Sometimes you do things to save money and then you realize they’ve made your life better. Other times you do things to make your life better, and you realize they’re saving you money. Breastfeeding would probably fall into this second category.

You do it because you think it’s the best for yourself and your baby, then you’re even more psyched when you realize how much it’s saving you, which reinforces your decision.

I know that not everyone is able, or willing, to nurse their children. This is not a judgmental article. I think you will really enjoy Andi Silverman’s all-inclusive approach to the topic, whatever your situation.

I personally nursed my children for about twelve months each. (Which might explain why I was deluded into thinking kids don’t cost much!) Sure, you need a few nursing bras (I’ve actually received several from friends), and possibly a pump, if you want back-up milk or you plan to work. (Hand pumps cost all of $30, and a study just came out saying that women who used hand pumps were more likely to breastfeed longer.)

But how much can nursing your child actually save you?

In honor of Breastfeeding Week (August 1-6), I spoke with Andi Silverman, author of Mama Knows Breast: A Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding, about the economic aspects of nursing. (I had known Andi in the online world, and then we ran into each other at our college reunion.) For our interview, she spoke to me over the phone from her home outside New York City, which she shares with her husband and two children.

Frugal Mama: Hi Andi! I’m not sure why I haven’t covered breastfeeding on Frugal Mama, because if you are raising a family and trying to save money, breastfeeding is a perfect start. Let’s talk about the economic benefits.

Andi Silverman: I think it’s funny that a lot of people don’t even think about the economic benefits. It’s more of an afterthought. Most people are thinking, “How am I going to feed my baby? What is the best, most nutritious way, and what would work for my lifestyle?”

And then, if they’re using formula, they might realize, “Oh, this is costing me a lot of money!”  Or if they’re breastfeeding, they might say, “Wow. I’m saving a lot by not having to buy formula, and bottles.”  So saving money can be a motivating factor for breastfeeding, but I don’t think it’s the thing that gets people to breastfeed.

Frugal Mama: I agree. But it is a nice side benefit.

Andi Silverman: Yes, it is a nice side benefit. When you have a baby, all of sudden things can get very overwhelming. You’re buying so much stuff.  Stroller. Crib.  Mattress, sheets.  Maybe you redecorate the baby’s room.  And then the clothes. And then the diapers and toys! It’s unbelievable how those costs pile up.

So one way to cut down on those expenses is to breastfeed. You don’t have to buy bottles. You don’t have to buy formula. And formula can get very, very expensive. Breast milk is like nature’s gift to a new mom and baby.  

Frugal Mama: How much do you think women save by breastfeeding?

Andi Silverman:  There have been a lot of different estimates on the cost of formula.  I’ve seen figures that range anywhere from saving $1,000 a year to $3,000 a year.  Of course it depends on the brand and the type of formula.

There’s actually a calculator on the website KellyMom.com that can show you how much you’ll save by not using formula.

Frugal Mama: I know there are costs also associated with breastfeeding.

Andi Silverman: Yes, of course you’ll need a couple nursing bras and perhaps a pump, but those are one-time costs.

If you want a fancy double pump — that can get pricey.  But there are ways around that as well.  It’s possible to rent pumps. Sometimes people will share a pump that a friend or family member has used. In that case, the guts of the pump are fine but you would probably want to get new plastic pieces so they are clean and sterilized.

There are also other ways to offset costs. Some insurance companies will cover the cost of the pump, and you might even be able to get a tax break from the IRS if you have a flexible spending account.

Frugal Mama: Talking about secondary economic benefits. What about the money saved on gym memberships?

Andi Silverman: Right! Breastfeeding can actually help you lose weight (breastfeeding is said to burn 500 calories a day). And most importantly, there are the health benefits of breastfeeding.

For the mom, there is a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers, Type 2 diabetes and post-partum depression.  And for babies, there is a reduced risk of certain illnesses and respiratory infections, and long-term protection against some diseases.

In fact, there was a study last year, I think, that estimated if 90% of the mothers in the U.S. breastfed for six months, then the U.S. could save approximately 900 lives and about $13 billion in health care costs annually.

Frugal Mama: That’s amazing.

