A List of Educator (Teacher and Staff) Discounts - Happy New School Year!

I’ve been working in the school system for a few years now - while I did have a teaching degree at one time (I let it lapse), I’ve been working in a support staff role. Being a school staff member doesn’t pay much so getting discounts at different retailers is a small but appreciated perk of the job. I’ve complied a list of some of the stores and restaurants that give Educator/Teacher/School Staff Discounts. Also if you homeschool some places will honor that and give you a homeschool educator discount too so it’s always worth asking! | This post contains affiliate links |

Disclaimer: Different stores have different offers and rules - and they’re subject to change. Make sure to double check on discounts and read the fine print and before you use them. Some of these discounts are in person and others you can do online with verification. If I’m shopping in-store I always ask if they offer an educator discount - you’d be surprised how many random places do!

A Quick List of Some Educator Discounts:

• Many local museums - Always ask when going to a local museum if they offer an Educator Discount - many do for admission or at least for the gift shop

• Some local restaurants/coffee shops - You may find a local restaurant or coffee shop may offer an educator discount on a particular item (like coffee) or your whole meal - it’s always worth asking!

• L.L. Bean - 10% off (online or retail stores - does not work at L.L. Bean Outlets)

• Target - varying offers throughout the year with special coupons/discounts

• JoAnn Fabrics - 15% off

• Michael’s - 15% off

• J.Crew - 15% off

• Under Armour - 20% off

• Crocs - 15% off (full-priced items only)

• Loft - 15% off (full-priced items only)

• New Balance - 25% off

• Sunglass Hut - 15% off

• Canva - may be free if you sign up for an educator account with your school email (not all schools are eligible)

What other places give you a teacher/educator discount? Let me know!

Disclaimer: Different stores have different offers and rules - and they’re subject to change. Make sure to double check on the discounts and read the fine print and before you use them.

Important Tips on Creating Your Baby Registry

Creating a registry for your first baby is a lot of fun - and pretty overwhelming.  A lot of people either end up registering for way too much stuff or not enough - so we're here to give you some tips to help find a good balance.  | This post contains affiliate links |

Bring a Recently New Mom With You

If possible, bring a relative or friend who's had a baby within the last two years - but someone who won't be overbearing and force all their choices on you. This mom's insights will be invaluable as you navigate the overwhelming selection of Babies 'R Us. Show her the products that catch your eye and get her honest feedback on them - she'll think of things you haven't thought of (how hard something would be to clean, how often you'll actually use it, how quickly baby will outgrow it, etc). She'll also help you think of items you maybe hadn't thought of (like a carseat mirror, a mattress cover for your own bed, etc).

Less is More

As tempting as it is, don't put every single cute thing you see on your registry.  Make sure to only put what you *really* need (plus a few fun things too of course).  The reasoning is, there's a good chance family and friends will just buy a lot of the fun stuff on your list and overlook some of the most important items, leaving you to purchase the necessities.  

Wide Variety of Price Points

Not everyone can afford shopping at Pottery Barn, or will be able to afford to buy you the $500 crib or $200 car seat.  Yes, many baby essentials are expensive - but make sure you have items that everyone can afford on your list too.  Think bottles, sheets, teethers, wipes, etc.  

Think Beyond Newborn

Don't just register for newborn items - make sure to think ahead to what your baby may need their whole first year. Eventually they'll need a high chair, feeding items, a push toy, etc. Make sure to think beyond the first three months and include some items for when they get a bit older.

Choose Products to Grow with Baby

If possible, choose items that do double duty and will grow with your baby. Carseats are a big one: you have the option of choosing an infant carseat (one with a handle that detaches from the carseat base) and then buying a toddler or convertible carseat later that year when baby outgrows it. -OR- you can choose a convertible carseat from the get-go, one that's good from around 4-70 pounds, so you just buy one carseat and you're good for the next six years or whenever it expires (yes, carseats do expire). Other items that you can choose to grow with your baby are convertible pack-and-plays, high chairs/boosters, and carriers.

Don't Register for Baby Clothes

Other than some necessities (side snap onesies for newborns, sleep sacks, etc), don't register for clothes. Why, you ask? The most practical reason is that clothing availability changes so often (sometimes a few times within a season) - so when you add a cute outfit to your registry today, there's a good chance it will be unavailable in a month or so. Another reason is that shopping for baby clothes is so special and enjoyable for your family and friends, you don't want to deprive them of that. And yes, you probably will end up with some outfits that aren't in your taste, but if it makes Great Aunt Madge happy it's worth it.

