Money saving tips for every new parents!!!

Who says raising babies are expensive?

As parents, we always want the BEST for our child especially when you are first time parents...

Here are ways to stretch your dollar and save money!!!

Money saving tips for every parent...

Tip 1: Don't buy too many "newborn" size diapers!!! 

Many new parents will stock up on buying bulk diapers during baby fairs n end up with loads of newborn diapers!!!

Depending on the size of your newborn and how fast they grow, some might even skip the "newborn" diapers and go straight to "small" size!

My 1st born, baby Si wore "S" size soon after she was born as she was considered a "big" baby in Asia ~ 3.5kg...

Whereas baby Skye was born 2.8kg n wore newborn diapers but didn't last long before he had to be up-sized ...

Tip 2: Don't stock up on diapers especially if your baby hasn't tried them before.

When visiting baby fairs or baby events, don't be hesitant to get a sample of different diaper brands or better still, you  can request samples online directly through their websites.

Depending on the brand, some babies are not suitable and might easily get diaper rash!!! We've tried many brands before settling on a brand that suits our babies... coincidentally, both babies are wearing the same brand of diapers n it works for us as its good in quality yet economical as well!!! 

(P/s: we've never had to use diaper cream~ maybe just a handful of times when they get diarrhea)

Tip 3: Don't ever throw or give away those unused medium/large size diapers once your baby outgrows them....

Once your baby starts being mobile and on the run, sooner or later those chubby "Michelin" thighs will be gone! 

So sad but true ***sob, sob***

Guess what, Sienna age 4.5 is wearing the same size diaper as baby Skye age 2.5!!! Crazy but true... she wears size L diapers for her naps but size XL diapers for overnight (to hold in more pee n prevent leakage)

Tip 4: Don't waste money buying those special diapers claiming "dry nights"...

We've tried buying drypers drynights but still it leaked (not sure if its just us or what). 

We realised we just needed to upsize baby Sienna diapers so that it could hold in more pee!!! 

And "lo n behold", no more leakage... so for naps Sienna wears size L n for nights she wears XL!

Ok enough of these "dirty diapers talk", it's giving me a headache...Lols... moving on...

Tip 5: Always buy neutral color socks n LOTS of the same kind...

I'm sure many parents have had their kids lose one side of their socks! N had to dreadfully throw out the still "good condition" one just coz your kid can't wear it anymore or worst still ~ mismatched socks!!! Who's guilty of this??? 

Here's a simple solution ~ buy neutral color socks n LOTS of it!!! That way, even if you lose one, you have plenty of backup...

N best of all you can pass it down to baby no. 2 regardless of the gender difference! 

Baby Si n baby Skye can share the same neutral colored socks...

 As cute n irresistible it might be, stay away and say NO to pink socks!!! 

Okay fine, just buy a few for those special occasions... :p

Tip 6: Don't throw away onesies/rompers once your baby outgrows them.

Babies grow vertically real fast n soon you find that you can no longer button up their onesies/rompers! 

***Sighhhh*** but they've only worn it a handful of times!!!

Here's a solution: Keep wearing them as a TOP (without snapping the buttons) n put shorts on! 

Be sure to tuck the onesie/rompers in ~ ***tadahh*** 

A perfect looking top n bottom!

Well, if it's worn out, just use it for home use!!! Lols...

Tip 7: Buy stretchable cotton dresses!

And turn them into tops after your baby girl outgrows it. 

Tip 8: Buy stretchable cotton pants!

Since my 2 babies are breastfed, and all breastfeeding mummies know that their breastfed babies' poop are much more watery compared to formula milk fed babies!

These pants are a "poop" saver!!! 

I ALWAYS make sure my babies wear these kinda pants instead of the normal pants or even worst go "pant-less"!!! These pants keep diapers from moving thus preventing poop leakage! I cringe every time I see babies just wearing diapers!!!

To stretch your dollar even further ~  once they outgrow them as pants (and are potty train), turn them into underwear/panties!!! 

It will last for years n comfy too...

Tip 9: Buy lots of leggings!!!

