Frugal

         
             One of the things I pride myself upon is finding deals and saving money! Loving to shop and being frugal can be accomplished with some parameters. Let me be clear- I like nice things and I like getting people nice things. I wish I could buy everyone the most expensive gift they want but right now I have to live in my means. Until the Lord chooses to entrust me with a larger income,  I'm very content with off brands and taking extra time to find a good deal. To be honest, I do not think a whole lot about where my food or products are made. My value system does not include going green, buying certain foods in season, or sticking it to big name companies like Wal-mart because they are taking over the world. I value saving a dollar. 

Here are some ways I save money.

1. SHOPPING EARLY- Whether it be Christmas, baby shower, wedding, or birthday. I make sure to shop way in advance. For example, the earlier you shop a baby or bridal registry, the more likely you are to find something on it that you can afford, even if its only a spatula. Personally, the Christmas shopping scene overwhelms me. I love being in the malls during Christmas time but hate the pressure to find that one gift. I believe retail stores mark up their items during the Holidays then just put a SALE sign tops to trick people into buying. I'm not convinced you save a lot with "Holiday Sales".

2. OFF BRANDS- Some of the stores I buy off brands in are Hy-vee brand, Wal-mart brand, and Aldi's. While I do like Fareway, it hard to find off brands so I feel like I'm spending the same money at stores with an alternative brand. Things like paper products, bread, granola bars, milk, cheese and chips are a few items I think are all the same. I'm sure many will disagree which I can understand. For example, I don't buy anything but Hidden Valley Ranch.

3. COUPONS- This is a no brainer. I personally just look at the weekly sales ad. Sometimes I will use manufacturers coupons but I don't think they are really a great deal. I would just buy the off brand and save more than using a coupon on name brand. Although I've come to realize their deals are dwindling, every year I buy an Entertainment book. Really good buy one get one free deals for restaurants! Also remember that many places will accept competitors coupons. I interchange coupons between JoAnn's Fabric's and Hancock Fabric's all the time.

4. CONSIGNING- I love consignment stores! My new favorite is Stuff Etc in Ankeny. I bring the items in and then receive 40% of the selling price. The only downside is that it not immediate cash; you have to wait until your items sell. I also have bought a lot of toys and books at consignment stores. Even a few weeks ago I got brand new Crest floss for 99 cents. Many people do not feel like they get a good deal at consignment stores especially for children's clothes- this is why I start by posting my items on Facebook Swap pages. (I'll get there in a minute)

5. GARAGE SALE - Live up Saturday mornings! I went garage saling at least every other weekend this summer, even if it was only one garage sale. Try bartering for items but try to remember the Golden Rule. "Barter the way you want to be bartered with" - aka don't rip people off or low ball them.

6. FACEBOOK SWAPS- For those of you who have never heard of a Facebook Swap, these are groups on Facebook specific to cities that give you an opportunity to post pictures of items and sell them. You post the pictures into the group and list a price. The first person to comment on the photo may come pick it up from your house or you can meet somewhere. You control the price so people feel like they are getting a better return on their items. Beware though these groups have VERY specific rules, are a safety risk, and can be breeding ground for arguments.

Happy Savings!

Books!!

Being a teacher, you might think that I love reading. Well I do, but only if they have pictures- I'm serious!

High School and College killed my love of reading chapter books and especially non-fiction. My non-fiction reading mostly takes place on the internet. This is rare but usually stems from something I hear on the radio or see on tv. Immediately, I google the topic to find out more information. I prefer trusty websites like Wikipedia!

Perfect and enjoyable reading for me is under 20 minutes and swells up my heart with only happy emotions. Love - Humor - Cuteness - Compassion - Victory

So here are some of my most favorite books or ones that have helped me immensely in my time of need.

 

Favorite Board Book-I read it like a song because it has nice simple poetry. Also toddlers love to dance with the characters.

Favorite picture book- I always thought this story was so creative. Captures my attention every time. I even feel bad for the Wolf when I head the story of the 3 Little Pigs!

 

 

 

 

Chapter Book- Do I even need to explain myself? We all wanted to be them!

 

 

 

 

Woman's Book- Although I think it is a hard book to get through because it is not very exciting- I remember making personal connections to this book for the next year. Great lessons!

Christian Book- Whether you take this figuratively or literally - This book challenged me to examine my theology. No I don't think God is a large black lady but the emotions I had attached to each member of the trinity were inaccurate. It made me search scripture to investigate what God actually thinks of me and I discovered his tenderness!

Pregnancy Book- I read this before we got pregnant. It boosted my faith tremendously. Without this encouragement to give my conception, pregnancy, and pain to God in prayer, I don't even know if I would have had my son. Some parts of this book might not be for everyone but there are awesome truths in this book about pregnancy and conception. 

Non-Fiction - This is one of the few non-fiction books I've read. It tells you everything to what is in the vaccine, why people do or don't get the vaccine, and what diseases the shots are preventing. Also it gives you the statistics for contracting the disease and risk of seizures after the shot. No matter your beliefs- You need just as much faith to believe that God will protect your child against diseases without shots as you need faith that God will protect your child from harmful side effects of vaccines.

Happy Reading!!!

River, Riv, Rivey

River is changing like crazy. For one, he has baby tantrums consisting of arching his back and screaming. He chooses to share most of these emotions with his mother. Pre-pregnancy, I was overly confident about my future parenting skills. Between teaching and nanning I thought I had it all figured out- not true. We've tried different things to discipline him but he just laughs at us.

