I have a few confessions to make.
The past month or so has been more than a little crazy for me. I am still so very excited about my new sister coupon matchup site, SavingWellSpendingLess.com, but setting up a new website is a lot of work. Especially when my primary job is being a mom and wife. I have spent almost every spare moment for the last 5 weeks working on SWSL, which has left little-to-no time for all the other essential things in my life, things like my friends, family, hobbies, spending quality time with my kids and husband, and keeping on top of the never-ending pile of laundry, not to mention the constant stream of paperwork, toys, dishes, shoes, and other items that need daily organization to avoid total chaos.
I have dropped more than a few balls. Some small, some not-so-small. But enough that right about now I am feeling like the world’s biggest jerk.
Yesterday was my mom’s birthday. I always send flowers, but this year it totally slipped my mind until it was too late. And on Saturday I was supposed to meet some girlfriends for a mom’s night out that I RSVP’d to months ago, and again, I completely forgot about it. I am weeks behind in responding to emails, my normally well-organized coupon supply is in total disarray, my laundry room looks like a bomb went off, and the mountain of paperwork on my desk just keeps piling up.
But it wasn’t until I had a complete meltdown yesterday over $13 in lost Extra Care Bucks that I realized something has got to give. This is not the person I want to be. I love writing this blog, but for the sake of my sanity and my family, I need to take a step back so that I can get some order back in my life, get caught up, and not feel like I am letting everyone, including myself, down.
So from now until the end of March, I will be taking a little vacation from LWSL. I will still post my Thursday shopping results and weekly shopping linky each week, but there will be no Sunday shopping results next week. I will resume my normal posting schedule on Monday, April 4th. (There will be no changes to the SWSL schedule.)
I hope you all understand my decision to step back for a couple of weeks. If you are new to my blog or to couponing, I hope you’ll take this time to explore the LWSL archives or check out my Beginner’s Guide to Coupons series. There will be plenty to keep you busy for the next 2 weeks!
And now that I’ve unloaded, let’s move on to happier things like saving money.
Here is what I got:
At Publix I spent $3.69 for $86.23 worth of groceries, a savings of 96%.
Most of the pasta from today’s purchase was donated to Feed the Harbor, a county-wide food drive sponsored by our church and a few local Publix stores. I was most excited about the toilet bowl cleaner and disinfectant wipes, both of which I was able to get for super cheap using some of those elusive Winn-Dixie Spring Forward booklet coupons, which a very sweet reader mailed to me last week. (Thanks again Susan!)
Grocery Breakdown 28 Boxes Mueller Pasta (BOGO @ $1.43) (28) $1 off 1 Mueller Pasta (printable here (register for emails), final price: +$0.29 each–moneymaker!) 4 Lysol Disinfectant Wipes & 4 Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaners (on sale for $2) (2) $1 off 2 Lysol Disinfectant Wipes & (2) $1 off 2 Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Smart Source 3/6 or printable here) (2) $2/2 Lysol Cleaning Products (Winn Dixie Spring Forward booklet; final price: $0.50 each) 4 Philadelphia Cooking Cremes (on sale for $2) (4) $1.50 off Philadelphia Cooking Creme (in store Blinkie machine next to product) (4) $1 off Philadelphia Cooking Creme (Winn Dixie Spring Forward booklet; final price +$0.50 each–moneymaker!) Publix Bakery Hamburger Buns (regular price @ $2.59–a special request by Husband) 1 pt. Strawberries (on sale for $1.67)
I was also planning to go to CVS. It was going to be an awesome trip, possibly my best ever, and that is saying something. I had a $5/$25 purchase coupon that I received via email, plus $13 in Extra Care Bucks from last week. But I lost my ECBs. I’m pretty sure I accidentally threw them away. I tried calling CVS customer service but they were closed on Sunday. I tried again this morning but unfortunately there was nothing they could do.
It really stunk. I wish I could say I handled it in stride but I didn’t. I had a meltdown.
Life lessons can be hard sometimes.
Sigh. Oh well, live and learn.
Happy Monday!
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melissa March 21, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Just a note to say you will be missed! Your blog is reaaly unique and I look forward to your posts and often share with friends. Can’t wait until you are back!
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:31 am
Thank you Melissa, that is very sweet!
margaret March 21, 2011 at 5:01 pm
I am new to couponing and will be getting all the tricks you offer during your few weeks off from your 101 tips. I too have been spendng far too many hours trying to get the hang of searching for all the great deals and savings in my NJ shops. You should see my laundry room! Oh, you can’t — neither can I. PILES HIGH of clothes:) I just love the entire process of couponing so much that I’ve just about given all other household chores up. I believe my husband thinks I might be chatting with a “secret friend” since I’ve been attached to my laptop these past weeks. If only he new it was much more then that for me… it’s just clipping coupons that I’m having a love affair with (haha). I love it so much that I wake up in the middle of the night questioning whether the items I put together for my “first” run to Rite Aid is going to be successful. Cheers to you and thank you.
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:32 am
Ha! I was exactly the same way when I first got started–I would literally go to the store every single day just to get the next good deal. I couldn’t wait! Luckily it is an addiction that actually helps my family, so my husband doesn’t mind. Hopefully yours will be on board soon when he starts to see the results!
Amy March 21, 2011 at 5:10 pm
I was beginning to wonder how you did everything. I am learning to coupon and started blogging about it because my friends wanted to know how I was doing this. It does take a lot of time. If you are making money enough money doing these wonderful things for everyone. Think about if there is something you can pay someone else to do for you so you can do the things you do enjoy. I hope that made sense. Get some good R&R and take a break you deserve it.