Unfortunately, my 2 kids are "hot blooded" n never liked or had to wear long pants or long shirts ~ being born and raised in sunny, hot, humid Singapore!!! They sweat even in our air conditioned rooms n hotel rooms!!! Well, now that we've moved to USA, things might change when they experience their first winter coming up end of this year... 

But yeah, leggings is a "money stretcher" as babies can use it as long pants and then when they outgrow it, it can be used as 3 quarter pants or even more ~ as shorts!!! That is if it hasn't R.I.P... Lols...

Tip 10: only buy essential items!!!

Friends, family, relatives will be flooding your newborns not just with hugs and kisses but bag loads of gifts and "hand me downs"!!! 

Before you know it, your kid will feel like it's Christmas everyday!!!

(To all 3rd trimester preggy mommies ~ Stop yourself from browsing all the cute tutus online. Being bed bound can and may make online shopping addicting during this period of time... okay, okay, if you must, buy a few but perhaps in various bigger sizes???)

Any more mummy saving tips? 

Do share, I would like to hear from you on how to save more!!! 

More savings means more shopping for mommy!!! Lols ...

Remember to always 

"REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE!"

How we survived a 24 hrs plane ride... with 2 kids!

Without any gadgets ~  ipads or smartphones!!!

If you've been following our family, you would have known that we LOVE travelling (especially this mummy)!!!
Can't seem to take off n surrender my travelling shoes even after having 2 kids now.
We are now on our BIGGEST adventure... travelling across the world (well, back to Mr. Hubby's hometown... USA) for at least a few years!!! TBD...
We've done lots of short n medium haul flights with the 2 kids but this will be our 1st LONG LONG haul ....

So here's 10 tips to surviving a 24 hrs plane ride with 2 kids!!!
(P/s: I'm sure there's more, so feel free to leave me a comment... would love to hear your experience too!!!)

Tip 1: bring lots of snacks!!!
Especially lollipops...
Since Skyler doesn't take the pacifier or the bottle, we have learnt from our previous plane rides that nursing him during take off and landing doesn't usually happen, now that he's 28mths old.
So we found a substitute ~ a lollipop! This will definitely help to relief the ear pressure (don't take it lightly as we've experience with Skyler having ear pressure and it wasn't a pleasant flight n even after reaching our destination) and it keeps them occupied long enough for them to sit still in their seats with their seatbelts.
If you are scared of giving too much lollipops (taking off n landing = 2), they do sell smaller versions of the lollipops and organic ones made out of real fruit juices.

Tip 2:
When checking in ~ check in early (you would wanna check in early especially if you have kids n lots of luggages anyways) n ask if there's empty rows/seats!
Mr. Hubby n I were able to get extra seats for the kids to lie down to sleep comfortably...
And ask for window seats if you planning to nurse.

Tip 3: bring a changing pad or better still, pull up pants diapers!!!
We all know how filthy toilets are...what more plane toilets!!! Yes, we (cabin crew) do "clean" it (quickly) every chance we get to... but NEVER the changing tables! And did I mention, those changing tables are just too tiny!!! We decided to skip the changing tables and went straight to pull up diaper pants standing style!!! Just close to toilet seats and stand your kids up on the toilet seats!!!

***voila*** no more bumping your head into germ infested areas while squatting trying to fit you n your kid in that tiny space!!! N your kid is at a comfortable height for you to do the "dirty" work of cleaning them up!

But if your kid can't stand and if you have to use the changing table, plz clean it with a wet wipe and then use extra protection with your diaper changing pad.

Tip 4: sleep when your kid sleeps!!!
This is what every new mom learns when they have a newborn! But do we actually ever put that to practise???
Back then before having kids, me n Mr. Hubby aka Bf back then would stay up and watch as much movies as we can... while munching on snacks n food all throughout the flight ... only snoozing during take off n landing...hahahaha...making full use of our in flight entertainment + food!!! 

***need to make full use of our expensive plane ride***
But now that we have 2 kids, we sleep while they sleep or you end up being a big cranky kid!!!
Ok so now how do we sleep when the 2 kids don't sleep at the same time?
~> 1 parent to 1 child...Baby Skyler obviously auto choose mummy ~ still breastfeeding... while Sienna goes with daddy!!!
What if you have more than 2 kids???
Say lots of prayers n Good luck :)

Tip 5: bring lots of wet wipes...
Wipe down the seat area, seat belt buckle, arm area n especially the food tray table!!! N the toilet area!!!
Okay, this mummy is not really THAT OCD!!! I didn't clean all the items stated but I always make it a point to clean the food tray table n toilet area...

