Atlanta's Frugal Mom

Disclaimer: The following is my account of potty training my daughter, using a particular method*. I am not claiming to be an expert on the subject. However, in 30 years, I’ve 20 years experience with working with kids, including two degrees in education. I’ve taught in middle school and elementary schools, and just finished up my first year in preschool. Again, I am NOT an expert in the matter, but I do feel my combined education and experience makes my account worthwhile. :o)   During the third full week in May, I undertook the daunting task of potty training my daughter, who was 26 months at the time. She was ready; she was more than ready, and I knew it. This just happened to be the first block of time where I could set aside to truly devote to the task. School had finished up the week before, and we had nothing critical that needed to be done. (Gym, schmym – we’re ditching diapers!!) So, I began hyping up going on the potty even more, leading up to that week.   She’d be...

Ditching the Diapers: Potty Training in 3 (or 4) Days Disclaimer: The following is my account of potty training my daughter, using a particular method*. I am not claiming to be an expert on the subject. However, in 30 years, I've 20 years experience with working with kids, including two degrees in education. I've taught in middle school and elementary schools, and just finished up my first year in preschool. Again, I am NOT an expert in the matter, but I do feel my combined education and experience makes my account worthwhile. :o) During the third full week in May, I undertook the daunting task of potty-training my daughter, who was 26 months at the time. She was ready; she was more than ready, and I knew it. This just happened to be the first block of time where I could set aside to truly devote to the task. School had finished up the week before, and we had nothing critical that needed to be done. (Gym, schmym – we're ditching diapers!!) So, I began hypin...

I frequently brag about never paying more than $5 for a pack of diapers.  It's one item I refuse to pay full price for, particularly given what will -ahem- end up in them... Recently, I was asked how the heck I manage such a feat.  With this question, I realized I've overlooked explaining a few basics to y'all.  So, I will happily reveal my diaper-buying secrets.  :o) (And, yes, most of these tips can be applied to just about anything you frequently buy.) Good things come in small packages.   And I'm not just referring to yours truly. ;o)  With most items I buy with coupons, I find that nine times out of ten, I can get the best deal, not by buying in bulk, but by purchasing the smallest package .  Using coupons drives down the unit price significantly more when you buy the smaller item.  This theory will almost always hold water.  Every blue moon, I find a good deal on a box of diapers, but the vast majority of diapers I've...