Ok, I'm back. Here's what I learned-
CVS deals are outstanding. I spent $37 and saved $36. Now we have tons of shampoo, ziplocks, and tampons (all necessary items). Oh, and don't forget the coke!
Walgreens- not so great deals, or at least I didn't succeed much there. I think I'll drop that store.
Groceries- I didn't realize that grocery ads are twice a week- a weekend ad and a weekday ad- so I had the wrong list. Darn. Oh well- I still scored on ground beef at price chopper on super sale!
This is actually really fun! I felt like a bandit getting things for so cheap- like someone would stop me! I'll keep updating on my progress as the weeks go by!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Couponing
I'll first start by saying that I had no earthly idea that "couponing" was even a word (well, it's not REALLY- you can't find it in the dictionary). But I have found that there is this CRAZY world of couponing where people pay nothing and get everything. I have been researching this for a couple of weeks now. At the beginning I felt there was no way I would ever figure it out- it's really quite hard. Here's what you do- you cut all the coupons you can find. Some ppl cut out any coupon- I have chosen to only cut coupons for items we will actually use regardless of brand. Then you examine all the ads for the week and match them up with coupons. So- if something is on sale for 1.99 from 3.99 and then you have a coupon for 1.50 off- you've got it for 50 cents! Great right? Well- yes, but it takes a lot of time and effort and not to mention it's really hard to find stuff... So you do this and you "stockpile" stuff. You buy stuff when you don't need it because you WILL need it at some point and you won't be able to ever get it cheaper. Like if body wash was on sale and you can get it for a buck a bottle- buy 8! You will eventually use it. There are all these pictures people take of their shopping trips that say something like, "Original price, 999, sale price, 799, after coupons....actual out of pocket payment 35 cents." Isn't that amazing?!
I remember growing up how my grandparents had a mini grocery in their basement. I think it was from their grocery store they had owned previously, but perhaps it was from coupon stockpiling. I'm not sure. I'll have to ask my grandma some day.
This whole process seems really complicated to me right now, but I'm learning. It takes awhile to make your "stockpile" and create real savings. I only have coupons from last weeks ads, where as on the list there are savings from coupons cut months ago- so my savings this week won't be that staggering. You have to build up your stash. I still haven't figured out how you manage expiration dates.
So I subscribed to a website called the grocery game where you pay someone to do the matching for you. Then you print off the list each week and cut your coupons and match them up. It makes it really easy. I think after a few weeks of the list and looking at ads I won't need to pay for the list anymore- I'll be seasoned!
So today I start. I have ads and coupons for 4 stores- Walgreens, CVS, HyVee and Price Chopper. I am curious to see how this will really work. I have previously driven past CVS and Walgreens and thought to myself, "Who would buy grocery there? Stupid." Well, actually, they have some GREAT deals- and their ads match really well with the weekly coupons. Diet Coke is on sale at CVS for 8 bucks for 4-12 packs! AMAZING!
I will let you know how it goes.
I remember growing up how my grandparents had a mini grocery in their basement. I think it was from their grocery store they had owned previously, but perhaps it was from coupon stockpiling. I'm not sure. I'll have to ask my grandma some day.
This whole process seems really complicated to me right now, but I'm learning. It takes awhile to make your "stockpile" and create real savings. I only have coupons from last weeks ads, where as on the list there are savings from coupons cut months ago- so my savings this week won't be that staggering. You have to build up your stash. I still haven't figured out how you manage expiration dates.
So I subscribed to a website called the grocery game where you pay someone to do the matching for you. Then you print off the list each week and cut your coupons and match them up. It makes it really easy. I think after a few weeks of the list and looking at ads I won't need to pay for the list anymore- I'll be seasoned!
So today I start. I have ads and coupons for 4 stores- Walgreens, CVS, HyVee and Price Chopper. I am curious to see how this will really work. I have previously driven past CVS and Walgreens and thought to myself, "Who would buy grocery there? Stupid." Well, actually, they have some GREAT deals- and their ads match really well with the weekly coupons. Diet Coke is on sale at CVS for 8 bucks for 4-12 packs! AMAZING!
I will let you know how it goes.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Big G and Bath Time
So I finally got and painted the G I wanted for G's room. It looks pretty cute above his crib. JoAnn's has these cardboard letters! G weighed in at 12 lbs 4 oz today!
Look at M helping me give G a bath tonight! It's so cute. She loves him, but still gets out of hand. She was soaking wet, but it was cute...oh well. Her newest thing is climbing into G's crib- yep, she can do it. There's a lot of spanks going around about this. It's totally annoying.
Just another cute pick of M and her "mony." She also calls paci's "maci"- not sure what the deal is with P's. 
Look at M helping me give G a bath tonight! It's so cute. She loves him, but still gets out of hand. She was soaking wet, but it was cute...oh well. Her newest thing is climbing into G's crib- yep, she can do it. There's a lot of spanks going around about this. It's totally annoying.
Just another cute pick of M and her "mony." She also calls paci's "maci"- not sure what the deal is with P's. 
Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Menu
So some of you know That I will soon be taking a weekend position at work. I think it will be best for our family at this time...every other week I will work one day during the week and then every weekend and get paid for 2 extra days! I really enjoy the people who work weekends, so once I get there things will be great. It won't be fun missing out on stuff here, but we think the sacrifice is worth it for a year. We are trying to do some saving for a new vehicle ( OUR VAN!!!!) and this is the fastest and easiest way to go! B will have every weekend with both kids which will really bond them, I think, and teach them to really depend o him as a caregiver. Of course, there is plenty of help around here if he needs it!
Well, in light of this, we are going to have to start doing more things as a family during the week, which means I have got to get my act together with making dinner. I am sometimes pretty terrible about it! So- I made a 10 week menu. I think it will rotate after the 10 weeks and start over. B is a VERY simple eater- which is annoying at times, but makes it easy to make a menu because variety isn't something I have to be concerned about. You will see certain things several times... I thought I would share it with you! You'll notice that Sunday isn't mentioned- I figure we'll have leftovers from the week or we can just wing it. Saturday is pizza night because that's something easy B can do when I'm at work.
I got the idea from this site: http://dutchgirldiary.blogspot.com/. This girl is AMAZING by the way- you should check out her blog if you have time sometime. I will link it in the sidebar!
Menus
Monday- Something Easy or Soup Night
Tuesday- Beef/ Taco Night
Wednesday- Grill or Chicken Night
Thursday- Italian Night
Friday- Pork alternating with Breakfast Night
Saturday- Pizza Night!
Week 1
M- Grilled Cheese and Fries
T- Tacos
W- Grilled Chicken, Potatoes, Carrots
Th- Spaghetti, Salad, Green Beans
F- Waffles, Blueberries and Strawberries, Whipped Cream
S- Chef Boyardee
Week 2
M- Quesadillas
T- Tater tot Casserole, Green Beans
W- Fajitas
Th- Tortellini, Caesar Salad, Peas
F- Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus
S- Pita Pizzas
Week 3
M- Grilled Brats, Baked Beans, Potatoes
T- Tacos
W- Chicken and Rice Casserole, Peas and Carrots
Th- Lasagne, Salad, Garlic Bread
F- Breakfast Burritos
S- Chef Boyardee
Week 4
M- Hot Dogs in Crescent Rolls, Mac and Cheese, Peas
T- Enchilladas, Corn
W- Breaded Ranch Chicken, Pasta Side dish. Green Beans
Th- Ravioli, Caesar Salad, Bread sticks
F- Grilled Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus
S- Frozen Pizza
Week 5
M- Veggie Soup, Yeast Rolls
T- Tacos
W- Grilled Chicken, Red Potatoes, Zucchini and Squash
Th- Manicotti, Salad, Texas Toast
F- Egg Sandwiches
S- Grilled Pizzas
Week 6
M- Grilled Cheese and Fries
T- Hamburger Helper, Corn, Bread and butter
W- Fajitas
Th- Spaghetti, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread
F- Pork Chops in Mushroom Soup with Rice, Peas
S- Chef Boyardee
Week 7
M- Potato Soup, Biscuits
T- Tacos
W- Chicken and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots
Th- Italian Meatloaf with Pasta, Green Beans
F- Omlets and Biscuits
S- Frozen Pizza
Week 8
M- Quesadillas
T- Tater Tot Casserole, Peas
W- Fajitas
Th- Tortellini, Salad, Bread Sticks
F- Grilled Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Corn
S- Pita Tomato Pizzas
Week 9
M- Hot Dogs and Crescent Rolls wtih Macaroni and Cheese
T- Tacos
W- Kabobs, Baked Beans, Potatoes
Th- Lasagne, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread
F- Sausage Casserole, Blueberry Muffins
S- Chef boyardee
Week 10
M- Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
T- Hamburger Helper, Peas, bread and butter
W- Grilled Chicken, Potatoes, Baked beans, asparagus
Th- Spaghetti, Salad, Green Beans
F-Waffles with Fruit and whipped cream
S- Frozen Pizza
Well, in light of this, we are going to have to start doing more things as a family during the week, which means I have got to get my act together with making dinner. I am sometimes pretty terrible about it! So- I made a 10 week menu. I think it will rotate after the 10 weeks and start over. B is a VERY simple eater- which is annoying at times, but makes it easy to make a menu because variety isn't something I have to be concerned about. You will see certain things several times... I thought I would share it with you! You'll notice that Sunday isn't mentioned- I figure we'll have leftovers from the week or we can just wing it. Saturday is pizza night because that's something easy B can do when I'm at work.
I got the idea from this site: http://dutchgirldiary.blogspot.com/. This girl is AMAZING by the way- you should check out her blog if you have time sometime. I will link it in the sidebar!
Menus
Monday- Something Easy or Soup Night
Tuesday- Beef/ Taco Night
Wednesday- Grill or Chicken Night
Thursday- Italian Night
Friday- Pork alternating with Breakfast Night
Saturday- Pizza Night!
