I feel really good about today! I got to spend the day in the strawberry field then in the kitchen! LOVED it!
My friend, Cindi and I had talked about picking strawberries weeks ago...and today was finally the day! The 'older' neighbor (Ruth) also wanted to go, so that just added even more excitement to the day!
My wonderful mommy came over and spent a couple hours with my kids so I could pick berries without losing a child or two! :) We set out to the fields and picked a box of strawberries each in 30 minutes or so. On the way home Ruth offered to come help me take care of my strawberries...she was a HUGE help. It was so nice to have her help and she enjoyed getting out of the house and having some company. I got over ten pounds of berries picked, washed, sliced, and in the freezer in less than 3 hours. So, needless to say I was on a role so I loaded the kids up and went and got 12 more pounds of strawberries and came home and made 224 ounces of jelly! It was a great night...the boys all went to a movie and me and my girl spent the evening in the kitchen making jelly...although, she is in love with strawberries, so she ate more than her share :)
I am sharing this with you on my 'frugal' blog...because
1.) I saved a lot of money buying my family fruit that was in season and keeping it for when fruit is outrageous and we are all craving some local freshness!
2.) I picked berries, so I saved money that way
3.) I made Christmas presents for all those people I want to give something small to but I never know what to give them...! Plus each present cost $1.34 (including the jar)
Feeling really blessed really tonight by God's creation and just needed to share! :)
Monday, June 20, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Week #3
Let me start by sharing...There are way more struggles with this new 'money diet' than I thought there would be!
It's funny how when you start trying to be extra cautious with the money the Lord has trusted you with, the devil finds a way to make things harder.
Some of the struggles we faced the last 2 weeks:
*Lots of all day trips to grand rapids for multiple things....this is one of the hardest, how do you find something to do without spending money? Or I have a huge problem planning far enough in advance to pack 5 people lunch and dinner in a cooler to eat along the way! We have definitely spent our $10/week on non-grocery food purchases! Good thing we had extra money from week #1 to carry us over :)
*Our washer decided it was time to retire. With 4 kids (3 of which are messy boys, and 1 is a baby) and a husband with an extremely dirty job...I don't blame the washer for quitting on us! :) So the struggles that came with that are #1) I spent $52 at the laundry mat on Monday #2) The purchase of a new washer and dryer on Thursday.
* With me being 'frugal' with my grocery shopping, there are some items I like to stock up on (that are a great deal, or don't go on sale often) and that requires me to have a freezer. My grandpa gave us one a couple months ago, and the movers :) decided it would transport best on its back....that was a $220 repair. But...I am still grateful for the freezer, the men who moved it, and the amazing repair man who fixed it! If you ever need a repairman...let me know, I will be singing his praises for a long time :)
Now, let me tell you about my amazing shopping trip today to Meijer, with 4 kids may I add! It started in the bottle return room, where I returned about $4 worth of bottles, which was a nice addition to my coupon stack! Anyhow, in this room, something scared my sweet baby girl. She started crying, with big crocodile tears and didn't stop until we reached the car almost 2 hours later. My shopping trip also included 3 very 'active' boys who are so curious about everything around them :) I tell you what though, I wouldn't trade it for the world! I love these kids with all of my heart and if having them means disrupting Meijer on a Saturday afternoon for a couple hours, I am ok with that!!!
I did get some good deals this week!
My 3 favorite Meijer deals:
A-1 Sauce-
Regular Price: $3.49
Sale Price: $2.49
Promo: Buy 5 get $5 off
Another Meijer promotion: buy 3 or more bottles, get 8 ears of sweet corn free ($4 value)
Manufacturer Coupons: $1.00 off each bottle
So I paid $2.45 for 5 bottles of A-1 and 8 ears of sweet corn
Dial lotion: (My FAVORITE, by far)
Regular Price: $3.99
Sale Price: $2.99
Coupon: $2/ off 1
Final Price: $1
Ajax Dish Soap:
Regular Price: $2.49
Sale Price: $.89
My Meijer summery for this week is:
Total Product Purchased: $446.17
Total Saved: $263.94
Total Spent: $192.23
This probably seems like a lot of money to a lot of you, but this kind of stockpiling is saving our family a ton of money in the long run. Some weeks I spend $20-$30 but other weeks I may reach over $200. But, for a family of 6 to eat, clean the house, and wash themselves and their clothes, I feel $300-$400/ month isn't too bad! :)
It's funny how when you start trying to be extra cautious with the money the Lord has trusted you with, the devil finds a way to make things harder.
