Well, this week's shopping has turned out better than I thought.
Yesterday, I attempted K-Mart, again. Well, to make a long story short, I won't be shopping or attempting again. Ugh!! I guess they get to make up the rules as they go. Even though I had a copy of the coupon policy, they still wouldn't double my diaper coupons. So, I went to customer service and showed the Assistant Manager, and she said that it wasn't a double coupon day. But, she doesn't know when those days are, but they aren't having any of those days right now. After me pressing the issue, she finally gave me my money back for the coupons being doubled. (It didn't help my mood that Beth was screaming and Zack was ready to go either!)
But, today made up for all of yesterday's frustration. And affirmed my decision of ordering clipped coupons this week. I ended up with 30 cans of tomatoes for .02 each, 10 boxes of Minute Rice for .25 each, and 15 bags of frozen veggies for .33 each. Yay!!! I did get some other stuff, but those were my best deals. Oh, I did get a pound package of chicken fried steak for .07. I also ended up with 2 gallons of milk, some bananas and cheese, and a couple other odds and ends.
Are you ready for the grand total? Retail price was $149.86. I spent $31.72 out of pocket. A total of 79% savings! I am so very excited!!
Best week yet!!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
New Couponing Territory
As many of you know, I started couponing about 5 months ago. We've now cut our grocery/shopping budget to a third of what it was. All this time, I've been sticking to this good advice that I was given when I first started of never paying for coupons. Well, today, I bought coupons from a clipping service for the first time.
I know, I know... what was I thinking?! Well, my thoughts were this: Pay $4 for coupons that I will use this week, and that includes shipping charges, and get over $100 of groceries for the week. So, I'm going to try this out. If it all works out, I will be getting 30 cans of tomatoes for .02 each, 15 frozen veggies for .33 each, and 20 Minute Rice for .25 each.
I'll post either Friday night or Saturday with the results. We shall see if this is worth it...
Also found some interesting information about K-Mart. Did anyone know that they double ALL coupons up to $2, on a purchase of $25 or more?! They have diapers and cereal on sale this week, so I'm going to be trying this out either Friday or Saturday as well. So excited! I'll keep ya posted!
To be continued...
I know, I know... what was I thinking?! Well, my thoughts were this: Pay $4 for coupons that I will use this week, and that includes shipping charges, and get over $100 of groceries for the week. So, I'm going to try this out. If it all works out, I will be getting 30 cans of tomatoes for .02 each, 15 frozen veggies for .33 each, and 20 Minute Rice for .25 each.
I'll post either Friday night or Saturday with the results. We shall see if this is worth it...
Also found some interesting information about K-Mart. Did anyone know that they double ALL coupons up to $2, on a purchase of $25 or more?! They have diapers and cereal on sale this week, so I'm going to be trying this out either Friday or Saturday as well. So excited! I'll keep ya posted!
To be continued...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Better Outlook
It's amazing what a good night's sleep can do.
Feeling much better today. Still don't have an answer. However, I woke up this morning with a much better outlook on life. And, no matter what is in store for me, I think I am ready for whatever way the wind blows.
Also, I'm sorry for causing so much concern from yesterday's post. All it was, was me having a bad day and getting out some much frustration. I want everyone to know how sorry I am, and how much better I am today!
I love you all!!
Feeling much better today. Still don't have an answer. However, I woke up this morning with a much better outlook on life. And, no matter what is in store for me, I think I am ready for whatever way the wind blows.
Also, I'm sorry for causing so much concern from yesterday's post. All it was, was me having a bad day and getting out some much frustration. I want everyone to know how sorry I am, and how much better I am today!
I love you all!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
In a funk
I'm having a rough day, so I decided to vent my feelings on here. Maybe not the best outlet, but here we go anyway.
So, I am at a crossroads in my life. And, for the first time, ever, I don't really know what to do. There are two paths to choose from, and I am so conflicted inside, I could just scream.
One the one hand, I could go down one way, and maybe survive. But the thought of that path makes me scared. It's scary trying something new.
On the other hand, I could go the other way, and the thought of that makes me sick to my stomach. Absolutely ill.
So, how do you choose? I really don't have an answer yet. And, for now, writing it out on here is my only outlet. But, I know through prayer and turning my problem over to Heavenly Father, I will come to the right answer for me. As scary as it might be.
So, I am at a crossroads in my life. And, for the first time, ever, I don't really know what to do. There are two paths to choose from, and I am so conflicted inside, I could just scream.
One the one hand, I could go down one way, and maybe survive. But the thought of that path makes me scared. It's scary trying something new.
On the other hand, I could go the other way, and the thought of that makes me sick to my stomach. Absolutely ill.
