Military Mondays: Baby On A (Military) Budget

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of 1 Natural Way, a TRICARE breast pump provider. All opinions are entirely my own. 

Today's Military Mondays post is dedicated to all things baby on a (military) budget. Here's the skinny: babies are expensive. It's amazing how much stuff one tiny little human requires, and even after baby showers, you find yourself having to purchase so many items for your little one on the way. I remember sitting in my nursery a few weeks before my son was born feeling so overwhelmed by how much we already had and how much we still needed. It's just an expensive endeavor, and even though there may not be a way to avoid paying out of pocket for the crib, changing table, and diapers, I did find a secret or two on breastfeeding supplies that I am excited to share with you today. 

Okay, let's talk about Tricare for a second. If you are a military spouse, you either love it or you hate it. Although Tricare has it's downsides, let me tell you... it is amazing when it comes to having a baby. Seriously, amazing. 

Most insurances cover some of the pregnancy and delivery, but Tricare covers all of it. Even if you are on Tricare Standard (I am too), they cover the pregnancy and delivery. I was a high risk pregnancy, so I had more ultrasounds than I can remember and ended up having to come twice weekly at the end for monitoring appointments to check on the baby. I didn't mind all of the extra attention because it was all covered. My pregnancy cost me a whopping $0. For my delivery, I ended up needing a c-section, which is probably a $10K surgery, and I couldn't help but laugh when I received my hospital bill a few weeks later. $30. It cost me $30 to have our son. All this to say, if you are a military spouse and plan to have a baby, Tricare is pretty great. 

Another budgeting item where Tricare really comes through is with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be expensive too when you think about purchasing a pump and all of the pumping accessories you need. Tricare covers this too, and 1 Natural Way makes it as easy as 1-2-3 to get. 

1 Natural Way offers the biggest brands of breast pumps (Spectra, Medela, Kiinde) as well as pumping accessories, compression socks, and postpartum care supplies. It takes less than 5 minutes to order your Tricare breast pump thanks to 1 Natural Way. 

Ordering the breast pump is free, but the process can be a hassle because you have to get a signature from your doctor, get that signature to Tricare, and then order the breast pump for free. The cool thing about 1 Natural Way is that they handle contacting both your doctor and Tricare on your behalf. If you are ordering a breast pump, it means you are just weeks from having a baby, and you don't have time to be fussing with insurance and doctor forms. I really like that 1 Natural Way takes care of that for you. 

My last little budgeting tidbit as far as breastfeeding is concerned is to remember that Tricare will cover any supplies you might need. From your pump and pumping accessories to milk storage bags, nursing pads, and lanolin cream, it is all covered, so let Tricare pay for that and you spend your precious dollars elsewhere. 

5 Easy Ways To Save Money At Target

I should probably start this off by saying this post is not sponsored by Target. Target has absolutely no idea who I am, but boy do I love me some Target! Target is just happiness, and I could easily spend 2 hours walking up and down the aisles. I love the dollar section, I love the clothes, and I think I own half of their Fall shoe line. 

If you know me, you also know I love to save money. I like to find the most cost-effective ways to do things and love to feel like I'm getting a deal. Since I am an avid Target shopper, I have figured out a few cost-cutting tricks to help me enjoy my favorite store without the guilt. Here are my 5 favorite ways to save money at this magical place called Target, aka God's gift to women:

1. The Cartwheel App

Please tell me you have heard of the Cartwheel App. You probably have, but it bears mentioning anyway. It's a free app on your smartphone with offers on items you were already going to buy anyway. Items rotate out, but I have gotten 50% off of clothes and shoes, and so many cosmetics, housewares, decorative items, and food are 5-20% off each week. You select the product you are buying in the app, and the app generates a barcode. Have the cashier scan this barcode at the register, and the difference instantly comes off your bill. Download it, yall. 

2. The Target REDcard

Now before you write this one off because you don't want a credit card, listen to this: you can get the REDcard as either a credit or a debit card. With the REDcard, you get 5% off every single purchase plus free shipping at Target.com. Seriously yall... 5% off each trip. It's free money! You also get 90 days to return anything bought with your REDcard, and you don't need a receipt. I don't ever get store credit cards, but I love the Target REDcard debit option. It comes straight out of my account just like a regular debit card would, and there are no annual fees or anything like that. Again, it's free money. 

3. The Ibotta App

This smartphone app is not specific to Target, but it can be used at Target. It actually applies to nearly all grocery, convenience, pharmacy, etc. stores. You earn cash back on items you were going to buy anyway and can get a gift card or paypal credit once you hit $20. This is another one that's just free money. One of the ways to cash in your earnings is a Target gift card... yes please. 

