Weary

How is THAT for a depressing title? ;) Not a good title, but an accurate description of how I feel. In the past week and half since my last post, I've though of probably 10 post ideas. Many things are happening around here that I would like to share with you. But when the opportunity to sit and write arises, I stand in the doorway of my bedroom with my eyes shifting between the computer desk and the bed. Computer desk - bed. Computer desk - bed. Bed wins.

A synopsis of recent happenings:

- Our church sponsored public school outreach in our local school district with over 400 people putting their faith in Jesus to save them! Wow!

- I made three adorable fleece blankets for my three adorable children.

- I was interviewed by our local paper. Though I dislike how the interview ended up being printed, it was still fun to have a reporter hanging on my every word (something of mom of 3 little ones is not used to), although she tweaked my words (something a mom of three is more used to than she wants to be!)

- I've begun a new way of organizing my shopping, coupons and menus.

- I decided to part my hair in a different way than I normally do, thus making a dreadful discovery: I have several gray hairs. Did you think I'd say lice? I'd rather have grays than the nasty "L" word.

I may elaborate on some of these subjects when I have more energy. Until then, the laundry beckons (again).

Love,

How the coupon class went...

Last night, we held a coupon class at our church. It was really fun and the turn out was great! We had a couple different kinds of coffee, as well as some snacks. A lady who doesn't even normally attend our church offered to make a cake and what she brought was not only delicious but so cute. It was a bundt cake that she had decorated for the coupon theme with "Save Some Green" on a banner stuck into the cake. We had a few other simple decorations around. I really wish I had taken pictures! I was so sad when I got home after cleaning up and realized my camera had never made it's way out of my purse! I would have liked to have shown you with pictures, but words will have to do.

My co-teacher, Terri and I had so much information to share and I really hope it was helpful and not confusing or overwhelming to those just starting with coupons! I spoke first and covered couponing basics, and then Terri explained all the great ways to save at Rite Aid in particular. There was lots of chatting and fellowship throughout the evening so that was so fun.

I'm including my notes in this post although I'm not sure how much of them I actually followed! I think in actuality, I did more rambling than note following! Oh well... I had a table set out with my "free stockpile"... just items in my home that I've gotten for free using coupons. These were not items I got for free because I bought something else, but rather the value of the coupons I used covered the entire cost of the product. The table was completely full. REALLY wish I had a picture! We played a game to get started: whoever had the closest guess for the value of my free stockpile won, as well as a random winner drawn from the slips of paper with guesses on them. The cost was $516.03. That number was calculated based on WalMart regular prices, although none of the items were bought from WalMart. I just wanted to give a fair price (instead of the outrageous regular prices at the drug stores where they were actually bought from). Our two winners were ladies who were guests of our church ladies, so that was neat. They each won a coupon organizer, calculator and a pair of scissors. ☺

Here are my notes:

Welcome

Can you guess the value of my free stock pile? Closest guess wins a prize!

Our class tonight will hopefully give you an overview and place to start your own couponing adventures! We won’t be able to cover every single aspect of utilizing coupons but hopefully, you will learn enough to start saving significant amounts of your own grocery bill and never pay full price ever again.

What we’re NOT going to do:

- Be extreme to the point that coupons begin to actually hurt our families instead of help them.
Anything can become a bad thing when it is not properly prioritized.
- Buy stuff just because we have a coupon for it.
I still throw many of my coupons out.
- Run ourselves ragged to catch a deal.
I usually shop at RA and PC once a week and Target/Wal-Mart ever few weeks as I feel up to it.
- Be dishonest to get a cheaper price.
No copying coupons. No using expired coupons. Read the coupons, follow the rules.
- Spend more to save more.
It doesn’t matter what the bottom of your receipt tells you that you saved; what matters is how much cold hard cash came out of your wallet.

