I know, I know, you all missed my posts terribly. I feel like I haven't had any "me" time the past few months to sit and post. Honestly though, I think it has been planned that way. My hubby has been such a great support, but as part of his support tactics, he has tried his best not to leave me to my own devises. I still find it very difficult to sit in quietness and not let my thoughts focus on life without mom. Life without mom is hard; actually much more than hard, but I don't think there is a word for it. There are so many times I want to pick up the phone to ask her how she is, or her opinion. She always was so good at giving me advice, and if she didn't have any she would just say "I don't know baby, you'll figure it out". Anyway... let's change the subject.
Happy, Happy, Happy.
So many things are coming up on our oh so busy social calendar. Since we have so much coming up, we are trying our best to budget accordingly. Therefore, it is back to business with the couponing. With a full time job and essentially a one day weekend, it has been nearly impossible to find time to dedicate to couponing/ shopping. I contemplated doing a few couponing trips during my lunch break at work, but I was worried it would take me more than an hour, and I didn't want to lug my loot home on the train.
Today it was back to the couponing grind. I did pretty well, and even had the cashier impressed (which I thought was funny because he was a miserable teenager). While I did spend money on the things that I can never seem to find a coupon for, I did manage to get a lot of things for free. When you coupon, you learn quickly that every penny counts, especially when you add up all the pennies you save. Today I saved one hundred dollars in my shopping trip. I look at that as essentially adding to my salary for the day, since that is money I would've spent on our groceries. I taught a few people at work today that when trying to plan a coupon trip, the easiest thing to do is google the store for matchups (i.e: Walgreens matchups 2/5). There are so many great blogs that put all the information out there for you, all you need to do is print, clip, and shop!
Ok, so I didn't really have anything to write about today, I just thought it had been a while, so I would say something.
How about that Pinterest? Addicting? I think so!
I will try to post again soon with an actually topic in mind.
Showing posts with label couponing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label couponing. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Falling into November
I don't know where October went. Halloween is tomorrow, which as a married adult with no children, isn't as much fun as I remember in years passed. Not losing my love, is fall. The holidays are right around the corner, the scenery is changing, and I tend to increase the baking. Today I baked a Apple Walnut Pie... I hope it turned out, otherwise, I quit trying to make pie.
Also, today, the hubby assisted me in a shopping trip to Shoprite. They had some pretty good deals this week, but nothing compared to my trip to Rite Aid. I took a picture of what I bought, and planned on showing how I did it, but there were a lot of personal products purchased, so I will forgo the list. I will tell you that I spent less than $30 and saved over $50. I am getting the hang of this!
I decided to put up links for some awesome websites I found. I think they are going to be an excellent resource with Christmas right around the corner.
Awesome websites for online shopping:
Shop at Home: Do your internet shopping through this site and get coupon codes and CASH BACK! (Totally worth signing up!)
No More Rack : has 8 deals a day, up to 100% off. (Yes, 100% off!)
One Sale A Day: has 5 deals a day, also up to 100% off!
One Kings Lane: Excellent clearance prices for household decorations, accessories, etc.
Most importantly, today my mommy had chest tubes put in to help with the fluid in her lungs. She is in a lot of pain, and trying to rest, so I have been resisting the urge to text her and call her every five minutes. Thank you for all your prayers.
I realize this all sounds frantic and sporadic, but this post pretty much reflects how my brain has been functioning lately. I am scatter-brained, and for that, I am sorry. Until next time, which is hopefully after a long night of deep sleep. :-)
Also, today, the hubby assisted me in a shopping trip to Shoprite. They had some pretty good deals this week, but nothing compared to my trip to Rite Aid. I took a picture of what I bought, and planned on showing how I did it, but there were a lot of personal products purchased, so I will forgo the list. I will tell you that I spent less than $30 and saved over $50. I am getting the hang of this!
I decided to put up links for some awesome websites I found. I think they are going to be an excellent resource with Christmas right around the corner.
Awesome websites for online shopping:
Shop at Home: Do your internet shopping through this site and get coupon codes and CASH BACK! (Totally worth signing up!)