4. Know the Target Markdown Schedule

If an item is on clearance, there is a chance it will be even further marked down. If the clearance price ends in an 8, it will be marked down again. If the price ends in a 4, that's the lowest it will go. This can always vary, but as a general rule of thumb, here is the markdown schedule:

Monday: electronics, kids' clothing, accessories, stationary, books, and baby

Tuesday: women's clothing, pets, and food

Wednesday: men's clothing, health & beauty, garden, and toys

Thursday: housewares, shoes, toys, lingerie, sporting goods, decor, and luggage

Friday: cosmetics, auto, hardware, and jewelry

5. Shop The Holiday Clearance Section

Target has the cutest holiday stuff. I gush and gush over their Christmas section each year! One of the best times to buy holiday items is the week after the holiday because it's all so marked down. It may not be as fun to buy Christmas decor the last week of December, but your wallet will thank you and it'll be waiting for you next year!

1 Day After The Holiday: 50% off goods, 30% off candy and food

3-4 Days After The Holiday: 75% off goods, 50% off candy and food

1 Week After The Holiday: 90% off goods, 50% off candy and food

Are you as obsessed with Target as I am? Please tell me you have seen how cute their Halloween-themed dollar section is right now!

Bloggers: How To Add Instagram To Your Blog The Right Way

I am by no means an expert on blogging gadgets and HTML coding, but when I figure out a cool trick, I want to pass it along. This post is for bloggers, so if that's not you, feel free to skip this one. We will be back to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow. ;)

Several months ago, I posted a tutorial for bloggers to add the Instagram widget to your sidebar. This is becoming increasingly popular and is a fun feature for all types of blogs.

Yall, I have to apologize. That tutorial I shared months ago will work, but it's not the optimal way to go about this. You see, that method uses intagme, which lets readers see your pictures, but it doesn't enable them to like pictures or follow you. What's the point, right?

Inefficient. Doesn't let readers connect with you. Let's fix it.

We want the Instagram gadget to take readers directly to Instagram, where they can follow you, see your feed, and like your pictures.

Today, I am going to show you how to add Instagram to your sidebar the right way.

Step 1: Head over to lightwidget.com.

Step 2: Enter your Instagram username where indicated and a hashtag if you have one. You will probably leave the hashtag blank, but if you're an Etsy shop or participate in a linkup, then you might want to enter a hashtag.

For the GRID effect:

- Select GRID
- Enter the number of columns you want
- Enter the number of rows you want
- Select your image hover effect
- Click "Preview" and then "Get Code!"

For the SLIDESHOW effect:

- Select SLIDESHOW
- Enter your desired number of photos that can be shown (I recommend 60)
- Select your image hover effect
- Click "Preview" and then "Get Code!"

For the COLUMN effect:

- Select COLUMN
- Enter the number of columns you want
- Enter the number of photos you want to be shown at a time
- Click "Preview" and then "Get Code!"

Now you are ready to install your code!

Since I use Blogger, I am not sure how to add the code to Wordpress blogs. However, for Blogger, here's what you need to do:

- Select Layout on the left side of the page
- Click "Add a Gadget" on your sidebar

- Click "Add HTML/JavaScript"
- Paste your code, and click "Save"
- Your Instagram gadget will now appear at the top of your sidebar. Drag the gadget to the position you want it to appear on your sidebar, and click "Save Arrangement"

Done, done, and done! Let me know if you have any questions. I am happy to help!

To follow me on Instagram, click my Instagram widget at the top of my sidebar or go here. 

Football Party Prep On The Fly

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ScoreMoreFans #CollectiveBias

We love hosting in our house. Like, really really love it. We are always trying to think up excuses to have parties or invite people over for a random Friday night get together. I am convinced the sixth love language is feeding people, and that is definitely mine. Hosting =  feeding people = happy Chelsea. 

Thanks to football season, there is always a reason to throw a party. Pick any weekend, and there is definitely going to be a big game on that people want to watch. Great news for us! I think one of the reasons I love hosting is because I feel like I have it down to an exact science, as my Nana always says. I know what food to make that will take the least amount of preparation and yield the happiest guests. No host wants to spend the whole party in the kitchen!

Today, I thought it would be fun to share a few tips and tricks on how to prep for your football party on the fly. With the big game coming up, we could all use a few shortcuts to keep the prep to a minimum!

Tip #1: Choose snacks that can be prepared in minutes. 

We all know that we come to the football parties for the food. Oh, you're the one that actually wants to watch the game? No problem. Don't mind me as I devour all the food. Food should be easy to whip together and not yield a huge mess at the end. Enter: Creamy RITZ® Cracker Bites. 

