Well my 4 year old is back to school tomorrow and both he and his baby sister will be having packed lunch (she's off to visit grandma in hospital and it is FAR cheaper to take your own) Pack ups only take minutes but really do save pounds. Here are some pack up tips for savvy sandwich savers.
1. Invest in some different sized lidded plastic containers to save the constant expense of sandwich bags and cling film. It's a good investment.
2. Get a nice sandwich box but if you can get away with it avoid themes, Bob the Builder sandwich boxes may be in vogue with your toddler but will cost a lot more than a non themed box and a few months down the line Bob may well have been replaced by Roary and the nagging may begin again.
3. Have a non themed drinks bottle (see above) and make sure it fits in the box.This saves buying pre packed drinks is a cheaper and greener option. Tap water is, after all, totally free!
4. Chopped veg is healthy, cheap and colourful. 1 carrot can go a long way and it tastes sweet! Peppers are also a good option or maybe some cucumber, tomatoes, celery etc. If you pack it in they will often give it a try.
5. Fruit is really important too. Apples kept in the fridge tend to last an age and are hard to squish. Bananas may be a favourite - just remember not to store them with other fruit or let them get to warm and over ripen. Oranges aren't easy to eat in transit but easy peel satsumas may be an option and also last a while.
6. If sanwiches get boring try pitta bread toasted, packed up with cheese or hommus and cut into little pieces. Totrilla wraps filled and chopped into bite size pieces are another cheap way to ring the changes.
7.You could also consider items you may already have in: : chunks of cheese and breadsticks, cold leftover pizza slices, a boiled egg, hot cross bun buttered and chopped, malt loaf, vegetable rice, pasta salad, etc. Children eat differently on the go particularly when they have no back up options!
8. Crisps are generally empty calories and you may want to miss these out, like wise chocoalte bars - if you decide to go down this route or even for an occasional treat look out for special offers and sotre them out of your every day reach or they will be gobbled up and gone in in no time!
9. A little box of raisins nevr spoils and give a sweet treat and an energy burst for little cost. I alsowsy include these.
10. To liven up a lunch box you could always pop in a forgotten toy or a photo of the cat or daddy! Treats don't have to be edible.
Have a nice lunch - and don't forget your own
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Sunday 26 April 2009
baby clothes on a budget
Well, it is most definately summer time and new clothes are the order of the day. My daughter is 1 1/2 and totally gorgeous and I like her to look her very best but money is tight. It is time to be resourceful! Here are my 10 top tips for dressing your baby on a budget.
1) Mix and match what they have - we do it for ourselves,...mixing up outfits can give them a great new lease of life, you could try little leggings under a dress, a white long sleeved body could go under a t-shirt on a cooler day, a blouse could be worn open over a vest top....endless possibilities!
2) Adapt what you have: jeans could be cut to make shorts, an old dress could become a little tunic top. new buttons may revive a cardi or a stained t-shirt could even be tie dyed!
3) Buy for longevity - I bought a gorgeous hot pink cashmere Monsoon poncho for £1.50 off ebay. It has lasted from 3 months to now and is still going strong. Pinafores with large arm holes can become minis later, elastic waist skirts can last an age. Think long life and then you can affoord to buy a few key pieces.
4) Hand me downs - what a life saver, I would recommend you always say YES and smile. Even if you think these may not be to your taste you are sure to find a few things in a hand me down bag. Even if you just find a few play clothes (or as I call them 'going to grandmas to get dirty and eat ice cream clothes) these are a brilliant additiont ot your childs wardrobe and saves you wrecking the good stuff.
5) Sell to buy - by selling what you are done with you can free up cash for you next clothes shop. Ebay, NCT sales, netmums or even a local second hand baby clothes shop are all options for selling. I use ebay and sometimes sell bundles. I wouldn't recommend you horde for a next baby as clothes never look the same next time round and seasons, gender, sizes and weather never are never all exactly the same.
6) Check out ebay by searching for exactly what you want. Nct sales are also a top place to buy lovely v cheap seconds check out www.nct.org.uk/in-your-area/nearly-new-sales. Car boots can also be great,often its just a family like you trying to make money for the next load of baby stuff. For a car boot near you check out www.carbootjunction.com.
7) Accesorize - a little hair clip or waistcoat can transform an outfit for a party , a bit of shoe polish and some frilly socks can work wonders too. You don't have to buy a brand new outfit ..it can all be in the detal so be a savvy shppper.