Andi Silverman: It is amazing. And the recommendations to breastfeed are there. The American Academy of Pediatrics is very clear about this. They recommend breastmilk — no formula, no solid foods, no water, no juice — for the first six months. So exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Then introduce solids after that, but continue breastfeeding at least for 12 months. And the World Health Organization actually recommends breastfeeding for two years.

Frugal Mama: So what do you say to women who, as much as they try, are not able to feed their babies or, for whatever reason, do not want to breastfeed their babies?

Andi Silverman: I think the most important thing is that you are a good parent and a good mom. You know, there are so many ways we all parent and take care of our kids and there is no one right way to do things. And what works well for one person may not work well at all for another person. So you really can’t be critical of people’s choices. And we are fortunate that we live in a developed country where not breastfeeding is not a difference between life and death.

It’s important to support new moms in whatever choices they make and give them a lot of encouragement. If they are breastfeeding, help them feel comfortable and give them the support they need. If they are not breastfeeding, support that choice too.

New moms just need help. It’s exhausting having a newborn, then a baby, and then a toddler, and sometimes it can feel be pretty relentless. So I think any support from friends and family is really important.

Frugal Mama: I really like your all-inclusive and non-judgemental approach because, like you say, it can be hard no matter what you do, and we all need to help each other. Where can moms go who need more information about breastfeeding? I know your book and website are great resources.

Andi Silverman: Online, KellyMom has great information. If you want to find a local support group, there’s always La Leche League. Most importantly, find a lactation consultant. Call your pediatrician or local hospital to get a recommendation.

Frugal Mama: Thank you so much, Andi, for offering your expertise, as well as your comforting perspective.

Andi Silverman is the author of Mama Knows Breast: A Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding (Quirk Books 2007). She is also a digital marketing consultant for Nosy Crow, a children’s book and app publisher. She blogs about breastfeeding at www.mamaknowsbreast.com and giggle, and can be found on Twitter @AndiSilverman.

Unfortunately I now know a lot about this topic. While I would take a coin-op laundromat any day, that wasn’t possible on our recent trip to Italy, so I saved even more money by washing our clothes the old-fashioned way.

I have some tips on how exactly to hand-wash your clothes while traveling at Parentables, as well as some handy travel laundry products you can pack to make the experience as quick as possible.

Even though scrubbing shorts with shampoo in the sink didn’t figure into my image of our trip, the upside was that I didn’t have to deal with the post-vacation laundry pile-up.

For more, see How to Hand Wash Clothing While You’re Traveling

and

8 Essential Products for Washing Your Clothes on Vacation.

If you have any pearls to add on this topic, please share in the comments. Thank you!

The imminence of August has me in a back-to-school kind of mood, and this time I want to learn from you.

Here I am, I thought, pontificating about all I do to save money, yet I know that each of you is busy with your own strategies and tricks.

So this year — beginning in September (since that’s when the year really starts for me) — the theme is YOU.

Besides wanting to get out the front door and see what the rest of the world is doing, I am percolating a book idea. It has something to do with finding happiness in saving — or making — money, and I want stories from all sorts of people to be the main inspiration.

Request Topics and Share Your Snippets

I also want to write about the things you want to hear about. For example, Melanie requested a post about how people can begin a new frugal way of living, and Nicole was wondering about flying internationally with babies. What do you want to hear about?  Send me an email at amy@frugal-mama.com or comment at the end of this post. I’ll do my best to fill your order!

Submit Your Tips and Pictures

How do you save money? What is making you smile these days? I’d love to hear what is working for you — and even what is not.

Karen, for example, would like to do a year-long experiment where she tracks all the money she saves by using coupons, loyalty cards, or discount shopping, and reports about it here. Allegra and her family have gone out on a limb two years in a row with a “Month of No Spending,” and she is going to share her experience with us.

I know that Meagan Francis at the Happiest Mom is doing a farm share this year and having canning parties. John Cave Osborne is going camping with his kids. Simple Mom doesn’t use shampoo. Nancy Shohet West bonded with her son and saved on a gym membership by going on a running streak with her nine-year-old son. Jennifer Roberts created a prehistoric world in her dining room for her son’s birthday party.

What do you do to save money?

It doesn’t have to be unusual or weird or creative. I’d love to cover the whole gamut of thrifty pursuits — the newness will be your perspective, your voice, your unique experience because there is only one you.

