Nappies on the line

Nappies on the line, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

We've been using the re-usables for a while now, so I thought I'd do a little update. I am loving them. I absolutely love that we are not filling our bin full of used nappies, or wipes. (Our bins get collected one week for waste, and the next week for recyclables - we used to fill our bin in two weeks, pretty much to the top. Now, and we have started composting and recycling more stuff too, but we have just a tenth maybe full at the end of two weeks, feels so good!)

I'm using reusable wipes too. So much easier, cos where do you put a used wipe if you're not throwing a nappy away? So use toilet roll for the mass that will be put down the loo, and then put water onto a cloth to wipe the bottom and throw it in the nappy bin with the nappy - tada. This also means no, whatever they put in those wipes that means they clean just about anything, on my baby's bottom.

It's made me think about how much toilet paper we get through.. and maybe we should be using reusable wipes too! :D Andrew's not so keen on the idea.. we have a stash to use up anyway.. but I'm definately thinking about giving it a go.. I'm doing lots of washing anyway - why not...? I'm sure I'll be posting more on other eco-friendly, cost-effective things we've been doing at some point.

My only problem with reusable nappies is when out, although lots of places these days have nappy changing facilities they don't always cater for 'real nappy 'users. We need a toilet and sink nearby please!

Luckily, Felicity tends to poo at a regular time each day at the moment so I haven't been caught too off guard. When it did happen once, I luckily had a disposable nappy bag still on me, and so I put the poo in there, in the bin... not too bad I guess..

I would highly recommend using reusables. They are a little bulkier, but not too much, and they are better for baby.. and although a big lay out to start, I haven't had to buy another pack of nappies or wipes.. yay! :D It helps having sunny weather to dry them, but these only take a couple of hours outside. I haven't had any night-time leakages (sleeping 12hrs plus) with the night-time booster which is huge.. but she's sleeping anyway, so all is good.

Top Cash Back

I just went and checked my details on the cashback website that I use, and I was impressed with the cashback that I have earned. So far, I have earned £309.21 cashback. Wow! Most of the time this is money I would have spent anyway.

For those who don't know how these websites work. Retailers will give money to the website for showing their products - a way of advertising - and this website claims to give 100% of that money directly to you, as they have adverts on the sides of the page which earcn them money. I find TopCashBack to be great! There is no admin fee and they have a lot of retailers with offers. Some only small amounts, but others considerable. You are never guarenteed the cashback, which is why we only use it when we'd pay for it without the cashback - it's just a bonus.

If you were to sign up to TopCashBack using one of my links and earn yourself £5 I would also get £2.50 - woohoo!

Here's some of my best deals.. although some are no longer avaliable:

Car Insurance with Lloyds TSB - £90 cashback (the years premium was £120, cheapest we could find without the cashback - so actually paid £30 for a years insurance)

National Trust - £40 (signing up online for me and Andrew with an Annual DD - this is one we maybe wouldn't have done without the cashback - but it's been great so far!)

Scottish Power - £124 (swapping to Scottish Power once in Bristol and then in York)


PS.. Scottish Power are now giving an £80 cashback for swapping dual fuel.