It's finally starting to pay off...

So, this summer I posted looking for couponing tips. I have been "getting the hang of it" over the past several months, and with the help of this book that I got with a birthday giftcard (Thanks, Ames!), I am figuring out how to make it work:
This past week I saved 40% of my bill. I spent $102 this past week, and I saved $68. Plus, I've only read 4 chapters of the book so far! I used the strategies that she suggested, and I am hoping that I can hone my strategies even more, consequently saving more. So, I'd love to keep hearing any tips you have that you are figuring out along the way.

Although I'm only 4 chapters in, I'd recommend this book if you are interested in saving some moo-lah!

It's about to be Spring Consignment Season, and I am gearing up to plan my strategies with that again too!

So, this summer I posted looking for couponing tips. I have been "getting the hang of it" over the past several months, and with the help of this book that I got with a birthday giftcard (Thanks, Ames!), I am figuring out how to make it work:
This past week I saved 40% of my bill. I spent $102 this past week, and I saved $68. Plus, I've only read 4 chapters of the book so far! I used the strategies that she suggested, and I am hoping that I can hone my strategies even more, consequently saving more. So, I'd love to keep hearing any tips you have that you are figuring out along the way.

Although I'm only 4 chapters in, I'd recommend this book if you are interested in saving some moo-lah!

It's about to be Spring Consignment Season, and I am gearing up to plan my strategies with that again too!

recaps, updates, and such

But first things first... Look at this little climber! And check out her curls!

A dear friend from college has always said that when she gets married, when she and her groom walk out of the church, it will be to the tune of the hymn, "Oh Lord, I Thought the Day Would Never Come."

For the past couple of months, I've been singing that same tune regarding the absence of teeth in my little bit--mostly because that absence was coupled with an extended period of dental agony for her. I am so happy to report that her 2 bottom teeth have come through, and she's working on the top 2. Bless her. She is hitting many milestones all at once. She has teeth, climbs the stairs, picks up new "words" every day, and has even taken her first few independent steps--although I think we are still a ways off from "walking."

The Westhaven consignment sale turned out to be quite a successful event for Linds and me. I racked up on Holiday wear. Here is a picture of Addison's loot:A novice to baby brand names, I turned to Amy and Sarah for help, and boy did they help me. The pieces above are from the Kissy Kissy, Strausburg, Baily Boys, and Kelly Kids lines. Lindsay and I did a conservative guesstimate on what these outfits would have retailed for, and our total came up to around $320. I paid less than $80. Some of these outfits have never been worn, and the two jumpers are even reversible. On the other side of the candy corn is a turkey for Thanksgiving. On the other side of the Santa jumper are flowers. Addy-girl is going to be some kind of cute. :)

I also wanted to update on my couponing habits I've been picking up. In the three weeks that I've been trying out this new hobby, I have saved $74.23 on groceries alone--not counting diapers, formula, and other various items. I decided to start off simple--using the Sunday paper coupons, shopping the sales, and using my Kroger plus card. I didn't want to get in over my head and quit. I am so excited about my success, and this is the first month in a long time, that we are going to come in under our grocery budget. My next goal is to learn the CVS system and look for opportunities to double my savings with special events.

The 2009-2010 school year has begun, and it is already wild and exciting. In addition to my AP and Pre AP class preps, I have another (adorable) student teacher who I am supervising, am mentoring a new teacher, and am sponsoring the Senior class. Addison is thriving in the Eagle's Nest, and they ride her by my room 2-3 times a day. My kids love the distracting raucous she always causes and look for ways to keep me off track. :) It's been nice to have some structure back to our days, but I look forward to that 2:30 bell of freedom each afternoon.

We are beginning a longer stint of P having to be away, so think of us if you get the chance!

But first things first... Look at this little climber! And check out her curls!

A dear friend from college has always said that when she gets married, when she and her groom walk out of the church, it will be to the tune of the hymn, "Oh Lord, I Thought the Day Would Never Come."

For the past couple of months, I've been singing that same tune regarding the absence of teeth in my little bit--mostly because that absence was coupled with an extended period of dental agony for her. I am so happy to report that her 2 bottom teeth have come through, and she's working on the top 2. Bless her. She is hitting many milestones all at once. She has teeth, climbs the stairs, picks up new "words" every day, and has even taken her first few independent steps--although I think we are still a ways off from "walking."

The Westhaven consignment sale turned out to be quite a successful event for Linds and me. I racked up on Holiday wear. Here is a picture of Addison's loot:A novice to baby brand names, I turned to Amy and Sarah for help, and boy did they help me. The pieces above are from the Kissy Kissy, Strausburg, Baily Boys, and Kelly Kids lines. Lindsay and I did a conservative guesstimate on what these outfits would have retailed for, and our total came up to around $320. I paid less than $80. Some of these outfits have never been worn, and the two jumpers are even reversible. On the other side of the candy corn is a turkey for Thanksgiving. On the other side of the Santa jumper are flowers. Addy-girl is going to be some kind of cute. :)

I also wanted to update on my couponing habits I've been picking up. In the three weeks that I've been trying out this new hobby, I have saved $74.23 on groceries alone--not counting diapers, formula, and other various items. I decided to start off simple--using the Sunday paper coupons, shopping the sales, and using my Kroger plus card. I didn't want to get in over my head and quit. I am so excited about my success, and this is the first month in a long time, that we are going to come in under our grocery budget. My next goal is to learn the CVS system and look for opportunities to double my savings with special events.

