July 2010
Couponing Basics
Couponing Basics If you’re anything like me, the idea of saving (a ton of) money by using coupons is appealing in theory, but overwhelming in practice. The concept is pretty simple–combine money-saving manufacturer’s coupons with in-store specials and coupons to save anywhere from 50-100% off your grocery bill. In order to be successful, the way you shop has to change. Instead of simply making a list of the things you need in any given week, you predominantly shop for what is on sale, buying enough to last for 6-8 weeks (the length of time before it will be on sale again). For the first couple of months, you will work ... read more
Simple Budget Birthday Dinner Party
Today is my mother-in-law’s 86th birthday. We wanted to do something special for her, but going out to eat with an octogenarian and two toddlers is really more of a fiasco than a treat. Instead, we decided to throw her a little family party here at home. Now for me, the word “party” usually translates in my brain as “an excuse to shop.” (There are many words in my vocabulary that mean the same thing.) But that was the old me. The new, super-practical-creative-thrifty-and-budget-conscious me found a way to throw a fabulous dinner party for less than $10. Seriously! And I’m probably biased, but I think it turned out very ... read more
Thursday Shopping 7-30-10
I don’t know if the deals are getting better or if I’m just getting better at this whole couponing thing, but it seems like I am starting to save more and more each time I go to the store. My trip to Publix this morning was a dream. Both girls were happy and content, especially after getting their free balloons (pink and purple) and free cookies (chocolate chip and sugar). My one small complaint about my regular Publix is that they don’t have any of those race-car carts for the kids, but the fact that everyone is so nice more than makes up for it. I cruised the store in ... read more
Tuesday Shopping 7-28-10
There were a few things I still wanted to snag before the grocery stores switched promotions tomorrow. Unfortunately, waiting until the last minute did not work in my favor at Winn-Dixie, where they were out of Kibbles & Bits (on sale for BOGO + $1 off coupons) and Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner (also BOGO + coupons), which, neat-freak that I am, I use on a daily basis and can’t get enough of. Alas, I did get a raincheck and the gal told me they should be restocking both items tomorrow, in time to still use my coupons which expire on 7/31. Anyway, I did still manage to get a few ... read more
Party Inspiration: Crafty Pool Party
Anyone who knows me knows that I love to throw parties. For me, every holiday is a new opportunity to plan an event. Cocktail parties, ice-cream parties, coupon-clipping parties–you name it, I’ll throw it. Heck, I even threw a “birthing party” for the home birth of my second child. But my absolute favorite thing to plan is my kids’ birthday parties! Growing up, birthdays in my house were usually a chaotic, last-minute affair, and I swore to myself a long time ago that my kids’ birthdays would always be special. I usually start thinking about it months in advance–the theme, the food, the decorations, the activities. Every year, my husband ... read more
Sunday Shopping 7-25-10
It was a pretty good shopping day today. I did really well at both Walgreen’s & CVS, but I also had to go to the craft store to pick up a few things for Maggie’s birthday party, where I didn’t fare quite as well. Overall I spent $78.47 for $269.18 worth of stuff, which was an overall savings of 71%. However, I will also be getting back a $10.00 rebate, so with the rebate it was an overall savings of 75%. Here is what I got at each store: At Walgreens I spent $10.63 on $63.73 worth of stuff, for a savings of 83%! The Command hooks were an especially ... read more
Friday Shopping 7-23-10
I have to say, I rocked it at Publix this afternoon! I managed to save 71% even though I still had to buy a few things that weren’t on sale, like sugar, powdered sugar, bread, and butter. Without those items it probably would’ve been closer to 90%. The cashier was nice but clearly annoyed by my 28 coupons, but even she was begrudgingly impressed by my total at the end. All in all, I spent $36.34 for $125.07 worth of stuff, a savings of $88.73. Here’s what I got:
Sunday Shopping 7-19-10
My husband has been telling me for years that I have a shopping problem, and deep down I know it is true. I can’t really explain why I get such a thrill from buying stuff. It just makes me happy. The fact that it costs money is secondary to the elation I feel from walking out of a store, bag in my hand, knowing that this ____ is just the perfect thing. Until the next perfect thing comes along. But now I’ve found a way to channel that love of shopping into a new passion for getting great stuff at a fraction of the cost. It is an addiction ... read more
Thrifty Summertime Activities for Kids
It is summertime in Florida which means it is pretty much too hot to do anything outside that doesn’t involve water. Here in Charlotte County, the retirement capital of Southwest Florida (where the median age is 64), there aren’t a whole lot of activities for kids, which makes it even tougher. A lot of times I am so desperate to get out of the house that I just take the kids shopping, usually to Target, which inevitably means spending a lot of money on things I don’t really need, just for something to do. So I decided to start a list for myself of fun activities that don’t cost much ... read more
Sunday Shopping 7-12-10
I made a quick trip to three stores this morning (kids & Chuck in tow–not a great idea, for future reference) and ended up with a ton ($229 worth!) of great stuff. The best part? After all my coupons, discounts, & rebates, I actually came out $13.34 ahead. Here’s how: CVS Spent: $35.16 minus $34.99 rebate = $0.17 STAPLES Spent: $26.84 minus $23.97 rebate = $2.87 OFFICE DEPOT Spent: $55.60 minus $71.98 rebate = $-16.38 Grand Total: MADE $13.34 And just look what I got! CVS: (2)-12 roll packages of Cottenelle Toilet Paper, John Frieda Shampoo & Conditioner, (2) Neutrogena SPF 30 Spray Sunscreen, Neutrogena Clinical Eye Treatment System, BioTrue ... read more
Coupon Madness
It’s simple math: the less I spend on the things I have to buy each month (food), the more I can spend on the things I want to buy each month (shoes). Which means that my first order of business on this new budget of mine is to get my grocery bill under control. I’ll freely admit that when I am not paying attention, I spend a lot of money on food. Since we moved back to Florida 9 months ago, our grocery bills have been well over $1000 a month. It seems like every trip to Publix at least another $150 down the drain and we can never make ... read more