Week 1
M- Grilled Cheese and Fries
T- Tacos
W- Grilled Chicken, Potatoes, Carrots
Th- Spaghetti, Salad, Green Beans
F- Waffles, Blueberries and Strawberries, Whipped Cream
S- Chef Boyardee
Week 2
M- Quesadillas
T- Tater tot Casserole, Green Beans
W- Fajitas
Th- Tortellini, Caesar Salad, Peas
F- Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus
S- Pita Pizzas
Week 3
M- Grilled Brats, Baked Beans, Potatoes
T- Tacos
W- Chicken and Rice Casserole, Peas and Carrots
Th- Lasagne, Salad, Garlic Bread
F- Breakfast Burritos
S- Chef Boyardee
Week 4
M- Hot Dogs in Crescent Rolls, Mac and Cheese, Peas
T- Enchilladas, Corn
W- Breaded Ranch Chicken, Pasta Side dish. Green Beans
Th- Ravioli, Caesar Salad, Bread sticks
F- Grilled Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus
S- Frozen Pizza
Week 5
M- Veggie Soup, Yeast Rolls
T- Tacos
W- Grilled Chicken, Red Potatoes, Zucchini and Squash
Th- Manicotti, Salad, Texas Toast
F- Egg Sandwiches
S- Grilled Pizzas
Week 6
M- Grilled Cheese and Fries
T- Hamburger Helper, Corn, Bread and butter
W- Fajitas
Th- Spaghetti, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread
F- Pork Chops in Mushroom Soup with Rice, Peas
S- Chef Boyardee
Week 7
M- Potato Soup, Biscuits
T- Tacos
W- Chicken and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots
Th- Italian Meatloaf with Pasta, Green Beans
F- Omlets and Biscuits
S- Frozen Pizza
Week 8
M- Quesadillas
T- Tater Tot Casserole, Peas
W- Fajitas
Th- Tortellini, Salad, Bread Sticks
F- Grilled Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Corn
S- Pita Tomato Pizzas
Week 9
M- Hot Dogs and Crescent Rolls wtih Macaroni and Cheese
T- Tacos
W- Kabobs, Baked Beans, Potatoes
Th- Lasagne, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread
F- Sausage Casserole, Blueberry Muffins
S- Chef boyardee
Week 10
M- Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
T- Hamburger Helper, Peas, bread and butter
W- Grilled Chicken, Potatoes, Baked beans, asparagus
Th- Spaghetti, Salad, Green Beans
F-Waffles with Fruit and whipped cream
S- Frozen Pizza
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Why you should keep your kid backward...
So lots of you know that M still rides backward in the car. She doesn't know the difference so it's really not an issue. It's not cruel because she knows nothing else. I knew it was safer, but I hadn't actually watched the videos of the crash tests, I just lied and told everyone I had just to get them off my back....well here they are, in all their glory:
Rear Facing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K62Ea8Fs4ng
Forward Facing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMFPSStXfqE&NR=1
Are you thinking about reversing your kid's position yet? It might save their life.
Extended rear facing facts:
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx
Rear Facing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K62Ea8Fs4ng
Forward Facing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMFPSStXfqE&NR=1
Are you thinking about reversing your kid's position yet? It might save their life.
Extended rear facing facts:
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx
FREE
It would be AWESOME if you could fill this form out for me and get us a FREE playtex bottle since they are BPA free and this is what we use :)
http://www.playtexbaby.com/bpafree/info.html
http://www.playtexbaby.com/bpafree/info.html
Thursday, June 5, 2008
G is 3 months!!! (yesterday)
I apologize for sending you on a wild goose chase for a few months. I am just not smart enough to figure out how to work that site and make it do what I want it to. I am done being annoyed by it!
G is getting so big!! 12 lbs now...he is sooo interactive. He smiles at you every time you look at him. He gets easily annoyed when no one is paying him any attention. He HATES his car seat and the car. I attribute it to him being lonely back there. He is working on rolling over- he's pretty close. He is always chewing on his hands these days. He actually likes playing with toys now which is really cute.
Today I was feeding him and I sat him up to burp. M was sitting next to me and he just smiled and smiled and laughed at her. It's so cute how much he loves her!
M looked really cute today too. She was mad at me here because I wouldn't let her come upstairs, but we hardly ever put the gate up anymore. We're finally past that stage thank goodness. What's really annoying me lately is her obsession with pulling everything out of the drawers. I HATE IT. I got some new locks for them today so hopefully B can put them on this weekend. I wish he would do it tonight, but he has things to do :( 
G is getting so big!! 12 lbs now...he is sooo interactive. He smiles at you every time you look at him. He gets easily annoyed when no one is paying him any attention. He HATES his car seat and the car. I attribute it to him being lonely back there. He is working on rolling over- he's pretty close. He is always chewing on his hands these days. He actually likes playing with toys now which is really cute.
Today I was feeding him and I sat him up to burp. M was sitting next to me and he just smiled and smiled and laughed at her. It's so cute how much he loves her!
M looked really cute today too. She was mad at me here because I wouldn't let her come upstairs, but we hardly ever put the gate up anymore. We're finally past that stage thank goodness. What's really annoying me lately is her obsession with pulling everything out of the drawers. I HATE IT. I got some new locks for them today so hopefully B can put them on this weekend. I wish he would do it tonight, but he has things to do :( 
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