Poverty at the Door

It is amazing how small things can come together to create one big picture. In this case, a big picture of emotion that moves me to do something beyond myself.

First off, I live in a place where the majority of people live in trailers with no foundation, have no indoor plumbing, and their only source of electricity comes from solar panels (if they have been lucky enough to afford them).  We pulled in with our 17 foot moving truck to a newly remodel 3 bedroom apartment, provided by my husband’s employer, with central air, electricity, and running hot water. Some of our neighbors live in a dwelling no longer than that truck.  Talk about wealth disparity and talk about motivation to rid the excess from our home.

While I have continually been amazed at the living conditions of those in our own country of America, my heart was saddened to read about refugees fleeing from their home countries. They left their country with nothing but their lives, their family and the clothes on their backs. Nothing promising awaits them in these foreign countries, no job, no school, only the hope of safety. They come completely reliant on the kindness of others. Their futures uncertain, their fears prominent. Their adversity makes hauling water home look like a blessing.

Perhaps the last straw that brought tears to my eyes and broke my heart came while getting dressed this morning.  While still pondering the condition of the refugees, I looked at the tag of my shirt, bought 2nd hand from a thrift store, and read: made in Cambodia.

 My mind flashed back to a YouTube video I saw, where a young man went to serve the people of Cambodia. The poverty he saw while there was overwhelming. Children going to bed hungry every night because they could not afford a bowl of rice.  How grateful someone must have been, to have a job sewing a shirt so they could earn a little to feed and clothe their family.  Yet, what were their wages? A day of sewing just enough to pay for one meal?  It’s no wonder they call Americans fat. Even our poorest have access to more than those people who live in that country; a forgotten place that most of us have never even heard of.

We live a spoiled life here. After reading the tag, and reflecting on what I know of Cambodia, I felt a little ashamed. Oh, how I have become desensitized to the phrase “Made in China”. Do many of their people struggle too?

Now, I’m not saying we should or should not buy items made in other countries and I have no solution to end world poverty. However, I hope we each take time to pause and reflect on how greatly we have been blessed. This Christmas season, instead of spending our wealth on a gift that adds to our clutter, perhaps we can show a little gratitude by donating to help those in need, whether they are our neighbor or whether they live half a world away.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Our Wants May Not Be What We Need

While looking over the "What You Really Need" Baby List. I thought, "Wow, babies really don't need a whole lot a stuff."  Then the thought entered my mind, "Neither do your children, they need you."

What a humbling thought. How often had I told my toddler to wait when she asked, "Mommy, can you come play?" I had even done it while searching for the perfect Christmas gift for her.  

As Christmas time approaches, I hope we remember our children do not need mountains of gifts. Mostly they need our undivided, loving, attention.

I like how this video discuss joyfully being content with what we have.

Basic Baby Gear List- Only What You Really Need

When one of my middle-aged friend ended up with a surprise pregnancy, we began asking, "What is truly essential?"

On the internet, you can find baby list pages long. With everything from bath tub thermometers to wipe warmers. One can easily become overwhelmed, not to mention spend a fortune, to get all the baby gear they say you "need" to have.

I went online and searched "Minimalist baby gear" to get an idea of what my friend would need.  None of the lists satisfied me, for they were either too incomplete- listing clothes instead of specifics- or a lengthy advertisement- buy this specific brand at this certain store.

What one really needs is so subjective.  A marathon runner may "need" a jogging stroller, while a working mama might "need" 8 different bottles.  So many "essentials" it can be hard to tell what you really need to have and what simply makes life easier. I took the longest minimalist list and simplified it to the what I believe are the true necessities.

A stress trap expecting parents may fall into is thinking they need everything for the first year before baby has even been born.  There are several months between a newborn baby sitting in the bouncer, to the baby crawling towards the top of the stairs.  Also, some items are used only for a few months (baby bath, new born clothes, etc) so buying gently used is a good way to save money.

Enough rambling, here is my list of true essentials:

MINIMALIST BABY GUIDE

CAR SEAT

Some fancy car seats can cost $300 or more. I found a nice (high rated) car seat using Amazon Warehouse Deals for $70- normally $90- that will last for all the baby and toddler years.

OTHER PLACES TO SET BABY 

swing or bouncer
Baby Carrier- to hold while hands are free. I use a homemade Moby Wrap.