Tip 6: pre book your meals!!!
Yes, your meals are free on a full fare airline service... so why need to book?
That's coz we didn't want to end up having 4 of the same meals only to be hungry if the meal sucks! So we pre booked 4 different meals ~ Indian non vegetarian, Indian vegetarian, normal, kids meal. That way the kids eat whatever they like first, then the parents eat the leftovers...
***what's new??? Hhhmmmphhh***
Welcome to being a mummy... ur meal is made out of your kid's leftovers!!!
Sienna n Skyler were well fed throughout the flight that we didn't give them much snacks in between.
Do remember to load up on water/juices/drinks as it's dehydrating!!!

Tip 7: bring a lip balm n use it!!!
I remember when I was a kid and did my first long haul flight from KL to Los Angeles on first class!!! You heard that right, 1st class. But nothing was classy at all when I didn't get to enjoy any of it coz my lips started peeling n to make it worst, bleeding...
I couldn't enjoy any food nor drinks and was totally miserable throughout the flight. My first taste of Caviar n red wine was yucky as a kid (and as a grown up now). Lols...
Living in Asia, we've never used a lip balm before.... thanks to my dad who gave me a brand new lip balm just before this trip which reminded me of the incident. So I made sure all of us slathered on as much as we could n even reapplied after every few hours and after every meal/drinks!
Even now it's summer here in the USA, and Sienna's lips are a bit dry n she keeps asking for the lip balm every now and then.

Tip 8: do lots of stretching!!!
Every long haul flights, I have been nagging Mr. Hubby to not forget to stretch n walk around to avoid DVT ~ which is deadly !!!
But with kids, we have been walking non stop up and down the plane ... not because we want to but the kids will automatically drag u... so we've met pretty much the whole crew n passengers especially other kids!!! Keeps them occupied for a few hours...

Tip 9: bring activities/toys!!!
We didn't bring any as we were trying to travel "light" ~ truth be told we ran out of luggage space trying to minimize as much hand carry as possible!
But we usually don't bring any toys anyways... as we all know your kid might not even end up playing with his boring "old" toys!!!
Sienna n Skyler were happy with the in flight magazines, menu, safety card, etc...
Update: we did let each of them bring their small tiny back packs and made sure to involved them in the packing process.... For the few days leading up to the move, I told Sienna she could bring ANY toys she wanted as long as it could fit her backpack. So I find her packing, unpacking n repacking!!! Lols... ***decision...decision...decision***
Such stressful scenario at a young age!!!
Her "bear bear" and 7 princesses made the final cut!!!

Tip 10:
If ALL FAILS n don't work... time to bring out the gadgets!!!
Ipads n smartphones to the rescue...
We have not started this practise yet n don't plan to as we didn't want to make it a habit n have the kids associate gadgets to plane rides... I can't imagine my kids being glued to the screen for 24 hours!!!
And having to carry not just 1 iPad but 2???
***extra baggage is not welcomed***
Right now, Sienna n Skyler associates plane rides with lollipops which I'm totally fine ...
But if you must, I shall not judge ;)

Busan, South Korea

31 Aug -3 Sept 2015

Sorry for the delayed blog post (as usual)... but this time can't blame it on Mr. Hubby for taking a while to upload pics to FB...

***this mummy was to blame!!!*** Lols

It's been almost 2 months now since our trip and my post pregnancy brains is kinda rusty now, so forgive me if this blog post seems vague! U can still ask me questions :)

It's my 3rd time to south Korea now (but 1st time to Busan), Sienna's 2nd time to south Korea and baby Skye 1st time!!!.. :) 

PREVIOUS Korea trip : Click here.....

This time Mr. Hubby didn't join us as he is heading to Incredible India yet again to attend another cousin's wedding! 