No More Rack : has 8 deals a day, up to 100% off. (Yes, 100% off!)
One Sale A Day: has 5 deals a day, also up to 100% off!
One Kings Lane: Excellent clearance prices for household decorations, accessories, etc.
Most importantly, today my mommy had chest tubes put in to help with the fluid in her lungs. She is in a lot of pain, and trying to rest, so I have been resisting the urge to text her and call her every five minutes. Thank you for all your prayers.
I realize this all sounds frantic and sporadic, but this post pretty much reflects how my brain has been functioning lately. I am scatter-brained, and for that, I am sorry. Until next time, which is hopefully after a long night of deep sleep. :-)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Hello Again, Working World
The blog has been on the back burner, along with many things I had been doing on a daily basis since June. Last week I started working in Philadelphia. My new roles as both business professional and wife, are two very different roles for me, that I need to acclimate myself to simultaneously. Both very positive changes in my life, might I add. I had a few months to begin figuring out "wife", and as part of that role, I worked out different ways to live on a budget (couponing being one of them). I think I got pretty good at it.
Just as I started to adjust to how my day is carried out, I got a job (finally)! I find it so rewarding to know that I am financially contributing to our family again, along with how nice I find it to be taking the train into the city, dressing like a business woman (I never thought I dressed like I would've like to as a teacher), and being a part of the "hustle and bustle". As odd as it sounds, I forgot how much I liked being at a desk. I find it much less stressful when I get to do my job without the impressionable eyes of twenty-something middle schoolers watching every move you make. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching, and hope to teach again, but I don't hate working in an office. (I know, I have only been there a week.)
Anyway, I think my point is that all of a sudden there aren't enough hours in a day. I told the hubby the other day, teachers do have it made, I had no idea. I used to hate that my long commute as a teacher meant I didn't get home until 4:30. Now, I don't get home until about 6:30 and I think, "How in the world am I going to do anything other than eat dinner, shower, and get to bed". Luckily, I married a great cook, and when he gets home first and decides to cook, I know I am in for a treat.
So, how does everyone do it? Wife, Worker, and Independent Woman? Is it possible to be all three? Figuring my day out, the breakdown seems I have eleven hours as a worker, require eight hours of sleep, which leaves me five hours to do everything else (both as wife and woman). I will give it another few weeks and hope I can tackle the day to day needs of the house. Well, I hope I can get the laundry done at the very least. If I can manage to extend the day to 26-28 hours, maybe I will be able to stay more on top of the couponing!
;-)
Just as I started to adjust to how my day is carried out, I got a job (finally)! I find it so rewarding to know that I am financially contributing to our family again, along with how nice I find it to be taking the train into the city, dressing like a business woman (I never thought I dressed like I would've like to as a teacher), and being a part of the "hustle and bustle". As odd as it sounds, I forgot how much I liked being at a desk. I find it much less stressful when I get to do my job without the impressionable eyes of twenty-something middle schoolers watching every move you make. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching, and hope to teach again, but I don't hate working in an office. (I know, I have only been there a week.)
Anyway, I think my point is that all of a sudden there aren't enough hours in a day. I told the hubby the other day, teachers do have it made, I had no idea. I used to hate that my long commute as a teacher meant I didn't get home until 4:30. Now, I don't get home until about 6:30 and I think, "How in the world am I going to do anything other than eat dinner, shower, and get to bed". Luckily, I married a great cook, and when he gets home first and decides to cook, I know I am in for a treat.
So, how does everyone do it? Wife, Worker, and Independent Woman? Is it possible to be all three? Figuring my day out, the breakdown seems I have eleven hours as a worker, require eight hours of sleep, which leaves me five hours to do everything else (both as wife and woman). I will give it another few weeks and hope I can tackle the day to day needs of the house. Well, I hope I can get the laundry done at the very least. If I can manage to extend the day to 26-28 hours, maybe I will be able to stay more on top of the couponing!