FEEDING (NURSING)

disposable or washable pads for the mama

soothing cream for the mama

pump- even a hand pump for those days you wake up full!

4-6 burp clothes

*my sister argues a boppy is essential much like my brother-in-laws says bibs are, but I'm not convinced.

FEEDING (older baby)

High chair
Baby food grinder (saves money!)
Spoons

DIAPERS & ACCESSORIES*

Newborn diapers (Love the Huggies newborn diapers because of the cut out for the cord)
Baby Wipes

Diaper Rash Cream

Diaper Bag- unless you have a very large purse
Diaper Bag accessories: travel size wipes, small changing pad, hand sanitizer, extra set of clothes for baby 

NURSERY
Crib
Crip mattress 

Chair to sit with /rock baby

BEDDING

2 fitted crib sheets
waterproof crib pad
1-2 Mid-weight blankets/stroller blankets
4-6 receiving/swaddling blankets  

Thick blankets for tummy time or to bundle winter baby if going outside. 

(I think you can never have enough blankets)

HEALTH & OTHER ESSENTIALS

First Aid Kit
Baby health and grooming kit

Teethers

LAYETTE (Clothes)
short sleeve onesies (in NB, o-3, 3-6 mos)
long sleeve onesies (in NB, o-3, 3-6 mos) (if winter baby)

4-6 pants (or dresses if girl)

one nice outfit for picture moments
2-3 sleepers (love ones that have elastic bottoms for easy night-time diaper changes)
4 – 6 pairs of socks
2 – 3 pairs of mittens
hat
Outwear depending on the season

coat/jacket/snowsuit

Some recommend having at least 8 outfits just in case of blow outs.  But let's be honest, you can get gently used baby clothes for cheap at garage sales and thrift stores.  I like to make sure I'm not going to run out before laundry day.  (2-3 outfits per day)

I only buy shoes after they take their first step.

BATHING

Bath tub
hooded towel
4-6 washcloths or a sponge
Baby shampoo
Bath toy

 BOOKS

Any child friendly book!  Board books, cloth books, touch-and-feel books, books!  Contrast like black, red, and white are great for when baby is first born.

I think the library is a great place for elementary kids and up, but baby books often get used as chew toys, so I recommend having a few of your own.  Even new born babies benefit from being read to. So read on!

TOYS 

My babies' favorite toys have been a pot with a lid and a wooden spoon to bang on it, and homemade blocks, or anything they can stack. (Empty juice containers- seriously)

You don't need crazy fancy or mountains of Fisher-Price. The best sensory for a newborn is Mama's smiling, interactive, face!

SAFETY (Not needed when born)

Outlet covers
Cabinet and door latches
Safety gates (if necessary)
Toilet seat locks (or just shut the bathroom door)

*Notice I left diaper pail and changing mat off the list.  For disposable diapers I use the regular garbage for diapers (poopy outside) and just a blanket on the floor for changing.  Unless you are using cloth. Then I would say a good diaper pail is essential!

If you are bottle feeding, you will need formula, a bottle brush, and some bottles.

What do you think should, or should not be, on the list?

Service

When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Mosiah 2:17


I believe serving each other is an important part of life. While donating money to charities helps, it is not the only way to serve. Here is a list of ideas to get you thinking of what you can do to help others:

• Rake leaves or shovel snow for neighbors
• Chop or stack wood for elderly neighbors
• Read with children at a literacy center
• Visit with the elderly at a rest home
• Walk dogs at a animal shelter
• Make blankets for various organizations such as the local police or women's shelters
• Donate and gather food for a food bank 
• Donate and gather supplies for hygiene kits for women's shelters or needed areas throughout the world
• Donate your hair- 8-10 inch minimum, depending on the charity.  The three organizations I know of are: Locks of Love, Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and Wigs for Kids.
• Habitat for Humanity- under the direction of a certified contractor, help build homes for lower income residences who also are doing a large portion of the work.
• Volunteer at soup kitchen or homeless shelter
• Mother's Milk Bank- donate human milk for premature babies. I am familiar with the Rocky Mountain Children's Health Foundation Milk Bank, although there are other organizations out there, both profit (research) and non profit based.
• Cuddle/Hold babies in the hospital
• Donate blood- okay, not a favorite, but still good to do.
• Donate Plasma (some organizations pay for this)
• Bring dinner to a family who just had a baby, major illness, etc
• Donate stuff for charity yard sales, or the like
• Free babysitting for a friend
• Tutor at local school
• Clear weeds and debris from a park/garden
• Help plant city flowers
• Pick up trash in parks
• Make wooden toys for children in 3rd world countries- or oil them as our family did after our grandpa and grandma made them.
• Help repaint someone's home, shed, cabin, etc
• Give excess garden produce away to others 
• Help someone move
• Listen when someone needs to talk
• Refrain from saying something unkind
• Offer words of encouragement
• Share your talents with others
• Maintain a positive attitude