So HOW does one save all this money with coupons? I used to casually browse through the coupon inserts on Sunday and know that even with $.50 or even $1 off certain products, I could still buy the generic for less. So I would only clip for items that I really liked name brands. Now, I am spending WAY less and having fun using the fancy name brand products I went without for so many years! No trips to Wal-Mart for toiletries where I spend way more than I wanted to because after all, I HAD to have deodorant, etc. Here are the principles of effective couponing:

- Rock bottom prices are gotten by COMBINING, or as couponers call it “stacking”.
Stack coupons with sales, or even clearance. Use both manufacturer coupons and store coupons.

Examples:
1. Manu. Coupon only: Reach floss $1 off manu. coupon, reg. price $1 = FREE
2. Manu. Coupon + Sale: Bailey’s Coffee Creamer (2) $1 off 1 Manu. Coupon + 2/$3 sale = $ .50 ea.
3. Manu. Coupon + Store Coupon: Benefiber $3 off Manu. Coupon + $3 Target Coupon, Reg. price $5.56 = FREE + little overage
4. Manu. Coupon + Store Coupon + Sale: Afrin $3 off Manu. Coupon + $2 off Store Coupon + $3 UP + Sale price of $6 = FREE + $2 money maker

- When an item is for FREE or very cheap (at least 80% off or more), stockpile.

1. The goal is to never pay full price for anything. If it won’t expire soon, stockpile so you aren’t forced to run out for it and risk paying too much.

2. Having an ORGANIZED stockpile simplifies life. Meal planning, when sickness strikes, last minute gifts, etc.

3. Know WHEN to stockpile. One unexpected benefit to couponing has been really knowing what a good price is. Now when I see a “sale” I’m not fooled by a flashy sale tag; I know the prices of so many items that I know when it’s actually a good price, a so-so price, a bad price or a very very cheap stock up price. Some couponers make a list or little booklet to help them remember.

4. Cut out every coupon, and then patiently wait for the right sale to get your loot for as little as possible. When I first started couponing, I had a few great coupons for Finish Dishwashing detergent. So at the first sale, I bought several boxes, paying about $1.75 a box. I was thrilled since they are usually around $5. Then, a few weeks later, another sale came along which would have meant FREE Finish if I had held onto those coupons. Lesson learned. It doesn’t take long to catch onto the trends and cycles of coupons. Toothpaste is routinely free. Cereal coupons are almost always available. Now, I save almost all coupons, even things I wouldn’t be willing to pay anything for, because I just may come across a sale which will allow me to get to try a new product for FREE. (Ex. Tylenol Precise. Don’t like it but got to try it for free. Anyone want it? ☺)

Getting started:

Firstly, realize that although it may take an investment of your time, you will get faster as you become more experienced. Just like the first time you make a new recipe, and you have to keep checking back to make sure you’re doing it right. I never judge if a dish is a keeper by if it took time. A new dish always takes me extra time. But it’s it really delicious, I’ll find a way to streamline and make it faster next time. Saving hundreds of dollars is worth my time. I typically spend about an hour per week working on coupons and shopping list. This is done while snuggling with a baby or husband. What other work would be so flexible around family that still has that much financial benefit?

Next, you need a way to organize your coupons. Many expert couponers use a binder. I still like the expandable purse sized organizers simply because with 3 kids under age 4, I don’t have the extra arm for a binder! I need it to fit into my purse. Terri has her binder to show you an example. Whatever you choose, organization is essential. Some people save the entire coupon page, not bothering to cut until they know they will use it. A file folder system may be the route for you.

Get coupons. The paper and online sources (see handout) have the manufacturer’s coupons. Also keep an eye out for sticky coupon right on packages. Store websites (i.e. RiteAid.com, Target.com) have store coupons, as well as in store (ie. Walgreens) and in mailers and flyers. Some stores have facebook pages with great coupons, or in store coupon machines (i.e. Price Chopper)

A rule of thumb that many abide by is getting as many papers as there are people in your household. For me, 5 papers are too many to cut out. If I did regularly buy 5 (which I don’t) I would use the whole page method of organizing because cutting out and organizing that many is too time consuming. I normally only get one paper, unless I see a coupon I’m particularly interested in. Whenever I have bought multiple papers, it was well worth it as far as the savings verses the cost of the paper. You may also find free coupon inserts in the free papers around town.

