My social life has gotten in the way of...

COUPONING. I decided to follow the krazykouponladies suggestions and put them all in a binder by category. Boy is that time consuming but oh so worth it. I have used a lot more coupons and my stockpile is growing as we speak lol. I spent the evening re arranging my kitchen cabinets to take an inventory of what I have and what I need. I wil take pictures and pstt it this evening. I have also decided to start babysitting for a frined for 6 weeks. I know I am adding to my already hectic life but I have always wanted a kitchen aide so I am putting the money towards that and the rest owards redoing the kids rooms. We ae considering movie across country so that news maybe coming soon.

Reality

I think it hit hard yesterday. I finally realized that as much as I want too I cannot do everythinig by myself. Thats a very hard thing for me to say. I have major control issues and I need to learn how to let go. Like I said before we will be married 10 years this year and are still very young. Statistics were stacked against us but somehow we made it work.

My husband works very hard to support us but unfortunatly that makes me the primary parent 80% of the time. Having two with medical issues was fine. I could handle it. Now balancing school IEPS therapy and my other two children plus extra activities. moms group,crafting,couponing,cooking not sleepimng nearly as much as I should finally got to me. I am finally taing the ofers of let me take the kids for awhile. WHich as I said is hard for me. Hopefully it will help make a less stressed me.

50 Goals for 2011

Instead of making a couple of New Year's resolutions, I decided to make a list of goals I would like to try and accomplish in 2011.
1. Be more patient with the kids.
2. Floss everyday.
3. Follow fly lady so my house can stay clean.
4. do more once a month mom cooking.
5. Follow cvs deal scenarios every week.
6. Find a way to exercise regularly.
7. Cut my grocery bill in half with coupons.
8. Re do the kids rooms
9. Finish rearranging kitchen cabinets
10. Build my stockpile.
11. Be a better advocate for Eric and Corina.
12. Autism walk 2011
13. Get the kids involved in charity.
14. Continue date nights every other week.
15. NKOTB concert!!!
16. Continue posting regularly on my blog, and learn how to give my blog a makeover. (Anyone know how?)
17. Spend more individual time with the kids.
18. Stick to a budget.
19. Use Corinas respite care.
20. Spend less money on eating out.
21. Learn how to cook more meals.
22. Plan a family vacation this summer.
23. Save money for vegas.
24. Convince travis to go to vegas.
25. Renew our wedding vows. 10 years :)
26. Find a new PCP I love.
27. Decorate our walls throughout our house.
28. Plan one special day per kid during the summer. Big plans :)
29. Spend a lot of time at the beach this summer.
30. Eat more healthy foods.
31. Take vitamens.
32. Use more coupons.
33. Work with the insurance company to pay for more therapy for Eric
34. Adriana gets braces.
35. Go to church every Sunday.
36. More quality time with the family.
37. Sew more.
38. Use my cricut cake for every birthday.
39. Volunteer more.
40. Say "I Love You" more and give more hugs to all of my loved ones.
41. Start Corina back in gymnastics.
42. Older two in sports through the church
43. Take more pictures.
44. scrapbook all the pictures.
45. spend more times on crafts.
46. Organize the house.
47. Go to moms group more.
48. volunteer at church more.
49. Get better at recycling everything that can be recycled.
50. Pay the kindness forward that has been shown to me.

So far so good.

I am trying very hard to keep this blog thing going. I have made a few promises to myself for the year so lets see if I can follow through with them. One of them of course is blogging even if I do not have a lot to post I am going to try and post something everyday. Whether it be crafts or coupons or just plain family life.

Today I went and bought a printer I finally gacve in. This way I can print coupons too. I also ordered coupons from a clipping service which is also new to me. I am official starting fly lady cleaning today as well. Later this evening I will post my plan of attack on couponing this week. Lets all try and build our stockpiles.

New year equals big plans.

In November this year my husband and I sat down and made a budget. Bad time of year to do that Christmas had different ideas. This year I am determined to stick to it. Last year a friend of mine introduced me to coupons. I thin I am finally at a point where I am comfortable using them and saving a ton of money. I have begun stockpiling things and am loving it. As a stay at home mom with four children every dime I can save is worth it to me.

The one thing I am not telling my hubby is exactly how much I am saving. I am going to be putting a small amount into a seperate acount. This coming December we will be married 10 years and I would like to save up a little money so we can do something special.

So here is what I bought today so you can see exactly how much I am saving,

Walgrees

chex mix is on sale for 0.099
I bought 5
I used 0.50 off of 2 (2)
which made my total 4.00 plus tax.
I then got 3.50 register rewards.

Which made it 0.50 plus tax for all 5.

My next purchase was pantene pro v shampoo and conditioner.
on sale this week 2 for 7 with a 2.00 RR
I then used a 3.00 off 2 coupon from last sundays paper
I also used my 3.50 RR from the chex mix.

