Last Friday I shared my grocery shopping philosophy and I wanted to know how you shopped and budgeted for groceries. We had a great discussion in the comments.
Amelia asked if everyone includes household items like cleaning supplies and diapers in your grocery budget. Most everyone that commented does include all household items in the grocery budget. There was also a discussion on whether or not gas should be included. I like to keep our gas separate, so I can track my spending better.
Heidi asked if anyone had any experience using a Food Saver (a vacuum sealing kit). Trina thinks that as long as you put the effort behind it and remember what you have in the freezer then they really do save you money.
How much should you spend on groceries?
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Now that I am a stay-at-home-mom and I don’t generate a paycheck anymore, I feel like the way I contribute financially to my family is by managing the budget. The biggest budget items that I have control over is our Grocery and Dining spending.
Before I go to the grocery store I create a list, because I will completely forget it all while I am constantly trying to keep my toddler entertained and seated in the cart. To make my grocery list I first check the sale ads online. Then from there I think up 4 to 5 meals based on what is on sale, what we already have on hand, and what we feel like eating. Then I make sure that any ingredients I need are on the list.
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Okay, I know times are tough (are you tired of hearing that?) and we are all looking for ways to be frugal and save money. I have come across a few things that I love so I thought I’d share–from one mom to another 
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Due to some serious writer’s block, I have decided to share with you some of my favorite blogs that I read. If you’re looking for a new blog to add to your google reader, you can check some of these out.
Adventures of Homeschooling Noah
- Beverly is a great mom who blogs all about homeschooling her son, Noah, who has Down syndrome. She shares the coolest ideas on how to teach your child. The resources she finds are great for any parent who is looking for a fun craft or activity to do with their child! Noah is also exceptionally cute and I just love any excuse to see his cute face! (more…)
Baby-naming is on our minds here at The Mom Crowd this week: it’s time for another
round of celebrity baby names! About a year ago, I posted on this topic, and now I can’t help but be curious any time a celebrity has a child. What will their name be? Will it be “normal” or totally wacky? Here’s what I’ve found for 2008:
- Nouns are still a trend for first and middle names. Jessica Alba named her little girl Honor. Nicole Kidman’s new daughter is Sunday Rose. Mary Lynn Rajskub (“24″) named her son Valentine. Chris Noth’s son is Orion.
- Naming the kids after places is becoming popular. Gwen Stefani’s new son is named Zuma Nesta Rock – Zuma is the name of a favorite beach in California. Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz went even nuttier with Bronx Mowgli. I’m sure the more we hear about it, the more normal it will seem. I just hope we don’t start seeing Manhattan Ariel or Long Island Simba on a list anytime soon.
- Confusion is the key! Lots of celebribabies will have plenty of awkward introductions in their futures when they spout out their mouthful of monikers: Jerry O’Connell & Rebecca Romijn named their twin girls Charlie Tamara Tulip and Dolly Rebecca Rose. (Not only do you have to keep those flowers straight, you have to remember that Charlie is a girl.) Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck decided to name their second daughter Seraphina Rose Elizabeth. And Lisa Bonet clearly wins this category with Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha, her son’s new name.
- As thrice displayed, Rose makes a lovely middle name.
- Pretty and classic are still around! Yay for Max (Christina Aguilera and J. Lo), Levi (Matthew McConaughey), Thomas David (Jack Black), Luke (Natalie Morales), and Stella (Tori Spelling)!
My favorites from this year are Emme (J. Lo & Marc Anthony’s daughter) – though I can’t figure out how to say it still, is it “Emmmm” or “Emmy”? – and Vivienne Marcheline (Brangelina). I love the way those beautiful long French names roll off the tongue.
What are your favorite celebrity baby names from this past year? Biggest head-scratcher? Are you now more or less likely to choose Rose as a middle name?
