Why would you think that Wednesday is my kids favorite day of the week?
Well, first I have five, and they always seems to be hungry, so it's no coincidence that Wednesday just happens to be double coupon day at my local grocer.
My family knows that if I didn't do the coupon thing(I'm actually pretty good at it now) they wouldn't get half of the extra "goodies" that stock our shelves!
I never used to buy the "name brand" hot new item out on the shelf. Even if I did have a coupon, it didn't make a dent in the price compared to the generic version if there even was one.
Every time I go, I have a list in hand and freshly printed coupons that I gather from a couple of websites like CouponMom.com while drinking my coffee in the morning before everyone gets up. It takes about ten minutes.
My mission is to see how much I can save on Wednesday. Most coupons that I print usually can be doubled. My store will double anything up to a dollar! It may be only the first $5-10 that can be doubled . Each store is different. Check your guideline. You also can "stack" your coupons on store promos. This is where the $$$$ start saving! When I make my list I also have my legal size envelopes. I have them labeled how my store is setup(dairy,frozen, cereal, etc). this makes it much easier so I am not sifting through 100's of coupons. Remember, I have a 2yr old in the cart!
I check their ad's online or at the store quickly( I really don't spend much time on it, a quick glance) so I know ahead of time if there are some really good deals out there. I also am prepared to vary from my list on occasion. For example, if today, I have a coupon for a $1 off of Miracle Whip and the store has a great in-store deal of $2/5(since it's summer time), I'll get it even if it's not on my list. Who wouldn't want mayo for potato salad(you know how much you need for that!) for 50 cents! Plus, any of those 2/5 deals or 10 for 10 deals, most stores do not make you buy the large qty to get the great price! we now get to enjoy a "new" item in the pantry or freezer that we would not have otherwise. Thanks to technology, I save anywhere from $35-almost $80) per trip. It took me longer to write this blog than prep for the store. I'm in and out in 45 minutes.
Some of my best freebies or greatest saving in the last week have been:
Miracle Whip
Jello Pudding(free)
Nature Valley Granola Bars
General Mills cereals (this is perfect for cereal with the rising cost!)
Yoplait yogurt(free)
Sara Lee cheesecake
Ball Park hot dogs(free)
Pop tarts
California Pizza
Digornio Pizza
Kraft Cheese
Also, my teenage girls love that I can do this with Cover Girl and L'Oreal makeup coupons also. They will frequently ask me if I have any coupons for these on Wednesdays. If the coupon says they need to buy 2 of an item ,the girls will split the cost and they can add the coupons on clearance makeup too. Grocery stores rotate their makeup often to bring in the newest color or item so they will mark thing s75-80 percent off. One day the girls came home with a load of makeup(retail about $25) and they paid $3. Each girl paid $1.50!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Green spends the same
It's that time of year again when young people look for the annual summer job.
Many kids have found it more difficult this year since ,either there are not as many positions available or they have been snatched up by adults who have held a position of the like for the last 20 years. This is our economy. Survival of the fittest and fastest.
What the teens have failed to realize this year is that there is more competition for less positions. We adults seem to be aware of this secret that has escaped our youth.
I discovered this as I have suggested(o.k. badgered) my teens to start applying for a summer job. Mom and Dad are not their go to piggy bank. Also, the eldest is driving and we have told her that this is a privilege and not a right. When school is out, she needs to start contributing to gas and insurance.
For the past 6 weeks I have suggested(yes, still badgering) that they start applying only to have them tell me that they were too busy. They would get on it right after track season was done. I did indicate that this would probably be too late.
Well, track season ended on Friday. The girls got up(actually I had to wake them at 10:00am on Saturday morning) to go out and apply for their jobs.
My husband and I had to run errands and off we went. Two hours later we returned and shockingly our daughters were also here. When I asked if they looked for jobs, they both replied with smiling faces, "yes, two each"! I was stunned. I'm not sure if my mouth hanging open was the reason the younger of the two instantly asked "what's wrong Mom?"
When I asked where they had applied, the oldest gave me a clothing store(ya know it's very cool and you get a discount)and a coffee shop. The younger applied to a sandwich shop and a local veterinarian. So I ventured on. Did they have a job opening or were they just taking applications I asked? They had huge stacks of applications Mom, see how popular they are? Everyone wants to work there. They said they would call if something comes up!
What happened to the grocery store, the drug store, the car wash, McDonald's???
In unison they replied, " We can't work there, that's where the creepy kids work".