So, as my grandfather would say, “Put that in your pipe and smoke it.”  Meaning: please consider submitting a short (or long) story about a way that you have saved — or earned — money that has been fulfilling, rewarding, educational, uplifting, peaceful, or just silly fun.

Feel free to leave me a comment now, or stay tuned for another call to action (once those kiddos are busy in school)!

And p.s. — just because I like to keep you in the loop — we are now back in Washington, D.C., in our new house. I swing between feeling elated and exasperated, as I look at all the piles of lampshades mixed with spatulas and bike pumps and wrapping paper and unpacked suitcases. The poor place is a mess — and honestly, with four kids and more and more writing work (which is great), is it ever going to look fabulous? Oh well, I love it anyway. And: embrace imperfection, right?

Take care,
Amy

p.s. The photos are from the countryside of Emilia-Romagna, where we spent a few days with Enrico’s dad and his friends. Who gave us lots of fruit.

I‘m no a fashion plate, but I do appreciate good quality and a touch of style. At Parentables I wrote about how I apply frugal principles to my husband’s clothing too.

Land’s End. Ralph Lauren. Geoffrey Beene. Old Navy. Pierre Cardin. These are the kinds of button-down shirts I have found for my husband, Enrico, at the thrift store.

Sure, I’ve bought clothes for my kids and myself at Goodwill. But until a couple of years ago, I never thought about dress shirts.  Read the rest.

Here is something I wrote for Parentables about how I decided on the kind of phone service to hook up in our new house.

Should we use VoIP to save money on phone service? That was a question I was asking myself when I had the chance to start all over with our telecom choices. We’re moving to a new state, and VoIP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol) services had just come out on top of a Consumer Reports survey.

But how does VoIP work? Is the sound quality really that good? How much money would I save?

I hope you’ll read on at Parentables, where I blog twice a week.

Photo credit: Johan Larsson/Creative Commons 2.0

Before we had Luke, I had rarely used a sitter. Babysitting co-ops, babysitting swaps, and visiting relatives filled our needs. But when we moved to Syracuse with number four on the way and a burgeoning blog to maintain, Enrico insisted I needed help.

It was hard for me to accept, since I was used to doing everything myself. The upside of paying for childcare? It lit a fire under me, and my writing career took off this year.

As I explained to Family Times magazine this spring, this is how I found two excellent sitters, even though we were new in town.

So, do you need a babysitter?

When we moved to Syracuse last summer, I was nine months pregnant with my fourth child. I had no local friends or family. Yet, the day after I got there, a nice college student came to my door to take care of my toddler, while my 6- and 8-year-old daughters were enrolled in a day camp.

How did I manage that feat? I made connections. If you need a babysitter, you need connections, too. Here are some ways to meet people who can help you, even if you don’t know anyone (or don’t think you do).

1. Join a parenting group.

Sign up for an online group where parents exchange tips, advice and experiences about everything from indoor play spaces to good plumbers. It’s like chatting on the playground, but instead of a query reaching three to four parents, it can reach hundreds. Search Yahoo! or Google Groups for an e-mail loop near you.

Make sure there’s an in-person component to the group. For example, Syracuse has many parents’ groups—from local chapters of organizations like MOMS Club International to MeetUps and church playgroups.

I found our sitter by joining the Holistic Moms Network. Women I met on the listserv recommended a doula (a trained labor assistant) for my upcoming birth. That doula, Chris Goldman, co-owner of Doulas of Central New York, suggested East Side Moms.

On the East Side Moms e-mail loop a few months before moving to Syracuse, I spied a message posted by Chris about her daughter, Niki, looking for a summertime babysitting job. I immediately responded and included a description of our family and our needs.

I got lucky, and Niki chose us. When we moved in, she was there at our door with a smile, and three mornings a week all summer.

Even if you don’t need a regular sitter, online groups are perfect for reaching lots of people quickly with a last-minute need like, “Help, my nanny called in sick!”

Tip: First impressions matter online, too. In the first e-mail, make sure you are friendly and clear.

2. Post an ad on a local college’s jobs website.

When it was time for Niki to go back to college in the fall, I again needed a sitter for my toddler so I could get some work done.

So I turned to the online water cooler again. I got several recommendations and offers, but what worked this time was a local college website.

