Mother's starting to get it?

**joyofsix** · 02-05-2009, 06:37 PM

I attend a Mother's Meeting weekly. Hey, it's free entertainment. These are not a group of women who ever talked about cutting corners outside of mentioning the Walmart toy sale. Today, one mom talked about how she's got into couponing. Another said she heard about unplugging your cell phone charger when you're not using it. I cautiously threw in a few tidbits. It's a start to see people thinking about it. Discouragingly, one mom said she could never coupon because she would only buy 'her' brands. Whatever. I don't think I'll spring the fact my dd's got cloth on under her clothes but it's a start.

**Contrary Housewife** · 02-05-2009, 07:02 PM

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

**mommy4ever** · 02-05-2009, 07:07 PM

The sad truth, eh? People would never do.....

Eventually, they will.

i have a niece that "only buys from stores, never at a garage sale". And ONLY brand name. She's 15. What happens when she's on her own? Just like her parents, debt it, debt it, debt it.

unfortunately for some it's still all about image, they don't see the reality of today.

As scary as this whole recession is, there is a huge positive to it. More people will open their eyes and begin to live modestly, within their means!

**Ashie06** · 02-05-2009, 07:17 PM

glad most did make a small step

how neat that you cloth diaper! i cloth diapered my daughter most of her 2yrs and my son for a bit.

**ravenmaniac** · 02-05-2009, 07:22 PM

Cloth diapers were my favorite frugal baby tip. They are easier to use than people think. But I wouldn't mention it to your group either. Imagine the gasps!

**Spirit Deer** · 02-05-2009, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by mommy4ever

unfortunately for some it's still all about image, they don't see the reality of today.

They also don't seem to realize that, once they've removed the tags from their clothes from the fancy store and worn something ONE TIME, it's used clothing just like stuff from a garage sale.

**guest002** · 02-05-2009, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

You said that much better than I could have.

**santoria** · 02-05-2009, 09:20 PM

definitely baby steps for many....I know that many moms at my old moms group thought I had 14 heads or something when I mentioned garage sales, or coupons, or end of season clearance sales....

I used cloth too and it was like we were a side show, they had to watch every little step. then sadly I heard some nasty things and never went back to that group.

**Cricketlegs** · 02-05-2009, 09:43 PM

Try telling a young Mother about breastfeeding and they about throw up.....I breast fed, what a money saver!

**Momto2Boyz** · 02-06-2009, 07:21 AM

I have one good "mommy" friend who I share everything with. She is the only one who doesn't look at me like I'm nuts when I share my frugal tips. She is the one that not only does not think it is weird...but shares my excitement in trying something new and frugal (she is the one who makes her own flax seed hair gel...and I don't think it is weird that she makes hair gel for pennies, but has to keep it in the fridge

). I'm excited that we are going to try soapmaking together soon!

As for the rest of them...the mom's at DS's preschool are all pretty hoity toity, so I just don't share with them any of the stuff I do. They'd look at me like I am nuts, and I don't care...I'll be nuts and save the money, thank you very much!

But it is nice having another SAHM friend to share ideas with, when I get excited about something! DH just doesn't seem to get interested when I share what I've learned recently about soapmaking!

**nvmommyx6** · 02-06-2009, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Cricketlegs

Try telling a young Mother about breastfeeding and they about throw up.....I breast fed, what a money saver!

The other night at work, I saw a family loading formula into their basket, when I looked up it was $13.87 a can, they had to have had 15-20 cans in their basket!
It was either tax return $ or food stamp $, but either way you slice it, I agree with you. I breast fed them all and saved a ton of money doing it! I could never pay $ like that for powdered crap.

On the other note, I know how you mean, people "starting" to get it!! I enjoy seeing them learning. and as I have said before, the town I shop in is pretty hoity toity and its kind of settling seeing them having to scrimp here and save there!

**Spirit Deer** · 02-06-2009, 09:18 AM

I think too many people have bought into the idea that you can have it all, literally. Most people can't, but they try, and then when times get hard it all falls apart because they've been living so marginally even in good times.

