker texture. The 'macaroni and cheese' were runny and hardly had any noodles. I wouldn't even buy these again if they were free, except to donate. And maybe not even then because I don't want the company thinking people like these. :/

Tons of FREE Huggies wipes!

Our review:
A HUGE fan! I like these way more than Pampers. Yes, Pampers are softer but they take a TON to get everything clean. And yes I may get them super cheap after coupons, but I still care about where my money goes. We give Huggies wipes TWO Mommy thumbs and two baby thumbs up! ;)

MULTIPLE Playtex sippy cups for FREE


Our review:
LOVE THESE CUPS! They were the only ones that helped my sweet pea easily adjust to using a sippy cup. They have a softer spout than some of the options out PLUS they have great easy to grip handles.

Why WOULDN'T I coupon? :D


*Disclosure: Although I offer reviews here, I was in NO WAY endorsed in ANY way. These are my opinions and I am sharing of my own free will. Thanks!*

I've entered Lizzie in Gerber's Generation contest. Please vote for her and share this link on your facebook or twitter. She would greatly apprecaited it!

***click the image below***


Comment and let me know you voted, post the link your LO and I'll make sure to return the favor!

I think you can vote dailey, so please come back and vote! Thank you!