Guest post by Courtney Velek, marketing manager and new mom.

Is making your own baby food really cheaper than buying off-the-shelf baby food? I’ve had a number of friends say that, yes indeed; making your own baby food has a number of benefits—one of them being a cost savings. So, I decided to give it a try and finally answer the question that had been festering in the back of my mind since my child started eating solids. (Oh, the things new mothers worry about!)

There are tons of online resources covering this topic including how-to videos on YouTube and recipes. Since Blogging for Change is about how to spend wisely, I’ll spare you the details on the actual preparation of the food. Although, one important detail is that after pureeing the foods, I put the puree into ice cube trays and froze it to make individual servings.

One Sunday afternoon, I spent an hour, from start to finish, preparing peas, summer squash, chicken, sweet potatoes and green beans.

My calculations are based on the following scenario:

-I was buying a total of 4-6 packages of stage 2 fruits and 4-5 stage 2 vegetables. Each two pack costs around $.93. Thus, the daily cost per serving is roughly $.46. (Of course this will vary based on where you live.)
-Two “cubes” equals one container of stage 2 off-the-shelf food. (So, 1 serving = 2 cubes)
-My kiddo eats 1-2 fruits and 2 vegetables each day. (3 total)

Squash (fresh): $1.61
Total: 8 cubes
$.20/cube = $.40 per serving

Sweet potatoes (fresh): $3.67 (3.25 lbs)
Total: 24 cubes
$.15/cube = $.30 per serving

Chicken (frozen): 5-6 breast tenders/bag is $9.88 - $.50/each - $3.00 (6 pieces)
Total – 8 cubes
$.37/cube = $.74 per serving

Green beans (frozen): $2.23
Total – 16 cubes
$.13/cube = $.27 per serving

Average cost per serving: $.43

When it comes down to it, you have to ask yourself if a $50 savings is really worth the time. From a working mother, a lot of times convenience offers a premium that I don’t mind paying. Plus, looking at an annual savings is a bit skewed because your child’s eating habits will change quite a bit in a year’s time. Ultimately, I will continue making my baby food, but will also supplement with off-the-shelf baby food.

A few things I wish I had known:

-A good blending device (blender or food processor) is a good thing. My food processor doesn’t puree all that great.

-Hidden costs that I’m not accounting for include a food processor and/or blender, knives, vegetable skinner, ice cube trays, etc. You may want to take that into consideration before jumping in.

-Peas go everywhere. Somehow, I was finding smashed peas around my kitchen for weeks.

-The kiddo doesn’t like her green beans with chunks – forcing me to re-puree before each meal using the blender equaling more prep time.

-In the last couple weeks, I’ve started blending the things we’re having for dinner, which is a savings.

Do you have the time? What tricks or other resources do you use when making food for your baby?

Every parent knows that childcare can be expensive. In fact, the average working family with children under the age of 13 spends about 10 percent of their income on childcare expenses. I caught up with my friend Nikole at the ballpark the other day to talk with her about an alternative to paid childcare. Nikole is the founder and long time member of a successful babysitting co-op.

A babysitting co-op is a way for families to exchange childcare. Simply put, a co-op is a system that allows families to organize and trade babysitting with other members. One of the benefits of a belonging to babysitting co-op is that it builds a sense of community—both for the children and the parents. Because members exchange time instead of money, co-op members can also save a lot of money.

To start a successful co-op, Nikole recommends that you do a lot of research. There are many online resources as well as a few books on the subject. Talking to members of existing co-ops can be very helpful; Nikole has provided support and guidance to at least three other co-ops in her area. And while Nikole is too humble to say this, I believe the success of a co-cop has a lot to do with having strong and dedicated leadership (Niokle’s co-op has bylaw and even a mission statement!)

As wonderful as co-op membership can be, it is not for everyone. I know because I am a failed member of Nikole’s co-op. Because I needed about 20 hours of childcare per week, I found that I was either working or watching other people’s children, leaving little time for anything else. However, for people who are able to successfully participate in a babysitting co-op, I think it is a wonderful alternative to paid childcare.

A new program from the Department of Education aims to make student loan repayment more manageable for people whose loan size is out of proportion with their income and family size. The Income Based Repayment (IBR) Plan reduces monthly student loan payment amounts by lengthening loan terms for people who qualify.

This program works for both old and new federal loans for any type of education; however, it is not for everyone. For example, not everyone will qualify (to see if you are eligible for the new plan, use the IBR calculator*) and it is important to understand that lengthening the loan terms could cost you more in interest over the long run. In addition, there are some types of loans, such as federal loans parents take out to pay for their child’s education, that are not eligible.

While the IBR Plan may provide welcome relief to qualifying borrowers struggling to make high monthly payments, many future students may be dismayed by the thought of paying for their education 25 years after graduation. If this is a situation you and your college-bound child would like to avoid, there is good news. Opportunities for funding your child’s education are diverse as the career paths they afford.

-Private scholarships. There are thousands of private scholarships awarded every year that fall outside of the university’s domain. Private scholarships are not limited to students with perfect grades and packed resumes. Artistic talent, creative writing skills, lineage, interest in a particular field of study or being a member of an underrepresented group can all help you secure a private scholarship. However deadlines can be as early as July, more than a full-year before the student plans to enter college.

-Section 529 plans. Section 529 plans are state-sponsored college savings programs. The two major types are Prepaid Tuition Plans, which lock in current tuition rates, and State College Savings Plans, which offer more flexible investing options. Both are useful ways for families to save for their children’s college education.

-College controlled aid. Your individual college may be able to offer a short-term installment plan that splits your tuition into equal monthly payments. Many schools also offer their own merit scholarships.

-Military Aid. The U.S. Armed Forces offer several programs to provide students with money for school. The most well known is the Montgomery G.I. Bill that provides a cash education incentive to encourage you to join and serve a tour of duty.

Finally, don’t forget to enlist the student’s help; money earned from a part-time job can cover incidentals, such as books. Keep an open line of communication with your child; unfortunately, they might not be learning about personal finance at college.

*If you’ve already accumulated student loan debt, but do not qualify for the new program, check out a previous post titled How to repay your student loans.