Ikea deal on stocking stuffers and last-minute gifts

I have a confession to make: I'm addicted to Ikea.

My family and I have recently moved which means... we've made multiple trips to the famous furniture/home accessories store.

I won't bore you with my home adventures (hello, our new kitchen cart just doubled our counter space!), but I will tell you to check out Ikea's children's department for stocking stuffers.

Now I already know how Ikea's announced some children's furniture recalls, however, their toys are super attractive.

Right now at the Etobicoke, Ontario location, soft toys are 50% off. Plus, when a soft toy is purchased, the IKEA Foundation gives a dollar from that purchase to UNICEF and Save the Children until January 4, 2014. And when you sift through the children's department, you'll find other cool stuff that's half price, such as costumes, finger puppets, etc.

If you need a last-minute gift or you just want to top off a stocking, Ikea will be worth your time. Seriously. Plus, they've got Swedish meatballs. Enough said.

Guest blogger reveals life change as a new dad

Casey Palmer with his newborn son

I'd like to introduce a new guest blogger to the Adventures in Baby Savings roster, Casey Palmer. His first son was born almost a month ago. Check out this excerpt from Casey's blog, which perfectly highlights that new-found feeling of hope, protection and love as a parent to a newborn: 

I'm Not Dead, I'm Just A Dad - And Baby Makes Three
...It’s only two weeks later and I’ve already learned a lot. The best way to put him to bed. What it sounds like when he’s going to cry. How to change diapers and give baths without horrible freak-outs. Baby paraphernalia that seemed like a good idea, but ultimately proved otherwise. All this is a mere glimpse of what lies ahead, but I don’t regret it.

I’ve always said that there was more than the life I was living. More than social media, more than swag, more than free trips, booze, food or VIP invites. While this is only the beginning of the longest chapter in The Book of Casey yet, I see it every time I look in my child’s face — I can do this. Everything I’ve learned, done and experienced was only for my sake for a bit. Ultimately, though, all that will mould and shape this little guy through my efforts. I can either create the greatest Palmer of them all — or perhaps I’ll fall short and rend him another statistic.

But it’s on me. The choices I make, the actions they take — maybe not tomorrow, maybe not for decades — but I’ll see what effect they have in the generation ahead.

And that legacy is something worth putting my soul into.

So how’s fatherhood? It’s good — while I’m clearly just the guy who changes diapers, sings ridiculous lullabies, gives sink baths and bundles him up for bed, I have my role and I play it. It might be hard to see now, but I will impact my child’s life, a notion that some fathers perhaps forget all too easily.

It’s not perfect all the time, but if I were to shy away simply because of that, there’s not much in life I’d do at all if I applied the same logic to the rest of it.

Parenthood isn’t for everyone, and it seems daunting at first, but like everything, it takes practice. You’re never going to do everything right — in fact, you may have some colossal screw-ups — but a life without learning is a life not lived.

So here’s to the rest of my life. Here’s to seeing this little man grow and change as the years fly by. Here’s to not forgetting who I was before, always remembering to bridge the gap between Casey the Man and Casey the Dad. Here’s to raising someone who can do all the things I could not, and lives the best life that he possibly can with all the things I can give him.

Can't keep up? Clubmom saves money on your kids - and yourself

All parents need to remember this one thing: They do not have to feel guilty about treating themselves to a goodie once in awhile! 

That said, I have recently became a new fan of the clubmom loyalty card, which was discussed on the Adventures in Baby Savings official facebook group.


Here's the deal with clubmom: It's a website that has great tips from well-known bloggers, including fabulous cookbook author Rose Reisman. Plus, they offer a loyalty program that allows you to save money on 180+ businesses in Toronto. Here's something ya gotta love: You can save on deals for your kids and yourself (hello, Second Cup lattes!). Some of these businesses include...

• Ashtanga Yoga Toronto
• Canada's Wonderland
• Fantasy Fair (in Woodbine Shopping Centre)
• GLOBO Shoes
• Play It Again Sports
• Second Cup (select locations)
• Yogurty's
• ... and more

Click here to get your 2014 clubmom loyalty card now.

Already own a clubmom card? Let me know what you think of it - sound off below.

Review: My trip to Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (Toronto, Ontario)

I'll be honest - I've had some issues writing this review. This is why: at some points, I thought, "OMFG, this aquarium is amazing!" But during other scenarios, this came to mind: "OMFG, I can't believe I brought my three-year-old here!"

