Super Saturday Shopping ...

Well, my sister and I went to Publix today instead of this coming Monday.  I have a bus meeting on Monday, when we usually go.  We had another great day of shopping, even though it is raining outside.  It didnt' stop us from getting what deals are out there.

This week at Publix you can get bags of Kibbles & Bits for free or as low as .49 cents.  They have them BOGO and you can print a couple from Coupons for $2.50 off ONE bag.  This is definitely a STOCK UP!!

My total purchase was $218.86 -- I paid $85.43 and SAVED $133.43!!! 

Can't wait to see what next week holds ... What good deals are you finding???

Shopping day at Publix ...

My sister and I go to Publix's on Monday.  We go with out list and coupons in hand.  It makes it easier to go with each other, because if one doesn't have a coupon for something, the other one will.  We help each other out. 

Today was a good day.  I got to stock up on a few things .. love when you can do that.  I will start posting my shopping trips and how much I saved.  I haven't learned everything, but I am getting there. 

I spent $99 out of pocket and saved $132!!!!

Household Monday ...

In thinking about my post today ... about the big picture of getting out of debt.  I thought about all the little steps we can do to get to the bigger picture.  I think it is the smaller things we can do to get out of debt faster.  Things like; making coffee at home, instead of  stopping at Starbucks - that along could save you hundreds.  What about taking your lunch to work or school instead of eating out?  I know from experience, when I use to work, could save you anywhere from $5.00 to $10.00 per day.  That could quickly add up. 

I am already doing a lot of the smaller things to help my family get out of debt.  But one area that I am really working on is in my grocery bill.  I have always done a budget amount for groceries but most months have gone over it.  I can remember months charging my groceries.  (I know .. not smart .. if I had only known then what i know now!!)  Thank goodness I have finally learned.  So for the past month or so I have really been trying hard to stay in my grocery budget. 

I have always done coupons, and for the most part, thought I was doing good.  I mean, I was saving about $20 to $30 per shopping visit.  Thanks good, right?  Well, I thought so .. until my sister and I went to  coupon workshop.  OH MY GOODNESS!!   I learned that I can save much much more, just by changing a few simple things.   Here are a couple of things that I learned: 

1 - Don't go to the store with your "Need list" -- you need to go to the store with your "Use list".  This was an eye opener for me.   You want to look through the sales papers and find what is on sale that you use and stock up!!  For example:  mayonaise, ketchup, laundry detergent, etc.  These are the things that we use alot of, so when the items are at rock bottom prices, I stock up.   You want to buy enough for 10 to 12 weeks.  That is usually how long it takes for an item to go back on sale. 

2 - Never ever buy anything at full price.  You wait until the items goes on sale.  That is why you stock up.  If you have to keep going to the store to buy items that you "need" you are paying full price.  Take cereal for example -- if you get it when you run out you will be paying anywhere from $4.50 and up per box.  They will put it on sale for under $2.00

Tune in next week for more tips on "How to cut your grocery bill".  You dont' want to miss it.

Household Monday ....

Well ... it feels great to be back among the living.  It feels nice to have my thyroid running half way descent.  Now, maybe if I would keep a better check on it ... it won't get so out of sorts. 

In my quest to become better organized in the year ... I am not doing so good.   I have fallen behind on my monthly organization challenges.  I haven't done really bad, but I have lost focus.  I was going to have my daughters room done by now, but we haven't finished.  It is not totally my fault.  I am waiting on a lady to get a desk  painted for her room.  Found one a resale shop and  she is going to refinish it and paint it white, but we are still waiting on it.  Got to get some shelves to hang up too.  It sure does look better though. 

And for the month of February, I was going to get my sons room done.  I haven't even started on it.  Maybe in the next couple of weeks we can get his done.  It wont' take as long because he just wants one color and some little paint decorations.  His will look really cool too!!  When it is done ... lol 

I am doing better with my budget!!!  YEA!!  I am really proud of myself ....  I have always cut coupons but never really got the hang of it.  I would always save a few here and few there, but nothing really big.  My sister and I went to a work shop and learned so much.  I figured out what I was doing wrong.  Holy cow!!  I am totally saving money and my kitchen is full of food.  I am trying to get my grocery budget under $600 per month and so far this month, I under.  Not a whole lot, but I am not over, which I normally am.  I cant' wait to have that extra money to go towards a bill to help get us out of debt sooner.  That would be fabulous!!  I am going to try to start taking pictures of my shopping trips.  I am not the best at this yet, but I am doing really good.  Went to Publix today and saved $87 and spent $84 ... got stocked up on laundry detergent and a few other items.  Just think .. before the workshop I would have only saved about $20 in coupons.   To be continued .....

Expired Coupons

What do you do with your expired coupons?  I have always thrown mine away until I found that the military can use them.  Here is some infomation about sending your expired coupons:

• Coupons are accepted under the same conditions that are stated on the coupon
• Store coupons can not be accepted at commissaries…only manufacturer coupons
• Expired coupons can be used only at overseas commissaries (up to 6 months).  Otherwise they must be in date.
• Commissaries do not double or triple coupons.
• Internet coupons are acceptable as long as they are manufacturer coupons.
• When sending expired (or any) coupons to overseas commissaries, please cut them out of the insert before sending.

This is a great activity to involve your kids.  Not only is it an opportunity to have a conversation about the sacrifice our military makes for our freedom, but you will also receive a Thank You note several weeks after sending them. You can send coupons you aren’t going to use or expired coupons to:

Kristi Seigrist, Family Services Coordinator
48 FSS/FSFR
Unit 5200, Box 105
APO, AE 09461For more information, visit http://www.commissaries.com/