Couponing 101

Due to many asking how I save money on groceries and have grown my stockpile, I thought Id write a blog entry instead of sending individual emails out. My savings were not seen as much the first year as I was still stocking up. By the second year, I had started to see drastic savings because I was not needing to shop for as many items. I will go into detail but do not get disheartened if at first you don't see a difference.

1. Buy a Sunday paper.  I usually buy 1 paper a week or 2 if there are really good deals. Check out www.sundaycouponpreview.com and it will show you what coupons to expect. Be aware some Sundays there are no coupon inserts. I also will grab coupon inserts out of recycling bin when I am dropping off my recycling but only if reachable. I do not dive in. There are coupons available to print online as well. I personally stopped using them because they use a lot of printer ink.
2. Organize your coupons. I use little accordion coupon files that are found at dollar stores or in office supply area of Walmart. I have 2. One for food and one for cleaners, toiletries, dog food, etc. You can opt to use a binder with baseball card holders if you wish. I find it impractical. I like to take my coupons with me to store in case there is a clearance on an item that was not advertised. I don't want to carry a book but I don't mind tossing the coupon "wallets" into my purse. Remember if you don't feel comfortable carrying it around you probably wont use it. Im not embarrassed to use coupons but I don't want to look like a freak walking around with a binder. If you want to be a freak that is your choice. Lol!
3. Retail store and drug store ads come out on Sunday and grocery store ads come out on Wednesday. All ads can be found online so do not feel like you need to buy a paper. I find it easier to have the paper just because it is tangible but I switch back and forth depending on how accessible the paper is to me at the time. My mail will sometimes bring ads a few days late.
4. Before I look thru the ads. I cut out any new coupons. Then I go thru my organizer and toss any expired weekly. When deciding which coupons to cut, I suggest overlooking the brand. I don't care which brand cereal or cookies I buy. I care about price. Also you will see as you go that some things you would never buy you can get incredibly cheap or free. I pick these items up and donate to local food pantry. Also if I have a lot of an item and we don't seem to be moving thru it very quickly I will donate some of that item as well. When you give, you will receive.
5. As you look thru ads, see if there are any sale items that match coupons you currently have. That is usually your best price. I suggest in your first year keeping a price book. Write down what item you bought and how much you paid got it after coupon, that way you can compare prices down the road and know if it is a good deal or not. If Campbells tomato soup is on sale for 59c a can and you have a coupon for 40c off 4 cans, you will be paying 49c a can at register. Some grocery stores double coupons, so that same deal of soup at 59c a can with a coupon that went from 40c off 4 cans to 80c off 4 cans, is now 39c a can. If you have multiple coupons stock up. Soup lasts a long time on a shelf and can be used in lots of recipes. Some stores and coupons have limits so be aware of that and just go back in store multiple times if need be or have kids and hubby buy items.
6. As I search thru ads, I use an envelope as a shopping list. I write down which items I am getting, I write the store price and circle it, and next to that I write my final price after coupon. I use an envelope per store. I circle the price so I can make sure it is accurate when I am picking up an item and if I end up at Walmart I can pricematch the item if I don't have time to go to multiple stores. Walmart will not double coupons so make sure you go to those grocery stores. By using the envelope method, all your coupons a re ready to go at the register. You can bring your other coupons with you just in case a deal pops up but you wont be spending hours in the store hunting down your original deals.
7. Some deals are just awesome! If Sunny D is 99c each. I will buy 10 without a coupon because it is a great stock up price. When shredded cheese is $1.49 a pack I will buy 10 and throw them in the freezer. If there is something on sale that you use at a good price. Buy lots of it. You don't have to have a coupon. Most of my deals are without coupons. I try and buy as much as possible.
8. The secret to a stockpile is to buy as much of an item as you can afford when it is at a great price. If you have 10 bottles of ketchup from a summer sale of 49c a bottle, then you don't need to pay $2 for a bottle in December when it is not on sale. If you buy a ton of school supplies in August when everything is pennies, then come January you are not paying full price for crayons when your child needs more, or full price for Kleenex when you get sick. This helps you save money later.
9. A year later, you will see that your grocery bill is severely slashed. You will be buying perishables, odd ball items you are out of, and stocking up on sales. It is so much nicer to know you stocked up on a years worth of laundry detergent at 99c a bottle and not need to pay $6 a month on it later.
10. Lastly find out what is free. I have lots of toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, popcorn, and hand soap that was free. These items go on sale at $1 ea many times throughout the year and there are many 50c off coupons for these items that will double making them free. I get as many as I have coupons for and whatever I can not use I send to local food pantry. Different stores will have different $1 items so watch for them.

