I have six kids and I'm sticky.

I have six kids.

I have some advice about that,  did you have a comment about six kids pop up in your mind? If so, lets get that out of the way. For the record: YES I KNOW WHAT CAUSES THAT.

(Wipes forehead)

My husband and I wanted a big family. Now we have one. I can guarantee I don't have more patience, skills, or sanity than you. Here are some tips about how I manage a household of eight:

1. Lowered expectations.

This one is sort of self explanatory, but just in case you are a self proclaimed perfectionist let me introduce you to this: Life is not perfect. If you add children especially many children to that equation there will be a high ratio of non perfect moments in the mix. That is ok. There is beauty to be found even on the days where there is too much yelling and crying and everything in your house is sticky. Learn to laugh and practice it often. Laugh at yourself and make sure to do it in front of the kids. Let them see you get frustrated and let them see you get over it.

2. Get over any hang-ups you have about poop.

All moms, but especially moms to many deal in the currency of poop. You have to breastfeed enough, buy groceries enough, prepare said groceries enough so that everyone makes some poop. Then you have to change the diapers, run the toddler to the toilet, assure them they won't fall in, make sure everyone is wiping, and teach the older ones how to clean a toilet before they are one day parents themselves dealing in the currency of poop.  Skip the gagging. It just adds time and you have better things to do.

3. Chores.

Always clean with one goal in mind. Get rid of 50% of the items in any given room. Don't worry. Somehow no matter what you do - the stuff will return in one form or another.  Socks? Give up. Get a GIANT basket throw the socks in and let everyone fend for themselves. They aren't helping enough anyway. Dishes. Everything must be dishwasher safe, if its not, you didn't want it to own it. Trust me. Resist the urge to put sticky children in the dishwasher, though they are top rack safe, they don't fit. Clothes. Sort? who has time for that, like dishes if it requires sorting you didn't want to own it anyway. Ironing? Oh you're killing me, that's a funny one. Safe cleaners? Water, Vinegar, and Elbow Grease in that order take care of most things and all three are safe enough for the kids to drink. They will get to all secured spots they aren't supposed to get to. This is physics 101.

4. Discipline.

Treat them like criminals that you love dearly. With six, your eyes can't be on every single one at all times, so lock the front door or the two year old will be in the front yard naked in about five minutes no matter the season. In the parking lot everyone must have a hand on the car or grocery cart at ALL TIMES - no exception. If they are very young I recommend tying them to you. I would suggest this under the term babywearing, see? criminals I tell ya. In places where they can roam free the rule is this: They have to see mom from wherever they are. Don't say "stay where I can see you" that is absolutely meaningless to them because as far as they are concerned you can hover in midair. If they must see you it makes it a little more sense to them.

5. Wax paper sheets.

Finally some real advice. Buy, at a warehouse store of your choice, food service wax paper sheets in the box. (hangs head I know they are disposable) but they are less bulky than paper plates and are biodegradable They are perfect for snacks, sandwiches, crafts, bottom of the microwave, lining veggie drawers, and cutting down on the general stickiness of your house. When you are doing dishes for eight people you'd be amazed at the ways you can rock the wax paper sheet.

6.  Embrace it all.

Smile and say "I love you" a bunch. When you have a big family, there is always someone to talk to, someone to cuddle with, someone to come home to, and something sticky in your life.

Large family dines out

Janie at Wendy's 2006

No matter how frugal or health conscience one tries to be there will come a time when schedule and desire out weigh the desire to not eat out.

Having said that I do have to say that frugal shopping, meal planning, keeping track of whats in the freezer, pantry and food storage and eating at home is the #1 way for us to save money. But when we are not able to be home, my mom mojo is flat out or we really want a treat these are the ways we save money:

-Eat where there is bare concrete under your feet (aka. Sams club/Costco)  Can't beat a pizza and a drink for $1.88 - you can also eat pretty cheap at Target especially if your kids like hot dogs.

-Don't forget about grocery stores there are some places with some fancy nice salad bars. You can even eat well at hospital cafeterias - one in Richmond out paced local restaurants in popularity. And don't forget about the Temple cafeteria for mom & dad - have you had their Steak on a friday night? Delish!!

- Convince your children early that happy meals are a waste of money - Things I say are: I can buy you more toys at the store if I don't buy happy meals here, you get to pick from more things off the dollar menu than the happy meal has, etc...

- We don't upsize or add on.

-Buffets are not a good deal!! - Buffets are EXPENSIVE - and your kids eating the fried crap and jello squares to the tune of $9.50 sucks. We've still done them but its in NO way frugal

- Water cups are your best friend.  A super large icee at the movie theater for $5 can be split for four kids with water cups. At coldstone creamery a small scoop and one mix in for 6 will run you almost $30, a pint with 2 mix ins and four water cups will run you $9.

-Drink water. Add lemon if its texas unfiltered water, If you are feeling adventurous add lemon and one sugar packet. (still much less sugar than soda)

-At a sit down restaurant - one or two side items may be cheaper than one meal off the kids menu. Two or three kids splitting an adult meal can be cheaper as well. Extra plates are as much your friend as those water cups.

-Ask the waiter for extra plates and napkins when you place your order, they don't seem to mind large families splitting meals as much as large families sending them back to the kitchen numerous times.

- TIP WELL!! - even if you use a coupon, free kids meals, and split dinners - STILL tip as though you didn't. They are not waiting on your table out of charity. What you spend on tips will always pay rewards in karma.

- Some nicer establishments can be cheaper and much healthier if you play your cards right. Jason's Deli is a good deal and close in price to McDonalds if you order conservatively. And if you eat inside there is free ice cream!