So, how do you choose? I really don't have an answer yet. And, for now, writing it out on here is my only outlet. But, I know through prayer and turning my problem over to Heavenly Father, I will come to the right answer for me. As scary as it might be.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
2011 Goals
I've been reflecting on the last year, and looking toward this year, and have decided to actually put my thoughts and plans for the new year out there. Then, maybe, I can be more accountable for the things I want to get done.
First off, I am really hoping to blog and get my thoughts written out more often. I'd love to do this multiple times a week, but for now I am shooting for once a week. Along with this goal, I am also hoping to get caught up to date with my scrap booking, at least digitally. As of right now, I have finished putting together the boy's baby books and 2009 family scrapbook. So, I still need to do Beth's baby book and 2010 family. If I can get this accomplished, I am hoping to get a handle on all the paper pictures and stuff that need to go in physical scrapbooks. This is a much bigger task, and right now seems unrealistic. So, we shall see.
Another craft project that I really want to accomplish this year is the jean quilt. Adam has had this small piece of one since before we were married. I've been promising him ever since that I would finish it. We have plenty of old jeans to do it, just need to find the motivation to get it done.
Another thing I want to do this year is go through all the cooking magazines I have and pick a new recipe to try each week. If it is a keeper, I will write it in my cookbook, if not, it goes in the trash. I am hoping this will declutter the cookbook shelf on our china hutch, as well as put some new ideas in for dinner etc.
My last two goals for this year go hand in hand. I am hoping to pay off the last of our "small" debt. This is a biggie for me, and it will include our student loans, hospital bills, and a couple other little items from the old business and such. I'm not going to post what the total is, but it's a good chunk. Along with this big weighing task, I am hoping to save up to do two good vacations this year. One to Branson and the other to Idaho. With our truck being paid off, finally, and Adam's job bonuses the last two months, we are making progress toward both of these financial goals. (That, and me cutting our budget to the near minimum!)
Well, I think that is it! I will post my progress as we continue working on this list of activities/goals. Do any of you have big plans for the new year?
First off, I am really hoping to blog and get my thoughts written out more often. I'd love to do this multiple times a week, but for now I am shooting for once a week. Along with this goal, I am also hoping to get caught up to date with my scrap booking, at least digitally. As of right now, I have finished putting together the boy's baby books and 2009 family scrapbook. So, I still need to do Beth's baby book and 2010 family. If I can get this accomplished, I am hoping to get a handle on all the paper pictures and stuff that need to go in physical scrapbooks. This is a much bigger task, and right now seems unrealistic. So, we shall see.
Another craft project that I really want to accomplish this year is the jean quilt. Adam has had this small piece of one since before we were married. I've been promising him ever since that I would finish it. We have plenty of old jeans to do it, just need to find the motivation to get it done.
Another thing I want to do this year is go through all the cooking magazines I have and pick a new recipe to try each week. If it is a keeper, I will write it in my cookbook, if not, it goes in the trash. I am hoping this will declutter the cookbook shelf on our china hutch, as well as put some new ideas in for dinner etc.
My last two goals for this year go hand in hand. I am hoping to pay off the last of our "small" debt. This is a biggie for me, and it will include our student loans, hospital bills, and a couple other little items from the old business and such. I'm not going to post what the total is, but it's a good chunk. Along with this big weighing task, I am hoping to save up to do two good vacations this year. One to Branson and the other to Idaho. With our truck being paid off, finally, and Adam's job bonuses the last two months, we are making progress toward both of these financial goals. (That, and me cutting our budget to the near minimum!)
Well, I think that is it! I will post my progress as we continue working on this list of activities/goals. Do any of you have big plans for the new year?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
2010 Christmas letter
We hope this year’s letter is finding you and your family well.
Our house has been slower in some areas and busier in others this year. It seems, every time I think things are going to calm down and even out, something new happens. I guess that’s just life.
Adam is still working for Schlumberger in Elk City, so we’ve had no moves this year. Yea! He goes on spurts where he is home almost every night, then goes several weeks where we don’t hardly see him. However, I am still so thankful that we get to see him as much as we do. It is sooo much better than him driving truck.
I (Amber) still love being at home with the kids. They fill my days, and I am never bored. We seem to always have something or another going on, and I love every minute of it… well, most of the time, anyway. One of the highlights for me this past year was being sealed in the Oklahoma City Temple in January. It was a wonderful event for our family, and I am very grateful for all the prayers from our friends and family to help this happen.
