Cloth Diapering Again

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Frugal Friday - Cloth Diapers

Cloth Diapers

I used cloth diapers for about two weeks with my first child. I gave up because I didn’t know anything about it. With my second child I did more research and a friend of mine started her own online cloth diapering business. So she taught me a lot, plus a friend of mine at church does cloth diapers as well and she has also helped me out.

So I use cloth diapers very regularly. I do use regular diapers at night although I will try to transition to cloth at night very soon. I don’t have many size mediums so I need to get more.

My favorite brand is Fuzzi Bunz. But I have used Bumkins, Crickett’s diapers, Bum Genius and Haute Pockets.

Many people have written on how to get started. So I won’t do that. I will just tell you that cloth diapering isn’t scary. You don’t have to have $500 to start. I started by buying one or two at a time and using them once a day or so. I gradually got more and started using them more. I bought a diaper bag and put my diapers in there until I wash them.

I have also started using cloth wipes. I still keep regular wipes around for messy poopie diapers.

If you are interested in knowing more there are many resources to tell you about them. I will say this. I really like the All-In-ones best. They are really easy. I also use biodegradable diaper liners which makes them a lot less messy. I read that you can wash and reuse those as well as long as they hold up and I have been doing that.

You can buy used diapers from Craig's list. Which I have done, just wash them in hot water and you are good to go.

Here is a great post on a cloth diapering system. She actually has several interesting posts on her cloth diapers.

I personally feel really good about using cloth diapers. I am not an environmentalist, but I did get tired of just throwing away diapers. Even if I didn't pay a lot for them it was still a waste. Cloth diapering really is easy. Seriously, if I can do it honestly anyone can!

See more Frugal Friday tips at Biblical Womanhood.

Savings Saturday - Saving without using Coupons, Part I

Several people have been posting lately about how competitive it is getting to see who can buy the most stuff for the least amount of money. I have been trying to figure out ways to cut my grocery bill using coupons and without using coupons. Full disclaimer – I currently use coupons, but I have friends that don’t and I want to create ways to save even if you don’t.

Cleaning products
There are a million posts on how to clean with vinegar and baking soda. Here you can find out how to make your own. You can also use Shaklee’s Basic H to make several natural cleaners.

I use Shaklee products and I really like them, but when I run out I may make my own cleaners which I have done in the past.

A great post on this subject can be found here.

Toiletries
This one is trickier. Many people believe that homemade toiletries aren’t as good as store-bought ones.
There are several body products that you can make. You can go here to check out which body products you can make and how, and there are more ideas here .

There are even many books written about natural body products. If you do make them and you have had success, please share that and the recipe!


If you would rather not make your own, you can play the CVS game. Even without coupons you can do some of the deals and make it worth your while check out this site to see how.


Paper Products
I personally am trying to cut out most paper products. I definitely still use toilet paper. I try not to use paper towels even though we do have them in the house for really gross things like your child throwing up (which happened last week!)
I only buy paper plates when I have birthday parties.
I am using cloth diapers most of the time and even started using cloth wipes (except for poppie diapers!).
But if you still want to use paper products I would suggest trying the CVS game or the Walgreens Rebate program. Even if you had coupons for these items they usually are only $0.25 or $0.50. You can also buy store brands or go to Aldi’s. I warn against CVS brand of toilet paper – it is only one-ply!

This post also has some very good information. I probably wouldn't do all of it, but I would consider most of it!

Meat/Poultry
This is one thing that I don’t scrimp on. I buy grass-fed beef from a local farmer. I am now starting to buy my chicken the same way. It is more expensive, but worth it to my family.
You could start having a vegetarian meal twice a week. You can do meatless lasagna or a bean dish.

These are some ideas to cut your grocery budget if you do not use coupons. I will be talking more about this next week. What ways do you save without using coupons?