So this is a post on MY experience at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and why I rated this attraction as just okay:

• My kid was overwhelmed. There was so much to see, she looked at each aquarium for about five seconds. I'm serious. She was bouncing from aquarium to aquarium so quickly, my husband and I had to run to catch up to her. We didn't get decent looks at the gorgeous jellyfish and cool sharks.
• Not stroller friendly. For some reason, the cafeteria is CRAMMED with tables and chairs to the point where you can't walk between tables and chairs. And bring your own food, something I wish I did! (One slice of pizza is approximately $5!)
• Playground is not kid-friendly. There playgrounds look fun, but when you watch your toddler climb into them, you can't see her - the structure is closed off. Plus, there are two slides that go in different directions, which means you don't know where your tot is going to end up. There were parents buzzing around the playground saying, "where's my kid? I don't see my kid!"
• Lots of fun photo ops. Okay, I have to admit here, there are lots of fun ways to take memorable pics of your kids (even selfies - I saw lots of teens do this!). This was ONE place I got my three-year-old to sit still and smile for the camera!
• You get to touch sharks. C'mon, that's awesome!
• The walkway is breathtaking. There's a cool walkway that acts like a tunnel with aquatics surrounding you. This is just beautiful. I saw sharks, eels, the whole she-bang. Every kid I saw in the walkway - including my own - was awestruck. 

So final thoughts: I think this would've been more appropriate as a date night for myself and my husband. If you've got an active, overexcited little one ... maybe wait for BOGO deals - if they ever happen. Or wait until your kid is 6 or 7 years old. 

I'm dying to know your thoughts about Ripley's Aquarium - did you think it was worth $30 a pop? How did your kids react? Would you go back?

4 Ways To Simplify Costs For A Child's Birthday Party At Home

Almost two weeks ago, my husband and I threw a party for my daughter's 3rd birthday with 40+ guests. Plain and simple, here are a few things we did to cut costs:

1. We learned from our lesson. Last year we had her 2nd birthday at an indoor playground. But here's the problem - we had an unpleasant experience with the facility (unclean, poor hosting, etc.) and we didn't do our research to begin with on the playground. We didn't have time to find a great venue this year, so we said, screw it, we're having it in our condo party room.

2. We created our own kid-friendly stations. I booked our service elevator and crammed in toys for a toy station and toddler tables and chairs for a coloring and play doh station.

3. We used what we had. We still had disposable table clothes from when my daughter was a baby (we used them to catch her baby food messes!). So we spread them on a buffet table and coloring/play doh stations. Voila - easy clean-up too!

4. We celebrated with a Costco cake. We got a ballerina sheet cake for $20. It was cute, personalized, tasted delish - it served its purpose!

Compared to last year's hefty bill of about $300, we spent $200 this year, so we saved a good chunk of money! Bottom line: birthday parties don't have to be costly - just remember, what matters most is spending time with good company!

What are your birthday cost-savings tips?

Free kids meal at Montana's Cookhouse

My daughter's third birthday is quickly approaching! Although birthday celebrations are supposed to be fun, I have this distinct memory last year of my daughter's birthday dinner. We went to The Pickle Barrel, she didn't touch her $7 meal and she wanted to pretend to be a puppy – I know, what an evening!

So I'm ecstatic to have received an email from Montana's Cookhouse for a free kids meal for my daughter's birthday! Well, if she acts up, at least dinner would be free for her, right?

All you have to do is click here, fill in the online form and press submit. You'll get an email sent to you!

Just note: the free offer is valid one week before and after your child's birthday.

Share your restaurant deals with other parents below.

A family guide to the pros and cons of Chudleighs (Milton, Ont)

A few weekends ago, my husband and I decided to take our almost-three-year-old to an apple farm. We thought, why not try Chudleighs? It's close by and we were craving fresh apple pie. (C'mon, tis the season!)

Overall, we had a fantastic time. (My daughter asks to go back everyday!) However, I have to do my baby-savings duty and list both the pros and cons of Chudleighs.

Pros

1. The pony rides are decent!
They're $3 a pop, BUT you're not riding around a dinky circle. In fact, the pony rides are being conducted around a little trail - neat huh?

2. Lots of fun photo ops
Throughout the area there are retired tractors that kids can sit on and pretend to drive. (Here's your chance to take cute pics!)

3. Free tractor wagon rides
And what I like about these rides is that they're not too short, not too long - toddlers don't seem to get antsy on these (mine was A-OK and she loves to move!).

4. The petting farm has a variety of animals
There were horses, pigs, goats, chickens, bunnies, donkeys – I might be missing a few on this list. Point is, the petting farm is entertaining and very clean.  Not once did we step on animal poo. 

Alas, the cons...

1. Admission
Thank goodness we did our research because ... admission was $11 each if you're over the age of 4! I know, aiya! Phew, good thing my daughter's not "of age" yet. Which leads to the next con...

2. You still have to pay admission if you're just there to pick apples and not "play around." Um...enough said about this one.

3.The pies are pricey
We paid $10 for one fresh apple pie. However, I found out a few days later that my mom bought a fresh, same-sized apple pie at the Brampton, Ont. farm Al Ferri & Sons for approximately $4! 

