Budget-Friendly Pregnancy Diet Tips That Experts Recommend

Whether you want to admit it or not, pregnancy is a costly ordeal. Aside from your hospital, maternity clothes, baby gears, and prenatal vitamins expenses you must consider your pregnancy diet.

As you plan a healthy and safe pregnancy diet, try to embrace the changes necessary and consider these expert recommended tips:

1. PLAN CAREFULLY

Planning your grocery list for the entire week can make or break your budget. This is why you must meticulously plan your meals for the week while browsing through several cookbooks such as Eat Yourself Pregnant and What to Eat When You’re Pregnant. Equip yourself with this list while shopping and do your best to stick with it.

2. AVOID THESE

Melinda Johnson, a registered dietitian and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, warns pregnant women against soft cheeses and cold cuts. Soft cheeses such as blue cheese, feta, and Brie as well as non-heated deli meats (e.g., sausages and hams) can increase the risk of developing the food-borne illness called listeriosis—a. So avoid hospitalization expenses by staying away from these food beforehand.

3. PREFER GREENS

Kale, arugula, and spinach are some of the most nutritious and affordable foods you will find in a grocery store. As the color of the vegetable gets darker, the more nutritious it is because of its antioxidants and beta-carotene. If possible, buy the leafy greens that are not prepackaged because they are cheaper.

4. BUY YOGURTS

Yogurt is a great and inexpensive source of calcium. According to experts, any type of yogurt (as long as it is pasteurized) is safe and healthy for a pregnant woman.

Your growing baby needs substantial calcium in order for his or her bones and teeth to develop properly. In fact, the author of “Go Green, Stay Lean” – Kate Geagan says that the calcium in the mother’s bones can deplete if she does not take in enough calcium because the limited amount will only go to the baby.

5. GO ORGANIC

Growing your own food is the best way to avoid the harmful effects of pesticides. If you do not have a backyard or an apartment balcony there are community gardens for you to plant your own seed. Aside from being domestic, you can also save more money if you buy produce of the local supermarket’s brand (e.g. S$2.20 Mixed Vegetables by FairPrice)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

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Tried and Tested Home Saving Tips Taught By Moms

The legendary Stevie Wonder once said:

“Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.”

The great things we learn from our mothers are more than just tips – they are well-kept traditions, family secrets, and wonderful memories that we must treasure.

That said, here are 6 Tried and Tested Home Saving Tips As Told By Moms…

In cleaning:

1. RE-USE YOUR OLD SOCKS

I still remember the days when my cousins and I would slide through the slippery floor that we splashed with baby powder. Hit LIKE if you have done this fun activity too.

It brought us countless minutes of happiness but the mess scattered through the floor and furniture was the enemy our mothers had to face. Fortunately, you can save several bucks on furniture dusters by using your clean old socks. Simply slip a piece in your hand, spray the cleaning solution, and start cleaning!

2. KEEP THINGS NATURAL

Using DIY natural cleaning products will not only reduce the risks of toxins and environmental damage but also save you piles of cash. Make your own glass solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of dish soap, half cup of white vinegar, and 3 cups of distilled water in a bottle. Then, spray it directly to the windows and mirrors.

You can also use the mom-approved “microfiber cloth” to clean practically anything from rugs to glass, granite to stainless steel. Just damp it with water and you are ready to go! This magical cloth costs about S$15 you can get it for only S$5 at Qoo10.

In cooking:

3. SPRINKLE SOME SALT

One of the best cooking tips you can get from the mothers online is to sprinkle some salt to boiling water. “Why?” you may ask. Salt is a great and inexpensive way to add flavour to the broccoli, pasta, or anything you are boiling.

4. SAVE YOUR BACON FATS

Another way to add a wonderfully strong flavor is to cook with bacon fats. After frying the strips of bacon, you can save its fats for later. After which, use it to saute your roasted potatoes or vegetables.

In grocery shopping:

5. BUY THE IN-HOUSE LABEL

As much as possible, buy the store’s brand products for home items such as rice, sponge, bleach, and sugar. And if a better deal comes along, check the price tag and compare it with the in-house label. Doing the maths can go a long way!

6. MAKE A LIST AND STICK WITH IT

Instead of going with the flow, make a list of the items you need for the week and stick with it. This is an age-old trick used by my late grandmother. She plans the weekly menu first and sets a budget accordingly. If there is excess cash, we can buy the stuff we want such as ice cream. Who doesn’t love ice cream?

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources:  1, 2, 3,4, & 5

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Baby Items That You Should Not Be Spending Too Much On

Let us all be real here…as adorable as babies are, having one is Singapore is not cheap!

In fact, the hefty expenses start before the baby is born. You will have to purchase new clothing, supplies, and furniture for the safety and comfort of your precious one. Adding these expenses to the hospital costs may shock the new parents in the first year alone!

This is why it is essential to save as much as you can. Start by considering these frugal alternatives to otherwise expensive purchases:

1. INFANT FORMULA

One of the empowering things that only women can do is to breastfeed their baby. As much as you can, opt for breastfeeding because it will not only be healthy but also be able to save you as low as S$1,500 per year.

If you want to save even more on breast pump, borrow from your family or friends but make sure to change the plastic attachments. You can buy those for far less than a brand new pump.

2. CHANGING TABLE

Is it really necessary to buy another table with S$300 price tag just for changing your baby’s diapers? Especially of you live in a small flat, space can be an issue. Instead, it is advisable to use your long dresser to double as a changing station. Some parents even change diapers on the bed or couch!

Simply put a soft blanket, mat, or pad over the spot so your baby can rest comfortably.

3. BABY CLOTHES

Believe me when I say that babies can have sudden growth spurts so, it is unnecessary to buy loads of baby clothes in advance. It goes the same for shoes, as socks will be sufficient to keep their cute toes warm.

Start saving for baby clothes by asking your friends and family if you can have their child’s outgrown clothes. You will not only help your friends or family members to de-clutter their space but you will also save more.

4. NURSERY DECOR

Some parents spend over a hundred dollars just for designer wall decals. A frugal alternative is to select from a wide range of free printable art available in the Internet.

For instance, this awesome post will give you over 100 designs from 89 talented artists. Just print your desired art and hang it on your nursery walls with the S$4.90 frames from IKEA.

Image Credits: meinlilapark.blogspot.sg

Image Credits: meinlilapark.blogspot.sg

Saving money has not looked this good! 🙂

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Wallet-Friendly Ways To Make Parenting Simple And Fun

One of the best parts of parenting is spending quality time with your children. Most of the time, creating fun memories are simple. However, there are days when it is far from easy.

This is why you must unlock the “inner child” within you by trying these inexpensive ideas:

1. BE A PART OF WHAT THEY LOVE TO DO

In the weekends, you just want to lay down and rest your body from all the week’s work. But, you also want to spend time with your beloved ones. Kill these two birds with one stone with the “Car Play Shirt”.

The Car Play Shirt allows you to relax and lay down while your kids are playing with the activity on your back. The interactive puzzle is drawn at the back of your shirt lets your boys imagine where they want their cool cars to go. You can either purchase them for S$32.17 or make your own by following this tutorial.

Image Credits: thebluebasket.blogspot.sg/2011/09/tutorial-car-shirt.html

Image Credits: thebluebasket.blogspot.sg/2011/09/tutorial-car-shirt.html

2. TALK ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS

Children who do not express themselves genuinely can become people-pleasers with low self-esteem or unhappy adults who cannot reach their fullest potentials. This is why as parents, it is important to encourage the child to be more demonstrative.

Do so by making “Paper Plate Emotion Masks”. The goal of this artistic activity is to open up a conversation with your children to know more about them. With this, you can emphasize more on happy situations and decrease the sad situations.

