Budget with Baby, part 2

I've been doing some thinking and some research in an effort to make things just a little easier financially, both now and if/when a little tot comes along. Some ideas I've had for awhile, some are new. Feel free to add new ideas, use them for yourself, or point out major flaws. ;)

1) Someone pointed out to me that a pregnancy item many people forget to budget for is maternity clothes. I've amassed several clothing gift cards, so today we checked the balance on each one, wrote it on the card with a Sharpie so we'd remember, and are putting them all in an envelope for maternity and baby clothes. Since I don't have any clothing that I really need right now, it's no big deal to set them aside. Then, if and when the time comes, I'll have a little saved up that I can use.

2) I think I've mentioned before that whenever I'm pregnant, I want to start stocking up on diapers in various sizes to lessen the financial impact later.

3) Today, I learned about Angel Food ministries and I plan on signing up pronto. Essentially, you can order a box of groceries that the organization selects. The estimated value of the groceries is between $60 and $70, and you pay about $35...so, saving money. There's a pick-up place less than ten minutes away from us. There's nothing you have to do to qualify, although given the fact that my husband volunteers his entire ministry, I think that we would anyway. For example, this month's box includes a 1.5 lb beef roast, 2.5 lbs chicken breasts, 2 lbs breaded chicken breasts, 1.5 lbs fully cooked meatballs, 2 lbs minestrone soup, 1 lb lean ground beef, 1 lb sweet Italian sausage, 1 lb yellow squash and zucchini, 1 lb sugar snap peas and carrots, 5 lbs waffle fries, 1 box Rice-A-Roni, 1 lb pasta, 1 jar pasta sauce, 1 lb dry Northern beans, 18 oz quick oatmeal, 32 oz powdered milk, and a dessert item. Their site promises no "off" brands, no damaged goods, nothing past its prime...so we'll see. It's worth a try. The only thing that worries me a bit is that we do buy only organic meat and eggs, but for these prices, I'll just buy myself some extra organic chicken. You can check it out yourself at angelfoodministries.com. I'm excited about the possibilities. Plus, if y'all know any couponing tips, I'd love to hear them. I keep trying to get into it, but I never remember to buy the Sunday paper, and the online coupons never seem to print for me.

4) The hubs and I finally reached a compromise on the TV. For awhile, I've felt that we pay too much for TV each month, but he felt (understandably so) that we don't go out to eat or to the movies, so the TV is our entertainment. We finally came to the compromise that we can keep the DVR, but downgrade it by getting rid of our HD channels, which will save us a tidy $20 a month. I can definitely live with that.

5) Try to build, build, build my Scentsy business. Of course.

6) We've already been doing this, but in an effort to clean out our office so it can become our "someday nursery," we've been trying to sell books, CDs, etc. online. It's hit or miss, but every bit counts.

I would love to hear your ideas, too!

PS- I still have not heard from my doctor. Calling me before Christmas is apparently too much trouble.