;-)
Monday, October 3, 2011
"Hey, are you one of those extreme coupon people?"
This is the question that the ladies behind me at the Shoprite asked. I loved it! The main reason I have decided to blog about my deals is that my aunt Beth started couponing when I told her I was having success with it. Then, she started emailing me questions about how I was doing it. When you sit down and create a plan of attack, it really is kind of easy once you get in the store. I now have a firm belief that I shouldn't have to pay full price when I go shopping, and if I need to stock up to prevent paying full price, I will.
In addition to my Shoprite trip, I also went to Rite Aid, Acme, Walgreens, Dollar General, and Walmart. When all receipts were added up, I had spent a grand total of under $75. (This included my weekly grocery shopping and the purchase of Transformers on blue-ray.) So, for those of you interested in trying couponing, here are some examples of what I got today:
Big deals at Shoprite this week!
(some of the items were needed for a recipe I pulled up on my phone for dinner, so a few things altered my game plan... they are not included in the calculation below)
Lysol disinfecting wipes:
Sale price: $1.99
Used a $1.00 coupon
Total: $.99
Pam cooking spray:
Sale price: $2.49
Used a $.50 coupon (doubled= $1)
Total: $1.49
Added bonus: ($4 mail-in rebate)
4 Yoplait Greek Yogurt cups
Sale price: $1.00 per cup
Used two $.50 off 2 cups coupons (both doubled)
Total: $2 (or $.50 per cup)
Johnsonville Italian Sausage:
Sale price: $3.99
Used a $1 off coupon
Total: $2.99
2 Betty Crocker cookie mix bags (the holidays are coming up!):
Sale price: 2 for $4
Used two $.40 coupons (both doubled)
Total: $1.20 per bag
Celestial Seasons Box of Lemon Tea (will come in handy come cold season):
Sale price: $1.99
Used $1 coupon
Total: $.99
Barber Chicken Cordon Blue:
Sale price: $2.99
Used a $1 coupon
Total: $1.99
Multigrain Tostitos AND Salsa
Sale price: $2.99 each
Used a $1 off both coupon
Total: $4.98
2-liter bottle of Diet Pepsi
Sale price $1.25
Used a Free w/ purchase of tortilla chips and salsa coupon
Total: FREE
Bag of Birds Eye Steam Fresh Veggies
Sale price: .99
Used a $.50 coupon (doubled)
Total: -$.01
Box of Fun-da-middles coupcake mix:
Sale price: $2.49
Used a $.75 coupon (doubled to a $1)
Total: $1.49
2 bags of Nestle Halloween candy:
Sale price: $1.87 per bag
Used a $1 off 2 bags coupon
Total: $1.37 per bag
(This is awesome if you have noticed the prices of Halloween candy!)
2 bags of Haribo Gummy Bears (I don't know why I bought them):
Sale price: $.88 per bag
Used two $.30 coupons (both doubled= $.60)
Total: $.28 per bag
(I had a $5 off coupon from an entertainment book)
GRAND TOTAL: $16.41 (plus tax)
My stash from Acme, doesn't look as impressive. However, if you notice, one of my items is Transformers (blue-ray). So, here is what I did:
Old El Paso Taco Dinner Kit:
Sale price: $2.03
Used $.50 coupon (doubled)
Total: $1.53 (for an entire dinner!!)
2 Lipton Diet Green Tea bottles:
Sale price: $1 each
Used $.50 coupon (doubled)
Total: $.50 per bottle
2 bags of Halloween Candy (Skittles and Starburst):
Sale price: 2 for $4
Used two $1 coupons
Total: $1 per bag
Acme is having a knockdown deal with General Mills Products: (Buy 5 for an additional $3 off)
Senerio:
2 boxes of Original Cherrios:
Sale price: $2.48
Used two $1 coupons
Total: $1.48 per box
2 boxes of Chex Cereal:
Sale price: $2.48
Used a $1 off two boxes coupon
Total: $1.98 per bag
1 box of Nature Valley Granola Bars:
Sale price: $2.48
Used $.75 coupon (doubled)
Total: $.98
-$3.00 for buying five GM products
Total for all five products: $4.90
And finally, Acme is running a deal this week: buy an 8 pack of enegizer batteries and Transformers, get $5 off.
