Grocery shopping made cheap!!!

So pre kids, this momma used to go shopping, shopping, shopping all the time!!! Oh wait, which lady doesn't love shopping? But mostly end up window shopping anyways... Lols!!! 

Still counts as shopping right???

When I was living in the States (more than 10 years ago), I used to live just 10mins away from the outlet malls!!! Yes yes yes... shopping marathon every weekend!!! I used "exercising" as an excuse to head to the outlet malls.

But now that we are back in the States, no more shopping for this momma... but wait, it's a different kind of shopping now. Grocery shopping!!!

With 3 EVER hungry, non stop eating machines, I seemed to be buying food non stop! 

So why not shop smartly n cheaply since you have to shop for food anyways? Everybody has to eat right? 

So everybody has to grocery shop!!! 

And since this momma is a stay at home mom (SAHM) ever since baby Si was born and we, living off one income, every little saving adds up!!! More savings = more shopping for this momma... ok now where's my Gucci/Prada bag??? Lols...

Now let me introduce you to this awesome shopping app...

~> Check out Ibotta to get cash back! 

Use my referral code, utndeyx, and you can earn an extra $10. 

Sign up at https://ibotta.com/r/utndeyx

Ok here's the easy peasy breakdown steps:

1) Go directly here to download the app~> https://ibotta.com/r/utndeyx

(Be sure to use the referral code:  "utndeyx" to earn your first $10)

2) Do your normal grocery shopping in your favourite local stores.

3) Keep your receipts.

4) Come home, open your Ibotta app. Look for items you bought that's available on the app. Click "unlock".

5) click "verify purchases"... "choose store"..."scan product barcode"... "take a picture of your receipt"

6) then sit back and relax, while they credit you your $$ within 24 hours (usually it only takes less than 2 mins to see it credited)...different stores varies!

(P/s: your everyday pantry items are available.... milk, banana, bread, eggs)

Do note that they refresh the items every once a week! 

Tips:

1) You can browse and unlock what items are available in your Ibotta app and plan your groceries accordingly before you head to the shop.

2) do note the timeframe given to unlock and get credit for the particular item.

3) You can still use your manufacturer/store coupons while you shop to get additional savings!!! 

By the way, this blog post is by no means sponsored or anything. Just me helping spread the word... and it's a win-win situation!!! Once you signed up the Ibotta app using my referral code "utndeyx" , you get $10 right away in your account!!! 

***Ka-ching***

And I get $5... sweet deal for the both of us!!!

This is a screenshot of my account right now... n do note I only started using this app in July 2016 but have only been actively buying groceries since moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in OCTOBER 2016!!! 

$132.25 earnings...

You can choose to cash out through PayPal (which personally is my choice) or Venmo or u can buy any gift cards from the many choices of stores...

Best part is, it's not only for groceries... it also covers hygiene items, restaurants, Groupon, brand name stores, etc!!!

Shall I screenshot Mr. Hubby's Ibotta account too? (which of course is used by me) Lols... ;)

There's many other apps that's similar to Ibotta...  money saving too! But I find myself using this app more frequent than the rest and my savings are much more. 

There's "Checkout 51", "SavingStar", "MobiSave", etc...

$45.85 of earnings!!! (Checkout 51)

click link below to get started (earn $2 for uploading your first receipt, and $1 for your next three receipts)

https://checkout51.app.link/0GFT8EEZ4Q

$29.03 of earnings!!! (SavingStar)

But if you are a newbie n it's ur first time, I suggest sticking to one app first! Once you are a pro at it, you can slowly use multiple apps at once! Cheers to MORE savings to you!!! 

Let me know how it goes...

Here's a picture of my pantry aka mini grocery store...

Hahaha... Feels sooooo aunty!!!

***Proud of my shopping haul aka stock***

My model Mr. Hubby...Lols!

And here's a picture of my hygiene items stockpile which can lasts us for a VERY VERY LONG time!!!

Sienna doing her hair advertisement...

Sienna and Skyler showing their armpits for a deodorant advertisement...LOLs!!!

But yeah, we share our stockpile with family

 n friends too and recently donated some to the less fortunate to spread some joy during this festive season! 

Let us be reminded how blessed we are and appreciate what we have that others are striving to have! So whatever little help we can do, lets DO IT!

FOR GOD HAS BLESSED US SO WE CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS...

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!"