A few moms on the East Side Moms listserv suggested I post an ad on the Career Services webpage of a local college, LeMoyne. Suzanne Davidson of Fayetteville, whose children are 8, 7, 4 and 3 years old, says of the site: “It seems like everyone I’ve gotten has been in the education arena—speech pathology, psychology, special education—so kids were right up their alley.”

I had similar luck. A week after posting an ad for a part-time babysitter, a graduate student in early education contacted me. Responsible and patient, she takes my son to story hours and gym times and on an occasional evening watches all four kids.

To find a college job board near you, type your address into Google Maps and search for nearby colleges or universities. At their website, look for job listings, human resources, or a career page. Call and speak to someone about how to list a babysitting job.

Tip: The best time to post an ad is in the beginning of August before students get into a school-year routine, Davidson says. However if you need someone midyear, don’t panic. Danan Tsan of DeWitt submitted a job listing in late fall and found a sitter immediately.

3. Ask your neighborhood hubs.

Our real estate agent, who has five grown children and 12 grandchildren, was a fountain of knowledge for us newcomers. We asked her about everything from swim lessons to snow plows. She also knew plenty of neighborhood teenagers interested in sitting. As she says, it’s her job to know the community.

Think of others in your area who know lots of people: teachers, principals, librarians, dance instructors, camp counselors, neighborhood association heads, elders at your church or temple. (Don’t forget that active older adults often have the time and experience for babysitting.)

Tip: Team up with a community leader to create a directory of available babysitters for yourself and others. For example, Chris Goldman posted a sign-up sheet at her church for young women interested in sitting.

I’d love to hear how other people have found beloved babysitters. Care you share your tips in the comments?

Here is an article I wrote last week at Parentables about how hard it seems but how easy it really is to save (a lot of) money on insurance.

Do your eyes glaze over when you see an insurance policy? Of course they do. Especially when it comes to something as unsexy as title insurance.

When we recently bought our first house, I got a letter from the title company that outlined some riveting stuff like location survey disclosures and arbitration policies.

Force Yourself to Read the Letters

Towards the end of the page called Title Insurance, the company explained that:

“While there is a slightly higher premium associated with the Enhanced Policy, the benefits provided by the expanded coverage far outweigh the additional costs. Accordingly we will assume that you request issuance of the Enhance Policy and its additional benefits unless you inform us of your preference for the limited title insurance policy.” (Italics mine.)

Translation: we will charge you a lot more money unless you call us to protest.

I hope you’ll read on at Parentables, where I blog twice a week, to find out how I got almost $800 in the bag with practically no effort. Read now.

I’ll let my daughter, Virginia, and the images tell the story of this weekend.

Yesterday the movers came. I was sad and happy.

Me and Sofia were playing with the I-phone. Luke was taking a nap. Mark was watching, and Mama and Dada were helping.

I realized that I would probably NEVER see my house again. I kissed the wall.

Then me and Sofia went downstairs to do cartwheels. When I backed up, I forgot the couch wasn’t there. So I plopped down on the floor.

I thought how much I would miss my:  friends, house, snow. But I was happy to think I would get to see a new place.

–Virginia (7 years)

If you appreciate good design but not the price tag, then you’ll love this guest post. I’m delighted to introduce you to Jennifer Roberts, an active member of my Central New York Blogger Mamas, who writes thoroughly helpful posts like this one on her blog, JenSpends.

Though I learned long ago that beauty magazines weren’t good for my self-esteem, I can never resist a great interior design read.

I used to flip through the glossy pages of Architectural Digest lamenting the fact that I didn’t have a bank account that would permit the kinds of spaces I wanted to replicate. My own dwelling felt woefully inadequate — if only I could strike it rich!

Over the years I have learned some basic decorating strategies that have helped me turn any space into a home without spending a lot. Now, instead of feeling that my own place doesn’t measure up, I can happily read magazines for ideas and inspiration to implement in my own way.

The Power of Paint

If you live in a place where you can paint the walls, adding a fresh coat of color is one of the easiest ways to create a huge impact and make your room look like new.

Though some can masterfully pull off the white wall gallery look, stark white more often highlights the differences and imperfections among an eclectic array of belongings. By contrast, the right color can create a soothing, cohesive space that leaves you satisfied with the things you have.

Color can highlight interesting architectural features like sloped ceilings and ornate moldings that might be lost amid a more subtle palette. Color can make a room seem larger or cozier; it can blend your furnishings into the background or make them stand out.