Enegizer Batteries:
Price: $6.99
Used $3.00 coupon
Total: $3.99
Transformers (on Blue-Ray: you can get the DVD for cheaper)
Sale price: $24.95
$5 instant coupon
Total: $19.95
GRAND TOTAL: $36.39 (tax included)
(If you aren't interested in the Transformers/battery deal, the shopping total is under $10)
Last one I'm going to share for the night is my deal at Walmart. Ladies, we know makeup is expensive (and I am a snob when it comes to my MAC obsession, but I have decided inexpensive items are ok. As long as I wear my MAC foundation and eye shadow, I feel great!)
What I bought:
Covergirl eye liner:
Price: $4.44
Cover girl blush:
Price: $3.74
Used the $8 off two CG items in this weeks newspaper
Total: $.18!!!! (yes, that is $.09 each)
Two NYC mascaras:
Price: $1.00 each
Used a Buy One Get One Free coupon
Total: $1.00
Old Spice travel size body wash:
Price: $.97
Used a $1 coupon
Total: -$.03
GRAND TOTAL: $1.15 (plus tax)
Tomorrow I am heading to Target. They have some great deals this week. Remember, Christmas is right around the corner, so if you find a deal, get it (even if you don't know if you will use it now).
In addition to my Shoprite trip, I also went to Rite Aid, Acme, Walgreens, Dollar General, and Walmart. When all receipts were added up, I had spent a grand total of under $75. (This included my weekly grocery shopping and the purchase of Transformers on blue-ray.) So, for those of you interested in trying couponing, here are some examples of what I got today:
(some of the items were needed for a recipe I pulled up on my phone for dinner, so a few things altered my game plan... they are not included in the calculation below)
Lysol disinfecting wipes:
Sale price: $1.99
Used a $1.00 coupon
Total: $.99
Pam cooking spray:
Sale price: $2.49
Used a $.50 coupon (doubled= $1)
Total: $1.49
Added bonus: ($4 mail-in rebate)
4 Yoplait Greek Yogurt cups
Sale price: $1.00 per cup
Used two $.50 off 2 cups coupons (both doubled)
Total: $2 (or $.50 per cup)
Johnsonville Italian Sausage:
Sale price: $3.99
Used a $1 off coupon
Total: $2.99
2 Betty Crocker cookie mix bags (the holidays are coming up!):
Sale price: 2 for $4
Used two $.40 coupons (both doubled)
Total: $1.20 per bag
Celestial Seasons Box of Lemon Tea (will come in handy come cold season):
Sale price: $1.99
Used $1 coupon
Total: $.99
Barber Chicken Cordon Blue:
Sale price: $2.99
Used a $1 coupon
Total: $1.99
Multigrain Tostitos AND Salsa
Sale price: $2.99 each
Used a $1 off both coupon
Total: $4.98
2-liter bottle of Diet Pepsi
Sale price $1.25
Used a Free w/ purchase of tortilla chips and salsa coupon
Total: FREE
Bag of Birds Eye Steam Fresh Veggies
Sale price: .99
Used a $.50 coupon (doubled)
Total: -$.01
Box of Fun-da-middles coupcake mix:
Sale price: $2.49
Used a $.75 coupon (doubled to a $1)
Total: $1.49
2 bags of Nestle Halloween candy:
Sale price: $1.87 per bag
Used a $1 off 2 bags coupon
Total: $1.37 per bag
(This is awesome if you have noticed the prices of Halloween candy!)
2 bags of Haribo Gummy Bears (I don't know why I bought them):
Sale price: $.88 per bag
Used two $.30 coupons (both doubled= $.60)
Total: $.28 per bag
(I had a $5 off coupon from an entertainment book)
GRAND TOTAL: $16.41 (plus tax)
Old El Paso Taco Dinner Kit:
Sale price: $2.03
Used $.50 coupon (doubled)
Total: $1.53 (for an entire dinner!!)