But truth be told, it was a last minute decision to go to Busan, South Korea... we joined gong gong on his flight as he had a 3 nights stay there!!! Sienna was super duper excited to know that gong gong was the driver... N even said gong gong can't go to the toilet as he had to fly the plane... Lols...

Chiu Chiu Jeffrey aka Manny couldn't joined us either as it was last minute...so it was just me, the kiddos, po po n gong gong!

Places we covered in summary:

1st day: (monday, early morning): After checking in, gong gong obviously NEEDED to sleep but for the rest of us, we were wide awake n ready to hit the streets of Busan!!! But actually our stomachs were growling... so gong gong gave us a few tips on where to go nearby for food n grocery shopping. We stumbled upon a noodles place recommended by the guy selling Korean chicken across the street.

Then we headed to "save zone" supermarket for some grocery shopping. Bought some milk(cheap n super yummy creamy just like Japan milk), snacks n yogurt drinks (for the kiddos), Korean coffee drinks (for me of course), mom went all excited n bought a BIG Box of grapes which we ended up eating everyday n brought back the leftovers! Bananas, etc...  

The grapes were so cheap!!! 10 bunches costs 8900 won = SGD 9 whereas when I came back to Singapore, the same Korean grapes cost SGD 4 for just 1 bunch in NTUC

Explored Haeundae street market... mom wanted to taste corn dog for the first time (I tried it before when I was living in the USA) but this Korean version is more "bread-like" instead of corny! Kiddos were happy with their meat on a stick while I was happy with my rice cake desserts!!! We "Tapao" some sweet potato for gong gong in case he got hungry later. 

went back hotel n had a nap...

Evening: Haeundae beach... our hotel "Novotel" was right smack on the beach...thus we stopped by it every evening on our way back! Sienna n skyler went "cray cray" over the sand...

Dinner: Korean bbq pork...was quite disappointed coz I still remembered my Korean bbq experience in Hongdae Seoul during my last Korea trip where I had it every night!!! Cheap, yummy n big portion... this time, it was the opposite!

2nd day: woke up bright n early! Headed to Gamcheon culture village aka "Santorini of the east"!!! The pictures of the village turned out surprisingly nice... we didn't explored much as we had a stroller with us n the place was hilly with lots of steps in between the narrow lanes of houses... the sun shining was unbearable hot! Otherwise, the weather was nice!

Headed to Jagalchi fish market to have our seafood lunch! Cheap seafood...33,000 won!!! We went with mixed seafood...lots of different kinds of fried/grilled fish. Not forgetting the overflow of yummy side dishes (Korean meal is accompanied with loads of free side dishes)

Gukje market for shopping... read reviews that it was similar to namdaemun market in Seoul but unfortunately we didn't buy anything as the fashion there was so outdated that even my mom said it was "granny" fashion!!!

BIFF square - shopping n street food... we walked pass it but again shopping was not as expected... we were so full from our seafood lunch that we couldn't really enjoy the street food. Bought a peach blended drink, ice coffee drink n a fried doughy caramel coated with nuts snack !

We headed back to another train station "Nampo" n stumbled upon Lotte shopping mall where we stopped to rest our tired legs while I breastfed baby Skye! Went to the highest floor aka skypark to get a birds eye view of busan!

Dinner : mom wanted to try black bean noodles made famous by Korean dramas... I tried once in Singapore but wasn't impressed... but this one was so yummy!!! We had pork dumplings as well...

3rd day: shopping day!!! Headed to shinsegae shopping mall at centum city (largest mall in the world according to guiness book of records)... not much sale going on and all the shops there were mostly the same as in Singapore n Malaysia... disappointed yet again. 

Ate our brunch at the food court (dad had beef bulgogi n the rest of us shared a family platter of assortments), tried the famous "patbingsu" aka shaved ice for the first time (nothing to shout about other than the ice was very fine!!!)

Went up to the highest floor where they had a kids playarea called "zooraji"... 

Couldn't resist the yummy abundant food at the food court... so we all shared a huge stir fried Korean noodles...yummy n spicy!!!

Went back hotel to nap...

Gong gong took us for a seafood dinner nearby the hotel...

