Fru-gal-i-ty

"Frugal" was not a word that I paid much attention to when I learned it in middle school.  It's not one of those appealing sounding sort of words... to me at least.  But having been a stay-at-home mom for almost 2 years now, discovering the benefits that come from the lifestyle defined by that word, has definitely piqued my interest as of late.  I'm just beginning to navigate this world of frugal living and it's already paid off!

I've been looking forward to sharing with you my wealth of knowledge on the different ways to save money, but for this post I'm going to focus on the discoveries I've made on how simply being a mom pays off!

1. {amazon.com/mom} A couple months ago I noticed a 20% OFF Diapers coupon in an issue of Parents magazine from amazon.com.  Gregg and I had been talking about trying to find some way to save on diapers like looking online to see if we could buy them in bulk.  Well, I came across this coupon, went online and ended up joining Amazon Mom.  I saw a notice that said I'd save even more if I signed up for Subscribe and Save.  After reading the terms and conditions, I decided to do it.  When I went to check out on my order of diapers, I was surprised by how much I saved!  Joining Amazon Mom plus signing up for Subscribe and Save in combination with my coupon took the original price of a 140 count box of size 4 Huggies diapers from $41.69 to $16.79 and shipping and handling was free!  I picked the option of receiving a box of diapers once a month through Subscribe and Save and when I got an email notification letting me know when my next box of diapers was going to be shipped, I was given the option to move the date further back since we didn't need more diapers quite yet.  I still got the Subscribe and Save discount and without the special coupon, I pay $21.45 with free shipping and handling, saving me about $10-$20.

2. {enjoytheriderewards.com} I don't know how long it took me to notice the yellow "Enjoy the Ride Rewards" sticker on each package of Huggies diapers, but when I did, I started peeling them off and collecting them.  I finally went online today to see what the codes do.  Just for registering on the site I got 10 points.  Each code I entered earned me either 7, 9, 13 or 34 points.  Every time you enter a code, you're asked to enter in the name of the retailer you bought the diapers from.  I knew the most recent ones were from amazon.com and I remembered that a friend bought us a pack from Costco.  In my effort to be honest, I tried to remember where we first started buying our diapers before I discovered Amazon Mom, so I guessed Vons and was surprised when I received double bonus points through a Safeway Mother's Day Promotion good until May 31, 2011!  So through 8 codes plus registration, I earned myself 171 points.  You can spend your points on sweepstakes, their online rewards catalog or even donate them towards their Every Little Bottom charity.  There are also several ways to earn extra points on their site (i.e. watching videos, taking polls, etc.).   

3. {shutterfly.com} I've been using Shutterfly to make my photo books ever since I received a free 10 page photo book promotion through buying my wedding dress at David's Bridal.  I only had to pay for shipping and handling!  So a book that costs about $30 I got for about $5.  Well recently, to my surprise, I received an email notifying me that I could get 50 free 4x6 prints from them for Mother's Day if I ordered them by 11:00 pm on May 9, 2011!  So that's what I did and I only had to pay $3.08 for shipping and handling.  Now I can make my grandma the mini photo album of recent pictures of Leala I've been wanting to give her.  They offer great deals all throughout the year and if you sign up as a Shutterfly member on their website, you get 50 free 4x6 prints.

You veteran moms out there, feel free to share any money saving tips you have discovered!  And you young moms, if you've discovered ways to find affordable maternity apparel, that would be a great tip as well!  In fact, if I get enough feedback, I may combine your tips and mine in a post all its own!  =)