Mover- He loves to move and is frustrated that he can't do it on his own. He can do a 360 scooting his arms but he has no legs power. His favorite place is his walker or standing with support from mom or dad. Recently he was in his walker in the living room. I was in his room calling his name. He found his way back to me in 5 minutes and gave me huge smile when he found me.

Why do parents even buy toys? River's current favorite toys are Tupperware, plastic bottles, the remote, cell phones, and paper. Every other trip to the grocery stores involves him chewing or tearing up my shopping list. He squeals loud until he gets it into his hands. The nice things about having a lower quality tv is that the remote only works if you point to the sensor. Therefore, River can play with the remote without changing channels.

That's a little glimpse into the Vande Zandschulp home with a 7 month old boy!

Christmas Card Preview

A Little Spare Time

This I made for Christmas from Grandma's old Button Jars!

Wetbags for cloth diapering on the go- if you don't mind uneven lines and a zipper that only half opens- I'm your seamstress!

God Always Likes You

Last night I got home after conferences so excited to see River. It had been a long day with work and conferences in the evening. Dave had warned me that River was exhausted but he would hold him off on bedtime until I got home. So when I got home, River gave me a small smile then immediately started crying when he got into my arms. Getting him to sleep was a mixture of fussiness, screaming, sitting then standing, and on and off nursing. Normally this would have been a bad end to a long day but for some reason I was just elated to be with my son. Then I began to think about God. I struggle with believing that God is always disappointed with me when I'm emotional. As I held River , I felt like God was telling me, I always delight in you- even when you are emotional. It was like a smile from Heaven reminding me there is nothing I can do to make God not like me. He likes me/you and delights in me no matter how I'm acting that day :)

Baby Essentials at the VZ Home

Aden and Anais blankets have been lifesavers!!! During our four month nursing fight, this was one of the only ways I could get River to nurse. He loves it near his face for feeding and sleeping. We don't go anywhere without one.

Bum Genius Diapers are reusable diapers. I use them a couples times a week and then throw them into the washing machine. Every time I use them I save about 20 cents which adds up over time.

This I use a couple times a week when River wakes up congested. The nasal aspirator would be great too if River wouldn't fight me. It is the best booger sucker I've found besides the hospital ones.

You're probably confused. Unlike most moms with a 6 month old, I still get up about four times a night. I use these push lights when I get up to nurse River back to sleep--- perfect amount of light!

River currently does not like the high chair so we feed him in the bumbo. Also I think it helped him with head control and now trying to sit up. Disclaimer to new moms: it doesn't work as a bath seat in standing water.

I LOVE CHILDREN'S BOOKS!!! And now I believe my son does too. He grabs for it every time we read and is very talkative when you put a bath book in his hands. I like to think he is reading in all that babble.

Sophie the Giraffe- River first discovered her at daycare. It is a rubber toy that is great for teethers. Apparently everyone in Europe gets these for their babies. Yes, they are a little expensive for my taste but he LOVES it.

I'm sure with each new stage of life we will have another "essential" list.

River's Birth Story Part 3

The midwife rushes in and I begin to push as she get everything ready. More people began to fill the room. I remember the anesthesiologist popping his head in. I probably was thinking at that point “you are worthless.” Also I remember the baby warmer being set into place. Pushing was painful and at times I felt scared. I knew the pain wasn’t going away so I gave it all I got. My mom was saying I was doing amazing. I think she would have said that no matter what. The midwife said I was crowning and asked if I wanted to feel his head. I replied no- HA! Just a few pushes later, the baby’s head was on its way out to which I heard STOP from everyone. I tried my best to stop because I didn’t know why they were saying that. Seconds later the midwife sternly says PUSH. River was then laid on my chest and I was stunned. I couldn’t believe he was real and mine.

A second later he was grabbed from me. Dave went over to the baby warmer while my mom stayed by me. Little did I know that the cord was wrapped around his neck. The nurses were patting his back and using a sucker object down his throat. At the same time the NICU team swarmed into the room.  My mom explained all this to me while I lay watching so I wasn’t scared. Eventually River let out a big cry. Those few minutes were the longest of Dave’s life. Since the nurses were so focused on getting River breathing, no one was talking to Dave. He didn’t know in those minutes if his son was going to live. River was put on oxygen temporarily and had an iv on his arm. Soon they laid him back on my chest. I was still in awe that he was my son.

            The next hour included family coming in, lots of shaking, blood pressure checks every ten minutes and baby gazing. It was nice that the doctor ordered him not to be held by anybody but Dave and I. This was so his breathing would stabilize.  I had a second degree tear and that was proof to me that the epidural did not work. I felt everything post birth. I begged the nurse to take out the IV and really that was the most reliving part of post delivery besides being able to take a bath. Lots of family came to see River. We barely got any sleep those days because of all the excitement. I was so grateful to the midwife for basically saving my son. Initially, I was somewhat annoyed that the midwife on duty was the one lady I had the least appointments with. I kind of judged her as being young therefore the least proficient at delivery babies. So in the end, I was very humbled that she saved River and I also learned that she was ten years older than what I suspected. Looking back, the only thing I would have changed is getting nausea medicine instead of the epidural. I didn’t know at the time that nausea medicine existed and the epidural didn’t even work for me. All in all I’m grateful for a healthy baby, an incredible husband, a loving family, and a wonderful staff at Methodist.  PRAISE GOD!!