Saving Money
Ok, once again I’m posting an entry about saving money. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I love a deal and don’t like paying full price.
Here are a few sites that I just found:
Common Sense with Money is a blog with money-saving tips!
Baby Cheapskate has all sorts of coupons, news, and tips for saving money on baby supplies.
Freepeats! It’s like Freecycle, but for kid/baby stuff.
Be Centsable has Money-saving tips.
Freebies 4 Mom tips on free sample sites and resources.
Check the sites out and get back to me about what you think of them! I’d love to know.
Also, if you have any suggestions for entries, let me know. I’ll do the research to the best of my ability (and in whatever available time I have).
International Day of Play
If you need a suggestion for celebrating International Day of Play (September 27 or October 1 – I’m not quite sure), look at the following websites for inspiration:
Stepping Stones Museum has a schedule of activities (and it’s FREE tomorrow).
KaBoom! is a listing of local playgrounds and play spaces. Be sure to log in and add any that aren’t listed yet.
Nick Let’s Just Play World Wide Day of Play
Suzy Said Blog has listings and information in and around the Fairfield area, but does cover all of Fairfield county.
Suzy Said Blog has other listings and information for in and around the Wilton/Weston/Westport area, but, again, covers Fairfield county as well.
YouTube – for little ones
If you’re familiar with YouTube, you know that there are videos on there that aren’t appropriate for children. The answer to that is TotLOL.com. It is a filter for YouTube videos. The videos are all moderated and rated by registered users (parents).
Coupons & Free Samples
Well, I think we’re all interested in saving money (if you’re not – uh, WHY NOT!?!).
A friend of mine sent me a link to a coupon site & I felt the need to pass it on to you:
MommySavers.com
Valpak
This got me thinking about other coupon sites & free sample sites.
Coupons.com
eCoupons.com
CouponCabin.com
Shop4Freebies.com
CouponMom.com
Please read the fine print before signing up for anything. I do not endorse these sites and have not used all of them. Feel free to search for coupons or free samples – you’ll probably find what you’re looking for faster than using these sites.
My favorite site for good deals is:
CleverMoms.com
A few really great tips for saving money:
-Google the product you plan on purchasing & the word coupon
-search for free samples of items you are interested in before purchasing
-there are coupons for just about anything you want to buy – just ASK!
-most manufacturers will provide you with coupons by mail or email if you simply call or email their customer service & satisfaction department to ask them (the even occasionally will send free samples)
-many stores have free samples of select products (usually cosmetics, hair care, & hygiene) – just ask a sales associate
-even local companies offer coupons or discounts on their websites
-price shop/comparison shop – most stores will match or beat a competitor’s price if you provide a printout
-it’s ok to haggle these days
-check the penny saver & all those flyers you get in the mail & ONLY clip the coupons for the items you plan on buying (buying something you wouldn’t have bought otherwise, simply because you have a coupon, does NOT save money in the long run)
-ask around about where the best place to buy your favorite products are
-ask friends what their favorite products are & try them out
-check the “cheap gas prices” websites to find the best prices in your area
*Thanks to Samm for the MommySavers.com and Valpak websites.*
If any of you have any suggestions for other websites that help you save money, please send them on to me!
Car Seats
If you have a child under 60lbs or under 6yrs or both, it will behoove you to read the information on the following websites:
CT Department of Transportation – Child Safety Seats — This website spells out the laws regarding child safety seats. It also has a list of other resources with information about child safety seats.
National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration — This site will enable you to locate a car seat inspection station near you. It’s a free service and will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your child’s car seat is installed properly.
CT Safe Kids — This site has general information about keeping your children safe (bicycle, car, skateboard, rollerblade, etc).
Department of Children and Families
DCF has put out a new website just for parents, grandparents, foster parents, and other caregivers. It’s called CT Parenting.
Internet Safety
This website is an international internet safety site designed for parents with technologically savvy kids:
It has lots of information regarding: Downloading music, hackers, viruses, instant messaging, text messaging, mobile phone communications, GPS on cell phones, cyber-bullying, blogging safely, information security, identity theft, and much much more!
There is even a page where parents and caregivers can download resources and vital safety information: click here
2-1-1!
Probably the best resource of all is 2-1-1! Just dial 211 from any phone in CT and you will gain access to a host of helpful people who can assist you with almost any inquiry you may have (I have called them with questions that range from absurd to complicated to simple and they’ve helped me with everything except finding a babysitter on a Friday afternoon for that night).
Whether you would like to become a volunteer or need an answer to a question or need help, 2-1-1 is there to help. The best part of all is that it is FREE!
They also have a website for those who don’t feel comfortable calling or are more web-inclined.
211CT.org
Internet Safety
Here are a few links that address internet safety for families, children, and teens:
Google’s “Tips for Online Safety”
Google’s “Family Safety Guide”
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – Internet Safety
NetSmartz Kids – teaches children what to watch out for in a fun and interactive way
Don’t Believe the Type – Cyber Tip Line
U.S. Department of Justice’s Project “Safe Childhood” web site
Ad Council (the people who make the public service announcements on TV, in newspapers, magazines, and on the radio)
Wired Safety – Information for Parents about Internet and cell phone safety
Federal Bureau of Investigation – A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety
