Shopping with kids and shopping without kids

My parents have been gone all week on vacation, so I’ve been trying to keep all the little ones occupied by myself.  I really am super lucky to have my parents live so close, and to be so helpful all the time.  It is soooooo much easier to run to the store by myself, but up until today, I did not have that luxury.

The hardest and most time consuming part of taking the kids anywhere is the getting them in and out of the car part.  The twins do not like to hold my hand or stay with me, so I carry them out to the car one at a time.  My 4-year-old then wants to be carried too.  If it’s good enough for the twins, it’s good enough for him.  Plus, there’s all those darn car seat straps and buckles.  And let’s not forget the fun of pulling out and opening up the double stroller, once we arrive at our destination.

You know how most kids sleep in the car?  Not mine.  There is constantly chatter or screaming or both going on.  Plus, fighting over a toy or a bottle.  Good times.

So, I try to avoid too many stops when we do go anywhere.  Monday, we went to the library, then the park.  Tuesday, just the park.  Wednesday, Trader Joe’s, then the park.  Do you see a theme here?

The first two days went really well.  Yesterday, not so much.

We got a later start than usual, and everyone was a little cranky.  When we arrived inside Trader Joe’s, there were no little shopping carts for my oldest to push.  I felt really bad because I had promised he could push one, but they were all in use, and the twins were not especially happy in their stroller.  I tried to cheer everyone up with a piece of licorice, but all I got was a mess.

T

There were entirely too many people at the park, so we couldn’t stay very long.  It just got too hard for me to keep watch on all three little ones…one who likes to run to the parking lot, one who likes to launch himself down slides, and my oldest…who again was NOT happy.

By the time my husband got home last night, I had to get out of the house by myself.

So, here’s where the shopping WITHOUT kids happened, and so did the deals.  Even though I was by myself, I DID shop for the kids.  We have a trip coming up, my oldest will be starting preschool this fall, and we always need diapers, so here’s what I scored.

First stop, The Children’s Place.  This store is owned by the same company as Gymboree and Crazy 8, but it’s the cheapest of the bunch.  Another great thing…all the clothes I bought were 100% cotton.  This is very important because the twins have sensitive skin.

I got 6 shirts, 3 pairs of sandals, and 3 pairs of pajamas all for $52.

How?  Well, all clearance was on sale for an additional 50% off.  Plus, I subscribe to their emails, which gave me another 20% off.  I also had $5 worth of Children’s Place cash, which you earn with each purchase.  It’s a free membership program.  I also got a 20% coupon to use on my next trip.  Score!

Next up, Target.  I had been waiting patiently all week to make my trip.  I had read on several money saving sites about a diaper deal you could do, and I wanted to try it out for myself.

I did 2 transactions, spent $106 total, got a $10 giftcard back, and saved over $100!!!

I got:

• 5 Boxes of Pampers
• 1 Box of Easy Ups
• 2 Thomas the Train Booster Seats
• 1 Box of Pampers wipes
• 5 Containers of Huggies and Pampers wipes
• 1 set of Hair Clippers (we’re going to try cutting the boys hair tonight as another $ saver)
• 1 6-pack of Pedisure
• 2 20oz Diet Cokes

The first transaction, I bought 4 boxes of Pampers and 1 container of wipes.  First, I had a coupon for $20 off a purchase of $100 in the Baby Dept. from Sunday’s Target Ad (or you can subscribe to their texts.) I then had 4 Pampers manufacturer’s coupons for $3 off a box of diapers, and 1 coupon for $.50 off wipes.  Plus, I got a $2 off 2 boxes of Pampers Target coupon in the mail.  With each 2 boxes you purchase, you get a $10 gift card, so I got 2!

For the second transaction, where I got the rest of the stuff, I first started with the $20 off $100.  I then used the gift cards from the first transaction.  I also had 2 coupons for free Pamper’s wipes from boxes of diapers I had at home, a target coupon for $2 off 2 Huggies wipes Target coupon, $2 off Target coupon of a box of Pampers and a box of wipes, $1.50 manufacturer’s Pamper coupon, a $2 off Easy Ups, and $3 off manufacturer Pediasure coupon.  The Thomas booster seats and clippers were on clearance for 50% off!  Plus, again, I got a $10 gift card.

I also used Target’s app Cartwheel to save 70% off the two bottles of Diet Coke and 5% off the box of wipes, plus another 5% off both transactions for using my Target Redcard.  Score!!!!