Elanie is one smart lady! When it comes to being a thrifty eco-friendly  Mommy, Elanie really knows her stuff, I was so impressed with her I wanted her to try the ultimate Mommy Shift. Making her own homemade baby food. Elaine decided that she would try the make your own baby food shift.  Did you know by making your own baby food from organic fruits and vegetables instead of buying pre-made organic baby food at the supermarket can save you up to $1500 per year? Making your own baby food requires very little in terms of extra energy or waste production. You’ll avoid accumulating (and having to dispose of) hundreds of glass jars and metal caps, and you’ll help conserve the energy consumed to produce, package, and transport all of the baby food from plant to store.

Here are some of the other thrifty ways Elaine saved on being a new Mom: Need to warm up baby formula? Instead of buying a bottle warmer, put the bottle in a measuring cup full of warm water, or serve at room temperature.  You can save an estimated $60 or more a year and you will save the resources consumed to manufacture the product, the energy consumed when using it, and the waste produced when it’s disposed of.  Need to sterilize your bottles? Instead of buying a bottle sterilizer, use a bottlebrush, or throw everything in the dishwasher. You’ll save an estimated $90 or more as well as conserve the raw materials used to make the item, the energy consumed while using it, and the waste that must be disposed of when it’s no longer needed.

Thinking of buying a jogging stroller? Unless you’re a really serious runner, exercising with a regular stroller is fine. Try walking at a faster pace with a regular stroller. You’ll save up to $300 or more and conserve the raw materials used to make the item, the energy consumed while using it, and the waste that must be disposed of when it’s no longer needed.

Think you might need a bassinet? Why not borrow a bassinet instead of buying one? Just make sure that it still complies with current safety standards and you will save up to $300 or more as well as save the resources consumed to manufacture the product, the energy consumed when using it, and the waste produced when it’s disposed of. After all, you’ll only use it for 3-4 months.

Other ways you can save? Buy a baby carrier instead of a complicated baby backpack or front pack with straps and clips, buy a fabric baby wrap. You’ll save up to $80 or more and even if you pass it down, a nylon backpack is destined to be tossed in a landfill. A fabric wrap can easily be repurposed into another garment, accessory, or even a cleaning cloth! Invest in a dishwasher basket for baby bottles or bottle drying rack for hand-washed bottles. You will avoid losing track of small, important pieces and keep from having to buy new ones. This can save you up to $40 or more. Even if by losing parts they don’t end up in a landfill, the production of new products always involves inputs of raw materials, energy, and pollution generation.

Elaine’s total savings were over $2300!

Keep Shifting Mama.