- For families with five children or more old enough to not share - seriously consider the CATERING menu.
Most catering menus will feed 7+ and will save you TONS. Chick-fil-a and subway are two that come to mind with good catering menus. Rosa's $20 fajita meal was more than our family could eat - thats a great deal too!

- Put food coupons in your CAR - you may set them on the counter just in case but impulse usually hits in the car after some outing that took longer than expected and those coupons are on the island in your kitchen.
Pay attention to where the coupons are valid - if you drive to some place and realize they don't accept the coupon but you're really in the mood for that place now - BAM, they got ya at full price! Don't hesitate to ask though - some will take the coupon just to get your business!

-Check the internet for places where kids eat free - Its almost always free kids for every adult meal. Score for parents of two! We now order three adult meals and three free kids meals.

- When your food comes - decide what will keep well as leftovers and save that for last. French fries don't keep but fajita meat saves excellently. A dinner out is easier swallowed if there is enough for Dad's lunch the next day too.

- If you are sharing and want to avoid the I didn't get as much - don't let the kids see the portions from the start - dump all the french fries in the bag and rip the top half of the bag off.

-Sometimes you don't really want to "eat out" you just don't want to eat at home - even grilled cheese sandwiches are fun if you take them down to the park to eat.

Frugality without creativity is deprivation.

Amy Dacyczyn

Cheap Dog treats

Don't spend a fortune on training treats at Petsmart or on dog toys - here are two cheap alternatives:

youz suxch a goooood, goooood boy, momma loves your furry little cuteness... don't forget praise in training its free and they love it

For training treats (yes training treats are very important!) You can use the dogs own food, but I've never found them to be incredibly motivating. So I use these:

See? they really, really like them and will do all sorts of tricks for you in exchange!

You will need to buy the cheapest hot dogs you can find. You see dog treats run you about $3 bucks a bag and are way bigger than you need for training. And you can find cheap hot dogs for as low as 75 cents a package and that will make you roughly half a million training treats. THESE ARE NOT A SOURCE OF NUTRITION for your dog - just training incentive.

Cut up cheap hot dogs

Spread out on plate

And microwave to just before the dust stage.

They will be dry and hard and keep without refridgeration - I nuked mine for 4 full minutes in my poweful microwave. If they look gross to you your doggie will LOVE them.

oh and best dog toy ever - that I just found out about from Dances with Fat:

An empty water bottle in an old sock:

they LOVED it.

Lady with the Giant Purse UPDATED

As I looked at all the cute tiny purses I sighed, resigned to the fact that I am one of those giant purse ladies. Well maybe not as bad as Lindsay Lohan:

Yeah my purse may be that big after all.

it's got to be big enough to hold:

• diapers, wipes, and changing pad - (a big purse is still cooler than a purse + a diaper bag)
• toys to entertain the kids and me
• lotion
• gum
• Keys
• wallet
• cell phone
• advil
• calculator (one of my best money saving tools)
• and my absolute best money saving tool: THE PRICE BOOK

What is the price book you ask??

I will tell you since I am in the process of recreating mine. Maiya decorated it and then Cora tore it up. I was devastated I tell you. I haven't jumped at putting one back together. But I am getting back on the wagon. Without my trusty price book I am seeing my grocery budget swell up and that is just not cool.

salvaged page from my previous price book - are you humming taps?? I am.

A price book is what you use to keep track of prices on ALL of your regular purchases.

You will soon realize with this one little tool that you are being tricked. Coupons are not always worth it. Sale fliers are bold faced liars. And what you used to think was a fabulous deal doesn't seem so fabulous anymore. And prices that didn't knock your socks off will now have you stopped dead in your tracks.

The second half of this little chunk of frugal heaven is that when you have a good price book, a good price book takes a while to come to fruition - but keep with it ( just keep your kids' grubby little fingers off of it) you start stockpiling. You stockpile because 1. You are building food storage. ( you are right? tell me you are - lie to me if you have to) and 2. When you realize you can get something for 50%-75% less than usual you buy enough to last a long, long time. At least until it goes on sale again.

No matter where you shop, no matter what your diet is, whether you clip coupons or don't, the Price book will change the way you shop and leave more money in that Grocery envelope of yours. If I didn't explain the virtues of the Price Book very well:

Read this (Price book 101)

or this

or this

or this, if you are a military mom

UPDATE --

Food Storage price (a price so low you can stock up!)

World Market has Extra Virgin Olive Oil 7.99 for 2 liters --cheaper than sams club

things we got done this weekend:

We fixed the car!!!!!!

We did it for $207 (all used parts from the salvage yard: hood, support beam, and front light enclosure) - How often can you save $1693.00 by doing it yourself? Its not the prettiest and yes the hood is not white - but that is a-ok with us - its street legal. We used the rest we had budgeted to put two new very needed tires on the van.

we also changed the oil while we were working on it.

Maiya spent some time cuddling with mom....

and dad:

Ella gave me and her a pedicure with silly putty.

And Cora spent some time on the phone.

AND,

AND,

this morning with teddy bear in hand she took two steps!!!!!

She has since refused to repeat the feat but I saw it - two whole steps.

how ya gonna eat that food storage?

In a real emergency you probably won't have electricity. Kyle and I realized this as we lost a lot of food after Hurricane Isabel.

so add some charcoal to your food storage. It generally goes on sale this time of year. Kroger has two bags for $5.00 right now.

oh and Sarah says I need to start adding tags to my blog posts, so here goes... can I go back and add them to old posts?