4th day: (thurs evening flight) since my mum n I were disappointed with zero shopping, we decided to head to "save zone" departmental store nearby the hotel in hopes for our last minute shopping n my usual "supermarket sweep" (which I normally do on my last day) to fill up my empty luggages!!!

Fueled up with yummy steaming pork hot broth with rice aka "gukbap"!!! Might be one of the yummiest meal we had in this trip... cheap n good... 

Headed to "save zone" where we shopped till we dropped!!! Gong gong volunteered to babysit baby Skye while the ladies did our shopping...  it was a "fruitful" shopping haul where we bought clothes, shoes, n lots of groceries... call us crazy we even bought a big box of peach!!! Lols... 

Mummy tips:
~ bassinet - make sure to book in advance. We didn't need one for baby Skye as he's a little too big for it. Plus it's easier to breastfeed him with him by my side. The flight was quite empty so po po n sienna had a whole row while me n baby Skye had another.

~ it was red eye flight going there... which helped A LOT as all of us were happily snoozing most of the way!!! and we were out and about the next day we arrived!

~ baby Skye did not have any ear pressure problem this time! (THANK GOD)! Now that baby Skye is on solid food, we offered both kiddos snacks n drinks throughout the flight (especially during take off n landing). Sienna was happily sucking on her lollipop. She knows to associate lollipops to treats going to the aeroplane n vaccinations...hahaha... ***am a bad mommy, depriving my kids of lollipops!!!*** baby Skye had a lollipop on the flight back...

~ public transport is SUPER DUPER BABY friendly... just like in Singapore! But we had a bad experience where they did NOT offer to give up their priority seats to gong gong who was carrying Sienna even after numerous attempts by po po...nearby passengers did not bother either.

~ taxi ? We didn't need any... the trains were good enough...haeundae station is just minutes away from our hotel...

~ stroller - yes!!! Bring along...everywhere was stroller friendly... we didn't once had to carry the stroller... (except at gamcheon cultural village where there were steps). On a side note: the escalators had a pole in the middle to prevent strollers from getting on. But with a little maneuvering, we managed to get on ... in Singapore, we are pro at using strollers on escalators!

~baby high chair... they didn't have it except at big shopping malls. The rest of the restaurants were so small that we had to leave our stroller outside. (Note: we had to take turns eating as baby Skye couldn't sit at the table as they were hot pots, bbq, and lots of side dishes) very unsafe... so at one point I fed baby Skye outside at the sidewalk while the steps kept him entertained...

~baby changing or nursing rooms ~ Only at big shopping malls.

~no problems with baby food now that baby Skye is on SOLID FOOD... ! 7-11 are everywhere...not forgetting street food n the abundant of eatery places!!! The kiddos were happy campers as they are meat eaters n Korean food is good for them as the meat are thinly slice with no bones!

~ bottle water not needed. Just boil at the hotel.

~ we bought fruits, snacks, yogurt drink, milk, etc on our first day to last us the whole trip

Overall, this trip was a good holiday albeit a tiring one as Baby Skye does not really want to sit in the stroller n when he gets tired, he only wants mummy to carry :( n we didn't bring a baby carrier this time as this mummy packed light coz we were gonna be staying a few weeks in Malaysia. 

I'm surprised my parents can still walk quite a fair bit...N not forgetting sienna walking ALL the way with no naps!!! My legs were all jelly by the end of each day... how I wished busan had cheap massages like in Thailand...  my mom commented she lost weight even though we ate non-stop...Lols...

I'm glad we did go for this trip as it was the last time me n the kiddos could take picture with gong gong in the cockpit!!! This mummy even managed to record gong gong giving his pilot welcoming speech!!!

 ***So emo n sentimental*** cause this mummy has been growing up being in n out of the cockpits 

Tips:

~3 nights was just the right amount of time for us to visit busan...as we had kids n wanted to take it slow.

~we bought (at the ticket machine) a one day train/metro pass on our 2nd day as we were out n about...(4500won). But do note that it can't be used on buses n valid on the date itself n not 24 hrs - unlike other countries.

More BUSAN pics (on mr. Hubby's FB)
Click here..

Didn't managed to take a picture of our KOREAN goodies haul...coz po po unpacked n kept all of it away once we reached home!!!