Out of pocket I spent under a dollar and walked out with 2.oo in RR

I know I am not getting better at blogging. I have been making things I promise I somehow lost the battery charger for my camera. I am looking forward to a new year and a new schedule. I am planning on sticking to a schedule and a budget this year. Now that I have this coupon thing situated I think I can really do this. The kids have recently started saving money for a vacation in which we have told them we would match so we will this where this adventure takes us.

Christopher started school this week so I have a few hours to myself everyday which will hopefully get me blogging more. Eric started his therapy at U of M this week. I am glad we are finally getting somewhere on a diagnosis although not looking forward to driving over an hour once a week in the snow.

I finally got around to arranging my coupons.Here is my shopping plan for cvs this thursday/friday. Ontop of this each day you use your reusable cvs bag you get a credit and after 4 uses you earn an extra dollar :)



Transaction 1:

Gillette Odor Shield Deodorant 2.6oz for $4
Use $2 Gillette Deodorant P&G 10/31/2010

Carmex Lip Balm 0.15-0.35oz for $0.99
Use $0.30 Carmex Lip Balm SS 11/7/10

Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste 6oz for $3.99
Use $1 Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste Printable

Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste 6oz for $3.99
Use $1/1 Colgate Total or Colgate Sensitive 4.0 or larger SS 11/14

CASH: $8.67 + tax
EXTRA BUCKS RECEIVED: $4+$0.99 +$7.98
MERCHANDISE VALUE: $12.97 sale priced


Transaction 2:

2 Listerine Pocketpaks 3pk. for $2.99 x 2=5.98
Use 1 -- Listerine Pocketpaks, 24 ct+, … or Listerine Essential Care TP $0.50 SS 8/1/2010
1 -- Listerine Pocketpaks, 24ct+, … or any Listerine Essential Care Toothpaste $0.50 RP 10/10/2010

2 Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo or Conditioner 10.1oz for 2 x $3.99 =7.98
Use $1/2 Herbal Essences or Aussie Shampoo, Conditioner P&G 10/10

Advil PM 4ct for $0.99
Use $4+$0.99 +$7.98 ECB from transaction 1

CASH: $0 + tax
EXTRA BUCKS RECEIVED: $5.98+7.98+$0.99
MERCHANDISE VALUE: $14.95 sale priced


Transaction 3:

L.A. Looks Styling Gel 20oz for $2.99

Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Body lotion for $6.99
use $1 Eucerin Printable
or $1.00 Eucerin hand or body product 2oz - 16.9 oz RP 11/7

Excedrin Migraine, PM, or Extra Strength 8ct for $0.99

Renpure Organics Shampoo, Conditioner, 13.5oz or Amazing Miracle Reconstructor 8oz for $4.99

Use $5.98+7.98+$0.99ECB from transaction 2

CASH: $0.01 + tax
EXTRA BUCKS RECEIVED: $2.99+$6.99+$0.99+$4.99
MERCHANDISE VALUE: $15.96 sale priced


Transaction 4:

Philips In-ear headphones or Universal remote control for $6.99

5 Reese's Singles 1.4-2oz for 5 x $0.79= $3.95

Renpure Organics Shampoo, Conditioner, 13.5oz or Amazing Miracle Reconstructor 8oz for $4.99

Use $2.99+$6.99+$0.99+$4.99 ECB from transaction 3

CASH: $0.00 + tax
EXTRA BUCKS RECEIVED: $6.99+$3.95+$4.99
MERCHANDISE VALUE: $15.93 sale priced


Transaction 5:

5 Mars King Size Assorted 1.94-3.63oz for $1.59 x 5 = $7.95

Buy an item that costs up to $0.99, maybe a 99 cent Hallmark card or print a few family pictures from Thanksgiving to send in cards

Use $3.95+$4.99ECBs from transaction 4

CASH: $0 + tax
EXTRA BUCKS RECEIVED: $ 7.95
MERCHANDISE VALUE: $8.94 sale priced

Transaction 6:

Sarah Peyton Wellness: 4pc personal spa set. Hot or cold applications for $9.88

Xtra 2x Laundry detergent 28 loads For 1.99 (there are reports of $1/1 coupons in blinkie machines at Dollar General for this if you have access to them)

Buy an item that costs up to $3.07, maybe Hallmark cards or select toys that are B1G1.

Use $6.99 ECB from Transaction 4
$7.95 ECB from Transaction 5

CASH: $0 + tax
EXTRA BUCKS RECEIVED: $5 + $1
MERCHANDISE VALUE: $14.94 sale priced


TOTAL CASH: $8.68 tax
EXTRA BUCKS REMAINING: $5 + $1 = $6
MERCHANDISE VALUE: $83.69 sale priced