Bargain boasters!!

I have come to realise I am what I can only label as a 'bargain boaster' - are you? I'm sure you are supposed to be proud of having expensive items and money to splash about but I am all about the bargains. I shop around, I compare home insurance, car insurance, internet deals, look for cash back at every opportunity and have a wallet full of points cards.

If somebody tells me they like my dress I proudly tell them the bargain price I purchased it for. Then I kick myself inside, why did I do that?? I just can't help myself. In fact, if I have payed full price for something I always round down the price when telling people about it.

Am I the only one that does this? If I told you I loved your new table and chairs would you automatically tell me the fantastic deal you had got for or would you simply say "thank you"?!

I think I get it from my Nana, she will call me up to let me know my cousin brought a packet of socks for £2 somewhere and I should do the same.

I love people to share there best money saving tips with me, you have to make your money stretch these days, so I'm always glad of suggestions. If you want to chat about bargains... comment me, tweet me, facebook me... I'm your girl!

I have received a small incentive to write this post but it is all my own thoughts and words!

Gadget Ga Ga Post 3 – Tommee Tippee Electric Breast Pump

Tommee Tippee very kindly sent me an electric breast pump to try out. Again, after using it, I have found this is something I wish I had invested in with my daughter. I purchased a hand pump when I was pregnant with her and to be honest it was such hard work I soon abandoned it and substituted her with formula when I had too. Breast feeding was not plain sailing with her and the first few weeks was all about expressing and formula and just trying to get her to eat! We got there in the end but this time I wanted to be ready. As it happened my little man was a whole different story and took to breast feeding really well, perhaps this is more the case with second babies? He was wide awake, alert and ready to go so after trying the pump out once I decided not to jinx the easy feeds and leave it for a couple of months which is why it has taken me so long to review!

Once we were more in the swing of things I gave expressing more of a go and have found the pump fantastic as it opens your options and gives you some freedom! Evenings are when everything starts to go a bit manic in our house – my 3 year old is tired and both kiddies need baths... 3 year old wants a story and baby cries through it as he's getting tired. It is the one point of the day I have one of those silent cream moments! My little girl has been such a superstar though and not complained about the new baby at all and so it is really important to me that she still gets tucked in by mummy and has her lullaby, just like she used to. The pump means I can have a bottle ready for Daddy to take over with baby and for a few minutes she gets me all to herself again!

The pump is really easy to use... you simply start off on the low setting to encourage the milk to release and then I tend to gradually increase the speed. I haven't really got into storing or freezing the milk, I just have 2 Tommee Tippee bottles and express straight into them. It can seem like a slow process but it takes about the same time as a feed and if I do it at the same time everyday it helps. The pump comes with everything you need and is actually very good value (especially if you consider the price of formula). A first bottle and teat is included and you also get a microwaveable steriliser which fits everything you need in. After I first sterilised the parts it looked like an impossible puzzle but it was actually very easy to put back together.

One of the complaints I have heard about this product is that it is quite noisy but it is not something that bothers me. Yes it makes a noise but it is not overly loud and I have used it while the family is watching television together and not disturbed anybody. I think for the price you pay you are getting good value for money. I have found it very comfortable to use – the closer to nature claim seems to stand true – it is a funny sensation at first and you do feel a bit silly but it doesn't hurt and you can even do it whilst multitasking at reading your toddler a story!

My little baby boy blue is completely fussy (typical man) and refuses to take anyd formula milk so I can see myself breastfeeding for a lot longer this time around. As I need to get out more and even get back to work I can see this pump being a godsend and great to have in the house!

Gadget Ga Ga post 2 - Tommee Tippee Nappy Disposal System

Once again with my first baby I had decided a nappy bin was an unnecessary expense - surely it's just an ordinary bin and you just put the nappies straight out anyway?

Well no! I did try but when you have a hundred things to think about and a crying baby you don't get round to it. My sister brought one of these bins for her baby and I found myself coming round to the idea.

So this time around my mother in law very kindly surprised us with the Tommee Tippee Sangenic Nappy Disposal System and it is fantastic!

You buy special nappy sack cartridges which fit within the bin, they are easy to fit, you just tie a knot in one end of the sack and hook it under. Then every time you have a dirty nappy, you pop it in, twist the handle round do the nappy is tied up, then push the lid down (which pushes the nappy in to the bin). The fragranced bags mean there is no build up of smell and there nappies are instantly tucked out of sight. I have found I have to empty it just over once a week. It is quite a funny sight when you pull out the string of nappies! I tend to tip them straight into a bin bag and take that straight out.

It is such a neat solution I wish I had had one before! The only downside is that you have to buy the cartridges. I haven't actually brought one yet though - our bin came in a value back with a stash of them and after 3 months I still have 1 roll left. I probably use about 2 rolls a month so they seem to last quite well and I have been really pleased!

please note I have received no incentive to write this review, I just wanted to share my thoughts!

Gadget ga ga post 1: Gro-swaddle blanket

The Gro-swaddle blanket from the gro company was one of my favourite things I had for my newborn this time around. We just had blankets for my daughter which was fine but I struggled with the swaddling when we brought her home. A friend told me you have to think of it like you're wrapping a fajita which made me laugh... I did used to work in a Mexican restaurant but even those credentials didn't help me!

The swaddling blanket is the easiest thing in the world, you lie your baby down in the middle of the blanket and then there a bottom section you simply fold up over them. You then fold over the sides – first the shorter side, and then wrap over the long side. It is so simple and my baby boy had many a snug sleep in his. I know a lot of people struggle with swaddling, it is great for the baby to feel secure but I could just never manage it. The Gro blanket gave me personally some peace of mind putting my little one down for a sleep and I was always gutted when it had to go in the wash! I had read reviews before I got one and a common complaint had been that the fabric was too stretchy, personally I couldn't see how this was a problem and absolutely loved mine.

It came in a really cute pattern too! It was great for the first couple of months and we have now moved on to sleeping bags. It would be a fantastic baby shower gift for somebody to have ready for their newborn.

NB I have not been payed or sent this item to review, I just love it and wanted to share!