2 Lipton Diet Green Tea bottles:
Sale price: $1 each
Used $.50 coupon (doubled)
Total: $.50 per bottle
2 bags of Halloween Candy (Skittles and Starburst):
Sale price: 2 for $4
Used two $1 coupons
Total: $1 per bag
Acme is having a knockdown deal with General Mills Products: (Buy 5 for an additional $3 off)
Senerio:
2 boxes of Original Cherrios:
Sale price: $2.48
Used two $1 coupons
Total: $1.48 per box
2 boxes of Chex Cereal:
Sale price: $2.48
Used a $1 off two boxes coupon
Total: $1.98 per bag
1 box of Nature Valley Granola Bars:
Sale price: $2.48
Used $.75 coupon (doubled)
Total: $.98
-$3.00 for buying five GM products
Total for all five products: $4.90
And finally, Acme is running a deal this week: buy an 8 pack of enegizer batteries and Transformers, get $5 off.
Enegizer Batteries:
Price: $6.99
Used $3.00 coupon
Total: $3.99
Transformers (on Blue-Ray: you can get the DVD for cheaper)
Sale price: $24.95
$5 instant coupon
Total: $19.95
GRAND TOTAL: $36.39 (tax included)
(If you aren't interested in the Transformers/battery deal, the shopping total is under $10)
Last one I'm going to share for the night is my deal at Walmart. Ladies, we know makeup is expensive (and I am a snob when it comes to my MAC obsession, but I have decided inexpensive items are ok. As long as I wear my MAC foundation and eye shadow, I feel great!)
What I bought:
Covergirl eye liner:
Price: $4.44
Cover girl blush:
Price: $3.74
Used the $8 off two CG items in this weeks newspaper
Total: $.18!!!! (yes, that is $.09 each)
Two NYC mascaras:
Price: $1.00 each
Used a Buy One Get One Free coupon
Total: $1.00
Old Spice travel size body wash:
Price: $.97
Used a $1 coupon
Total: -$.03
GRAND TOTAL: $1.15 (plus tax)
Tomorrow I am heading to Target. They have some great deals this week. Remember, Christmas is right around the corner, so if you find a deal, get it (even if you don't know if you will use it now).
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Today's Mini Couponing Adventure (and Yesterday)
Another short blog. I have found that I am having most success with couponing in the personal needs department, which I think is great because a lot of that stuff is really expensive, and we all need that kind of stuff.
Today I went to Walgreens and I bought:
Pantene Pro-V Shampoo (reg price $5.29)
Pantene Pro-V Conditioner (reg price $5.29)
Re-nu contact solution (reg price $7.99)
Two tubes of Colgate Optic White Toothpaste (reg price $4.99 each)
Two packs of Five gum (reg price $1.49 each)
A Reese's Fast Break Bar (I honestly don't know how much)
The Pantene was buy one get one half off, I had a $3 off coupon,
The Renu I had a $2 off coupon and receive a $5 register rewards,
Toothpaste was two for $7.98, I had $2.50 in coupons, and get $6 in register rewards,
The five gum was on sale for $.99 each and I had a coupon for $1 off two.
I split my purchases into two so I could use my RR and when all was said and done I paid $5.61 for $32.12 worth of stuff. I consider that a successful trip! (I might start doing my couponing in Delaware because of that $5.61, more than $1 was sales tax.
(I had to buy the Fast Break bar to use the RR on my second purchase)
Yesterday I went to Walmart. I bought a lot of stuff I have been holding off on (face wash, eye drops, baby powder) I still worked my magic and this is how it went:
Clearasil face wash (reg $5.87)
Visine (Reg $3.62) (needed during allergy season)
2-pack of Reach toothbrushes (reg $3.97)
Johnson's Baby Powder (Reg. $2.97)
Six 12-packs of Shick disposible razors ($1.97 each)
Total: $28.25
The big key to this trip was the $6 off 2 packs of shick razors. Each coupon gave me and additional credit of $2.06 (times three was a $6.18 moneymaker). On top of that I had:
$1 off baby powder
$2 off Reach toothbrushes
$2 off Clearasil
$1 off Visine
When all coupons were deducted my total was $5.77 ($4.25 before sales tax)
For those of you are trying this out, let me know what deals you find and how your couponing is going!