Some of the struggles we faced the last 2 weeks:
*Lots of all day trips to grand rapids for multiple things....this is one of the hardest, how do you find something to do without spending money? Or I have a huge problem planning far enough in advance to pack 5 people lunch and dinner in a cooler to eat along the way! We have definitely spent our $10/week on non-grocery food purchases! Good thing we had extra money from week #1 to carry us over :)
*Our washer decided it was time to retire. With 4 kids (3 of which are messy boys, and 1 is a baby) and a husband with an extremely dirty job...I don't blame the washer for quitting on us! :) So the struggles that came with that are #1) I spent $52 at the laundry mat on Monday #2) The purchase of a new washer and dryer on Thursday.
* With me being 'frugal' with my grocery shopping, there are some items I like to stock up on (that are a great deal, or don't go on sale often) and that requires me to have a freezer. My grandpa gave us one a couple months ago, and the movers :) decided it would transport best on its back....that was a $220 repair. But...I am still grateful for the freezer, the men who moved it, and the amazing repair man who fixed it! If you ever need a repairman...let me know, I will be singing his praises for a long time :)
Now, let me tell you about my amazing shopping trip today to Meijer, with 4 kids may I add! It started in the bottle return room, where I returned about $4 worth of bottles, which was a nice addition to my coupon stack! Anyhow, in this room, something scared my sweet baby girl. She started crying, with big crocodile tears and didn't stop until we reached the car almost 2 hours later. My shopping trip also included 3 very 'active' boys who are so curious about everything around them :) I tell you what though, I wouldn't trade it for the world! I love these kids with all of my heart and if having them means disrupting Meijer on a Saturday afternoon for a couple hours, I am ok with that!!!
I did get some good deals this week!
My 3 favorite Meijer deals:
A-1 Sauce-
Regular Price: $3.49
Sale Price: $2.49
Promo: Buy 5 get $5 off
Another Meijer promotion: buy 3 or more bottles, get 8 ears of sweet corn free ($4 value)
Manufacturer Coupons: $1.00 off each bottle
So I paid $2.45 for 5 bottles of A-1 and 8 ears of sweet corn
Dial lotion: (My FAVORITE, by far)
Regular Price: $3.99
Sale Price: $2.99
Coupon: $2/ off 1
Final Price: $1
Ajax Dish Soap:
Regular Price: $2.49
Sale Price: $.89
My Meijer summery for this week is:
Total Product Purchased: $446.17
Total Saved: $263.94
Total Spent: $192.23
This probably seems like a lot of money to a lot of you, but this kind of stockpiling is saving our family a ton of money in the long run. Some weeks I spend $20-$30 but other weeks I may reach over $200. But, for a family of 6 to eat, clean the house, and wash themselves and their clothes, I feel $300-$400/ month isn't too bad! :)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Meijer Week #1
I am not going to lie...I love to coupon...but I hate bringing it all home and taking care of it! All good things have their downfalls right?! :)
My trip to Meijer this week started out quite eventful! I stopped to grab some allergy med coupons from my friend (which I didn't even use because Meijer brand was still way cheaper than using the coupon) and talked her into going with me! Ran a couple other quick errands to only realize I forgot my wallet. Shopping officially started at 10:30...WAY too late for this girl to think straight :)
The best thing I ever did was organize my coupons into a binder. I use 26 sections in a binder full of baseball card holders that each house as many coupons of like kind that I have. It takes me 10 minutes on Sunday to cut them and put them where they go and saves me hours finding and cutting them before I head to the store.
Tonight my 7 year old sat by my side as I gathered my coupons and I was able to teach him a few things about getting the most for the money you work hard for. Before he headed to bed he said, "it's no wonder you protect these coupons with your life, they are just like free money!" That's right babe...that's right! :)
I was a little worried about how much I was going to spend at Meijer this week as one of my rules is no purchasing anything unless its on sale and I have a coupon. I needed a few things that I didnt' get a HUGE deal on, but I am OK with that. It's going to take a month or so to get a great deal on everything I need...or adapting to only use what I can find for a really good price.
My 3 favorite deals from Meijer this week:
3. Chicken: Rarely do you see meat coupons...but my mom gave me one this week that was for $2 off any $10 meat purchase. I found chicken on sale for $.99 a pound so I got over 10 pounds of chicken for $8.
2. Ocean Spray Blueberry juice. This item was on sale for $2. I had a $1 off coupon from the manufacturer. Making them $1/each. When you buy 2 you got a 4 pack of 12 ounce cans of sparkling juice. They are pretty much carbonated juice...the boys will love these! :)
1. KC Masterpiece (28oz) was on price drop for $2.29. If you buy 2 they give you $2 off instantly at the cash register. I also had a $1 off coupon so I paid $.29 for each and I got 4. That is one item we go through a lot around here
So this trips' overview:
Total Product: $332.00
Total out of pocket expense: $154.00
I feel pretty accomplished about how much money we actually consumed in meals today...!