Simply gather these materials: paper plates, popsicle sticks, markers, crayons, scissors, and tape. Then, let your child create a mask with basic emotions such as happy, sad, scared and angry. If you need more help, follow the instructions here.

Image Credits: thepinterestedparent.com/2013/11/teaching-toddlers-emotions

Image Credits: thepinterestedparent.com/2013/11/teaching-toddlers-emotions

Note: This activity is great for toddlers and preschoolers.

3. FEED YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION

If you want a few minutes to an hour to yourself to do some work at home, you can try indulging your child with arts and crafts. Aside from keeping him or her occupied, art therapy is especially beneficial for children since they are naturally more imaginative and creative. Furthermore, it enhances the child’s problem solving and cognitive (brain) skills.

Inspired by various craft from the Internet, a blogger that goes by the name of “A Little Learning For Two” came up with the “Sticky Window Art”. This easy craft lets your child illustrate endless images with colorful sticks drawn on the “sticky paper” that is plastered in the window. You would need these four items: scissors, clear contact paper, tape, and colored matchsticks/popsicle sticks. After which, follow the tutorial here.

Image Credits: alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.sg/2010/11/sticky-window-art.html

Image Credits: alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.sg/2010/11/sticky-window-art.html

Much to the blogger’s surprise, her daughter played this activity for almost an hour without losing interest!

Note: A roll of clear contact paper can be found at your nearest stationery shop such as Popular Bookstore. 

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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5 Tips You Need To Know Before Hiring A Tutor In Singapore

Singapore’s most prized resource is its people. This is why the government has invested immensely on education. From standardized curriculum to national benchmark tests, the Ministry of Education (MOE) ensured that its citizens are offered world-class education.

That said, it is understandable if you want to give your child a head start or extra support that he or she needs for school. To help your child get ahead from the curve, you can hire a tutor.

But first, here are some tips you must consider:

1. KNOW A TUTOR’S AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

When choosing the right tutor for your child, it is important to know their qualifications and specializations. Some tutors are not able to guide or answer students sufficiently because they are not familiar with the updated syllabi from MOE.

On the other hand, it makes sense that a specialized teacher is suited to teach a particular subject matter. For instance, if your child struggles in Mathematics, do you hire a tutor that only focuses on English?

2. CAREFULLY CHOOSE THE TYPE OF SERVICES

You can either choose from agencies or private tutors. A friend of mine hired a tutor for her Secondary 2 child that costed her about S$25-30 per hour. This amount includes more than 2 subjects already!

As you can see, the price that you are bound to pay really depends on the type of service and the student’s educational level. Certainly, it is cheaper to hire the same tutor to teach a Primary 1 student than a Secondary 5 one.

3. RESEARCH ON THE RECOMMENDED TUTORS

To get the most of your money and ensure high quality services, it is best if you gathered information on the top or recommended tutors in the area. Doing a Google search of the keywords tutor and Singapore will lead you to many popular tuition centers or agencies such as ChampionTutor and EliteSG Tutors.

ChampionTutor consists of a variety of private tutors that are qualified to teach students from preschool to university level. You can hire them for music lessons too. While EliteSGTutors focus on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry subjects. You can hire them for PSLE and other elementary level exams too.

4. DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF HOURS

Most parents hire tutors for 1-1.5 hours a week while intensifying it with 2-3 hours a week as important examinations draw near. This is why, the schedule and the fee for tutors may change every month.

Organize your finances and promptly pay the tuition fee by having a personal copy of the tutor’s working hours in an Excel Spreadsheet or in a small notebook.

5. COMMUNICATE WITH THE TUTOR

Much like a box of assorted chocolates, every tutor has a distinct “flavor and spice” when it comes to working one-on-one with children. Sit down with the potential tutors and ask them about their proposed study plan, schedule of sessions, and learning goals.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

This way, you can examine if you two are on the same ground. 🙂

Sources: 1 & 2

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