The list of ways to serve could go on and on, this certainly is not a comprehensive list. I am convinced the possibilities to make life better for our fellowmen are endless.

What have been some of your favorite ways to serve?

Tip to Keep Closet Clutter Free

Clothes.  They are so easy to accumulate yet so hard to get rid of. Right?  A common piece of advice is if you haven't worn it in a year, get ride of it, donate it, throw it out.  To tell the truth, I hate that piece of advice. It may work for the never changing body, but I tell you I am certainly not throwing out maternity clothes just because I haven't worn them in a year.  I will need those again, and if I have been stuck in maternity/nursing clothes for the good part of a year I am NOT giving up my "normal" clothes.  So for me, that one year rule is more annoying than helpful.

I have heard a slightly more reasonable rule: If you haven't worn it in two of the same season, time to get it out of your closet.  Okay, let's be honest, my favorite jacket is going to win on a cold evening over the hand-me-down one I was given by a former roommate years ago.  Time to get rid of the old jacket and about three others sitting in my closet.

However, here is one trick I use to keep my closet (mostly) clutter free: I don't buy hangers. I suppose it is similar to the one in-one out rule.  If I don't have a hanger to hang it up on, I don't buy it or it's time to get rid of something else.

This does allow my wardrobe to change a bit.  The maternity clothes are currently in a box- not on hangers.  So are the winter clothes.  The only thing in the dresser are things that don't belong on hanger such as socks and gloves.  It has been a great way to save money buy not shoving more and more into my closet and helps with the clutter too.

Stir Fry Sauce

Good with rice or noddle stir fry. This recipe combines ingredients without cooking.  I have heated it and had it as a side option or put it right into the sauce.  Now I use it as a guide but throw whatever else I want into it too.

From Food.com

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Staycation!

We are doing our fair share of travel this summer.  My husband has out of town conferences for work so I go with him.  After all, the gas mileage and hotels are already paid for.  But mixing play and work is often more stressful than fun and your place of travel is chosen for you.  Not that I complain when it is to where my family lives.

Another way we are trying to save money this year is by staying home.  People come from all over the world to visit my house (okay not my house, but the region) so why shouldn't I visit it as well?

We call it Tourist Tuesday. Every Tuesday we pick a new place to go explore. Whether it's a hike, museum, park, or a walk around the neighborhood, we're enjoying seeing the place we call home. Picking a day in the middle of the week means smaller crowds as well.

What's in your neighborhood?

30 Days of Thinking

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a really big list of wants- expensive wants.  Well, instead of taking out the credit card and running to the store, I take out a 3x5 card and write them. Then I prioritize what I want first, search for good deals, and just plain wait.

I recently learned there is a thing called the 30 day challenge.  When you find something you "just got to have" you write it down and wait 30 days.  If you still want it- and have the money- then buy it.

I had five expensive (more than $50) things I wanted a few months back.  I knew we could not afford them all. So I wrote them down with about how much they would cost depending.

Printer $80 on sale
Carpet cleaner $90 on sale
specific preschool curriculum $190 for 2 yrs)
food dehydrator 60-100+ on sale
freezer 200+

Here is what happen:

 I had already waited a long time for a printer- ours stopped working.  Instead my awesome husband spent some time fixing it.  Instead of $80 we spent $13.

Carpet cleaner- Wait, all I want to do is clean a chair.  I will ask around and find one I can borrow.

Preschool lessons- Um, I graduated in Early Childhood Development. I know how to write my own lesson plans.  Bought a $4 book with activity ideas specific to the curriculum I liked.

Food dehydrator- still want, but it is the beginning of spring. I don't need it yet.  It can wait.

Freezer.  It was a long wait to get a second freezer!  I had a month to look at reviews, prices, space in our apartment, etc.  Yup, it's got ordered as soon as possible!