Coupon blogs (see handout) are a great tool is helping find sale and coupon match ups. They take much of the work off our hands.

I suggest starting with one or two stores and concentrating on learning their particular policies. Trying to figure every store’s coupon and sale structure all at once is confusing and frustrating.

Make a list and separate the coupons you plan to use before you go to the store. I often use a bank envelope to write my list on and hold the coupons I am for sure using. I still bring my coupon pouch, just in case I run across an unadvertised deal. Be extra polite to your clerk because you’ll be spending more time with them than usual! Let others go in front of you if you have a ton of stuff and a ton of coupons, especially in a drugstore where most people are hoping to run in for one or two quick items. Print the store’s coupon policy (found on their website) and carry it in your coupon binder or pouch. Some cashiers may not know their own stores policies.

Just like everything else, practice makes perfect! Enjoy your savings and brag to me about your good deals!

These were the two handouts I gave:

Handout 1

Online Resources

Coupon Blogs:

Find weekly coupon and sale match ups:
thekrazycouponlady.com

• Great for learning the basics. Nationwide coupon match ups.
savingsandstewardship.com

• Great for online shopping, such as amazon, and Price Chopper coupon match ups.
iheartriteaid.com

• Preview RiteAid sale/coupon match ups weeks in advance
iamthatlady.com

• Price Chopper coupon match ups, Central NY based

Coupon $ources:

Coupons.com RedPlum.com Smartsource.com

Handout 2

Couponing Basics

Stack ‘em & Stockpile

1. Stack coupons (both manufacturer’s and store coupons) with good store sales.

*Know what good sale prices are. Don’t be fooled by a bright sticker.

2. Stockpile. When you find a great deal by combining coupons and sales, buy as much of it as possible so you never have to pay full price.

Tips:

Plan weekly menus based on whatever proteins are on sale. Make a list and stick to it. Planning ahead and being organized is vital to saving on groceries. Those quick trips to the store for that night’s dinner will probably result in going over budget.

Use weekly store ads or coupon blogs to find great sales for the items for which you have coupons.

Organize your coupons!!!

Product websites / facebook pages often have great coupons available to print.

Pick one or two stores to focus on as you learn. Add more as you increase your coupon skills!

Save every coupon you get, even for items you wouldn’t normally buy but would enjoy trying. You just may find a sale which will allow you to get it for free!



Love,

My baby and I

Love,

Brushin' Buddies

Love,

Coupon Cookin'

Santa Fe Chicken Skillet. Yum.

I can NOT take credit for this recipe at all, since it was on the package of the Philadelphia cooking creme, minus a few ingredients I did not have.

I was not planning on this tonight... I had defrosted the chicken tenderloins to bread and bake, but when Maddie began to feel yucky, and it was clear she only felt up to eating toast for dinner, I decided to take make something cheesy and dairy laden for the rest of us, since I've been trying to cut dairy from Maddie's diet to help her asthma.

PS. Maddie is feeling better now. Phew. This mama is ready to be done with this year's horrific cold/flu season.

Sometimes, when coupon shopping, I've done all my shopping... I've gotten lots of stuff but NO MEALS. Ya can't eat deodorant, even if it was free. ☺But with some planning, and creativity in putting different items together, we've been enjoying some delicious dinners. I know there are many different ways to plan weekly meals.... what works for me is just planning 5 meals at a time. I get the weekends off. ☺Well, mostly... I'm also always glad when I make a double batch of one night's dinner, and put half in the freezer for a week or so later.

Last night, I made baked salmon that was TASTY. Aldis has frozen fish of several varieties for about $3.50 for 4 fillets. I defrosted the salmon and put it into a large baking dish. To 1/4 c. of brown sugar I added a few of my favorite spices: ginger, paprika, a spicy steak rub, salt, and some cracked pepper. The mixture was sprinkled over the salmon, then dotted with a bit of margarine. Baked uncovered for 20 minutes. Easy and soooo good. I really want my kids to grow up eating fish. It's so healthy, and so easy and fast to prepare. And $3.50 for the main dish? That's a good price!

Tonight's dinner was also easy and fast... and cheap.