8) Check out charity shop in posh areas...makes sense they will alwys have more expesnive and probably better quality seconds.
9)A big waterproof bib that your baby is happy to wear is worth its weight in gold and I woudl recommend if they are eating spaghetti strip them down to their nappy. Its a good idea to protect what you have!
10) A baby probably doesn't care what they look like so try and not care much either. Life is for eating, playing and dribbling when you are little without being too concerned. I was once told that a smile is the prettiest outfit ever and so a relaxed mum and dad tend to make the prettiest of children.
1) Mix and match what they have - we do it for ourselves,...mixing up outfits can give them a great new lease of life, you could try little leggings under a dress, a white long sleeved body could go under a t-shirt on a cooler day, a blouse could be worn open over a vest top....endless possibilities!
2) Adapt what you have: jeans could be cut to make shorts, an old dress could become a little tunic top. new buttons may revive a cardi or a stained t-shirt could even be tie dyed!
3) Buy for longevity - I bought a gorgeous hot pink cashmere Monsoon poncho for £1.50 off ebay. It has lasted from 3 months to now and is still going strong. Pinafores with large arm holes can become minis later, elastic waist skirts can last an age. Think long life and then you can affoord to buy a few key pieces.
4) Hand me downs - what a life saver, I would recommend you always say YES and smile. Even if you think these may not be to your taste you are sure to find a few things in a hand me down bag. Even if you just find a few play clothes (or as I call them 'going to grandmas to get dirty and eat ice cream clothes) these are a brilliant additiont ot your childs wardrobe and saves you wrecking the good stuff.
5) Sell to buy - by selling what you are done with you can free up cash for you next clothes shop. Ebay, NCT sales, netmums or even a local second hand baby clothes shop are all options for selling. I use ebay and sometimes sell bundles. I wouldn't recommend you horde for a next baby as clothes never look the same next time round and seasons, gender, sizes and weather never are never all exactly the same.
6) Check out ebay by searching for exactly what you want. Nct sales are also a top place to buy lovely v cheap seconds check out www.nct.org.uk/in-your-area/nearly-new-sales. Car boots can also be great,often its just a family like you trying to make money for the next load of baby stuff. For a car boot near you check out www.carbootjunction.com.
7) Accesorize - a little hair clip or waistcoat can transform an outfit for a party , a bit of shoe polish and some frilly socks can work wonders too. You don't have to buy a brand new outfit ..it can all be in the detal so be a savvy shppper.
8) Check out charity shop in posh areas...makes sense they will alwys have more expesnive and probably better quality seconds.
9)A big waterproof bib that your baby is happy to wear is worth its weight in gold and I woudl recommend if they are eating spaghetti strip them down to their nappy. Its a good idea to protect what you have!
10) A baby probably doesn't care what they look like so try and not care much either. Life is for eating, playing and dribbling when you are little without being too concerned. I was once told that a smile is the prettiest outfit ever and so a relaxed mum and dad tend to make the prettiest of children.
Sunday 19 April 2009
Back to School
Well my 4 year old is back to school tomorrow and both he and his baby sister will be having packed lunch (she's off to visit grandma in hospital and it is FAR cheaper to take your own) Pack ups only take minutes but really do save pounds. Here are some pack up tips for savvy sandwich savers.
1. Invest in some different sized lidded plastic containers to save the constant expense of sandwich bags and cling film. It's a good investment.
2. Get a nice sandwich box but if you can get away with it avoid themes, Bob the Builder sandwich boxes may be in vogue with your toddler but will cost a lot more than a non themed box and a few months down the line Bob may well have been replaced by Roary and the nagging may begin again.
3. Have a non themed drinks bottle (see above) and make sure it fits in the box.This saves buying pre packed drinks is a cheaper and greener option. Tap water is, after all, totally free!
4. Chopped veg is healthy, cheap and colourful. 1 carrot can go a long way and it tastes sweet! Peppers are also a good option or maybe some cucumber, tomatoes, celery etc. If you pack it in they will often give it a try.
5. Fruit is really important too. Apples kept in the fridge tend to last an age and are hard to squish. Bananas may be a favourite - just remember not to store them with other fruit or let them get to warm and over ripen. Oranges aren't easy to eat in transit but easy peel satsumas may be an option and also last a while.
