You know it's bad when you start dipping into your kid's piggy bank

So, I've been on "funemployed" since the beginning of the year and guess what? The fun is starting to run out. That's right. My last unemployment check arrives next month and I'm starting to bite my nails and desperately search the couch for loose change.

Luckily, my ex-husband is digging into his pockets to help us out, starting next month, after all, he's partly responsible for putting us into this financial sinkhole since our divorce nearly bankrupted me. Needless to say, I did make some not-so-smart choices when it came to money so I can't really put the blame on anyone else.

My son and I have been making some big changes this year in the way we spend our time (with less money) so this experience has been a major lesson for the both of us about finances and how our lives can be full and rich without the big balance in our checking account.

Now, if only I can get him to start selling lemonade or something else equally adorable. I read an article last week about a mom and daughter who bought a van and converted it into an ice cream truck. Now that sounds like an awesome part-time job...

The Cleanest Diapers on the Planet

If I were to have another baby (or when I do), I most definitely plan on doing things differently. The main change that I would make would be the elimination of disposable diapers.

Blueberry Diapers, founded by mom Margarita McClure, turned me on to the idea of leaving behind the "convenience" of disposable diapers and switching to a safer, healthier and environmental-friendlier organic cotton cloth diapers.

There are many statistics that point to the growing problem facing our environment. Did you know that it takes (on average) between 250 - 500 years for disposable diapers to decompose?

How about the fact that the liners in disposable diapers still contain sodium polyacrylate, the same substance that was removed from tampons over twenty years ago!

I also had no idea that diapers are made from petroleum by-products. Add to that the cost to families during the diapering years ($2,000 - $2,500) and it just makes a whole lot of sense to start changing our habits within our homes.

Since babies are so much more vulnerable to toxic exposure, McClure set out on a mission to create the cleanest diaper on the planet. She did so with both Swaddlebees and Blueberry Diapers - free of bleach, chlorine or pesticides.

Swaddlebees are made of organic cotton and are designed with fun and whimsical patterns (from zebra print to blue latte). Over 32 designs are available on line as well as diaper covers and accessories.

Financial Responsibility

In our culture, it's not polite to talk about money. While it's public information as to what the CEOs of major corporations are taking in on an annual basis, why is it such a taboo topic among us "regular" folks?

Now, I'm not going to proceed by telling you what I earn in a year but I do know this: with the price of gas going up and up and up, along with the cost of everything else, I'm afraid to see what the tuition costs will be like when my son gets to that point.

According to the College Cost Calculator, I'm on the right track. How about you?