Meat Markdowns and Making the Most of Nap Times

The Munchkin took a three-hour nap today and as much as my pregnant self just wanted to take it easy, I decided to be a whirling dervish in the kitchen instead!

I recently snagged two large packs of fresh ground turkey at Food Lion. Six pounds of meat for a whopping total of $11.18. If you continue to do the math, you can see that comes down to just $1.86/pound. I don't know about where you come from, but here that is CHEAP. We eat ground turkey in EVERYTHING. Tacos, chili, spaghetti sauce, soups, etc. So when it goes on sale, I stock up!

Now, meat markdowns are only a great deal if you will actually use or freeze the meat before the 'use by' date. And as long as you have a few minutes, some freezer bags, and a Sharpie, you're all set! I like to divvy the meat up into one-pound portions since most recipes call for one pound of ground meat. These are three pound containers, so I eyeball it and stick the meat into pre-labelled bags. Then I smoosh all the air out, flatten them into nice little rectangles, and pop them in the freezer (making sure to rotate any older packs to the top of the pile to be used first). 

Want to know a neat trick about freezer bags? You can store AND defrost the meat in the same bag. When you need the meat, just open the bag a teeny bit and microwave it in short intervals until it is thawed and ready to go. How easy is that!? (Make sure, though, to check the directions on the box, because you don't want any melted plastic in your food!)

After just 10 minutes, I've managed to: 

1. Shave time off of dinner prep later on.
2. Save MONEY!!
3. Feel super organized and prepared. 

It doesn't get any better than that! 

**Tangential Note: Do not be fooled into thinking that Walmart has the lowest prices. If you shop at smaller chain stores, you can get a great deal if you shop smart. Some people like to price-match at Walmart, but I'd rather give my money to another store if I can. Stick to sales, and keep an eye out for markdowns. Our Walmart does not have a large variety of fresh meats to begin with, so they never EVER have markdowns on ground turkey. And rarely on chicken. So when an item you use a lot of goes on sale, make sure to stock up and save some $$ in the long run. Things like meat, cheeses, butter, and veggies are great staples to have on hand and freeze well.

Maternity Wardrobe on a Budget: Tips and Tricks

First off, let's give credit to clothing designers for cute maternity clothes. We've come a long way since the 80's and mid-90's, and giant tent-dresses and thick-paneled maternity pants are a thing of the past. Hooray! Many major clothing chains now have maternity lines, and they are tailoring styles to keep up with the times as well as keep preggo mama's comfort in mind. (Thank you for that!)

Admit it, all we expectant mothers really want is to be comfortable. We're already dealing with morning sickness, heartburn, backaches, headaches, etc. We don't want to be bothered with ill-fitting clothing, too.

It can be tempting to run out and purchase a whole new wardrobe when you are expecting. Keep in mind that you won't be wearing stretch pants forever, and that maternity tops will actually make you look bigger after delivery, so you'll be quickly stashing them in the back of the closet.

So, here are a few things to focus on when selecting maternity apparel.

• Buy items that can be worn in several different seasons (you don't know if you'll be pregnant at the same time of year again).
• Invest in a good pair of maternity jeans. Gap's are pricy ($40+), but they are super comfy, can be dressed up or down, and continue to look nice wash after wash. If you can, buy more than one pair.
• Focus on wardrobe staples that can be made into several different outfits. While cute and trendy colors are fun, it's better to keep things in neutral colors and pull in a "pop" of color with your accessories.
• If it's not comfortable or doesn't look good, you won't want to wear it. So if possible, try things on first, or buy them from an online retailer that offers free returns/exchanges.
• Check local thrift stores! Maternity clothes don't get a lot of wear, and people like to get rid of them when they are done having kids. You might score a bargain, you never know!

It's also important to keep in mind that even though you are expecting, you don't have to exclusively wear maternity clothing:

• Sometimes going "up" a size or two will work just as well. (Especially for tank tops or t-shirts, and even things like fold-over yoga pants)
• Pregnancy bands are also great ways to adapt your old clothing to your new body. You can find them at Target, and also online. They can cost $15 and up, though. 
• Using an elastic hair band to "extend" the waistline of your jeans or skirts is a budget-friendly way to wear your pre-pregnancy clothing longer. (Just make sure your shirt is long enough to cover the zipper!) 

Hopefully these things help you save some money and stay comfy during your pregnancy! Spend the mulah on something more fun, like cutesy clothes or toys for the new baby. :)