any thrifty grandmas do this?

[midwestdee]

I just became a grandmother. I've always done coupons, rebates, etc... DD has been trying to get on the coupon habit with the new arrival coming. Anyway, I have been telling her to register on all the baby product websites. I would like to register too, since I no doubt will be buying all kinds of things to help them out ( I think I have bought 300 diapers in the last two weeks). The problem is the websites have no "grandparent" choice for why you are registering. You are put in a position of having to do a "pretend" baby with birth date (not to mention REALLY fudging on my own birthdate - although I never use my real one anyway). Have any budget minded grandmothers registered with these sites? I don't know why companies don't have that as a category. We have the disposeable income to help out and keep the little ones from being major budget busters. I would really appreciate knowing if this would be unethical to do this.

 

[SandrA9810]

i wouldn't see it being unethical. Family members other than the bioligical mother and father have helped raise kids for ages.

My g'mother was raised by her aunt. My g'father was raised by his aunt and uncle because his mother passed away shortly after he was born. I was raised with the help of my g'parents and aunt. Who really has a "traditional family"?? Did a "traditional family" ever really exsist??

So its nothing new. And shouldn't prevent some one else from helping out. It is your money, should be able to spend and save it wisely even if you're not the mother.


Go for it and don't feel guilty.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I just became a grandmother. I've always done coupons, rebates, etc... DD has been trying to get on the coupon habit with the new arrival coming. Anyway, I have been telling her to register on all the baby product websites. I would like to register too, since I no doubt will be buying all kinds of things to help them out ( I think I have bought 300 diapers in the last two weeks). The problem is the websites have no "grandparent" choice for why you are registering. You are put in a position of having to do a "pretend" baby with birth date (not to mention REALLY fudging on my own birthdate - although I never use my real one anyway). Have any budget minded grandmothers registered with these sites? I don't know why companies don't have that as a category. We have the disposeable income to help out and keep the little ones from being major budget busters. I would really appreciate knowing if this would be unethical to do this.

There is your answer. Grands probably buy regardless of coupons. I know I would.

 

[midwestdee]

Thanks ladies - it is always helpful to get an additional perspective.

 

[momof1princess]

i'd go ahead and register. my DD is almost 13, and for the past year or so, i've been getting huggies and pampers diaper coupons, and i don't know why, but i've been passing them on to a friend of mine with 2 little ones in diapers. i figure if the diaper companies are going to kill trees printing coupons, someone might as well use them!
i've also gotten formula coupons and sample cans, which i sent along to my aunt's church-they have a food pantry for needy families. if you happen to get hsomething in the mail you don't need, you might consider donating it

 

[brandylouwho]

When I had my babies my mom, MIL & grandma also signed up for things online like formula coupons. I breastfed exclusively at first, but eventually they used formula and I loved being able to save (sometimes even $5 a can).

But it was funny for my 70 yr old grandma to get welcome baby packets. (Once you sign up for one thing...those lists often get sold & you get lots of advertising stuff targeted for new parents).

 

[taylor3297]

When I was single, a good friend of mine had a baby and the day after the baby was born the husband left her. Since I wanted to help, but didn't have the money to financially help, I signed up for all of the coupons and such. Anything I received I would pass along to her. She was so greatful, especially for the formula checks and diaper coupons.

Of course I also, babysat for free.

So I would say, Grandma should sign up too.

 

[disneymarie]

I just became a grandmother. I've always done coupons, rebates, etc... DD has been trying to get on the coupon habit with the new arrival coming. Anyway, I have been telling her to register on all the baby product websites. I would like to register too, since I no doubt will be buying all kinds of things to help them out ( I think I have bought 300 diapers in the last two weeks). The problem is the websites have no "grandparent" choice for why you are registering. You are put in a position of having to do a "pretend" baby with birth date (not to mention REALLY fudging on my own birthdate - although I never use my real one anyway). Have any budget minded grandmothers registered with these sites? I don't know why companies don't have that as a category. We have the disposeable income to help out and keep the little ones from being major budget busters. I would really appreciate knowing if this would be unethical to do this.

