Questions I have been asked

How many Sunday papers do you get? usually only 2-3 each week.

How do you store and sort your coupons? I clip each week and file them in my coupon box. I used to have a binder but after having to go to a second binder I decided a box would work better for me. Plus the binder won't really stay put in the baby seat in a buggie at the store. I also clip for my mother in law, who is a young 74 yrs old.

How many cvs cards do you have? I have one, my mil has one and if there is a GOOD deal I will go by her house and get her card so she can be hooked up on the deals.

Do you buy coupons anywhere? Yes, at times, not on a regular basis. I LOVE the gals at http://www.thecouponclippers.com/ they always seem to have the coupons that I need and their customer service is excellent. I don't know about anyone else as this is pretty much the only place I buy from consistently. I have tried ebay but haven't found someone that I am 'sold' on, if you know what I mean. BTW http://www.thecouponclippers.com/ has in no way asked for or compensated me to endorse their website, I do this on my own. When I believe in something I promote it to my best ability.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask, and I will be as honest as I can.

The challenge has begun!~

Ok, I was going through my coupons (end of the month) and I realized that there were some that I simply could not pass up~ so I decided to start my challenge today...well since it was almost 9pm when I got home it was 'technically' at night. Beloved gurl and mother in law came with me so it was a little time to show them what I 'do'. Actually gurl and I go most Saturday evenings for the cvs deals (it is some bonding time and she has racked up the 'filler' eyeliner quite nicely)... so off to CVS we went, and a quick trip to the local harvey's to get some lunch food for work on Friday..

Here is what we bought..
1 4pack of energizer AAA batteries
8 bottles of similac formula (NO I am not expecting, this is for a coworkers new baby)
4 Heath bars (fillers)
2 bottles pantene pro v
6 packages of lorna doone cookies (manbears fav snack)
2 colgate
2 Natures bounty vitamin d (for mil)
saved $99.97
spent $1.03 cash

At grocery store (for lunch on friday)
Wonder bread (free coupon)
2 Sunkist tuna used 2 $1 coupon
saved $4.49
spent $3.21

So total to start this year with with is
savings of $103.18
spent cash/check $4.24
$1495.76 left to spend for year

I'm starting to get excited

very excited!~ I can't wait to begin this challenge!

I have told only a handful of 'inskin' friends and while I have been met with some doubting tesses (TSK) most of them have been encouraging. One even said "if anyone can do it you can". Which made me smile and stand a bit taller. (thanks TF:)

As I sat back today and reflected on what this year, 2008, has brought to us, our family and our loved ones, I am amazed. We started the year a happy family of four, and even though this has been the roughest year within our family (not hubby but with one of the kids) I feel that we are tons closer than we were on January 1st. I love my kids and my husband more than ever, and I think we ALL have a better understanding of what to expect with life in general and in our family dynamics. This year brought a year of growth both physically and emotionally for the kids as well as us as parents. And although it was the roughest first few months we have ever had to endure I am glad that we are through it and emerging better people on the other side. This year also brought a reconnection with my long lost sister. I love her more than she can imagine and am glad she is back~ Also as a christian I feel I am in a much better place with my walk with God and where HE is as a priority in my life.

All in all 2008 was one of the roughest, toughest yet more rewarding years of my life.

I ask that God blesses you all this new year and may you find peace and love within yourselves and pass a bit of it on each day.

As we begin 2009 I wish for you all a year out of debt, full of love and may it be the most life affirming year you have ever had.

God bless you all~
Mari

Just a few more days until the challenge begins

And to assure you all of this, I have not been 'running out and stocking my freezer' as one friend suggested. I have done nothing that I wouldn't already do. I am simply keeping track of it in a better light this year. I am extremely excited and can't wait for this adventure to begin.

I got blessed with some gift cards to the local Micheal's craft store so I am thinking today I am going to go and see what they have for left over Christmas sells. I might add to my collection of scrapbooking pages and get some pictures actually printed today.

Blessings to you all~
Mari

Here's the link to the woman

who has done the yearly shopping for under $800. I am still in amazement that she did it... what a great gal~


http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/

Do you think I can do it?

My new goal for 2009~ feed and HBA my family for under $1500 a year. Can it be done? I am thinking so. This does also include our seven ( YEP 7) fur children. But doesn't count prescriptions or medical expenses (except for things that can be bought over the counter). Who thinks I will be able to do it? AND do it so we aren't eating beanie weenies and Mac n cheese all the time??? I have no doubt in myself at all... at all...at all. I have been inspired by a lovely lady who did it on $800 a year... and while she has done beautifully I think my goal of $1500 is more optainable for us, seeing as we have so many pets. We love them all and couldn't even consider parting with one of them so putting them down or giving them away isn't an option for us. They are also 100% inside so that is good, we rarely have flea problems.

