Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Coupons

I have been an on again, off again couponer for many years. At first I was so excited to get a "deal" that I would buy everything I could...I ended up spending money I shouldn't have, for things I didn't use. So now I only buy things I know I will use or plan to donate. Couponing can be overwhelming at first...cutting, organizing, and even the anxiety of using them....but I can tell you it is worth it. Lately I have been using coupons for non-food items like diapers, lotion, razors etc. I figure if I save money on these items, I can use the money for things I like to splurge on (grass-fed beef, organic chicken, money to do our backyard etc). There are many websites and blogs on the subject. I have found a few websites that have helped me:
http://www.thegrocerygame.com/- this is a great website to use if you are just starting out with couponing. You can try it for $1. You pick what store(s) you want to shop at and each week it has a list of items on sale or items you can use coupons with.
http://www.thekrazycouponlady.com/- I love the way she organizes the coupons and you can print out the sections for your binder for free on her website. She also lists what's on sale at various places each week and how to use the coupons. I read the book and I love it! (it goes into detail on how to put the binder together and look for deals on your own) You can order it on her website as well.
http://www.sharethe31secret.com/- very similar to the krazy coupon lady. I like that you can print out the "store policies" for various stores (you might need them if you run into any problems...but I have not had any...yet).

This information has help me a lot and I am not so overwhelmed. As mom's we need all the help we can get :) I hope this information can help you as well. Below are the "deals" I got recently at Rite-Aid. They have great deals with their SCR program (Single Coupon Rebate) and coupons combined!




Above I spent $2.55 ...that includes tax!


Above I spent $8.90 including tax!





Sunday, June 6, 2010

Orchard


Might not look like much, but I can't tell you how excited I am that we have a mini orchard! I have had these trees since I got married (almost 7 years). They were in giant pots and I refused to plant them until I was sure we were going to stay...so this is a big step for me.
I have always wanted an orchard. I have the fondest memories of my Great-Grandma Freda's orchard (it was much bigger) As kids, my sister and cousins would run around and pick fruit off the trees...there was a sink in the middle of the orchard where we could wash our fruit. There were also a few outdoor couch gliders that we would sit on. We always left grandma's with fruit and flowers from her yard. In a small way, it's a tribute to her and I hope that my children will enjoy it as much as I did (Kaylee already does...as you can see).