I have done this too as the option for grandparent does not exsist. It is a great help. In our county almost half the grandparents are rearing at least one or more grandchildren.

Check the isles in supermarket, I do not need coupons anymore and often leave them there when I find any.

Also, I think Toys R Us website I am registerd on this week had $10 off 3 pks of diapers this week.
Congrat's

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Both my mom and MIL signed up when I was preggo with DD. I hope they do again!

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I say go for it. I have been getting all kinds of stuff from Enfamil in the past two months. Emails about my 4 month old, formula samples and coupons in the mail. My DD is 4 years old!

Does the marketing wizards at Enfamil know something that I don't know!

 

[taymaesmom]

I bought my SIL a baby magazine subscription when she was pregnant 4 years ago. My name is now on all the mailing lists and I still get tons of stuff, just last month I got 4 cans of formula and a teddy bear in the mail! How crazy is that. And no I don't think there is anything wrong with you signing up for coupons, the retailers want you to so you will buy their products! Congrats on becoming a grandma!

 

[mistysue]

When you register be sure to tell then you plan to exclusively breastfeed! They send you bigger formula coupons if they think they need to convert you!

With both of my kids I just registered twice, once at my address and once at my parent's house. We got married while I was pregnant with DS, so somehow the companies share the info and I managed to get on everybody's lists twice. Once with my maiden name and once with my married name. They send the coupons, so I use them.

 

[3boymthr]

i'd go ahead and register. my DD is almost 13, and for the past year or so, i've been getting huggies and pampers diaper coupons, and i don't know why, but i've been passing them on to a friend of mine with 2 little ones in diapers. i figure if the diaper companies are going to kill trees printing coupons, someone might as well use them!
i've also gotten formula coupons and sample cans, which i sent along to my aunt's church-they have a food pantry for needy families. if you happen to get hsomething in the mail you don't need, you might consider donating it

Too Funny! The same thing happened to me when DS turned 13. I thought it was just a fluke. I was getting coupons for diapers, stuff to welcome my new baby from BRU and TRU, Baby Food Coupons and samples, etc. It was crazy.

 

[momof1princess]

Too Funny! The same thing happened to me when DS turned 13. I thought it was just a fluke. I was getting coupons for diapers, stuff to welcome my new baby from BRU and TRU, Baby Food Coupons and samples, etc. It was crazy.

i get the baby food coupons, etc., too! it's insane! but i pass on whatever i can. i guess our information is getting sold to the wrong companies!

 

[Shmily1]

Go for it! I have a 10 month old DGS and I'm signed up... even get Parent's magazine

 

[MarilIncredible]

Anyone have a list of sites to register on? Sounds like something I'd be interested in.

TIA!

 

[scard192]

This grandma did it for her 1st grand daughter and will do it for the second one due in October. I also get the free diapers samples that Wal-Mart.com some times offers. Every little bit helps these days.

 

[mrsheppo]

I have signed up each time my DD's have had a baby (reminder to self - sign up for new baby). DD had a girl yesterday so it's time again to register. When I adopted my granddaughter shortly after birth I definitely signed up for any baby coupons and freebies I could get. They helped immensely. Also a lot of times at the pediatrician's office, they have samples of baby formula to try. The first visit after the adoption, the ped's nurse went back and gave us a whole box of sample formulas for the baby.

Some good sites:

www.huggies.com
www.pampers.com
www.luvs.com
www.simalac.com
www.enfamil.com
www.gerber.com

 

[Teresa Pitman]

One thing you might consider - instead of buying disposable diapers, you could get a supply of cloth diapers for the new baby. I did that for my daughter-in-law and they lasted really well through three kids - we did have to replace some when baby number four came along. So it's a very worthwhile investment that really saves money in the long run.

Teresa

 

[midwestdee]

Thanks for the great input! I had kind of figured whatever I could help them save with the basics would be a good idea. He is 3 weeks old today and my DD can't believe how many diapers they have gone through and how much laundry she has done! I'm waiting for a good moment to mention the cloth diapers at least for night time when they do the least "damage". Thanks again!