Splurge on excellent paint brushes and rollers, but you can save on the paint itself — store brands work great, and color match computers can duplicate any designer paint chip that interests you.

If you’re unsure about the color you’ve chosen, buy a sample can and try it on a wall before you commit.

Look Within for Wall Art

Skip pricey prints and fill your walls with pictures that mean something to you. I let my two-year-old son go to town with paintbrushes, non-toxic kid’s paint, and canvases that I purchased in a lot for a few dollars on eBay.

It was fascinating to see his imagination at work in the abstract masterpieces he created, and they were the perfect accent for a blank wall in his colorful playroom.

Your own photos can instantly personalize a space and add interest. Department store photo printing machines allow you to enlarge, crop and even add artistic effects to your digital images. 8 x 10 prints are just a few dollars each. I enlarged and added a sepia tone to two landscape photographs from my California honeymoon for a sentimental touch that fit with the spa theme in my bathroom.

If you have a large blank wall to fill, consider grouping together odds-and-ends picture frames filled with your own black and white photos, your child’s art, or interesting illustrations from old books. I like to search thrift stores for ornate vintage frames that don’t cost more than $2 per piece.

Collect Something Vintage

Showcasing a collection can set the theme for a room and reveal a bit about your interests or personality. I recently discovered a love for milk glass, something that many of my friends associate with their grandmothers. But grouped together in the right setting, it doesn’t seem dated.

I look for pieces that are $2 or less at thrift stores and flea markets. It’s an inexpensive habit, and I don’t worry if my toddler son accidentally knocks something over. Groupings of odd-and-end milk glass pieces adorn my end tables, which also sport milk glass lamps that I scored for $9 on eBay.

Having an inexpensive collection or two to build is a great way to satisfy the occasional urge to shop without blowing my budget. It’s fun perusing local shops in search of a unique piece to add. It feels good knowing that my thrift shop purchases will benefit local charities, and I’m doing my part to keep items out of landfills.

Love What You Have

The furniture in my house is an eclectic mix of hand-me-downs and thrift store finds. I have often wondered what it would be like to go out and purchase brand new furniture that I picked out myself. Until I reach that point, I have learned to embrace the old furnishings that I have by using them as inspiration for my rooms.

The 1970’s colonial style maple bedroom set that my husband and I purchased as newlyweds wasn’t exactly our cup of tea, but I embraced the antique look and themed our bedroom to remind us of some of the antique-filled bed and breakfast rooms that we lodged in during our honeymoon.

A relative generously gifted us a nice sofa and two armchairs. The large pink and green floral design wasn’t something I would have chosen, but a subtle green paint on the walls and a grouping of matching botanical prints makes our floral furnishings look as though they were planned.

Mismatched or worn soft furnishings can be dressed up with slipcovers, new throw pillows or blankets. If shabby wood furniture isn’t for you, make it new again with a fresh coat of paint. Metal knobs or handles are easy to replace to make a piece match other items in the room or simply give it a different look.

You may not have much of a choice about the furnishings in your home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make them your own.

Plan it Out

Everyone is different, but I find that if I give a lot of thought to planning my room décor, I am much more inclined to enjoy the end result for an extended time and avoid the urge to remodel with every trend I read about. Even my furniture arrangement is part of the design, and I rarely want to change it.

Peruse books, magazines and the internet for pictures that inspire you, and save them. Consider your own space and look for ways that you can elicit the same feelings in your own room — you don’t need to create an exact replica of someone else’s idea.

Look at color, texture and style, then search out products that will fit both your budget and your vision. Take your time planning so that you can look for deals on the items you need at a variety of stores.

Measure your room and any existing furniture pieces that you will need to place, then sketch a layout that works. Putting it on paper will help ensure that you have a place for everything that you own, and for the items that you plan to buy. Impulse purchases are less likely if you know that you just don’t have a place for the item.

Creating the atmosphere you want doesn’t need to cost a fortune. With careful planning, some basic changes and your own creativity, you can make a comfortable and beautiful home within your means.

Jennifer Roberts left her career in architecture to pursue a new calling as a stay-at-home mom. Her creative background has helped her discover ways to make the most of a modest household income. She shares her lifestyle tips and favorite products on her website, JenSpends.com.