Giving myself some time to think about my wants saved us hundreds of dollars. Doing it with small items helps too!

What ideas do you have to save money?

Homemade Poulty Seasoning

Remember how homemade Cream of Chicken calls for Poultry seasoning? (Probably not since the post got deleted and I currently don't have time to retype it.)  I didn't have any of that to make the homemade Cream of Chicken, so homemade seasoning it was.


Homemade Poultry Seasoning

2 tsp ground sage
1 1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp marjoram
3/4 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp black pepper

Mix. Store in air tight container

Whew, between that and the cream of chicken and the cooking, that was a lot of work for dinner.  I enjoyed it though.

Summer Simplicity

Perhaps that title is misleading. Summer is already full of vacation, family activities and, yes, school, conferences, and work.

We decided we need to simplify our lives.  One way is less media- and less blogging.  I have a few ideas already lined up, but for the summer at least I will probably only be posting one or two articles a month.  Enjoy your summer!

Peanut Butter Balls

The other day my friend pulls these little treats out of her freezer and let us try them.  My toddler has been asking for them ever since. We have already made two batches. Peanut butter goes fast in our house.

Peanut Butter Balls

1 c peanut butter

1 c powdered milk

1/2 c honey

mix together and roll into balls.  Enjoy!

I think I am ready to experiment and add oats, chocolate chips, coconut or something else to add crunch.

This is very similar to edible play dough.  It should have about the same consistency.

Homemade Tootsie Roll

Every week my toddler and I have COOKie Tuesday. Two of our weeks have involved this simple no bake treat that little hands can help with.

Tootsie Rolls

3 Tbsp butter- melted

1/2 c cocoa*

1/2 c light karo syrup

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 c powdered milk

3 c powdered sugar

Mix in order.  Knead well.  Texture will be like play dough.  Roll and cut. Enjoy.

*For fruity tootsie rolls add 1 pk of Kool Aid instead of cocoa.  It is delicious too!

We actually halved the recipe because it makes a lot. This recipe is softer than store bought

Coconut Oil

Years ago Dove stopped making my favorite moisturizer.  Nothing- within my price range- has come close to being as amazing.  I'm still sad over that. Anyway... I had some coconut oil for another experiment I was trying and thought why not see if it works. (it would be cheaper than the brand I'm using now)  Putting oil on my face was a little scary, and I only used a little bit.  It absorbed quickly and three days into the experiment their have been no adverse effects.  I did look it up and learned people do use it as a regular moisturizer and for about a million other things.

I found this list (and many others) of 101 uses for coconut oil:

http://wellnessmama.com/5734/101-uses-for-coconut-oil/

Although I don't think it makes a good lip balm by itself and I certainly have not, nor will I try all of the uses listed.  (I'm skeptical of any "Windex" claim.) As a moisturizer I think it works pretty well for the not too dry skin I have.

OKAY, UPDATE!!!!

I found after awhile I no longer liked using coconut oil as a face moisturizer. Too heavy.  Now I use 100% Extra Virgin Olive oil. I like it better.  I read this is a good oil for dry skin.  I have also read grape seed oil works wonders for those with oily skin.  We will see how long using this one last.

Gratitude For My Kitchen

Here is a post I found through another blog about an amazing place called The Kitchen.

It's funny and puts it into perspective.

http://momastery.com/blog/2014/08/11/give-liberty-give-debt/

Gratitude for What We Do Have

I want to share something amazing. This morning I was able to take a shower for the second day in a row.  Okay, laugh.  Seriously though, it got me thinking how blessed we are. We have a continuous stream of clean, HOT, water right in our homes. Then we walk to our closets full of clothes.  I don't know about you, but I have enough clothing that I wouldn't have to do laundry for a week.

Speaking of laundry I have these two incredible machines. One washes my clothes and the other drys them.  Instead of cleaning clothes I can head to my kitchen for something to eat because we have a lot of delicious food. Plus, I have gadgets in there that make food hot or keep it cold. Amazing!

Of course were I am eating is perfectly light. All I have to do is flip a switch and presto! Let there be light! 

Notice how early in the morning I have already been in multiple rooms?  Yes, we have three bedrooms in our apartment. And there are only four of us. I guess this has become even more wonderful to me because I have seen how others live without these things.

