24/Savvy Mom: Washington, D.C.

Ever since I've been a mama, I've lived for my weekly trip to Target. Back in Iowa when we were poor grad students, I sought to save a cent at every turn. Now in D.C., though our income has changed considerably, my shopping habits have not. From the beginning, Target managed to make me feel like I was having a good time even when I was buying “generic". Then it was the ol' bulls-eye branded stuff. Now it's their new house line, Up and Up. And I would love to share with you my take on Target's stuff.

Savvy:
Up and Up Baby Wipes: Hands down my favorite wipe out there. I cannot endorse them enough. They don't disintegrate under this mama's desire to fold and use on every available clean surface a single wipe can handle. (I used to chide my husband for his “seven wiper” diaper changes, when I could have done the job with two. It's a sickness, I know.) Flexible and sturdy, yet soft, I even like using them in a pinch on my face! Available in Sensitive and all your standard scents. Seriously, you're crazy to purchase any other brand, especially if it's more expensive.

Up and Up Paper Towels: A solid paper towel. My standards may be less rigorous for these than their baby wipes counterpart, but I never purchase anything else. Always seeking efficiency, I'm very partial to the select-a-size. At my house they're also known as napkins.

Up and Up Bath Tissue: Perfect combo of soft and sturdy, yet it does well in our 1940s rowhouse  septic system. Two thumbs, way up.

Not So Savvy:
Up and Up Floor Sweeper Dry Cloths: A sorry, sorry facsimile of Swiffer cloths. You will not save money purchasing these. I will say the last time I purchased these was pre-Up and Up, so perhaps with the brand change, they are vastly improved. However, if not, these paper-like sheets cannot even double as dust cloths, which in this house is a must.