couponing

Let me start by saying that we have always tried to use coupons when we can, but with all the hype about "couponing" going around, I started to read lot more about what it is, how to do it etc. I have a friend who passed along all her tips and ticks as well. It seems like I use the concepts in a lot of our other shopping, but not nearly as much with groceries. It's pretty simple really, it just takes some time and dedication. It's basically just using a store coupon AND a manufacturer coupon only when the item is on sale and stocking up when the item is at it's rock bottom price. The idea is to never have to by anything full price again.

I went to Target a few days ago to see how good I could do. (I really need to credit Dan here for finding and printing most of the coupons I used) I think I had about 40 coupons and ended up saving at least $50.

An example would be the granola bars we usually buy. They are normally $2.99 a box. They were on sale for $2.50. Then I had a $1 off each box coupon and a buy 2 get $1 off. They ended up being just $1.00 a box.

I know in the past Dan has been able to get the $3.50 box of Cheerios for right around $1 a box as well. These are the sale I will start paying better attention to and stocking up when we can. Finding a place to put it all could pose a challenge for us though. There's only so much room in this little trailer. ;)

We will never be able to save as much as some because we stay away from a lot of the processed type foods that you can get for almost nothing. That is one thing Dan and I won't compromise on. Just cuz it's cheap (or even free) does not mean it's good for you.

So, I've got my coupon binder ready to be filled and I want to dedicate the next couple months to "couponing" with groceries to see how much we can really save. Thankfully, we live within about 2 miles of 5 major places to get groceries, so we won't have to haul all over to get to the good sales. Gas should certainly be taken into consideration.

This idea of couponing is not really all that new to me though. This is how I have always shopped for the kids clothes and toys. I have a tub of both boys and girls clothes that are the next couple sizes up then what they currently wear. Whenever I find a good sale or hit a great rummage sale, I stock up. Old Navy was having a 40% off clearance sale the other day. Boys long sleeve t-shirts were marked down to $4.99. 40% off that made them $2.99 and I had another 20% off coupon on top of that. I ended up getting the shirts for $2.39 a piece. I bought 3-4 for each of the boys and put them away for next school year.

I wanted to link to a site that I found very helpful.

http://www.thekrazycouponlady.com/

This is the link to the Old Navy Coupon I was referring to. The coupon I always shop with is $10 off $50. I only buy $50 so it would be the same as 20% off. If you don't get that coupon right away (or a better one), just refresh the page and try again.

http://www.oldnavyweekly.com/

There seems to be many places out there to print online coupons. As I find good sites, I will link to them. Feel free to add a coment if you have a site to share as well. :)
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good bye for good - RCU cc!!!

So .... I finally did it. I cut it up.

One of the scariest and most liberating things I have done in a while.

(We have been happy customers of RCU for about 15 years now. They have helped us in so many ways over the years. I really have nothing but great things to say about them and would recommend their services to anyone, but ..... a credit card is still a credit card... *sigh*)

I have been holding onto it as a safety net (which is the whole point of the emergency fund), but all it has done is get us into trouble. I think I was afraid to really just live on cash alone. It's a whole new way of life and although we have been doing a really good job of buying with cash, we were still using the card here and there. It's just too easy to spend when you don't have to cough up the money on the spot. It took me a while to do it, but I am so glad it is done. There have been way too many months where that card ends up with a + on it. I am super excited to see the amount on that card start to go down again!!!!!

It's really sad to know I am not even close to the only person out there that has been brainwashed to fear living on just cash. Credit cards bring some kind of false security which in reality does the complete opposite. This whole process is relearning an entire way of thinking and doing things. It's getting rid of bad habits and taking comfort when you learn a new healthy one. And most importantly, it's learning discipline.

Sadly, Americans have learned they can just have what they want when they want it. Few people earn what they want before they buy it and that is getting everyone into a lot of trouble. I'll be honest, I think is the hardest part of this whole process. Selling things we don't need or want anymore is easy. Working more is easy. Coupon clipping and watching for sales is actually kind of fun, but wanting something and having to say NO can be very difficult at times. In return though, we will gain contentment. That is better than any "thing" we have to say NO to!!
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Blessings - Our New Baby

I just realized that I didn't even post with the news of our newest family addition.

Niyah Grace - October, 16 - 8lbs. 3 oz. 20 3/4 inches

These pictures were taken when she was just 2 weeks old.





She is about 8 weeks here.

It's amazing to me how much the LORD continues to bless us.....day after day, year after year.
God is good!!
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February

Wow.... it's been a long time since I was on here. It's about time I update this thing. :)

Well, as you can see, we did not make as much progress the past few months as were making earlier in the year. Part of me feels a little bummed, but the other part of me looks at the overall picture of what we have accomplished in just a little over a year and I could not be happier. We have been paying such big payments on medical debt that I decided to add that amount to our chart as well. When I see the grand total, I just smile. Not only are we that much less in debt today than we were a year ago (which is awesome), but it represents everything we have been through as a family to get to this point. We're doing it!!!!...and we're doing it together!!!

If I could give just one piece of advice to anyone else who is in our shoes, or to anyone who might happen to read this, it would be to NOT GIVE UP!!! Know that you will have set backs and you will struggle some months, but keep going....you will get there!!!
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January

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December

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