Bottom line: Fun for the whole family, suitable for toddlers and young children – just be prepared to dish out cash.

Have you been to an apple farm this season? Which one is your fave and why? Post below.

NEW! Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits coupon

Sure, arrowroot cookies are for babies and tots, but is there an adult who doesn't enjoy this cookie once in a blue moon?

That said, I just noticed that Save.ca has a $1-off coupon for Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits - click here to check it out.

And if you don't have a Save.ca account, take the minute to get one - it's worth it!

Now that xmas is around the corner, I'd love to know your thoughts on saving money. Do you save funds on decor, gifts or photos? How about greeting cards? Share your thoughts below.

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Giving Birth

1. Light sleepers do not need to splurge on baby monitors.

2. Every baby is different. Repeat: EVERY BABY IS DIFFERENT. Just because your friend, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, whoever thinks that something is "best for your baby," it doesn't mean it's the best for your baby. Go with your gut.

3. It takes time to feel comfortable leaving the house with a baby. Try "baby steps" (no pun intended!) like going for a walk to get the mail, walking around the block the next day, then taking a trip to the mall.

4. A nursery doesn't have to have matching Winnie The Pooh bedsheets. Trust me, the baby doesn't care and when you haven't slept in weeks - or months - you don't give a damn either!

5. If you have a newborn and you see baby food-related items on sale, don't stock up.

6. Before you give birth, try to make meals in advance and freeze them.

7. Don't feel like you need to entertain guests when you have a newborn. Invite people over when YOU are ready.

8. Ask for help. You're only human. If someone offers to help out, take the offer.

9. Leave the dishes for later. Honestly, if you have the chance to nap, take it! The dishes can wait.

10. It's okay to cry. You don't have to hide your feelings if you're frustrated - all new moms feel the same!

Can anyone else add more to this list?

The Minimalist Guide to Christmas Shopping for Kids in Ontario

I KNOW it's only September, but in the blink of an eye, you know it'll be Christmas! So now's a great time to announce that the Samko & Miko Toy Warehouse sale in Toronto and Markham is happening!

You'll find some cool deals on toys and books by Hasbro, Disney, Fisher-Price, Crayola, etc, and I know a lot of moms (and grandmas) swear by this sale.

Here are the details:

Date: Sept 21-Dec 22, 2013

Hours: 
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Wed: 10am-4pm
Thurs: 10am-8pm
Fri: 10am-8pm
Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun: 11am-5pm
 
Locations: Click here to find the closest one to you

Have you been here before? What did you think?

Infant CPR: Is it worth $40?

Here’s a special post from my guest blogger, NewMamaKira – tell me what you think!

No, this is not NewMamaKira's baby

 
A few weeks ago, I enrolled myself in an infant CPR class at the Toronto store Baby On The Hip and it cost $40.

So why did I decide to take the course rather than stock up on $40 worth of baby stuff? Well, with being on mat leave for a year, I would have the most face-to-face time with my son; hence higher probability of being present if an emergency was to happen. I wanted to have the knowledge to equip myself to handle these situations and to act calm and react in a swift and responsive manner. 

So was it really worth it? Actually, yeah, it was great. It was taught by a Toronto EMS paramedic and upon completion of the course, I had a certificate from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Not bad for an hour-and-a-half course, am I right? 

This is what the course covered: 

• How to assess and do CPR if a loss of consciousness occurs for infants, toddlers and adults.

• What to do if your infant, toddler or an adult is choking.

• How to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). 

And of course, the class was hands-on and we practiced with dummies of both infants and adult sizes.

As for the logistics of the day, they don’t recommend bringing your baby because they don’t provide childcare. (Which makes sense.) However it was just short enough for me to get back home without providing too much stress on my hubby! 

These are techniques a parent wishes he or she never wants to use. But in an emergency situation, it’s good to know how to react to either your own child or someone else’s. While $40 is a lot and I could’ve bought a mega pack of Pampers instead, infant CPR knowledge is priceless.

Click here if you want to learn more about workshops available at Baby On The Hip.  

Need a break? Here's a free event for the whole family

As my two-year-old daughter was attempting to achieve front rolls in the Erin Meadows Library, this notice caught my eye.

Honestly, it had me a Starbucks coffee... and cake. If you can't read it, some of the highlights include:

• Games
• Arts and crafts
• Starbucks coffee and tea
• Family storytime
• Cake! Cake! Cake!

Also, Magician Scott Dietrich will be there, but I believe admission to that magic show is $3.

It's happening on September 7, 10am-4pm.

Erin Meadows Library is located at 2800 Erin Centre Blvd., Mississauga, Ont.

Any free events coming up in your area? Post them below to share.