Breakfast:
Toast (because they boys love it, not because that's all I am willing to feed them) :) Which I got a loaf of bread for $.90 which gets us through 3 mornings...!
Butter $.75 a tub which lasts us 2 weeks or so.
Juice $.75 per jug lasts 2-3 days
Lunch:
Lunch meat: $1 per lb
Chips $2 per bag
Banana: $.29 lb
Cheese: $2 lb
Dinner:
Hot Dogs: $.98
Mac & Cheese: FREE
Juice: $.79
Apples: $2.50 lb
I am really excited to see where this frugal adventure takes me and what it teaches me and my kids! :)
My trip to Meijer this week started out quite eventful! I stopped to grab some allergy med coupons from my friend (which I didn't even use because Meijer brand was still way cheaper than using the coupon) and talked her into going with me! Ran a couple other quick errands to only realize I forgot my wallet. Shopping officially started at 10:30...WAY too late for this girl to think straight :)
The best thing I ever did was organize my coupons into a binder. I use 26 sections in a binder full of baseball card holders that each house as many coupons of like kind that I have. It takes me 10 minutes on Sunday to cut them and put them where they go and saves me hours finding and cutting them before I head to the store.
Tonight my 7 year old sat by my side as I gathered my coupons and I was able to teach him a few things about getting the most for the money you work hard for. Before he headed to bed he said, "it's no wonder you protect these coupons with your life, they are just like free money!" That's right babe...that's right! :)
I was a little worried about how much I was going to spend at Meijer this week as one of my rules is no purchasing anything unless its on sale and I have a coupon. I needed a few things that I didnt' get a HUGE deal on, but I am OK with that. It's going to take a month or so to get a great deal on everything I need...or adapting to only use what I can find for a really good price.
My 3 favorite deals from Meijer this week:
3. Chicken: Rarely do you see meat coupons...but my mom gave me one this week that was for $2 off any $10 meat purchase. I found chicken on sale for $.99 a pound so I got over 10 pounds of chicken for $8.
2. Ocean Spray Blueberry juice. This item was on sale for $2. I had a $1 off coupon from the manufacturer. Making them $1/each. When you buy 2 you got a 4 pack of 12 ounce cans of sparkling juice. They are pretty much carbonated juice...the boys will love these! :)
1. KC Masterpiece (28oz) was on price drop for $2.29. If you buy 2 they give you $2 off instantly at the cash register. I also had a $1 off coupon so I paid $.29 for each and I got 4. That is one item we go through a lot around here
So this trips' overview:
Total Product: $332.00
Total out of pocket expense: $154.00
I feel pretty accomplished about how much money we actually consumed in meals today...!
Breakfast:
Toast (because they boys love it, not because that's all I am willing to feed them) :) Which I got a loaf of bread for $.90 which gets us through 3 mornings...!
Butter $.75 a tub which lasts us 2 weeks or so.
Juice $.75 per jug lasts 2-3 days
Lunch:
Lunch meat: $1 per lb
Chips $2 per bag
Banana: $.29 lb
Cheese: $2 lb
Dinner:
Hot Dogs: $.98
Mac & Cheese: FREE
Juice: $.79
Apples: $2.50 lb
I am really excited to see where this frugal adventure takes me and what it teaches me and my kids! :)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Walgreen Week #1
I gathered my coupons and headed out early this morning in hopes of finding what I was looking for! It only took me 3 different Walgreen stores and 2 hours, and we found 90% of what we were after!! :)
My favorite part of these shopping trips is the entertainment my children provide for all the other shoppers. I mean who can't resist a cute baby who is so sleepy and a 5 year old who likes to look with his hands!? :)
I started in Greenville, the only item I found there that I was after was 2 Pine Sol concentrate I got for $.75 after coupons and instant store savings. I did get to use register rewards I had left over from last week's purchases so I didn't have any money come out of pocket at this store. But, I ran into an old friend and it was good to see her...so the trip was worth it :)
Our next stop was the Walgreen store at Plainfield and the Beltline. This was by far my most successful stop of the day!
I had 6 B1G1FREE coupons for deodorant that was on sale B1G1 so I got 12 for free. The men's deodorant I purchased had a travel size body wash attached for free as well...so that was an extra bonus.
BC Pain reliever Powder...I had not heard of this before...but I checked it out when I got to the store and it's pretty cool...! It's an aspirin powder that you can put in your food or drink...or put it directly on your tongue for faster relief. This was on sale for $1.50 with a register reward of $1.50. I purchased 6 of these...