6. If sanwiches get boring try pitta bread toasted, packed up with cheese or hommus and cut into little pieces. Totrilla wraps filled and chopped into bite size pieces are another cheap way to ring the changes.
7.You could also consider items you may already have in: : chunks of cheese and breadsticks, cold leftover pizza slices, a boiled egg, hot cross bun buttered and chopped, malt loaf, vegetable rice, pasta salad, etc. Children eat differently on the go particularly when they have no back up options!
8. Crisps are generally empty calories and you may want to miss these out, like wise chocoalte bars - if you decide to go down this route or even for an occasional treat look out for special offers and sotre them out of your every day reach or they will be gobbled up and gone in in no time!
9. A little box of raisins nevr spoils and give a sweet treat and an energy burst for little cost. I alsowsy include these.
10. To liven up a lunch box you could always pop in a forgotten toy or a photo of the cat or daddy! Treats don't have to be edible.
Have a nice lunch - and don't forget your own :)
1. Invest in some different sized lidded plastic containers to save the constant expense of sandwich bags and cling film. It's a good investment.
2. Get a nice sandwich box but if you can get away with it avoid themes, Bob the Builder sandwich boxes may be in vogue with your toddler but will cost a lot more than a non themed box and a few months down the line Bob may well have been replaced by Roary and the nagging may begin again.
3. Have a non themed drinks bottle (see above) and make sure it fits in the box.This saves buying pre packed drinks is a cheaper and greener option. Tap water is, after all, totally free!
4. Chopped veg is healthy, cheap and colourful. 1 carrot can go a long way and it tastes sweet! Peppers are also a good option or maybe some cucumber, tomatoes, celery etc. If you pack it in they will often give it a try.
5. Fruit is really important too. Apples kept in the fridge tend to last an age and are hard to squish. Bananas may be a favourite - just remember not to store them with other fruit or let them get to warm and over ripen. Oranges aren't easy to eat in transit but easy peel satsumas may be an option and also last a while.
6. If sanwiches get boring try pitta bread toasted, packed up with cheese or hommus and cut into little pieces. Totrilla wraps filled and chopped into bite size pieces are another cheap way to ring the changes.
7.You could also consider items you may already have in: : chunks of cheese and breadsticks, cold leftover pizza slices, a boiled egg, hot cross bun buttered and chopped, malt loaf, vegetable rice, pasta salad, etc. Children eat differently on the go particularly when they have no back up options!
8. Crisps are generally empty calories and you may want to miss these out, like wise chocoalte bars - if you decide to go down this route or even for an occasional treat look out for special offers and sotre them out of your every day reach or they will be gobbled up and gone in in no time!
9. A little box of raisins nevr spoils and give a sweet treat and an energy burst for little cost. I alsowsy include these.
10. To liven up a lunch box you could always pop in a forgotten toy or a photo of the cat or daddy! Treats don't have to be edible.
Have a nice lunch - and don't forget your own :)
Wednesday 8 April 2009
Health in Pregnancy Grant - Get yours now!
Health in Pregnancy Grant
From 6 April 2009, all pregnant women will be entitled to the Health in Pregnancy Grant (HiPG).
TheHiPG is a universal one-off payment available to expectant mothers from the 25th week of pregnancy as long as it is after 6 April 2009. It will be a payment of £190, paid directly to the expectant woman to provide financial help, to support their health and well-being in the later stage of pregnancy and to meet the wider costs in the run up to the birth.
In order to receive the payment, the claim form will need to be signed by a registered midwife or doctor, who has provided health advice during the pregnancy - they will also provide the claim forms. go get yours!
From 6 April 2009, all pregnant women will be entitled to the Health in Pregnancy Grant (HiPG).
TheHiPG is a universal one-off payment available to expectant mothers from the 25th week of pregnancy as long as it is after 6 April 2009. It will be a payment of £190, paid directly to the expectant woman to provide financial help, to support their health and well-being in the later stage of pregnancy and to meet the wider costs in the run up to the birth.
In order to receive the payment, the claim form will need to be signed by a registered midwife or doctor, who has provided health advice during the pregnancy - they will also provide the claim forms. go get yours!
Monday 6 April 2009
Economy Easter
Happy Easter to you and yours.
Here are a few of my favourite Easter tips. Simple, straightforwrad and immensley do-able (like all my tips.) I hope they work for you too!
1. Babies do not know or care about Easter. Chocolate is not good for them and they do not need an alternative, save your cash and treat your little baby to an extra long cuddle instead.