$2.45 for 1 pk. (1.2 lbs.) of chicken tenderloins (When all chicken packages were 40% off a few weeks ago, I threw several in my freezer)

$.50 for 1 lb. box of Rozini rigatoni (also a sale that I stocked up on..)

FREE (with coupon) for 1 tub Philadelphia cooking creme

Plus veggies: onion, green pepper, corn. Not sure the cost.

1/2 c. Monterrey jack cheese. Not sure on the cost either, but I'm going to say $.50 if I normally pay $2 for a pound of cheese.

So I think I can safely say I payed about $4-$5 on the whole dinner, and we had plenty. A nice portion for lunch tomorrow is sitting in the fridge still.

In a large skillet, I cooked the chicken (cut up into bite size pieces) and diced onion and green pepper in a bit of margarine. Once the chicken was cooked through, I added the cooking creme and frozen corn (1 c.). (I would have liked to add cherry tomatoes, but sadly, I was out.) Heated all the through, then stirred into the cooked pasta. I transferred the whole thing to a serving dish and sprinkled with cheese. Viola. Easy, right? Good? Yes.


Love,

Coupon Class

Yup. I'm doing it. ☺

After several months of not knowing if this was the best idea in the world or completely lame, I decided on the former! We're having a coupon class at our church next Friday, March 25.

If ya want to come, please do!

There's gonna be cookies....

Seriously. I'm afraid I'll be there talking to myself.


Ok, not really. I have a couponing crazed friend who will also be teaching, so we can at least be yapping to each other if no one else shows. ☺

In other news, today is the most gorgeous day out. It's warm and sunny and perfect.

Leila is very very cheerful and is becoming very vocal. She's saying "AHHHhhhhhhHHAHHHhhhhh" right now. ☺You won't believe this but today as we were driving, she was fiddling with her car seat straps and on her own, she undid the top snappy thing. I was shocked. Hopefully, that was a one time fluke.

I have been soooo busy this week which is why blog land has been neglected entirely. My husband is planning a public school outreach for the last week of the month and I've been his "lovely" assistant. And we're also beginning to plan some ladies activities at church which has me all excited and nervous and busy and nervous some more. In all seriousness, I would greatly appreciate prayer over these ladies fellowships. We've never had anything like this at our church. The need is there. But the know-how is not. ☺ At least not in me! The "Ladies' Coffee & Coupon Class" is our first. I hope to have 2 or 3 "Ladies' Coffees" thorough out the year. In May, to celebrate Mother's Day, I'm planning a special luncheon. THIS is the big one that has me lying awake at night planning and thinking and praying. I so badly want the Lord to use these fun times to encourage and edify.

And that is all the blabbing I have time for, friends. Have a great day! If you're anywhere close to me, it's LOVELY outside and we should all find a way to be out in the sunshine enjoying it! ☺



Love,

More on Mom

In my last post, I teased my Mom for her puff painting, presidential ambitions for me. But there are more things you should know about the uniquely, wonderful lady I call Mom.

She's funny and sarcastic (now you know why I can't help myself...).

She's honest. Brutally (now you know why I can't help myself in that way either...)

She likes to write.

I may stop this list because it's simply reinforcing the fact that I'm turning into my Mother!!!!

She's a good grandma, although the bribing, spoiling variety.

She has a tremendous vocabulary. It's prodigious. She would totally know what "prodigious" means.

She is completely non-judgemental.

She thinks her kids do no wrong. To most, this would be a flaw. Unless, of course, you happen to be one of her kids. Which I am. ☺

She's makes curtains out of sheets. In fact, as a die hard crafter, she makes something out of just about anything.

She is a woman of priorities. No maker how bad the budget gets, she will always have red hair that is suspiciously gray-free and acrylic nails.

She's strong and has survived a lot, with her dignity in tact.

My mom and I become better friends the older I get. I suppose that's the story between mothers and daughters. When daughters become mothers themselves, there is an understanding and a gratitude that simply did not exist before. And perhaps could not have existed. This is just one of the reasons that I have decided that aging has more perks than liabilities.



Love,