My favorite item of the day...just because it paid me was All Natural Icy Hot Cream...! I had 6 manufacturer coupons to go with these items that were $1 off. They were on sale for $.99 plus they printed a $.99 register reward so I didn't pay anything for them but I got $.99 back in register rewards to use next week. 1 tube is already being used, as we speak :)
The 1 item I was REALLY excited about but neither store had was Ritz crackerfuls (which is by far the favorite household snack here) They were on sale for $2 but they gave you $2 register rewards...so they were essentially free. That is where our third stop came in...but we had no luck there either. Maybe we will keep looking this week while we are out and about :)
So here is an overview of my purchases today:
Total Product: $85.55
Total out of Pocket Expense: $11.50
Total Rewards for Next Week: $13.95
So essentially I made $2.45 after I use my Rewards next week :)
My favorite part of these shopping trips is the entertainment my children provide for all the other shoppers. I mean who can't resist a cute baby who is so sleepy and a 5 year old who likes to look with his hands!? :)
I started in Greenville, the only item I found there that I was after was 2 Pine Sol concentrate I got for $.75 after coupons and instant store savings. I did get to use register rewards I had left over from last week's purchases so I didn't have any money come out of pocket at this store. But, I ran into an old friend and it was good to see her...so the trip was worth it :)
Our next stop was the Walgreen store at Plainfield and the Beltline. This was by far my most successful stop of the day!
I had 6 B1G1FREE coupons for deodorant that was on sale B1G1 so I got 12 for free. The men's deodorant I purchased had a travel size body wash attached for free as well...so that was an extra bonus.
BC Pain reliever Powder...I had not heard of this before...but I checked it out when I got to the store and it's pretty cool...! It's an aspirin powder that you can put in your food or drink...or put it directly on your tongue for faster relief. This was on sale for $1.50 with a register reward of $1.50. I purchased 6 of these...
My favorite item of the day...just because it paid me was All Natural Icy Hot Cream...! I had 6 manufacturer coupons to go with these items that were $1 off. They were on sale for $.99 plus they printed a $.99 register reward so I didn't pay anything for them but I got $.99 back in register rewards to use next week. 1 tube is already being used, as we speak :)
The 1 item I was REALLY excited about but neither store had was Ritz crackerfuls (which is by far the favorite household snack here) They were on sale for $2 but they gave you $2 register rewards...so they were essentially free. That is where our third stop came in...but we had no luck there either. Maybe we will keep looking this week while we are out and about :)
So here is an overview of my purchases today:
Total Product: $85.55
Total out of Pocket Expense: $11.50
Total Rewards for Next Week: $13.95
So essentially I made $2.45 after I use my Rewards next week :)
The Beginning
Why here...why now?
I have been doing a great day of 'couponing' in the last 3 years on my grocery purchases, but I recently realized I wasn't being extra careful where I was spending our other money. I would do a really good job as I would take my couponing trip(s) each week, but I would sometimes go back to the store and just randomly buy things even if they weren't on sale.
Here is my plan for the next 12 months:
1. I get $10 each week for unnecessary food purcahses (fast food, eating out, pops, snacks for the kids while we are out)
2. Only buy groceries when they are on sale and I have a coupon for them. Which means I will have to do a great deal of planning ahead on what I am going to need.
3. I have to cook meals from what is in the pantry and freezer.
4. If we need any non-consumable items, we have to wait at least 2 weeks to make the purchase, and it has to be on sale (or have a coupon) or it has to be used. The 2 week wait period will ensure we really need the item we have been wanting.
5. I have to blog my shopping trips and meal plan...so I stay accountable to my readers.
6. No items are to be purchased unless they are necessary.
7. If the kids want items that are unnecesary they will have to earn and save their money for these purchases.
Thank you for keeping me accountable and for sharing in this journey with me :)
I have been doing a great day of 'couponing' in the last 3 years on my grocery purchases, but I recently realized I wasn't being extra careful where I was spending our other money. I would do a really good job as I would take my couponing trip(s) each week, but I would sometimes go back to the store and just randomly buy things even if they weren't on sale.
Here is my plan for the next 12 months:
1. I get $10 each week for unnecessary food purcahses (fast food, eating out, pops, snacks for the kids while we are out)
2. Only buy groceries when they are on sale and I have a coupon for them. Which means I will have to do a great deal of planning ahead on what I am going to need.
3. I have to cook meals from what is in the pantry and freezer.
4. If we need any non-consumable items, we have to wait at least 2 weeks to make the purchase, and it has to be on sale (or have a coupon) or it has to be used. The 2 week wait period will ensure we really need the item we have been wanting.
5. I have to blog my shopping trips and meal plan...so I stay accountable to my readers.
6. No items are to be purchased unless they are necessary.
7. If the kids want items that are unnecesary they will have to earn and save their money for these purchases.
Thank you for keeping me accountable and for sharing in this journey with me :)
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