These Creamy RITZ® Cracker Bites literally take 5 minutes from start to finish but taste absolutely divine. That is my kind of football party treat! The best part? It's super easy to make a lot or a little depending on how many guests you will have. The below recipe will make about 12-15 RITZ® Cracker Bites. Double or triple it if you feel so inclined!

Ingredients:

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions

RITZ® Crackers

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients but the RITZ® Crackers. 

2. Stir together, and then top a tablespoon of cheese mixture on top of each cracker. 

3. Serve and enjoy! So simple!

So, to recap, serve food that is quick and simple to prep. Period. End of story. Just do it. 

Tip #2: Choose inexpensive decor that can be quickly crafted to fit the event. 

Decor adds a personal touch to the party. It lets your guests see you went the extra mile and really got into the theme of the event. Since we are talking about football here, I want to highlight my favorite decor trick for the big game that can be completed in... you guessed it... 5 minutes. 

I have a thing for mason jars right now as does the rest of the world, so I chose a fun craft around that. Enter: Football Glasses

Supplies:

Mason jars or the glass of your choosing

White electrical tape

Coke Zero 6-pack

Directions:

1. Cut one strip of white tape slightly shorter than the length of your mason jar and place vertically in the center.

2. Cut 4-5 smaller strips and place horizontally so they intersect your center line.

3. Fill the jar with Coke Zero to give it the final "football" look! Boom. Done. 

Bonus: All Coca-Cola 500ml 6-packs are currently 2 for $5!

See how simple that is? Simple is just better when it comes to throwing football parties. We all know you have enough on your plate as the host, so it's all about not overcomplicating things. 

To recreate these tips for the big game, head on over to Walmart and look for a RITZ® Cracker display at the front of the store and Coke Zero 6-pack in the drink aisle. 

What are your favorite tips and tricks for happy hosting? I'd love to hear! Do you have any fun recipes using Coke Zero and RITZ® Crackers? Be sure to check out more football party ideas with Coca-Cola and RITZ® at SnacksandSips.net. 

Saving Money 101: 10 Things You Should Buy At Dollar Tree

If you know me, you know I love a good deal. You won't ever see me on Extreme Couponing (mad respect for people who have that much patience), but I love to save a dollar where I can. I've figured out some of the best places to buy things on the cheap, so I thought it was time I share my tips and tricks with you all. One place you can get a killer deal: Dollar Tree. 

While I wouldn't necessarily buy everything from Dollar Tree (the $1 steaks leave me a little uneasy), there are some things you definitely should be buying. So today, I'm sharing my 10 favorite things to purchase at Dollar Tree.

1. Greeting Cards- If you only listen to one item on this list, make it this one. Greeting cards can be upwards of $5, which is a little excessive considering people read them once and stow them away forever after. We purchase all birthday cards from Dollar Tree, and some of them are even 50 cents. 50 cents!! They have a great selection too. 

2. Halloween Candy- Why oh why is Halloween candy so expensive? If you live amidst a lot of kiddos, you could easily spend $100 on Halloween candy. Or, you could buy 10 large bags of Halloween candy for $10 and call it a day. 

3. Seasonal Items- I actually have a good friend who is a buyer for seasonal items at Dollar Tree, and they have a really good selection. You may still need to purchase a few items at Hobby Lobby, but if you're in the need for some cheap holiday decor, check out Dollar Tree.

4. Packaging Supplies- I just discovered this one and am so glad I did. You can purchase boxes and bubble envelopes from Dollar Tree for half the cost you would spend at the post office.

5. Gift Wrap- Let's face it: Nobody wants to spend $10 on a gift bag and tissue paper after they buy a present. It's just going to get discarded anyway, so buy it on the cheap at Dollar Tree. 

6. Toothbrushes & Toothpaste- Colgate and Crest toothpaste for $1? Yes, it's true!

7. Picture Frames for Crafting or Gallery Walls- If you're just going to spray paint the picture frame or use it for crafting, buy it at Dollar Tree.

8. Plastic Storage Bins- If you're looking to organize your pantry or a closet, you can buy these little plastic bins for a fraction of what they would cost at The Container Store.

9. Cleaning Supplies- This is a broad one, but you can buy all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, scrubbers, and the like all for $1. Glass cleaner is glass cleaner, so you might as well buy it on the cheap. 

10. Paper Towels- If you're like me, paper towels are your most used hoousehold product. We go through rolls by the truckload, but I don't feel too guilty about that since I can get them for $1.

So there you go! Just some money saving tips from one frugal noodle to another. What are your favorite tips to save a few bucks?