I have lots of people ask me "How do you work with 4 kids?" I have a fabulous husband who helps and is supportive of my craziness and a wonderful family that helps with pick ups or odds-n-ends that I may not be able to cover. My older kiddos are old enough to be responsible for chores and are somewhat self sufficient and... I am organized. You may not recognize it if you walked into my house (or as I refer to it, Crazytown), you may not be able to see this if you walk into my classroom, but yes, there is a method to my madness. I thought I would share some of the online tools/services I have found that are helpful to me and although I may not use everything mentioned, you may find them helpful.
When I get up early in the morning (between 5 & 5:30) I pack lunches, pack bottles/cups for daycare and prep dinner...that is if I didn't do that the night before which I try to get done so I can sleep later... but speaking of prepping for lunch and dinner...
At our house, we plan our menu using menu planning websites. I specifically use www.quiettimecooks.com for dinners and www.emeals.com for lunches. I have found that I spend anywhere between $75-$125 in groceries each week (avg $300 a mon-maybe a tad more) and this includes formula, diapers, etc. I shop at either Aldi or Kroger each week depending on the schedule. So far, |I've just had to put $10 in each of my kid's lunch accounts (which I may add that I love how our district is doing that online @ www.myschoolbucks.com) once this year because we pack and have saved lots! It's nice to have different foods each night and different ideas for lunches that even Nathan and I can enjoy. I try to prep as much as possible on the weekend or the night before so that when we get home I'm not necessarily in the kitchen all afternoon. We eat out maybe once a week (also schedule depending as we have gymnastics, afterschool meetings, etc).
Here are some other menu websites (I got mine on www.groupon.com) but I see them often on www.livingsocial.com and www.plumdistrict.com).
5 Dinners in 1 Hour- www.5dinnersin1hour.com
No More 'To Go'- www.nomoretogo.com
Another great resource is www.moneysavingmom.com - her sight is great for menus, freezer cooking, family fun and lots more money saving ideas
And never underestimate the ideas you can find on Pinterest
I did just find a website that I've not yet used but it is called Saving Star (https://savingstar.com). You can link your loyalty card to the site and put coupons onto your card. As you save money using coupons, you can earn credit on this account and then cash it out into your paypal account or an Amazon card. As mentioned, I just found this this morning so you'll need to look that up for more info.
Another chapter in the story of my life is Dishes and Laundry! I have no solution for dishes...other than "just do it" :/ I try to stay on top of them and get a sense of accomplishment if I do :)
It is pretty much the same with laundry- I do at least 1 load a day and am trying to stay on top of it and get it put away. With 4, though it seems like someone is always growing into or out of something and putting away laundry turns into cleaning out closets and drawers. I love a good consignment sale and will even list some I know of coming soon but I have also found I love ThredUp (www.thredup.com). I order a bag-I just turned in my 2nd- and fill it up. I send it back (they have a shipping label on the bag) and they email me when they receive my bag. I get credit from my clothes on my account and have the option to cash it out through paypal. I will be honest, I haven't ordered anything yet, but look forward to doing so. I have sent in 2 bags and in a timely manner (my most recent was just a week) have gotten a decent credit for my bags! The 1st one I did cash out but I am waiting to decide on the second one. This has been a good option when I don't have space to keep storage around and I won't get the chance to consign soon and I don't have to load everyone up and wait at a consignment shop or spend time tagging. Of course I save some things
to hand down to the little boys or friends but again, this is a fun option.
Snazzy Swap (www.snazzyswap.com) is a clothing swap site for kids (you can do books, dvds, and toys). For this site, you fill a USPS flat rate box (the size depends on what you are sending- clothes go in a medium box for example) and post your box (be sure to post some pics of what you are sending). When you post a box, you can also pick a box (thus the swap). You simply pay postage (about $11.95 for a medium box + $5 for the maintenance of the website-a portion is also donated to a designated organization for children with special needs- I believe this changes periodically and it is listed on the site). I just sent my first box this week and will be able to pick my box! I'll be sure to keep you posted...
Since I am talking about kids' clothes...there are some consignment sales coming up in September.
Lily Bugs (Georgetown) Sept 7-8
Little Elks (Lexington) Sept 20-22
MOPS Take Two (Georgetown) Sept 22
There are lots in our area, but these are all sales I've been too and love. I've also sold at two of the 3 successfully.
To keep everything together, I've just started using Cozi. There is a website and an app as well. I have used it to set up a family calendar so that Nathan or I can log in and enter events on the calendar or check out what's happening. There is a lot more offered, but I have just gotten started- to do lists, grocery lists, etc are included...however I am often more of a pen and paper lister...you may find this useful for your family though.
To stay informed on family fun, check out the website www.lexfun4kids.com - aside from just doing my own local investigating, I always check this out if we're looking for something fun to do :)
This weekend we are headed out to a car show where our families are showing their cars! Here's to some great family times (and those little tools or technology that help it go just a tad smoother)!