Now what is covered in this $1500? ANYTHING we eat, drink, medicate with (not prescriptions) or clean with. Everything from detergent, toilet paper, wipes and tylenol. Maxipads, crackers and chicken. Everything.. Everything.

$1500 broken down to a level like this...$125 a month~$28.85 a week~$4.11 a day. Can it be done? We shall see.

I will be starting this on January 1, 2009 and continuing it until December 31, 2009 and I hope you all will come along for the ride.

Stockpile

Ok, Manbear was out of town for a week and half helping with Hurricane Ike recovery in Galveston texas so I decided to orgainize our closet/pantry. I found that I had a huge stockpile of items. I was glad.. however I discovered that alot of it had expired. So this is my 'new' idea of stockpiling... I need stuff we use on a daily basis or items with LOOOONNNNGG expiration dates. I mean my 8 free dukes mayo's were great from HT's triple but when I have to throw them out cuz they are expired (and by many many months) then I have to look at how much we use. Ok, now I KNOW I don't need to worry about the 27 electresol's that I have or the 19 windex's that I have, they will be used even past the 'expiration' date. But I am wondering what is the 'safest' date to go past on food? Unopened cans of soup, boxes of cereal, yogo bites and condiments. I threw away LITERALLY nine 13 gallon trash bags full of food that was expired. Not to mention the 11 boxes I gave to the local food bank to help with the refilling of the shelves but most of my 'stash' ended up going to the trash and that made me sad....

On the upbeat I did get LOTS of cleaning done when manbear was gone. Yippie for me!

DD is driving me batty, literally and ds is still his sweet non confrontational self (which in its own way a bit scary). Life is getting back to normal and I am about to embark in a new way of storing my coupons. WIll update you all later on how that is going.
Blessings to you all~!
Mari

ps. Worker bosslady had a baby that weighed 9#3oz.. OUCH! Everyone is doing fine and I can't wait to come see the little bugger and hold it.

Feeling taken advantage of

I feel so taken advantage of by many people in my life. It is like I am expected to be this wonderfully cheery person all the time and to be honest it gets old quickly. I have feelings, I have issues, I have problems. I am also one with feelings and expectations of my own. People just seem to skirt around the issues alot with me. Listen, I KNOW I am fat.. it isn't like one day I woke up weighing 260 lbs. It has slowly creeped on, over the last 14 years. Yes, I know this. Do I need a reminder of it when I am with you and grab a coke? When I watch you eat 2 bags of chips and bellyache about being fat yourself? NO! Do I need to hear crackpot jokes about me and being treated rudely in front of others? No! I get tired of people always 'teasing' me and calling me lazy. One thing I am not is lazy. I may not get up and exercise like a mad woman on a daily basis but I am not lazy by any means~
Thanks for letting me post.

My newest addition to the stockpile

I found me some good coupons. I found some items that are 'free after purchase' on the side, and to be honest normally I pass by those in a heartbeat. However give me a day off and a day to do laundry and I can figure out the cheapest way to buy something. I am pumped. I have added 12 crystal lights, 4 hotdogs, 8 dressings and about 72 packs of koolaid to the stockpile for under $20. I am cool!

I am about to take kiddos to the beach and live out a fantasy. No, not THAT type of fantasy~!~ Get your mind out of the gutter. The 'I'm the mom who can work and still be fun' fantasy... ehhehehehe. I am still wanting to be the 'fun' mom and the mom who can do it all. I am wanting the best for the family and needing to be the 'me' mom that I was prior to working. I have to just find that happy medium.

Ok, we're off to beach and to me taking some good family pics!~

Money saved today

Publix

2 snack crackers
package of kraft cheese
package of oscar mayer hot dogs

paid $5.27
used a coupon for free cheese AND free hotdogs.
EXCELLENT deal!

My first blog

Hello all you blog readers out there!~ How are you this fine day/evening/morning? I hope you are well. I am Mari, a mother, wife, friend, daughter and Child of God. Can you believe that on Monday it will be JULY! Where has this year gone? I'm not sure but I am thinking that I was working for most of it~ heheheheh. I love my job, although it has it moments and its 'people'... ehhehehehe. I am going to have to call my time in for work so I will cut this short, I just wanted to get this first blog out there. Love ya'll and God bless your day~