Couponing

A couple of months ago, my sister Katie and I went to a meeting here in Ogden where a lady taught us about different ways to save $$ in your grocery budget. It included getting more than just one copy of the local newspaper for multiple coupons, and establishing a stash of coupons to choose from. The lady who taught us told us about a website called pinchingyourpennies.com that has women who post lists of great deals EVERY WEEK at local grocery stores. You get better savings on using coupons on things that are already on sale. You can price match as well to help with not having to go to EVERY damn grocery store in your area to get great deals.

The lady said that using multiple coupons on sale items might seem like you were spending more money, but if you stocked up on things, it would save you money in the long run when you went to make your shopping list and realized you didn't need to buy more of something when there might not be a deal happening on a particular item that week.

She stated that since she has started "couponing" she has been able to bring an estimated $1000 dollar monthy budget down to $250 dollars a month (she has a large family). She says that she NEVER buys anything at full price.

She warned us that we wouldn't see near that big of a price reduction immediately. She said that it would take up to 6 months. Initially you spend what you normally do, but maybe you start getting more bang for your buck. I found this to be true.

Every Sunday I sit down and go through the 3 copies of the newspaper that we get and cut out the coupons for products I know we could use. I then organize them into the FOOD and NON-FOOD categories. I like to make the first part of my grocery list with things I already have coupons for, then add the things that you don't get normal coupons for i.e. milk, bread, eggs etc. I have been doing this for about a month now. I find that I don't price match and I don't shop at the local grocery stores. The lady told us that we should support local food stores, but after a week or 2 of shopping at Smiths, or Family Fresh, I just knew that I would save more money at Wal-Mart. What used to take me 45 minutes to grocery shop now takes a little more than an hour, but it's worth it.

In the last 4-5 weeks alone of doing this I have saved $35 dolllars a week, except this last week due to the coupons not being as good as usual, thus I saved $20 dollars. For example, if our weekly budget for groceries is $100 dollars, and since I have just started this, I will still spend that $100 but get groceries worth $135 dollars. One week I saved the average $35 but ended up only spending $85.

So yes, I am that lady in front of you that you have to wait for in line at the cash register because they have to scan my coupons.

Go ahead. Roll your eyes, and exaggerate your sighs of annoyance. I don't care because I am saving money and you're not!

There's just something to be said about the first time you get to the cash register and you find out the total of $139 grocery bill is then brought down to $105 (this is with tax)! Then you realize that you can get toothpaste for free, and soap for 7 cents a bar.

Take that Uncle Sam! You already get enough of my taxes.

Comfies

When I shop for semi-professional clothes for work, I am all about cute AND comfortable. While I was working full-time as a foster mom, I was all about dressing comfortably in washable clothes due to the fact I became a walking drool bib and snot smearer (aka giant tissue). One of the hardest things about coming back to work was getting used to dressing professionally again. Jeans and a shirt were my former "coming home and relaxing" routine.

THIS IS NO LONGER!

I have come across some black fleece drawstring pants and a zip up fleece jacket at Target (one of my favorite stores!) for a very inexpensive price! I bought a set right after Christmas with some $$ I received, and after having to wash them a little too often, I went back and got another pair. I am super anal about whether or not the pants are long enough, even with shoes and these are totally just that! I come home and change in to these or something like them. I love that sweats are not the ones our mom's used to wear that are SUPER tapered at the bottom. They make them almost in a boot cut simply hemmed style now that I LOVE LOVE LOVE. I can wear them to go work out, I can throw on a DownEast tshirt under the jacket and go do my grocery shopping.

Maybe some of y'all are totally against going out in public like this, but guess what??

I DON'T CARE!

These new finds are comfortable and warm in these cold Utah winters. Wahoo!

Diabetes Presentation

Today I went to a local middle school and gave my first ever presentation on diabetes. I spoke to 4 different classes. I was a little hesitant to do this since my only memories of middle school was of hyper, defiant, unruly kids. But to my pleasant surprise, they kids were great. They were very respectful, and quiet....at times almost too quiet.

I had an outline for my presentation prepared, so the first class got what I would like to call the "rough draft". The kids were responsive to my questions, and asked lots of questions in return.
Then.....there was the second class of students. Everything went great, until I started talking about needles/syringes, and then a kid on the class decided to pass out. He totally slumped over in his chair, head fell back, eyes rolled into the back of his head, and color totally drained from his skin. A kid was sent to run to the front office to get some help, and the teacher and I got him to come to, and then offered him a trash can in case he threw up. Long story short, he was fine. He wasn't sure if it was the fumes from the freshly painted classroom or me talking about needles that made him sick.

And ALL I could think of was "oh great, I made him pass out talking about needles!" I wasn't even graphic or anything. He just blacked out. I felt so bad, and silently freaking out that this was my fault. The teacher just reassured me that I wasn't to blame. But how can you NOT feel bad?!!!

I am scheduled to go back sometime in April to the same school to talk about diabetes...I really hope I don't have the same effect on the students!

New Year's Resolutions

As with every year, and with many people, I have come up with a list of resolutions for this new year. I hope that with some effort I will be able to say next year that I was able to stick with at least one SIGNIFICANT resolution. We'll just have to see how it goes.

Here ya go:
-stop swearing as much as I do
-pray and read the scriptures more often
-becoming more patient
-losing weight
-eating better-
-managing my diabetes better
-managing my time better
-showing more appreciation
-cooking more meals at home
-budgeting more

That's a few of the things on my ever-growing list. Happy New Year!

What I am Going to Remember

I have noticed that people are posting quite a bit about the things that they will remember about 2009. Here are a few of mine:

-being a foster mom to 2 very special little boys
-witnessing their growth and accomplishments (Bubba's first steps, Hunter talking/signing more etc)
-celebrating 5 years of marriage to my best friend
-saying goodbye to the boys
-going back to work
-traveling to LA for the first time
-flying to Houston for Ben's wedding
-renewing a friendship with one of my closest friends
-transferring back to the Deaf Branch
-learning that I am stronger than I give myself credit for
-recognizing the Lord's comforting hand in my life
-understanding the important of family more than ever

These are just a few of the things that I will take with me in to this new year, and in the years to come.