We have to love those who won't buy used items though. Without them, there would be no used items for those of us who want them.

**bast** · 02-06-2009, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Cricketlegs

Try telling a young Mother about breastfeeding and they about throw up.....I breast fed, what a money saver!

Do tell. I had issues breastfeeding my oldest son (I only made it for 2.5 weeks, and that was before I knew a lot of what I know now, so I might have been able to get past those issues had I known a little more), but was able to breastfeed my youngest for 9 months (and would have gone even longer if I hadn't needed medication that was incompatible with breastfeeding)...so I've been on both sides. I was amazed at how much money I saved with my youngest.

What's really sad is that some of the same women who would benefit most from the money breastfeeding saves either don't know much about breastfeeding, or have no employer support if they want to pump....but that's another topic for another day.

**guest002** · 02-06-2009, 12:18 PM

Devil's advocate here...

On the breastfeeding issue. Not everyone can BF. You don't know that person's issues (the one w/ the formula in the cart). I couldn't. I tried. Part of it was a health issue that I have and I don't produce much. No matter why or why not let's not judge mom's on this choice. If it works for you GREAT. If it doesn't, no biggie.

**Wendy Mack** · 02-06-2009, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by PaulaPAFW

Devil's advocate here...

On the breastfeeding issue. Not everyone can BF. You don't know that person's issues (the one w/ the formula in the cart). I couldn't. I tried. Part of it was a health issue that I have and I don't produce much. No matter why or why not let's not judge mom's on this choice. If it works for you GREAT. If it doesn't, no biggie.

Yes dont' judge on this issue ... I personally breastfed each of my 3 children .. believe me if I had a full time job.. it wouldn't have been as easy .. (and it was by no means easy).... My first I had no support... but made it 9 months.. before i had issues... and my family doctors.. response was to go cold turkey and switch to formula.. ughhh never never do that .. I never was sooo swollen and miserable in my life!!!! And if I had had anyone around me who had any experiance in breast feeding it would have been a different story!! When I got pregnant with my daughter, when my son was only a year old I joined la leche league... honest they were amazing with information and just help !!! And then I had friends I met with once a month just to talk and they were going through what i was going through. shhh don't tell but i breast fed both my girls till they were 2 and older..... lilly was stuborn.. she made it to 2 years and 3 months... but then she was soo sick when she was born .. i had to pump and then fed her from a bottle .. but at 3 months of age.. finally was able to breast fed from the source lol ... and took to it greedily!!! I know i never would have been able to do all this if i had worked outside the home... i was lucky and with hubbies work .. and me babysitting inside my house we were able to have me stay home for 16 years till my youngest was in kindergarden. ughh ok can you tell i enjoyed breast feeding lol ... it was a challenge but it was something i was good at... sigh .. infact while my youngest was in the hospital and not eating well .. i was pumping enough to feed a 9 month old ughhh ... and the hospital had a newborn who needed breast milk \.... sigh well i was sanitized and tested.. and was milk maid to that baby too .. heck i was filling their freezer at the hospital... guess i was a cow in another life

oops forgot to add.. I also had a friend who just couldn't breast feed .. she tried but just never could make enough .. she keep trying.. and then fed the rest with formula. I think she just couldn't relax it just was something she had never been around. Heck she about fainted when her oldest came home from my house( I babysat for her) and while playing at home came in with her baby doll on her boob saying i am feeding my baby!.... I just chuckled... i even had some of the boys i babysat for doing that ... ughh all the mom's knew i breast fed.. i didn't just pop the baby on and let it all hang out .. there were blankets placed around so no naked boob lol ... ok i think i am ranting aimlessly ... i guess i was just saying i have been on both sides... not buying formula is such a huge savings!!!! Cause my son went through at the time this was 1990 about 50 dollars worth a week!!! and as he got older before he was put on whole milk.. it got to be almost 100 dollars a week. It was crazy! If its something a mother can do .. its worth it to try and honest my kids were so healthy and even if they did get sick.. they get your antibodies through the milk. You just have to watch what you take into your body.