Nick turned 5 this year. He started Pre-K in August, and absolutely loves it. His teacher, at parent teacher conference, says that he is at the head of his class, and in October already knew the rest of the year’s curriculum. She has been working with him on his letters to get ready to read for next year. I just hope he has a good teacher next year, and isn’t bored. He was very confused at the beginning of school, wondering why he couldn’t have homework. So, I fixed him, and we do “homework” several times a week now. I must admit, I have a mini-me. I just hope he continues to like school and continues to do well. Time will tell…
Zack is 3, and getting to be quite the big boy. He wears size 5 clothes, and is nearly as tall as Nick. He loves that brother goes to school, and loves the
one-on-one time that him and I get nearly every day. He is his little sister’s biggest protector, and is in her hip pocket at her every waking moment. He is the most loving little boy I’ve ever known, but it can flip on the drop of a dime. We are still working on getting him to verbally express his emotions, because he holds a lot in. Hmmm… sounds like someone else I know.
Beth joined our family in April. She made it just a few minutes before midnight on the 12th. She was four weeks early and weighed 5 pounds 12 oz. She is growing fast, though, and will be 9 months old this month. Seems like they grow faster and faster. She is, by far, the busiest child of the three, and is army crawling wherever she wants to go. It won’t be long and she will be crawling on all fours. She loves to growl, eat, and play with her brothers.
We were very fortunate to be able to travel this year. We made trips to Fort Worth, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho, all to visit with family that we’ve missed terribly. It was wonderful getting to see everyone, and we look forward to being able to travel again soon.
Two other exciting events for my extended family were my grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary this year and my little cousin, Brandon, getting married. On the flip side of that, my great Granny passed away this summer, and she will be greatly missed. And we also lost our first furry baby, Shadow, to the heat this summer. Snoopy, along with the rest of us, really misses him.
I think that is all the highlights of our 2010. We hope that each and every one of you are doing well, enjoyed your holidays, and have a wonderful 2011.
Love,
Adam, Amber, Nick, Zack, and Beth
Our house has been slower in some areas and busier in others this year. It seems, every time I think things are going to calm down and even out, something new happens. I guess that’s just life.
Adam is still working for Schlumberger in Elk City, so we’ve had no moves this year. Yea! He goes on spurts where he is home almost every night, then goes several weeks where we don’t hardly see him. However, I am still so thankful that we get to see him as much as we do. It is sooo much better than him driving truck.
I (Amber) still love being at home with the kids. They fill my days, and I am never bored. We seem to always have something or another going on, and I love every minute of it… well, most of the time, anyway. One of the highlights for me this past year was being sealed in the Oklahoma City Temple in January. It was a wonderful event for our family, and I am very grateful for all the prayers from our friends and family to help this happen.
Nick turned 5 this year. He started Pre-K in August, and absolutely loves it. His teacher, at parent teacher conference, says that he is at the head of his class, and in October already knew the rest of the year’s curriculum. She has been working with him on his letters to get ready to read for next year. I just hope he has a good teacher next year, and isn’t bored. He was very confused at the beginning of school, wondering why he couldn’t have homework. So, I fixed him, and we do “homework” several times a week now. I must admit, I have a mini-me. I just hope he continues to like school and continues to do well. Time will tell…
Zack is 3, and getting to be quite the big boy. He wears size 5 clothes, and is nearly as tall as Nick. He loves that brother goes to school, and loves the
one-on-one time that him and I get nearly every day. He is his little sister’s biggest protector, and is in her hip pocket at her every waking moment. He is the most loving little boy I’ve ever known, but it can flip on the drop of a dime. We are still working on getting him to verbally express his emotions, because he holds a lot in. Hmmm… sounds like someone else I know.
Beth joined our family in April. She made it just a few minutes before midnight on the 12th. She was four weeks early and weighed 5 pounds 12 oz. She is growing fast, though, and will be 9 months old this month. Seems like they grow faster and faster. She is, by far, the busiest child of the three, and is army crawling wherever she wants to go. It won’t be long and she will be crawling on all fours. She loves to growl, eat, and play with her brothers.
We were very fortunate to be able to travel this year. We made trips to Fort Worth, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho, all to visit with family that we’ve missed terribly. It was wonderful getting to see everyone, and we look forward to being able to travel again soon.
Two other exciting events for my extended family were my grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary this year and my little cousin, Brandon, getting married. On the flip side of that, my great Granny passed away this summer, and she will be greatly missed. And we also lost our first furry baby, Shadow, to the heat this summer. Snoopy, along with the rest of us, really misses him.
I think that is all the highlights of our 2010. We hope that each and every one of you are doing well, enjoyed your holidays, and have a wonderful 2011.
Love,
Adam, Amber, Nick, Zack, and Beth
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