The 2009-2010 school year has begun, and it is already wild and exciting. In addition to my AP and Pre AP class preps, I have another (adorable) student teacher who I am supervising, am mentoring a new teacher, and am sponsoring the Senior class. Addison is thriving in the Eagle's Nest, and they ride her by my room 2-3 times a day. My kids love the distracting raucous she always causes and look for ways to keep me off track. :) It's been nice to have some structure back to our days, but I look forward to that 2:30 bell of freedom each afternoon.

We are beginning a longer stint of P having to be away, so think of us if you get the chance!

Couponing 101 {need help} and other current thoughts...

So, I am following the trend. Aside from "couponing" being the "it" thing to do in our evolving struggling-economy culture, I want to "get good" at this phenomenon to help our family save some money and help Patrick and me reach some of our financial goals.

But, right now, I STINK at it...

Sure, I always use my Ann Taylor Loft coupons, take advantage of the Bed Bath & Beyond coupons for housewares and wedding gifts, hit the big sales, etc... because it is in my blood to cringe at the idea of paying full-price for anything. I clip the restaurant coupons from our local "Clipper" magazine, and we plan our date nights and eating out adventures accordingly.

However, when it comes to grocery shopping, I am a fish out of water--or a fish that is drowning {Can fish even drown?}--because I get overwhelmed. Aside from the penny item at Publix and the occasional formula/diaper coupon, I wander the aisles wondering what I am supposed to be looking for.

I have rotten summer cold right now, so I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon clipping coupons from the Sunday newspaper, skimming over some of the couponing sites I have listed on my Daily Perusal's sidebar, but I quickly got lost in the maze... At one point I had 8 windows open on my computer, and I had no idea how I had gotten to the page I was currently one. Two bottomless pit hours were spent, and a total of 6 coupons were printed... HELP!

Then, I went to Super Target to get some grocery items for the week, and I think that my coupons that I used resulted in me spending even MORE money--I think... The items that I had coupons for were already on sale, and when I presented the coupon, the register discounted the item from its original price... Can that even happen?

I hoped to come home feeling satisfied--proudly projecting to Patrick how much I had saved, but instead I felt defeated. HELP!

So, these are my questions... Where do you start? What are the best resources out there? How do you decide which to clip and which to pitch? Do you do comparative/price match shopping? Do you plan your menus/grocery lists based on your coupons? How much time do you spend weekly?

Hey, and if you are like me, a beginning/aspiring couponer, feel free to share your struggles and frustrations as well, so I don't feel like the lone ranger!

In other news, I read this article this weekend that I want to recommend from my parenting magazine about the 6 friends that every mom needs to keep her well-rounded, and it made me so thankful for my friends. It also made me want to BE a better friend.

I have received several kind emails regarding my "Memory Lane" post which I have really appreciated. I really loved going through all of that stuff and remembering more what my life was like as a child. It also got me wondering what all of my childhood friends are up to now... and then I realized that my elementary school contacts were a demographic that I had not tapped into on the trusty Facebook. What was I thinking? Ha! I have enjoyed making contact with so many of them this weekend, and I think it would be so much fun to reunite and see what our adult lives are like.

I was refreshed to see, in the snapshot of their lives that is ascertainable on Facebook, that we would likely still be friends...

So, I am following the trend. Aside from "couponing" being the "it" thing to do in our evolving struggling-economy culture, I want to "get good" at this phenomenon to help our family save some money and help Patrick and me reach some of our financial goals.

But, right now, I STINK at it...

Sure, I always use my Ann Taylor Loft coupons, take advantage of the Bed Bath & Beyond coupons for housewares and wedding gifts, hit the big sales, etc... because it is in my blood to cringe at the idea of paying full-price for anything. I clip the restaurant coupons from our local "Clipper" magazine, and we plan our date nights and eating out adventures accordingly.

However, when it comes to grocery shopping, I am a fish out of water--or a fish that is drowning {Can fish even drown?}--because I get overwhelmed. Aside from the penny item at Publix and the occasional formula/diaper coupon, I wander the aisles wondering what I am supposed to be looking for.

I have rotten summer cold right now, so I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon clipping coupons from the Sunday newspaper, skimming over some of the couponing sites I have listed on my Daily Perusal's sidebar, but I quickly got lost in the maze... At one point I had 8 windows open on my computer, and I had no idea how I had gotten to the page I was currently one. Two bottomless pit hours were spent, and a total of 6 coupons were printed... HELP!

Then, I went to Super Target to get some grocery items for the week, and I think that my coupons that I used resulted in me spending even MORE money--I think... The items that I had coupons for were already on sale, and when I presented the coupon, the register discounted the item from its original price... Can that even happen?

I hoped to come home feeling satisfied--proudly projecting to Patrick how much I had saved, but instead I felt defeated. HELP!

So, these are my questions... Where do you start? What are the best resources out there? How do you decide which to clip and which to pitch? Do you do comparative/price match shopping? Do you plan your menus/grocery lists based on your coupons? How much time do you spend weekly?

Hey, and if you are like me, a beginning/aspiring couponer, feel free to share your struggles and frustrations as well, so I don't feel like the lone ranger!

In other news, I read this article this weekend that I want to recommend from my parenting magazine about the 6 friends that every mom needs to keep her well-rounded, and it made me so thankful for my friends. It also made me want to BE a better friend.

I have received several kind emails regarding my "Memory Lane" post which I have really appreciated. I really loved going through all of that stuff and remembering more what my life was like as a child. It also got me wondering what all of my childhood friends are up to now... and then I realized that my elementary school contacts were a demographic that I had not tapped into on the trusty Facebook. What was I thinking? Ha! I have enjoyed making contact with so many of them this weekend, and I think it would be so much fun to reunite and see what our adult lives are like.

I was refreshed to see, in the snapshot of their lives that is ascertainable on Facebook, that we would likely still be friends...