Mother's Day Gifts Kids Can Make -- 2 Ideas for Laminate Samples

Here's another fun post for our series of Inexpensive Mother's Day Gifts Kids Can Make (using items found at the hardware store)!!

Mark doesn't know it yet, but I'm secretly plotting to have our kitchen countertops re-done. I picked up some samples, and a few price quotes the last time I was at the hardware store. These pretty bookmarks were made from leftover laminate samples, which makes them very sturdy. Added bonus -- they were so easy to make!

If you don't have laminate samples at home, they are available for free at any hardware store. I used old kitchen scissors to trim the sides of the sample, and I was surprised how easy it was to cut through the laminate!

Free Coffee and Breakfast Menu Samples at Panera Bread

Panera Bread is offering free coffee all day Wednesday, January 28th and free samples of some of their new breakfast items like the granola parfaits and grilled breakfast sandwiches! Yummy! Click here to find a Panera Bread near you.

Photo by Samantha Celera

Tea Time at Starbucks

Some Starbucks locations are hosting a special Tea Time Event to promote their newest line of specialty teas.  Have I mentioned I love tea??  Tuesday, January 13th at 2pm they are giving free samples of teas and other goodies.  Call your local Starbucks to see if they are planning to participate.  

Free Tea Samples

Mmm... I love tea!  Mark and I drink tea year-round, but especially during the cold winter months.  Here are some great samples you can request for free!  I have personally requested and received these, and I highly recommend the following:

1. Yogi Tea -- Sample pack includes Meditative Time, Mexican Sweet Chili, and Berry Anti-Oxidant.  I particularly enjoyed the Mexican Sweet Chili -- very tasty!
2. TEASTA -- Add a maximum of two different sample blends to your cart, and use coupon code TRYME to receive your tea samples FREE of cost.  Lots of great blends to choose from!

Save Money on Baby

(Clara Sage at 4 months.  Isn't she cute??)

Let's face it, babies are expensive creatures.  Between the diapers, formula, baby food, and clothes, the cost of raising a child can really add up!  Here are some of my favorite ways to save money on babies:

1. Diapers:  Consider cloth diapers.  I know, I know, but before you turn your nose up at the idea, keep in mind that the average child will cost about $1600 for two years worth of disposable diapers.  The cloth diapers of today are vastly improved over the ones from just a few years ago.  Cloth diapers are not that much more effort, plus they are better for the environment.  For more information on cloth diapers, check out Diaper Jungle's Cloth Diaper Guide.  If you must use disposable diapers, a good way to stock up on these is to get them for free from CVS using Extra Care Bucks.  For more CVS tips, visit MoneySavingMom's CVS 101.  Also, generic store brands are often half the price of brand-name diapers, but work just about as well.
2. Formula:  If you cannot breast feed, try stocking up on samples.  Every time you take your baby to the pediatrician, ask for samples of formula.  Many times they keep several different varieties on hand.  If you start asking for samples from birth, you can accumulate a large collection of formulas for free.  For more formula samples, sign up for Enfamil's Family Beginnings.  When you receive $5 coupons good towards any formula, try to get the smallest container to maximize savings and pay the least out of pocket.
3. Baby Food:  Making your own baby food is simple and easy to do.  You can find more information on making your own baby food at WholesomeBabyFood.com.  To save on store-bought baby food, many people do not know that stage 1 baby food is the same as stage 2.  The only difference is the portion size.  Many times stage 2 baby food comes in a slightly larger bottle.  I like to purchase the stage 2 foods, pour some out into a bowl for a feeding and save the rest in the fridge to use the next day.
4. Clothing:  To save on clothing, it is important to realize that newborns outgrow clothes at a rapid rate.  Also, frequent spills, diaper leaks, and food stains make purchasing new clothes seem... well, pointless really.  Try shopping at a second hand store, consignment shop, or yard sale.  Also, buying clothes out of season can be a big money saver.
5. College Savings:  It is never too early to start saving for your baby's college education.  Consider starting a 529 plan and then automatically contribute a portion of your income.  uPromise is another great resource for college savings, and you can invite other friends or family to contribute to your child's fund by linking their store discount cards or credit cards to the account.

Have another great baby money-saving tip to share?  Leave a comment and tell us about it!

A Great Mail Day!

I am so excited because today I received some great goodies in the mail!  Here is a list of what arrived today:

1. Letter from my Aunt (she lives in Argentina).  Hola Tia Ines!!  I love getting cards from friends and family, so this just made my day.
2. Sample of Tide laundry detergent.  To get your own sample, go here.
3. Samples of Kotex with a coupon for $1.00 off any Kotex product. To get your free Kotex sample pack, go here.
4. Two checks for baby formula.  Good for $5 off any Enfamil formula. Join Enfamil's Family Beginnings Program, and you will receive samples, coupons, and more!
5. $25 Target gift card from redeeming MyPoints.  To sign up for MyPoints, and start earning points good towards gift cards, go here.
6. Gift cards for Macy's.  2/$15 off a $30 purchase, 1/$25 off a $100 purchase, and 1/$50 off a $200 purchase.  Other money saving offers from Macys.com can be found here.
7. Billing error (in my favor) check from the hospital for $35.  I love it when stuff like that happens!
8. Dividend check from my insurance company for $115.  NJ Manufacturers sent special dividend checks to policy holders totaling more than $61 million dollars this year.  Click here to learn more information and see if you are eligible.

Have you gotten any goodies in the mail recently?  Leave a comment and tell us about it! 

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