 I hear statistics all the time that if you have more than one room in your house, electricity, or a car that you are richer than such-and-such percent of the world. When I read those I always pictured some third world country in Africa.  Not here. Not in America.  Well,  there are places here where people live in one room huts.  Not one bedroom- one room.  Entire families- grandparents, parents, cousins, children live together in a small trailer.  People heat their homes with coal, and some don't have the luxury of indoor plumbing.  Suddenly I feel like I'm living in a palace.

How our view changes when look for our blessings.

Trying to "have it all" makes people like the Jonesses. The Jonesses are miserable people who want everyone else to be miserable too.  They tell us we need bigger and "better" devices, what we have is never enough, and that we should do whatever is necessary to obtain more, more, more.

Perhaps more stuff is not what we need, but more gratitude for what we do have.

What are your favorite blessings in life?

Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Another peanut butter recipe.  It is delicious!

http://www.thecraftpatchblog.com/2013/06/chewy-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip.html

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball

Do you want some unhealthy goodness?  Do you like chocolate and peanut butter?  Then here is a dessert for you!

.

Peanut Butter “Cheese Ball”

Ingredients
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (not all­natural)
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter chips
Graham cracker sticks, teddy grahams, and/or apple slices for dipping

Instructions
1. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until
blended.
2. Spoon onto a large piece of plastic wrap; bring up all four corners and twist tightly forming into a
ball shape.
3. Freeze for 1 hour 30 minutes or until firm enough to keep its shape. Place peanut butter chips and
chocolate chips in flat dish. Remove plastic wrap from ball and roll ball into morsels to
completely cover, pressing morsels into the ball if necessary.
4. Place ball on serving dish; cover and freeze for 2 hours or until almost firm. (If frozen overnight, thaw at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.)
Serve with graham cracker sticks, teddy grahams, or apple slices for dipping or spreading.

For more pictures:

Recipie From http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/08/peanut-butter-cheese-ball.html

Favorite Play Dough Recipe Ever!

Talk about soft, long lasting, and easy.
Found this recipe, and many more play dough recopies on this site:
http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/best-ever-no-cook-play-dough-recipe.html

Soft No Cook Play Dough

2 C flour

2 T  vegetable oil

1/2 C salt

2 T Cream of Tartar

1 C boiling water

Food coloring

We divided the recipe in two, for two colors.

• First mix the four ingredients.
• Add food coloring to the water.  Mix.
• Pour a little water into the other ingredients, mixing slowly, until you get the desired consistency.  

Add more flour or water as needed.

Painting the Tub

This goes back to that week of snow.  One thing we did was water paints for the tub.

Recipe

• 4-6 Tb baby soap
• 1 tsp water
• 1 Tb corn starch
• 2-3 drops of food coloring

I divided the mixture into three cups before adding food coloring for more variety.  My toddler loved it- although it wasn't the cleanest she's ever gotten from a bath.

Colored Snow

Not the yellow kind.

I know it's spring but a few weeks ago we had an unusual snow storm that shut down the schools for an unheard of length of time. (I know not much snow in the pictures. It was the rapid melting- and further snow- that closed the schools.)

What do you do when the kids are unexpectedly home for the week?  Play in the snow of course!

Snow angels, snow forts, sledding.  And this inexpensive idea

 All you need:

• A water bottle
• Food coloring

Poke a hole in the lid of the bottle.  My friend used a hammer and small nail for this.
Fill bottle with water and food coloring of your choice.

Take it out and draw pictures in the snow.

Easy Removal of Tinted Windows

We live in the middle of a dessert and almost all of the roads are dirt.  A 4-wheel vehicle is almost a necessity.  So we saved up our pennies (we believe in paying cash) and bought a big truck. Crazy!


Well, the windows were very tinted.

 Like no way they would ever pass safety in our state- 2% light tinted.

We had heard of the old, grueling, razor blade method of removal, but we that is messy and takes a long time.


So...

Easy Way to Remove Tint from Windows

Supplies

• Razor blade
• Steamer (or an iron with steam works too)

1. Roll down window slightly. Using the razor blade make a small cut in the tint.

2. From the top steam the tint.  As the glue melts, pull the tint away from the window.

3. If any glue is left, steam it and use the razor blade to scrape it away.

Tada! It took us about 20-30 mins a window.

Baby Blowout!