Today I went to Walgreens and I bought:
Pantene Pro-V Shampoo (reg price $5.29)
Pantene Pro-V Conditioner (reg price $5.29)
Re-nu contact solution (reg price $7.99)
Two tubes of Colgate Optic White Toothpaste (reg price $4.99 each)
Two packs of Five gum (reg price $1.49 each)
A Reese's Fast Break Bar (I honestly don't know how much)
The Pantene was buy one get one half off, I had a $3 off coupon,
The Renu I had a $2 off coupon and receive a $5 register rewards,
Toothpaste was two for $7.98, I had $2.50 in coupons, and get $6 in register rewards,
The five gum was on sale for $.99 each and I had a coupon for $1 off two.
I split my purchases into two so I could use my RR and when all was said and done I paid $5.61 for $32.12 worth of stuff. I consider that a successful trip! (I might start doing my couponing in Delaware because of that $5.61, more than $1 was sales tax.
(I had to buy the Fast Break bar to use the RR on my second purchase)
Yesterday I went to Walmart. I bought a lot of stuff I have been holding off on (face wash, eye drops, baby powder) I still worked my magic and this is how it went:
Clearasil face wash (reg $5.87)
Visine (Reg $3.62) (needed during allergy season)
2-pack of Reach toothbrushes (reg $3.97)
Johnson's Baby Powder (Reg. $2.97)
Six 12-packs of Shick disposible razors ($1.97 each)
Total: $28.25
The big key to this trip was the $6 off 2 packs of shick razors. Each coupon gave me and additional credit of $2.06 (times three was a $6.18 moneymaker). On top of that I had:
$1 off baby powder
$2 off Reach toothbrushes
$2 off Clearasil
$1 off Visine
When all coupons were deducted my total was $5.77 ($4.25 before sales tax)
For those of you are trying this out, let me know what deals you find and how your couponing is going!
Friday, September 30, 2011
What a week!
First week back at my Weight Watchers meetings... didn't go so well. Last Friday I went to weigh in and got the reality check I thought I needed. After hearing the devastating news, I was all ready to get back into the grove. However, what turned out to be a great week socially, turned out to be a rough week on the scale. Ate out with friends Saturday, Monday and will be again tonight. Add to that Sunday football games at my parents house and I realized I need another goal. Nothing really beats the motivation of a wedding dress. I will still keep at it, go to my weigh in tomorrow morning, and try again next week.
I find out on Monday when I start my new job, which I hope is the key to getting back in the grove. I will be working in the city, which I'm so excited about! Having a daily schedule again is exactly what I need. I will be packing my lunch, reading on the train, and walking to the office. Now, I just need to find some good deals on clothing, since I have to dress office professional (also very excited about).
The hubby asked me if this new job means the end of my couponing. I told him "heck no!" Knowing that I can spend so much less than sticker price is exciting. Saving money means we can use if on more fun things, like going to Disney World together! I still can't believe that he has never been, but also makes me realize how lucky I am that I have been so many times before.
Today, my couponing hints are: Be on the lookout for the P&G saver this Sunday. This is a big one, full of coupons for products which don't have coupons available often.
I went to Walmart the other day, bought three items, before coupons my total was $12.43. After my coupons, my total was $1.63! Other than that, I took it easy on the couponing this week. Today I am going to try and get myself organized and ready for the week ahead. Hopefully I can let you know about some great deals!
I find out on Monday when I start my new job, which I hope is the key to getting back in the grove. I will be working in the city, which I'm so excited about! Having a daily schedule again is exactly what I need. I will be packing my lunch, reading on the train, and walking to the office. Now, I just need to find some good deals on clothing, since I have to dress office professional (also very excited about).