If you have any questions feel free to comment and I will try and cover them. If there is anything you want to know in further detail let me know.

80's Girl Night

     I recently went with Chloe to her mother/daughter girls nite at her school. They had a spot to do your hair and nails. There was dancing and singing. It was a fun night to dress up to.

Sledding Adventure

    We recently went sledding for the first time. We joined up with our aunt, cousins, and a few friends. We didnt have any sledding gear so we invented some things. Our fave was sledding down on old pool plastic. We can't wait to go out again after the newest snowstorm.

Chloe sledding on her daddy Scott

Scott wiping out on snowboard

Chloe sledding on pool

Johnny on snowboard

Johnny wiping out on snowboard



Johnny eating snow



Chloe on pool

Chloe zipping along

My turn on the pool

Chloe

Johnny on wooden sled

Johnny zipping by baby Hayden watching from her bin.

Brad and I on the pool

Too much fun.

Cole on snowboard

Johnny on wooden sled

Taylor and Ellie on wooden sled.

Cole on a plastic chair

Cole again

Chloe catching a ride with Johnny

Brad on wooden sled

Brad again

Brad, Chloe, and Johnny

Our Real Life Horror Story

  
     I was headed home from work, when I got a call from my 11 year old son. He says that there is a bird in the house and it was scaring him, so he went to neighbors house. I told him I'd be home in ten minutes. I pulled into driveway shortly after and went next door to pick up my son. I thanked the neighbor for letting him in and told him to put on his shoes so we could go home. He then tells me he didn't wear any shoes over and he is barefoot. I looked at him like he was crazy. There is a foot of snow on the ground. I walked back to my van and pulled out my snow boots for him to slip on.

    We walk up to the front porch together. I go to open the door and can't because it is chained from the inside. I turn to Brad and ask him how he got to neighbors house. He says the bird was flying by front door so he ran out the backdoor, climbed the fence, and ran to neighbors house barefoot in a foot of snow. Now I'm wondering what kind of bird got in the house to scare an 11 year old boy so badly, we have a pet cockatiel so this isn't anything new to him.

    I ask him to go around the house and unchain the door since he is wearing the snow boots. I wait and wait and wait. What is taking him sooo long? He finally comes back around the house. What now? He says he opened the back door and the bird was flapping around so he shut the door and came back. I asked if he at least let the bird out? No.

    So now I go around the house. I open the backdoor and there is nothing there. I unchain the front door and let my son in the house. We begin to look for the bird. After searching the house, there is no sign of  a bird. I am beginning to think my child needs medication. He swears up and down there was a bird and is starting to lose it.

    I tell him we will pretend to be cops. We will go through each room and closet together. If we don't see the bird we will yell clear. He nods his head and we begin. Room after room, closet after closet, we yell clear. There is nothing to be found. We get to the last room I say clear and begin to shut the door. Then, I stop. I ask my son, "why does your sister have dog crap on the top of her curtain"? He says that's not dog crap its the bird. I look closer. It's not a bird. It's a bat. We slam the door and run down the stairs.

    I call Scott and tell him to come home now and get this thing out. He arrives about 5 minutes later with a bucket and a fishing net. The bat has moved so it takes him awhile to find it. Then he comes down with it. You can hear it hissing in the bucket. He lets it loose outside, its wingspan is about a foot. No wonder it was scaring my son. He just didn't know what a bat was.

    We are glad it is gone. It has been a year and we still don't know how it got in the house and have never had a repeat performance. Looking back it's funny, at the time creepy.

Gifts are the true meaning of Christmas!

I believe giving of yourself and time is what the heart of the holiday is about. Helping those in need, being with those who have nobody, teaching others through love, and rejoicing in the holy spirit are great ways to celebrate.

