[TheWoman]

Originally Posted by MamaBird06 Okay, so I have been doing this coupon thing for about 6 weeks and things are getting difficult with my 20 month ds. Dh works 12 hours a day 5 to 6 days a week so i pretty much have to take ds with me to shop, and he acts like a typical toddler who doesn't want to sit in the basket, he kicks his shoes off, so I have just started taking them off when we first get to the store so I don't lose one, I have almost done that 3 or 4 times. I have to give him suckers (which I don't really like to do) or raisins to be able to shop. So many times I end up forgetting something, or I am unable to find a coupon when I find a great clearance, so I end not getting the item or I have to go back to get it. At the grocery story the car carts are helpful, but places like kmart/walmart are not as easy. I have found I am going out in small trips nearly every day, just get good deals, and I would really like to make it 2-3 times a week. Dh does not like me going out shopping on his off day(s) because it is family time and I really don't want to have to pay a sitter, kwim? So, what are the veterans with kids tips?

Pick your deals. Kids get tired of going shopping every day, and who can blame them? If I were in your shoes, I would limit it to 2-3 stores per week maximum. Choose the stores with the best deals that week. This is easier after you have a good stockpile built up.

Another thing you can do is trade babysitting with a friend. I have a friend that I trade stockpile stuff for babysitting. It really helps a lot.