The hubby asked me if this new job means the end of my couponing. I told him "heck no!" Knowing that I can spend so much less than sticker price is exciting. Saving money means we can use if on more fun things, like going to Disney World together! I still can't believe that he has never been, but also makes me realize how lucky I am that I have been so many times before.
Today, my couponing hints are: Be on the lookout for the P&G saver this Sunday. This is a big one, full of coupons for products which don't have coupons available often.
I went to Walmart the other day, bought three items, before coupons my total was $12.43. After my coupons, my total was $1.63! Other than that, I took it easy on the couponing this week. Today I am going to try and get myself organized and ready for the week ahead. Hopefully I can let you know about some great deals!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Pardon my absence...
I know I have been gone for a little longer than usual. Things have been kinda crazy for this unemployed girl. My number one priority is... ok, I guess I can't pick just one "top" priority. I have been driving back and forth to Delaware quit a bit in the past two weeks to see my family and help out where I am needed.
When I am not driving, I have been couponing and working on the house. I have done a few small projects since my last blog, emphasis on the small. One project was that I finally hung the towel rack in the bathroom. I know, wahoo, a towel rack. But, our bathroom walls are tiled, so the thought of drilling into into the wall terrified me. However, I sucked it up and fortunately did not crack the tile.
Major successes I have had this week was with couponing. I am not yet good enough to classify myself an extreme couponer, but I am excited by the possibilities. I have been sharing my savings with the hubby and I told him that I was not going to be an "extreme" couponer to avoid stock piling. Then he said the words "you can stock pile, as long as it can be kept in the basement". Oh my, it was like getting a free ticket to an amusement park. Wonder what he will do if I start finding out I can get things like diapers for pennies. Do I stock pile them for sometime in the future? Those freaking things are expensive! Note to anyone who reading this: if you ever find coupons that you are not using, please send them my way. Many deals require multiple coupons and vendors put print limits on the computer versions. I think this has been holding me back.
The hubby is working a double today and tomorrow, so I am going to try and get a lot of work done around the house, possibly attempt a free shopping trip (which would make me an extreme couponer!) and apply to as many jobs as I can find. This whole job thing is so discouraging. I have been applying to absolutely everything I can find that doesn't require a degree I don't have. I am crossing my fingers something pans out before I lose my mind.
Oh, new topic since my last post: running. I hate it. However, I am going to be running a 5k on Thanksgiving Day (I am a poet). Now I have to run so I don't embarrase myself. Only problem I can't seem to tackle is that, no matter what, I lose my breath halfway through the second mile. I'm gonna have to figure that out pretty soon.
Ok, well I have run out of topics for day. I will try to post more later in the week. Hopefully something more interesting, too.
When I am not driving, I have been couponing and working on the house. I have done a few small projects since my last blog, emphasis on the small. One project was that I finally hung the towel rack in the bathroom. I know, wahoo, a towel rack. But, our bathroom walls are tiled, so the thought of drilling into into the wall terrified me. However, I sucked it up and fortunately did not crack the tile.
Major successes I have had this week was with couponing. I am not yet good enough to classify myself an extreme couponer, but I am excited by the possibilities. I have been sharing my savings with the hubby and I told him that I was not going to be an "extreme" couponer to avoid stock piling. Then he said the words "you can stock pile, as long as it can be kept in the basement". Oh my, it was like getting a free ticket to an amusement park. Wonder what he will do if I start finding out I can get things like diapers for pennies. Do I stock pile them for sometime in the future? Those freaking things are expensive! Note to anyone who reading this: if you ever find coupons that you are not using, please send them my way. Many deals require multiple coupons and vendors put print limits on the computer versions. I think this has been holding me back.
The hubby is working a double today and tomorrow, so I am going to try and get a lot of work done around the house, possibly attempt a free shopping trip (which would make me an extreme couponer!) and apply to as many jobs as I can find. This whole job thing is so discouraging. I have been applying to absolutely everything I can find that doesn't require a degree I don't have. I am crossing my fingers something pans out before I lose my mind.