My extended family doesn't see it this way. I get grief for not going out of my way to hunt them down so they can throw gifts at us and shove us out the door and consider themselves done with Christmas. I would rather forgo the gifts in exchange for them to spend time with my kids, their grandkids. They do not see my kids except for holidays and birthdays despite the fact that they live within easy driving distance. They decline attending school events, dinner engagements, and weekend visits because they do not wish to spend their time with family. They consider the gifts as a payment to opt out of such events.

My children do understand the meaning of Christmas and have started looking down on other family members. My kids are tired of watching people choose things over time with them. They have developed many coping mechanisms to deal with this rejection and it is very sad to see it has come to this over the years. The heart of a child is pure and they see people clearly for who they are. I am proud of my children for standing tall and sticking with the principles they believe in.

Gifts of love are the true meaning of Christmas, not gifts from a store. If Santa doesn't come, Christmas still does. Being with those you love in comfort and a stress free environment is the true pleasure of Christmas.

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.  ~Roy L. Smith

 

Last Minute Christmas Craft Ideas

    Running short on gifts? Running short on cash? Here are some quickie craft ideas to finish off your gift list.

•  Have any burnt out lightbulbs? Spray paint them and turn them into snowmen, reindeer, or just plain bulbs. Attach wire to metal end and hang from tree.

• Go to your local goodwill, salvation army, or other donation center. Buy some very cheap frames. Even the one with the picture of a kitty doing ballet? Yes, that one too. Take them home and throw out any pics or painings they may have come with. Paint the frame with spray paint or left over wall paint. You can leave as a solid color or decorate by gluing on buttons or other craft items. This would also be a great project for kids to help with. Then when dry, add in a family photo or put in a nice piece of scrapbook paper with a nice printed out quote.
• Cut a posterboard into a wreath shape. Have your child dip their hand into green paint and make prints around the outside and use their fingers as the berries. Add a picture to the center and a ribbon to the top to hang it from. If possible laminate.

Child's Version of Christmas

     Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve.  Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age.  ~Carrie Latet

    Every year for Christmas the kids open Santa gifts and then are rushed to see family and never really get to enjoy the holiday. This year I sat with them and we made our own plan for what we would like our Christmas to be like.

    First, we agreed no more travelling Christmas Day. It's too much stress and not fun at all. We will stay home and if others wish to stop by then we are OK with that. Secondly, the kids have every intention of staying in their PJs all day long. Why change if you're just playing anyway? They want to watch lots of Christmas classics and new faves. We are also planning on baking a ton of cookies and fudge. Yummy!

     Most importantly, my little ones understand the true meaning of Christmas. They want to give love and receive love not chase down presents. I couldn't ask for a better bunch of kids.


                                                   Our Movie List


National Lampoon Christmas Vacation
Christmas Story
Elf
Shrek the Halls
Prep and Landing
Rudolf
Frosty
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Dennis the Menace Christmas
Merry Madagascar
The Grinch who Stole Christmas

Did you know?

    Did you know that if you shock a cancer patient's heart that it will trigger their cancer and cause it to spread? Did you know if you get lapband surgery you can never drink soda again because the gas bubbles will cause the bands to expand and break? Did you know if you don't vacuum your floors social services will come in and take you away?

    These are crazy things my mother has told me this week. I find it harder and harder to kindly listen to such crazy things and these are just a few of the wonderful gems I have heard this week alone. I want to break these down to truly highlight the absurdity.

    1) She believes that if your heart goes into shock and EMS has to "shock" you that the jolt will trigger your cancer to spread. Of course this isn't true but what if it was? I think I would still want to be shocked because if I'm not then I'm dead anyway. It makes no sense to worry about a life saving procedure possibly causing you problems later. If you forgo it, you're dead.

    2) If you get lapband surgery, you can't have soda anymore because the gases will cause the bands to burst. I looked it up. Carbonated beverages can cause the pouch to distend and cause discomfort, period. No explosions. However, I find the better question to be, Why get lapband surgery if you plan to continue drinking soda? The whole point of the surgery is to lose weight. If you are opposed to the surgery because you can't give up soda and don't want your stomach to explode, why go thru with it in the first place?