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:33 am
Thanks Amy!
Barb March 21, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Family and friends are so important. May your time away be from LWSL be blessed beyond measure!
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:33 am
Thank you Barb!
Crystal L. (Crafting & Rambling) March 21, 2011 at 9:04 pm
((HUGS)) I totally understand, Ruth. Sometimes I’ve got so much going on, I feel scattered in so many directions, I get totally stressed out and things I shouldn’t be letting slide, are sliding. Or should I say piling up? lol. I’m such a people-pleaser…which only adds to the pressure. I often just *don’t* have time to blog (or craft, then blog about it), but during those times I always feel guilty about not blogging! Which is kind of funny when you think about it. Are other people’s lives going to end b/c I don’t blog something every day? No. Will I still feel bad? Yes. ((sigh))…
All that to say, “I totally understand…you NEED to take time away for your family. It’s so important. Princess and Trouble will only be this little for such a short time – go – enjoy them!” As a friend and fellow blogger, I say good for you for taking that step towards sanity.
Love ya. Here’s another ((HUG)). 
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:34 am
Felt that one! Thanks Crys.
Patricia March 22, 2011 at 1:24 am
I was wondering too if you were superwoman!! Ha. I hope that you are still able to do this blog along with everything else because I know your tricks help alot of people to save money. And I love the saving well spending less site too!!
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:35 am
No I’m definitely not Superwoman! And I’m so glad to hear you like SWSL….nice to know the hard work is worth the effort!
Thanks!
Jessica Rockwell March 22, 2011 at 3:18 am
I will not stop being a faithful reader simply because you need to catch up on things in your life. This blog is great and you have done so much for people so the least we can do is give you a break you deserve and we can all explore some more of your page and all of the other great stuff on here
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:36 am
Thanks Jessica, that is very sweet!
amanda p March 22, 2011 at 2:39 pm
You will be missed, but I do undertsand. My stuff at my house is stacking up too. I need a day to get things done arounfd the house. I love seeing your post and check this website a few times a day. I get excited to see what you purchase and post on this site. I did have a question about this——–(2) $2/2 Lysol Cleaning Products (Winn Dixie Spring Forward booklet; final price: $0.50 each)
I could only find the clorox wipes coupon in that book. Is that the one you used? What about the suggle too?
Thank you,
Amanda P
Amanda P March 24, 2011 at 5:03 am
I found that coupon. Nevermind. Thanks anyways
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:36 am
I’m so sorry Amanda, I completely missed that one! Glad you found it.
Stephanie L March 23, 2011 at 12:51 am
Ruth I am glad you posted this blog, because I was really begining to feel like a very big slacker. I wondered how on earth does she do it all? I am a new to staying at home, well its been 6 months and I see all the stuff you do, then are able to post it on your websites and I think to myself…and she cleans her toilets daily?? ( After reading that blurb somewhere on your LWSL I thought I can do that and have been completely OCD on doing it. I have to admit, I read your cleaning routine and have really tried to stick with it. It make s such a huge difference in my house. If i dont allot the time then my whole day is consumed with cleaning) Anyways, I appreciate and love reading your blog so once you have gotten a chance to get some R&R (which from what I’ve read probably isnt you at all) I will look forward to reading and watching again. (((Hugs from Sunny Daytona Beach)))
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:38 am
LOL, I never meant to make anyone feel like a slacker. I drive my husband crazy sometimes with my inability to just sit still and relax–it is probably my worst trait. Thanks for your sweet comments and the virtual hug!
Stephanie L March 26, 2011 at 4:32 am
I’m glad that you did…bc it made me realize I could do it, then when I did I loved it…and now my husnad too feels the crazy bug:) He just looks at me running around cleaning up behind everyone all the time and shakes his head! He doesnt complain about a clean house, cheap groceries, and the high (happy buzz) I have when I get home from a great Publix or Walgreens shopping trip:)
Debi March 24, 2011 at 5:12 pm
I totally understand where you are coming from and I can half-way relate. The same thing happened with my mom’s birthday this year, I actually called her the day after (because of the 6 hour time difference between here and South Africa) and felt like a complete hypocrite. I din’t remember until late in the evening and it would have been way to late in her time zone.
With blogging, things always looks so perfect, organized but it has taken up more time than I could have ever imagined. I’ve been trying to stay away from the computer on Sundays and it has brought some relief but if the lists aren’t done etc, there is no taking off. It’s so much pressure but
I get some infusion of energy every Tuesday from my women’s bible study meeting. These provide a bit of sanity and hubby has been gracious enough to help with the household chores. I can’t understand how dishes seem never ending even while using paper plates! The words of Paul & David bring me comfort and strength each day “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and God is the source of my strength”. I repeat these to myself when I am feeling overwhelmed and tired. Mind you, I don’t even have any kids. You are doing an amazing job on SWSL and LWSL is also an excellent resource!
Enjoy your break! Take comfort, it’s only for a season. You will soon be able to get more help with running things. I have no doubt that they will be very successful and influential.
Ruth March 26, 2011 at 2:39 am
Thanks so much Debi, your words of wisdom are much appreciated!
Krystal March 29, 2011 at 5:04 am
I have had meltdowns over lost ECB’s too. I have done it more than once even. I get frantic looking for them and when i realize I may have thrown them away or it fell out of my wallet< i feel like crying and I get super disappointed cuz the deals i thought i was going to gte just went down the toilet.
I know how you feel and I am so sorry.