Childproof me please!

Today, I am getting my house childproofed FOR FREE! If I were to pay to have it done, it could cost anywhere from 500-1200 dollars! I'm part of a 3 year injury-related study (formally named the CHIPS study). I get 85 dollars spread out over the 3 years and I get to keep all the child proofing stuff they install. All I have to do is participate in short phone/home interviews every few months (that I also get paid for).

I love doing studies. If you live in the Greater Cincinnati Area, the P&G Discovery Center has studies plenty frequently. They focus more on baby stuff, but they also have studies that don't require you to have a baby. Their studies pay anywhere from 25-200 dollars, I have been to two 100 dollar diaper studies. I had to come early in the morning, (if you don't get there early enough, and the panels filled up, then you are excused to go and you get a "bump" fee for

substantially less than if you were to complete the study) and I stayed until 2 or 3 o clock in a room with about 10-15 other moms and their babies.

I cannot disclose exactly what was done during the study because I had to sign a confidentiality agreement beforehand, but I can tell you that they provided a personalized, delicious lunch both times (one from La Rosa's and the second time from Subway), and they also provided pop/bottled water the whole time. The staff was very nice and great with the babies, and it was nice to sit around and chat with the other moms. The only downfall I didn't like was the babies didn't get to nap very long since we were up and down a lot. If you would like to join the panel, I've provided the link below. They will send you emails each time there is a study, and you will have to fill out a survey to see if you qualify. When you click on the link, scroll to the bottom of the page to find the registration forms.
http://www.pampers.com/en_US/pg-baby-discovery-center

Mmmmm Feet!

Jacoby finally figured out how to eat his feet! Lol, my silly baby.

Today he had squash, at first he screwed his face up at it, but as we continued, he begin to like it better.

Money saving update! A lady I am purchasing 100 jars of baby food meats from for 20 dollars just offered me the rest of the food for 30 more dollars. She has several hundred jars of baby food and just wants to get rid of them. I wish I had the 30 extra dollars right now but I don't. I might tomorrow so I told her I would let her know. Shaun doesn't think it is necessary but I just can't pass up that great of deal. And plus whatever we have leftover after Jacoby grows out of it, we can sell, or even better, donate. But men only think in the now, not the future. Well my man anyway. Even if I don't get to buy the other jars, 100 jars for 20 bucks is still one hell of a deal. Plus I got the 120 jars + 4 boxes of baby cereal the other day for 25 bucks. I think that is 55 dollars well spent if I do say so myself. I also found some free formula on freecycle! I'm just going crazy right now with saving money. I think I can call myself a pro.

Saving money

Over the past 12 months, I have had a long list of expenses I never ever had pre-baby. Here are some of the ways I have saved money:

Facebook! If I needed a piece of furniture, baby clothes, services, the first place I go is facebook. I post in my status whatever I'm looking for to reach 200+ friends to see if anyone has the item. That way I either get it for free or very cheap. Also when I know Shaun and I plan on going out, I go to the companies facebook/website to see if they have any "Like us" deals.

Craigslist/Ebay! One recent example: Jacoby just started eating baby food, and WIC provides 32 jars of baby food every month to us. In three months, we have to turn in our pay stubs again, and I don't think we will be able to renew our WIC. At .59 cents or more a jar, it is going to get expensive. So, on a whim, I got on Craigslist to see if anyone was selling baby food. Sure enough, a lady who's daughter did not like baby food was selling 128 jars of unexpired stage 2 baby food and 4 boxes of unopened cereal for 25 bucks. That's over 50 dollars worth of food. Needless to say, we will not have to buy baby food for quite some time and even then, we are going to make his food at home instead of buying it, so I am saving up the jars.

Company websites! Beechnut, gerber, pampers, similac, parents choice, etc etc. Most baby brand websites offer free formula, baby food, diapers, and wipes samples. Granted it usually takes 4-10 weeks for delivery of these samples so I don't really rely on this, but it is something nice to have on hand. I sign up at daily sample websites such as Allyou.com, and they send me daily sample emails. These websites usually have great coupons.

Yahoo Freecycle! This is one of my favorites because I LOVE free stuff. Who doesn't? It is similar to Craigslist except everything is free. It is basically like a free, local thrift store. Used clothes, furniture, household items, baby stuff, electronics, you name it, just email the person, and pick it up. To join, just go to yahoo groups and search for Freecycle (your location). For example, I live in Middletown, Ohio so I would search Freecycle Middletown, Ohio. You can also search surrounding areas. Got stuff you want to get rid of but don't want to throw away? You can also offer your free items as well. Examples of things we have gotten: baby clothes, bed frame, a large computer desk, an old treadmill, furniture (extensively checked for bugs).
Here is their website, search for your area and they will give the link to the yahoo group http://www.freecycle.org/

Kids resale stores! Gently used baby/kids clothes/items at unbelievable prices. I recently bought my son 15 outfits for 25 bucks at Once Upon A Child. It's as easy as googling resale stores in your area. I especially love that our Once Upon A Child is right next door to Platos Closet, where mommy can treat herself to a little   cheap shopping as well.

Last but not least, coupon sites. Coupons.com is the best, all others just seem like copycats and have the same coupons. I'm not an extreme couponer by any means, but right before I go grocery shopping, I scan that week's coupons to see if I can use any of them.

I hope I've been of some help to anyone trying to save some money!