amberherron

~ Fall Layouts ~

~ My Hand Aches (*Updated) ~

by just looking at this mountain of coupons to cut through!  This has to be the biggest pile I have ever accumulated - seriously!  It is sooooo worth it, though, when I save 50% + on my groceries!  :-)

 

***Update - in response to my mil's question about where I get all these coupons?  Well, this pile is actually mostly from the Sunday paper.  I buy multiple copies of the same paper to get duplicate coupons.  Most stores let you use at least 3 of the same coupon so when there is a great or free deal, I am able to get up to a quantity of 3 of that product. 

I also get tons of coupons online through places like www.couponmom.com.  This is great because you can select only the ones you know you will use to print out.  I print tons from manufacturer websites also.  For example, I always buy coffee creamer so the other day I went to the 2 main companies of brands we used and scored printable coupons for both brands! 

Many companies also have mailed coupon books they offer periodically.  One of my favorites is the Home Made Simple booklets - you get $1 off of things like Cascade!  I also just got a booklet of coupons mailed to me from Conagra foods.  I just keep my eyes open.  I also use search engines to see if a coupon is offered for a product I want. 

Lastly, there are individual store coupons.  Rite Aid has store coupons offered in their ad and also through their website if you watch a 30 second commercial.  I have learned in the last year that coupons and rebates are EVERYWHERE, you just have to keep your eyes open and look around.  Great question!!!

~ Singing & Dancing Josiah ~

I captured a few new videos of Josiah this week.  The first two are of him singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands.  The last one is of him dancing to Single Ladies - Chipettes Version.  Enjoy!

~ Couch Time w/ Daddy ~

I went downstairs to check on my boys and this is what I discovered...

~ 2 Exciting Frugal Finds for Moms! ~

The first frugal find for moms is at Carter's!  They have their nice fleece winter footed pajamas on sale right now for only $5!  This is a total steal since they usually are $20 each.  This deal gets only better when you use the 20% off a purchase of $50 or more coupon.  It was worth the 40 minute drive to the outlet this afternoon to stock up on pj's for next winter and also to snag a couple of summer clothes (somehow I totally missed on getting those in the fall).  Josiah's wardrobe for next fall and winter is now pretty much complete (that is unless he has a huge growth spurt!).

The second frugal find for moms was found at the bathroom at the outlet.  They have flyers and coupons in a display.  I noticed a postcard advertising a mom2mom sale.  I had heard about these from Heidi and thus far have been sinfully jealous that there were none near me.  :-(  It turns out that they are having a Super Mom2Mom sale and the local expo center on four upcoming weekends.  I bound to make it out for at least one of those - Yay!

~ Chocolate + Peanut Butter = YUM! ~

If you are a chocolate and peanut butter lover (Andrea - you have permission to skip this post!), then I have the recipe for you!  This is the second time I have made this pie and it is so yummy and easy!  I spiced it up this time with crushed reese's peanut butter cups.  Thanks to Cooking during Stolen Moments for the amazing recipe!  You can find it here or read below...

Creamy Peanut Butter Pie w/ Chocolate Chip Cookie Crust

• 1/2 batch of your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough (about enough to make 2 – 2 1/2 dozen cookies)
• 1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 1 c. peanut butter
• 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1 t. vanilla
• 2 T. milk, plus more if needed
• 1/2 c. chocolate chips, melted (optional)

1. Grease a pie plate and sprinkle bottom and sides with granulated sugar or flour. Press cookie dough into pie plate. Bake at 375 degress for 15 – 20 minutes, until browned and fully cooked. Immediately after removing from oven, gently press the center of the pie crust down with a spoon to help it flatten. These makes it more like a pie crust and less like bar cookies.

2. While pie crust is baking, beat together the cream cheese and peanut butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar and mix about 2 minutes. Stir in vanilla and milk. The consistency should be thinner than frosting but thicker than pudding.

3. Once pie crust is completely cooled, pour in filling. If desired, melt chocolate chips and pour or drizzle over pie.

~ SUPER Ebates Deal Feb 1-4 ~

I got an email from ebates this morning.  They are offering 20% cash back on all Old Navy purchases made Feb 1- 4!  That is an insanely good deal!  This would be a good time to pick up some things for kids, etc. - particularly if you can find clearance items in the sizes you need.  Did I mention that I *heart* ebates???

~ January Grocery Savings ~

I have made it through the first month of tracking my savings/spending on excel!  I am definitely what Dave Ramsey calls the "nerd" because I enjoy entering the numbers and seeing the calculations come out.  LOL.  Anyhow, I am very pleased with my totals.  I told Jon this afternoon, that it is kind of like a game for me to see how high a percentage savings I can average.  I already reduced my monthly grocery budget and I am thinking about challenging myself to try and reduce it even more!

Here are my breakdowns for January...

Total Shelf Cost - $863.12

Total Coupon Savings - $218.40

Total Savings - $530.79

Rebates Owed - $16

Amount Paid - $337.60

Savings Rate - 61.50 %

Plus - I have received or will receive $190.49 in rebates so far this year!  Some of them are in the form of store gift cards or coupons, but most of them are cash!  My little gift envelope is getting fuller by the week - how exciting!  Even more so once my next Big Fat Check (over $100) from Ebates arrives in a few weeks - woohoo!

~ Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Self? ~

Our desire to set up our own kingdom is in direct conflict with the King who has come to rule in our hearts.  This is the war beneath all others. - Paul David Tripp

~ Josiah Says ~

Here's a snippet of a conversation Josiah and I had today while I was folding laundry.  He kept messing with the mirror on the back of the door and I was trying to convey to him that if it fell, he would get hurt.

Me:  Josiah, I am serious.

Josiah:  Mom, don't say serious.

Me:  Josiah, you don't tell Mommy what I can and can't say.  You are not the boss of me.

Josiah:  Yes I am.

Me:  (in laughter of disbelief) No, you are not.

Josiah:  Yes I am.  Mom you are cute.  Tell me how I am your baby.

Wow - is he a master manipulator or what?  And I ask myself, why I am just now picking up the book "The Strong Willed Child".  LOL.  

We also have a recurring conversation about once a week that starts like this..

Josiah:  Mom, I am in charge!

Me:  No, you are not.

And as I have these irrational conversations with my 3 year old, the Bible verse "a fool argues with a fool" comes to mind!