    3) If you don't vacuum your floors, social services will come in and take you away. Really? I think they are more worried about filth and hoards of stuff. If you cant see your floor to vacuum it, then maybe you have a problem. I think cat hair on a carpet is the least of social services worries.

    Anyway I hope you got a giggle reading this because it was really hard to bite my tongue and listen to it the first time. Luckily for me, I am not a cancer patient, do not need lapband surgery, and do not have carpeted floors.

Our Charlie Brown Christmas

    We had an unusually warm day yesterday so I decided to clean up the yard and sweep the porch. The kids and I transplanted mint into planters to bring in for the winter as houseplants. Then we got the Christmas bug.

    We decided to cut a branch from an overgrown pine in the backyard and make a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. We brought it in and put in a tree stand. the kids found a blue towel to wrap around base to symbolize Linus' blanket and one solitary red ornament. It was fun to recreate and now sits in our dining room as a fun decoration.

Looking for the Silver Lining



    They say every cloud has a silver lining. As I grow older and life happens, I find it harder and harder to find that elusive silver lining. I'm not saying my life is overly hard or trying, but I do find myself at times to be less than lucky.

    Today was a very productive day. My husband and I were able to take down some unwanted cabinets and remove the doors of the remainders to ready them for painting. Not a small task. We felt great that we were able to accomplish it.

    Having finished, my husband went to take a shower. Moments later he calls to me and says the water isn't heating up. The heater is working so maybe the pilot light went out on the water heater. We venture downstairs. The pilot light is out. It is out because there is about 8 inches of standing water in our basement. Apparently the sump pump hung up and the water from outside seeped in. The smell is awful and the mess is disheartening. He wades over to fix the pump and we head upstairs to wait for it to drain. He takes a cold shower.

    We now need to paint cabinets and clean the mess from our small flood. So what could possibly be the silver lining in all this? We were battling fleas in our basement. The water took care of the pest problem. Now to battle any upcoming mold.

   

Homemade Christmas

     This year money is tight. Rather than whine about the state of my financial situation I decided to celebrate a homemade Christmas this year. I have enough excess around the house and lots of creativity. So why not?

    I started with my dining room. It used to be used as a daycare room but was recently converted into a formal dining room. This room needs work as this is where Thanksgiving and Christmas meals will be eaten. I found some robin eggs blue paint and lightened up the dark navy blue walls. I had white curtains and cloth shower curtains that I repurposed by adding a band of yellow fabric to the bottoms. I had some old, icky frames that I gave new life by painting the colors of the walls and adding extra yellow fabric as the matting. These hang on a white wall on my stairwell. I also painted three old terra cotta pots the wall color to hold silverware. The room looks light and fresh.

    The kids will be painting toilet paper tubes white with red stripes to be used as napkin holders and a fun way to deliver Christmas letters and drawings. They also collected pine cones from a nearby park for other holiday crafts. I have been using my TV time productively by crocheting scarves for Christmas Presents.

    It has been nice recycling old things into new and teaching the kids new tricks along the way. The money saved is also invaluable.

    "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... (he thought)...means a little bit more." The Grinch  

 

How to lose weight at Wal-Mart

    I took my grandmother shopping yesterday. We went to Wal-Mart. The BIG Wal-Mart. Most stores have lots of square footage, this store has acreage.  She needed to go to the pharmacy, so I took her that way. Then we went to the back of the store to look at fabric for her sewing project. She then took me all the way to the opposite end of the store to get her groceries. So far, no problem, this is a typical way to shop at Wal-Mart.

    "Can you get me some cat food please? I need the big bag". Sure it will be faster if I get it. I look around and the cat food is ALL THE WAY on the other side of the store. So I begin hiking over there just to hike back with a 20 pound bag of cat food on my hip. So I ask if she is ready to go. "I forgot the aspirin". Guess who gets to walk back to the pharmacy on other end of store? This back and forth continues for awhile.

    We finally check out and of course our car is parked on the opposite end of the store. I then walk her things to the back of the parking lot where I was forced to park and then drive up to pick her up. I think I walked a 5k at Wal-Mart.