Let's Go Shopping -- at Yard Sales!

Written by Cyndi Roberts


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If you are a reader, as I am, you can save big bucks by buying books for next to nothing at yard sales. Even if you don't find a book you want to read yourself, if a book is very cheap, buy it and trade it for credit atrepparttar used bookstore!

Joke gifts for adults are another item to look for. Buying inrepparttar 111068 spring or summer means you aren't running around in December trying to find something suitable for that office Christmas party.

Always watch for gift wrapping supplies. Use your imagination! Grab that partial roll of wallpaper with border to match. Wrap a gift inrepparttar 111069 wallpaper and wrap a length of border around it; no need for ribbon or a bow!

Sometimes, you will even find actual wrapping paper and ribbon for sale at a yard sale. Never pass up a bargain.

Do you have a young adult going off to college next fall? Or one moving into his first apartment? Help out by looking for small appliances, sets of glasses, flatware, pots and pans or utensils. Then they won't be raiding your home for whatever they need!

Does your family love to work jigsaw puzzles? New puzzles can be pretty pricey--so just visitrepparttar 111070 yard sales. I've bought puzzles for as little as 50 cents and very seldom have I bought one that had any pieces missing.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure" is certainly true at yard sales. Some people just do not haverepparttar 111071 imagination to seerepparttar 111072 many uses of different items. Money-saving opportunities abound for those who are able to see potential in unlikely objects.



Cyndi Roberts is the editor of "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter, bringing you creative, practical tips to help you with budgeting, cooking, shopping, parenting and much more as you strive to "live the Good Life... on a budget". To subscribe visit the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" website at http://www.cynroberts.com


Secrets to Working and Pumping

Written by Patty Hone


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25.Do not assume because baby is fussing it is your supply. Many times baby will fuss for other reasons. 26.When preparing bottles for day care, store them in three oz portions. Your baby will likely only need three oz at a time. If he needs more up it to four. 27.Send small 2 oz bottles of breast milk for day care provider to give to baby if you will be picking him up soon. This way baby will be ready to nurse when you get him home. 28.Nurse on your lunch break if you can. 29.Take picture of baby with you to work. Look at your baby when you are pumping. It will help with your let down. 30.Have a nurse in. Onrepparttar weekend spendrepparttar 111067 entire weekend in bed with your baby and nurse as frequently as you can. 31.During pumping session, take a break when your milk stops flowing. Massage your breast and use nipple stimulation to get a second let down. You will usually get another oz or so if you can get a second let down. 32.Cut down on caffeine. Caffeine will hinder your supply 33.Don't do extreme dieting. Eat a healthy diet. 34.Contact a La Leche League Leader or lactation consultant for advice. 35.Avoid using bottles and pacifiers when you are home. 36.Try switch nursing when you are home. Nurse on one side then switch torepparttar 111068 other when baby seems to be getting fussy. Switch sides two or three times while nursing. 37.Remind yourself of allrepparttar 111069 benefits your baby is getting and that it's worth it! 38.Keep your pump pre-assembled so that you can keep your pumping breaks shorter. 39.If your using a pump with horns put them in a Ziploc bag and store them inrepparttar 111070 freezer between pumpings. This way you can just wash them when you get home. 40.If you can, do paperwork while pumping. This way you can have more pumping breaks and you will relax more if you are not focused on pumping. 41.Don't watchrepparttar 111071 pump. Staring atrepparttar 111072 pump watching for milk will make your session more stressful. 42.Adjustrepparttar 111073 suction controls, experiment withrepparttar 111074 speed and suction until you find what works best for you. 43.Keep spare parts readily available for your pump so you don't have any emergencies. 44.If you own a hands free pump like whisperwear try pumping onrepparttar 111075 drive to work. 45.Massage your breasts while you pump. 46.Pump inrepparttar 111076 morning. Your supply is best inrepparttar 111077 morning. 47.Bring a baby blanket or item of clothing that smells like baby. Use your senses to visualize your baby. 48.Close your eyes and picture baby nursing. 49.Keep a back up pump at work or in your car in case you forget. The Avent Isis is affordable and a great pump to have for a backup. 50.Pat yourself onrepparttar 111078 back for giving your babyrepparttar 111079 best!

Patty Hone is a wife and mommy to three kids. She is also the owner of Mommiesmall.com. For quality breast pumps, slings, and other attachment parenting products please visit her site at http://www.mommiesmall.com


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