Oh, new topic since my last post: running. I hate it. However, I am going to be running a 5k on Thanksgiving Day (I am a poet). Now I have to run so I don't embarrase myself. Only problem I can't seem to tackle is that, no matter what, I lose my breath halfway through the second mile. I'm gonna have to figure that out pretty soon.
Ok, well I have run out of topics for day. I will try to post more later in the week. Hopefully something more interesting, too.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Bedroom Reveal.. Finally!
So today's blog is more of a picture blog. When we saw this house for the first time, the "master bedroom" looked like this:
Notice the room color, the 3x3 closet to the left of the bed, and if you look closely, you may see the wood paneling. 
When we moved in the empty room looked like this (different angle): 
More wood paneling, old windows, beige carpet.Now that the bedroom is done, this is what it looks like:
We got new windows installed about a year ago, but the rest just happened in the last month. Wall color is dramatically different, which I think makes the room look larger. It also is a good contrast to our darker furniture. I used a storage bench that I bought in college for underneath our window.
Mirror was purchased at Marshall's for twenty bucks, the vase in the corner was clearance at TJ Maxx for ten bucks, then got the branches 50% off at AC Moore. The lamps were twenty-five dollars each at JC Pennys and the nightstands were part of a coffee table/ end table stand that my mom bought at a yard sale for ten bucks and I painted black.
I bought a freestanding Elfa closet system at the Container Store and put it on furniture sliders so it can be easily moved around... why do I want to move my closet you may be wondering... 
Behind the closet is our new storage area... it is much, much larger than the picture shows because it is actually L-shaped, so....
It is storage behind this wall too!
When we moved the walls, we had to replace the carpeting, so my new Berber carpet matches very well, not only the bedroom, but the carpet in the hallway:After all the turmoil involved in the carpet resulting in dramatic money saving, the new carpet for the whole room was $422 (I saved nearly 50%!) and it was money that was left over from the wedding, so it technically didn't cost us anything... even better!
Total cost for the room renovation: Dramatically cheaper than I expected! (The baseboard was the most expensive thing, I think.)
Any questions, suggestions?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
A not so extreme couponer...
Yesterday was my first attempt at extreme couponing. I think I failed. It took me over an hour to coupon hunt for the things that I needed for the week. (While I want to spend the least amount of money possible, I am going to try to eat healthy.) It seems that the the cheapest food is the most unhealthy. If anyone ever finds coupons for fruits and veggies, let me know! At the end of my trip, my receipt says that I had a savings of 36%, saving me $57.40. I was pretty excited about saving nearly sixty dollars, but would like to get that percent up to 50%. After I left the store, I noticed that not all of my coupons rang, and one item I bought rang up at full price, so next time I will pay more attention.
Anyway, without giving you a play by play of my grocery shopping, you all should know how a little bit of extra time can save you a lot of money. The lady behind me at the grocery store laughed when I said, "I just saved more money than I made at work today". . . I think she thought I was joking, but I wasn't.
What a great segway to my next topic today. I also started my new job yesterday. What a change from teaching. It was the first day of a new job, which is always a different kind of day. Promotional marketing is really interesting, especially if you enjoy observing people. It is interesting to see how different people give you different reactions when you are trying to show them something. I think the stuff that I am marketing is really cool, and if people weren't so quick to say no and actually look, they would love it. But, ce la vie. Now I have to go get ready for day two!
Anyway, without giving you a play by play of my grocery shopping, you all should know how a little bit of extra time can save you a lot of money. The lady behind me at the grocery store laughed when I said, "I just saved more money than I made at work today". . . I think she thought I was joking, but I wasn't.
What a great segway to my next topic today. I also started my new job yesterday. What a change from teaching. It was the first day of a new job, which is always a different kind of day. Promotional marketing is really interesting, especially if you enjoy observing people. It is interesting to see how different people give you different reactions when you are trying to show them something. I think the stuff that I am marketing is really cool, and if people weren't so quick to say no and actually look, they would love it. But, ce la vie. Now I have to go get ready for day two!
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