The littlest ones in our lives need good nutrition, too. And if you're trying to save money at the grocery store, those expensive little jars of baby food can really bust your budget. You can reduce the cost dramatically by making your own baby food. Some suggestions:

• Steam, microwave, or boil vegetables or fruits and then puree into pastes. Some nutritious foods that work well include carrots, peas, squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, apples, and pears.
  
• Mash softer raw fruits or veggies such as avocados, bananas, and papaya.
  
  

If you're breast feeding, add some breast milk to your mashed or pureed produce to bump up the nutrition. Then, store your homemade baby foods in individual containers. Or, you can freeze them in ice cube trays.