Diapers (exciting, right?)

Squeak. That's what my darling husband sometimes calls me. He says that's the sound my wallet makes on the rare occasion it's actually opened. I counter by telling him, "it's your money I'm not spending." He's a kind man who has never once made me feel like it's "his" money because he works outside the home. He actually admits that I have the harder job. But I feel (self-imposed) like I "earn my keep" by watching our money and not spending it unnecessarily. So if I can save a buck or two here and there, I absolutely do. I try not to buy food we won't eat, use coupons and sales when available. You know, normal stuff.

For the first almost two years of our son's life, I've bought Pampers. Our growing boy recently went up a size again and is now wearing size 5s. Here's the fun thing about diapers...the price is the same regardless of which size you buy. But the bigger the size, the fewer diapers you get. The net result is that they are more expensive as the child gets bigger. In my desire to be economical (SQUEAK!,) I decided I'd give the off-brand (Sam's Club's Simply Right) a shot. The box was $5 cheaper and included about 40 extra diapers. Yep, LOTS cheaper overall. I've used their wipes for months and love them. I've bought and used generic in lots of products and had few complaints. So I thought I'd give them a shot.

The first couple of mornings, Jackson woke up literally wet from his belly down to his toes. Wet on the outside of his clothes. I mean, the poor boy was just soaked. I chalked it up at first to him being in between sizes. I thought maybe he was just not quite big enough for the new diapers. I thought we'd "tough it out" for a week or two. He had a few blow-outs (sorry for the TMI.) Even when the diapers contained the "deposits," they were difficult to roll up and took up lots of space.

I thought, "I'll just use up the rest of this box, then switch back to my brand." I went to the closet to get more diapers (I keep them in a drawer in the changing table.) I have never been so disappointed to see so many diapers left in a box! I called up Sam's Club, since the box said they stand behind their diapers. They actually accepted the remainder of the box back in exchange for a full refund (which I used to buy a fantastic box of Pampers.)

I was very impressed with Sam's for their response. But I'll say this - I now know without a doubt that when buy Pampers, it's not for a name brand. It's for the amazing quality. I've never been so happy to blow an extra $5 for so many fewer diapers before in my life! My wallet opened too fast to squeak on that purchase. It was more like a WOOSH!