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?