Bum Genius

I have discovered something I never thought I'd like...cloth diapers.  I never thought I'd use them in a million years.  However I discovered these all-in-one cloth diapers.  No safety pins or plastic covers needed.  It's all in one!  There are several brands, but we have the Bum Genius kind.

They were given as a gift and yes up front they are pricey.  But the overall savings has been tremendous.  Lilly is 7.5 months now.  If we had been buying disposable diapers for her all this time at around $20 a week for 30 weeks it would have cost us $600 + tax.  (that $20 is probably not the most accurate figure.  Anyone know and want to share?)  However buying 12 of these cloth diapers up front cost about $240.  So there is a huge amount of savings going on.  (especially when they were a gift and we didn't have any upfront costs. ;)

Now you say what about all that water to wash them?  Really I don't think it's used that much more water.  Our water bill the past 7 months hasn't been more than $60 (and that was only one month when we had to add to the pool and yard)  The average month was around $40.  So that's about $280.  Still looks like we are saving overall.  

It's really not been too bad.  The yucky diapers aren't any worse than cleaning up a 3 year olds potty training accidents.  And every time I wash them we use a little bleach (it says not to in the instructions, but it hasn't seemed to bother them) and they come out white without any stains.  

We do use the disposable kind at night (they hold more fluid so there's less chance of a leak) or when we are out and about.  I don't want to have to keep up with a nasty diaper on the go.  I think in 7 months I've bought 5 packs of diapers and used maybe 2 other packs that were gifts. 

So there's my money saving tip of the month.  :)  Use cloth diapers.  It's easier than when our mother's did.

Lilly in her Bum Genius diaper back when she had chicken pox.  Thought I had a better picture but this was the best I could find short notice.