How I'm Saving $10 On Stuff At Sears

So I went to Staples earlier last week and spent over $50 - as a result, Staples gave me a $10 savings card to Sears, woot woot!

Interesting thing to note about this offer: It expired on August 20, however, I made my purchase on August 21 because they still had gift cards leftover. So here's a neat lesson: When you see the phrase "valid in-store until <insert date> or while quantities last," don't feel discouraged. Because there could be "quantities" left over!

Also, note this other lesson: READ the fine print or else you'll look (and feel) like an ass! On the Sears card, it says it's only valid between August 14-September 18.

Do you have anymore savings reminders to share with other parents? Sound off in the comments!

Can't Keep Up? Here's A Good Deal To Keep Up With Your Baby Wipes Supply

As some of you already know, I'm not a fan of stocking up on diapers. The baby is going to grow out of them really fast, so if you stock up, you might be left with a pile of diapers. And diapers can take up space!

But in this case, screw my diaper-stocking rule and stock up on wipes. (Honestly, if I didn't have a kid, I'd still use baby wipes - they're probably the best invention EVER in my opinion!)
Speaking of piling on the baby wipes, Costco now has an AMAZING sale. You get 900 Kirkland wipes for about $15. That's one cent per wipe!

When I went to Costco last night, there weren't many boxes left. So when you get a chance this week, stop by Costco. And if you don't have a membership, beg your family member or friend to pick some up for you!

Did you see any good deals this week? Post them below to share with other new parents!

How to get more exclusive savings tips from Adventures in Baby Savings

I got some fantastic news to share with you: Adventures in Baby Savings has expanded into a Facebook group - click here to join if you haven't yet.

There's an interesting discussion going on as I'm writing this post:

"I am in my 6th month and starting to have a lot of trouble sleeping on my side and having hip pain (bruised feeling). Are pregnancy body pillows like the Snoogle or tummy wedges like the Jolly Jumper worth it? Thanks."

Jump in on the discussion now and share your tips! See you in the Facebook group and keep an eye out for more money-saving posts on the blogger site.

And btw ... it's back-to-school season which means clearance sales galore, yay! Stay tuned, I'll be posting more deals for you to save money.

New guest blogger reveals how she saved money on a breast pump

Great news: I’m thrilled to introduce you to my newest guest blogger, NewMamaKira. Welcome to the Adventures, NMK! Here’s a bit about her:

"I’m a new mom experiencing the world of childcare for the first time. As a buyer for a major retailer, I definitely enjoy negotiation and the thrill of getting the best price and value for my family. I’m amazed by this new world of parenting, and seeing my son discover it is extremely gratifying. "

Whoa, retail buyer?! How cool is that! We have lots to learn from this mama, am I right? Without further adieu, here’s NewMamaKira’s first post:

How to Save Money on a Breast Pump

When I was an expectant mom, I wanted to buy the best breast pump – but I was shocked at the price of $449.99. I wondered if my work Insurance company, Sun Life Financial, would cover it; however there was nothing mentioned on their website. 

So this is what I did: I sent them an email and asked – that’s all. And to my delight, they cover breast pumps! Under my plan, they were willing to cover up to $300 at 75%. And all they needed was the receipt and a doctor’s note (note: they do not accept midwife notes).

Because both my plan and my husband’s was with Sun Life, I ended up getting the Medela Freestyle for free. But even better, I got a deal from Babies R Us when I signed up for their baby registry: If I bought one Medela Freestyle, Medela would send me a free breastfeeding starter kit valued at $125. The kit has 1 Calma nipple, 10 bottles of various sizes, 20 freezer bags, 30 disposable nursing pads, 1 Quick Clean sterilizer bag, Lanolin cream and an information guide.

So if you’re an expectant or new mom and you want to save cash on a breast pump, here’s my advice: Call your benefits provider to see if they’ll cover your breast pump. And if they don’t cover one, I would still recommend the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump. Don’t feel guilty about splurging on this pump because 1) it allows you to be hands-free, giving you flexibility to do something else as you are pumping i.e. read a magazine, type emails, etc.; 2) It’s a double pump, saving you time.

Another tip for you: When you call your insurance provider asking about breast pumps, be sure you fully understand what the requirements are and what the coverage is.

How did you save money on your breast pump?

Cheat Sheet for Saving Money on Gerber Snacks

I was just at a Walmart store in Mississauga, Ont., and noticed that a variety of Gerbers Graduates snacks are on sale now for ...

$1.93

Usually these cost approximately $2.97 and up.
Right now, take advantage and get a few - these are very affordable if you want to keep snacks at Grandma and Grandpa's house, need to munch on something at the zoo or park, or just to keep in your diaper bag for a quick snack.

And if I didn't have a kid, I'd eat these myself!

Have you spotted any other baby/tot snacks on sale this week?