Start a College Fund

Politely let your family and friends know that contributions to your baby's savings account are welcome.  It's important to start saving early and even if it's small, it's worth putting money away little bit, by little bit.  

Something for You Too!  

Don't forget Mama too!  Ask for something practical that you need or that will help make things a bit easier.  Maybe a gift card to a maternity shop so you can invest in some great nursing bras or nursing-friendly clothes.  Or maybe a one-month subscription to a meal delivery service, because every new parent knows how rough that first month can be (and the last thing you want to do is drag your sleep-deprived self and a newborn to the grocery store).  

I hope I gave you some helpful tips on planning your baby registry!  If you're looking for some ideas on specific items to get, be sure to check out our Top Baby Must-Haves post.  

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Related Posts:

• Our Top Baby Registry Must-Haves

• Pain-Free Childbirth: My Hypnobirthing Experience

• “Things I Wish I Knew Before my C-Section”

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Young Toddler Easter Basket Ideas

Today I thought I'd share what we'll be putting in our little one's Easter Basket.  My goal was to spend less than $20 and fill it with practical and fun items.  | This post contains affiliate links |

Our little girl is only 15 months old, has more than enough toys, and doesn't eat candy yet so I was a little stumped as to what to put in her Easter basket at first.  After some thought I decided to fill it with some items she needed anyway and a few things to use outside once the warmer weather comes (someday soon, I hope).  

I started with the Easter basket I made for her last year (you can read my post on making her Button Easter Basket here).  First I filled the bottom with paper Easter grass - having a toddler and a dog, it's so important to use the paper Easter grass over plastic just in case any gets eaten.  The paper grass is also a lot more eco-friendly.  

I love what I found to put in her basket!  

In her basket:  

• Owl Lunchbox by SkipHop.  She desperately needed a new lunchbox (hers broke) and this owl one from Amazon was just the cutest.  There are many other animal styles to choose from too if owls aren't your thing.  
• Purée pouches by Plum Organics.  What toddler doesn't love snacks?  We picked these up last time we were at Target but they can be found at just about any grocery store or purchased by the case from Amazon.  
• Baby Farm Animals board book by Golden Books.  We actually got this book for free from the local library (they were clearing out duplicates) but you can usually find inexpensive board books on Amazon or on sale at your local book store.  
• Child's Watering Can.  We got this from the Dollar Store, but these can also be found at your local pharmacy.  (Similar one here.) 
• Egg-Shaped Chalk.  These came from the dollar bins at Target, and I love them because they're easy for little hands to hold.  (Similar ones here.)

Since I got the board book for free I spent right around $15 for everything - wahoo!  

Other basket ideas for a one-year old or young toddler:  

• puzzle
• socks
• crackers
• crayons
• busy book
• sunhat
• bubbles
• educational placemat
• teether
• rubber playground ball
• shovel and pail for the beach

All of these items can be done for a girl or a boy, and are easy to tweak if you wanted to tailor it more to your own child.  I hope I've given you some ideas of what to put in your little one's Easter basket - Happy Easter!  

Looking for more Easter ideas?  Check out our other Easter posts:  

• DIY Button Easter Basket
• Chicken-Themed Toddler Easter Basket

Simple Chore List {Free Printable}

The easiest way to tackle household chores?  Get caught up and stay caught up. 

I’ve been able to stay on top of things (more or less) by making a simple chore list to follow during the week.  Once you get into the groove, it won’t take you much more than 20 minutes to accomplish most days’ chores.  

Monday – Laundry, Groceries
Usually I’ll throw a load of laundry in, then head to the grocery store.  By the time we get home, it’s time to switch loads. 

Tuesday – Bathrooms
Wipe down all surfaces, clean all the places no one ever likes cleaning, make sure there’s toilet paper stocked – you know, all that glamorous stuff. 

Wednesday – Kitchen
Wipe down the inside of the microwave, clean out the crumbs from the toaster, de-clutter the counter, make sure that last week’s leftovers have been thrown out or frozen (if it’s not too late). 

Thursday – Dust, Sweep + Mop Floors
Dust the TV and bookcases, sweep the kitchen and dining room and give it a quick mop. 

Friday – Vacuum, Water Houseplants
Give upstairs and downstairs a quick vacuum, water houseplants. 

Daily – Dishes, Go through mail
Staying on top of dishes and mail is key!  They tend to be the worst culprits for piling up fast and bringing you down.  I try not to go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink.

Obviously some days are busier than others and a particular day’s chores might get skipped.  Sometimes I’ll try to make them up the next day, other times I may just skip those chores entirely for that week - but trying to stick to this schedule as much as possible means that even when you skip something it’s not hard to pick up the slack the following day or week and catch back up.