Every parent of an infant inevitably experiences "The Blowout".

Who wants to take that poopy mess back over their child's head?

My husband discovered something I wish we would have known with our first child.  Those little onesies with their funny shoulder flaps are made so that they fold down!  You can roll the onesies from head down and keep the explosion contained to the bomb site.

Awesome!

Microwave Cleaning

The spaghetti exploded, the kids' cheese tortilla melted off the plate. No matter how careful you are, the microwave just gets dirty!  Dirty and then those messes get baked on all sides of the microwave.

Here is the easiest way to clean a microwave.  After doing this I was able to clean it one handed.

Spray vinegar/water 50/50 % solution on the sides of the microwave (or where the biggest mess is).  Microwave for 15-30 seconds.  Open door and wipe the mess clean!

Yes, awesome.

 Here is a sample of the mess.  Ug, gross!

Yay! Clean!

Permanent Marker on Toddler's Face

My toddler got a hold of a permanent marker and applied her lovely new makeup product to her nose and cheek.   I did worry what her face would look like for church the next day.

Turns our permanent marker is not all that permanent.
Here's what we did:
A little baby lotion on a cotton ball and it rubbed right off (to an almost unnoticeable state anyway).  I am sure baby oil would work just as well.

Whew, glad that disaster was evaded. 

Homemade Moby Wrap

My first kid loved to be held ALL the time!  We (Both baby and I) hated the carrier I had for her and I developed a very painful case of tendinitis from constantly holding her.

Expecting my second I started to look into other carriers/slings/wraps for baby.  That's when I saw the Moby Wrap.

Once again it was the price that I did not like. Then I thought, "I bet I can make that!"

I went online found about a dozen tutorials for homemade ones and sure enough each one was super easy, I'd be kicking myself if I paid $40 for one.

All you need is:

• 5 yards of fabric (My stretchy fabric's edges would not fray so it was a no-sew wrap)
• A pair of scissors
• And someplace long enough to roll out the fabric

After looking at all the tutorials, I went to the local fabric store and began to look around. (On a side note if you are going to need help picking out a fabric avoid going around Halloween when all the crazy crafty people are shopping to make homemade costumes.  It was like Christmas time at a toy store.) Anyway, after fighting crazy lines and looking through hundreds of fabric trying to find the right kind, we bought one that I hoped would work and took it home.

I rolled it out in my hallway and cut the fabric in half the long ways (hot dog style.)

And that was it! Two wraps for less than the price of one store bought.

You can undo that twist in the back and I usually knot it twice for good measure

Two Steps Further

After trying on the wrap- it worked!!!- I want to put a little iron on patch to mark the center. (Way cuter than a Moby Wrap tag).  I also want to tapered off the ends for easier trying.

Now my baby gets held and I have free hands to take care of my toddler.  Love it!

Snack Tray

I have a toddler who would live off of chocolate if I'd let her.  Decided to make a snack tray offering a variety of snacks she could eat.  Day two, so far it works. Haven't had her ask for chocolate once ...yet.

Took a large muffin tin and filled each section with a different  treat.

Cloth Diapers- Cloth Wipes

 Cloth Wipes

This is what I am most excited about when it comes to cloth diaper

Wipes are about $.02 cents apiece.  Some people make their own disposable wipes for cheaper, but I did not think the hassle was worth it, so 2 pennies it was... until I switched to cloth. 

I saw the price of cloth wipes online and laughed- fifty cents apiece!  I then went to the local fabric store, bought a piece of flannel for under $2 and made 24 of my own. 7 in by 7 in.

I also made my own diaper wipe moistener with water, baby soap and baby oil I already had- I’m not counting that cost, okay 2 cents to moisten 24 wipes, happy?

Each wipe cost me less than 8 cents apiece, so four uses and I begin saving. Six wipes a day and the savings began after 16 days.  They are thrown in with the diapers in the wash so no extra cost for washing.  After 16 days my wipes were virtually free! Love it!

Cloth Wipe Recipe

6 Tbsp water

1 Tbsp baby soap

1 Tbsp baby oil (you can use a scented kind to make the wipes smell nice)

Mix it in a container, add wipes, and mix until moist.

That is it. Once I tried it without soap and learned the soap makes poop easier to clean off of little bums. Still the savings is great!

HAPPY SAVINGS!!!

Love cloth wipes!!!