2. Flowers make a lovely gift. Stock up on lots of daffodils (or better still grow your own) a bunch of these are a lovely gift - cheap but very cheerful.
3. Easter Feast - Have the family over for a baby friendly buffet. Ask everyone to bring a dish for the buffet, spread it out on the table and pop out some plates. Job done. Buffets like this will cost you v little, babies can still be cuddled and dishes get taken away so there is minimal washing up. Baby firendly, inexpensive and less housework!
4. Spring into life. You may not be able to go out this Easter with a young baby and little money but there is a lot you can do to feel good.
Here are my top five:
Get some sunlight morning and afternoon this is a GUARANTEED pick me up (and helps baby sleep!)
Walk through a pretty park it will provide exercise, fresh air and visual stimulation for both of you.
Have a long coffee with an old friend and talk about happy days and life pre-baby
Feed the ducks - it always restores me and babies love it
Have a spring clean and declutter all those baby items you are done with - it will make you feel great
Easter can renew you without the need to spend any money. I wish you a spirit filled Easter
Till next time - x Becky x
Here are a few of my favourite Easter tips. Simple, straightforwrad and immensley do-able (like all my tips.) I hope they work for you too!
1. Babies do not know or care about Easter. Chocolate is not good for them and they do not need an alternative, save your cash and treat your little baby to an extra long cuddle instead.
2. Flowers make a lovely gift. Stock up on lots of daffodils (or better still grow your own) a bunch of these are a lovely gift - cheap but very cheerful.
3. Easter Feast - Have the family over for a baby friendly buffet. Ask everyone to bring a dish for the buffet, spread it out on the table and pop out some plates. Job done. Buffets like this will cost you v little, babies can still be cuddled and dishes get taken away so there is minimal washing up. Baby firendly, inexpensive and less housework!
4. Spring into life. You may not be able to go out this Easter with a young baby and little money but there is a lot you can do to feel good.
Here are my top five:
Get some sunlight morning and afternoon this is a GUARANTEED pick me up (and helps baby sleep!)
Walk through a pretty park it will provide exercise, fresh air and visual stimulation for both of you.
Have a long coffee with an old friend and talk about happy days and life pre-baby
Feed the ducks - it always restores me and babies love it
Have a spring clean and declutter all those baby items you are done with - it will make you feel great
Easter can renew you without the need to spend any money. I wish you a spirit filled Easter
Till next time - x Becky x
What's it all about?
Hi
I am Becky. Mum to Franklyn aged 4 1/2 and Annalise age 21 months. I was the main breadwinner in my little family when I fell pregnant. Despite this, 5 years ago, in a financially feckless but heart driven move, I took a 6 year career break to raise my kids.
I am still off work to tell the tale and have learnt some fabulous financial tips along the way. I continue to learn and really want to support other mums and dads enjoy their precious time too.
I have just written a book called How to Afford Time Off with your Baby which is to be publisehd by Vermilion in Sept. (so exciting- my first book!) which details 101 tips to ease the financial strain of raising a baby. I intend this blog to be a little weekly diary of my financial journey through parenting with tips, advice and shared experiences. I do hope you will join me.
Easter tips coming v soon!
Wishing you peace and sending a cuddle to your baby- till next time x Becky x
.JPG)
How to Afford Time Off with Your Baby: 101 Ways to Ease the Financial Strain
by Becky Goddard-Hill Click here to pre-order on Amazon
I am Becky. Mum to Franklyn aged 4 1/2 and Annalise age 21 months. I was the main breadwinner in my little family when I fell pregnant. Despite this, 5 years ago, in a financially feckless but heart driven move, I took a 6 year career break to raise my kids.
I am still off work to tell the tale and have learnt some fabulous financial tips along the way. I continue to learn and really want to support other mums and dads enjoy their precious time too.
I have just written a book called How to Afford Time Off with your Baby which is to be publisehd by Vermilion in Sept. (so exciting- my first book!) which details 101 tips to ease the financial strain of raising a baby. I intend this blog to be a little weekly diary of my financial journey through parenting with tips, advice and shared experiences. I do hope you will join me.
Easter tips coming v soon!
Wishing you peace and sending a cuddle to your baby- till next time x Becky x
.JPG)
How to Afford Time Off with Your Baby: 101 Ways to Ease the Financial Strain
by Becky Goddard-Hill Click here to pre-order on Amazon
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