Shocked, I responded "Did you you know that all of those places had help wanted signs? The "creepy" kids are laughing all the way to the bank. Did you also know that the employers all pay with the same green money. It doesn't matter if you are creepy or not. Also, the gas tank, the movie theatre and the local eatery do not care where you earned your money. Green spends the same."
Many kids have found it more difficult this year since ,either there are not as many positions available or they have been snatched up by adults who have held a position of the like for the last 20 years. This is our economy. Survival of the fittest and fastest.
What the teens have failed to realize this year is that there is more competition for less positions. We adults seem to be aware of this secret that has escaped our youth.
I discovered this as I have suggested(o.k. badgered) my teens to start applying for a summer job. Mom and Dad are not their go to piggy bank. Also, the eldest is driving and we have told her that this is a privilege and not a right. When school is out, she needs to start contributing to gas and insurance.
For the past 6 weeks I have suggested(yes, still badgering) that they start applying only to have them tell me that they were too busy. They would get on it right after track season was done. I did indicate that this would probably be too late.
Well, track season ended on Friday. The girls got up(actually I had to wake them at 10:00am on Saturday morning) to go out and apply for their jobs.
My husband and I had to run errands and off we went. Two hours later we returned and shockingly our daughters were also here. When I asked if they looked for jobs, they both replied with smiling faces, "yes, two each"! I was stunned. I'm not sure if my mouth hanging open was the reason the younger of the two instantly asked "what's wrong Mom?"
When I asked where they had applied, the oldest gave me a clothing store(ya know it's very cool and you get a discount)and a coffee shop. The younger applied to a sandwich shop and a local veterinarian. So I ventured on. Did they have a job opening or were they just taking applications I asked? They had huge stacks of applications Mom, see how popular they are? Everyone wants to work there. They said they would call if something comes up!
What happened to the grocery store, the drug store, the car wash, McDonald's???
In unison they replied, " We can't work there, that's where the creepy kids work".
Shocked, I responded "Did you you know that all of those places had help wanted signs? The "creepy" kids are laughing all the way to the bank. Did you also know that the employers all pay with the same green money. It doesn't matter if you are creepy or not. Also, the gas tank, the movie theatre and the local eatery do not care where you earned your money. Green spends the same."
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Looking back "After- Prom"
Looks like many kids were feeling the pinch of Prom this spring. This has always been a rite of passage for young people. My daughter had been waiting longingly for a couple of years. Here are a few things that my daughter and her friends did on their own to save money for Prom this year.
Dresses: These can be the most expensive part of the event. Some kids will drop $400 (more than some wedding dresses) for a lavish dress that will be worn once.
To save many of the girls did a "swap" a couple of months before. This gives an opportunity for reuse and any alterations if need be.
Additionally , my sister in law, who happens to be my thrifty guru went with her daughter last year, after prom to all of the bridal stores,fine fashion stores and found dresses that had retailed formerly for $400 down to $25. She bought eight! She has 3 daughters. Beautiful. Not dated.
Therefore, my daughter promptly went to her cousins and raided her closet.
Shoes: Remember the fancy high dollar heels that match? Now girls are trying the more "funky" fun options. Flip flops, Converse, etc. all personalized for the occasion.
The Ride: What Prom is a Prom without some kick butt ride? A Stretch Hummer limo. 14 kids got together and made a deal with the local limo guy. He couldn't pick them up early enough to be to the destination in time for pictures (due to a previous commitment) but would cut the price in half and drive for them the remainder of the evening (until 1 am)!What a deal.
Pictures: Since the kids were going to miss pictures anyway, we met at a pretty backdrop destination to do our own. Our house , at the pond. Beautiful but a bit windy. When we look at the pictures they turned out great! Her cousin found a beautiful park setting, nothing but a green back drop. Stunning.
Accessories: With all of the other savings, some girls opted to have their hair and makeup done , but most did their own. Actually , the comments I heard after , were that everyone who had their hair done , all had the same style!
Tuxes: Guys, it stinks. You shell out almost $150 and you don't even get to keep it! Not that you would wear it again either. Mom will almost certainly look for coupons for a tux. Don't be afraid to use them. It's the new chic. Five years ago, it used to be bragging rights to see who spent the most money on something, now ,who save the most wins!
Off to find this years "clearance prom" dresses!
Dresses: These can be the most expensive part of the event. Some kids will drop $400 (more than some wedding dresses) for a lavish dress that will be worn once.
To save many of the girls did a "swap" a couple of months before. This gives an opportunity for reuse and any alterations if need be.
Additionally , my sister in law, who happens to be my thrifty guru went with her daughter last year, after prom to all of the bridal stores,fine fashion stores and found dresses that had retailed formerly for $400 down to $25. She bought eight! She has 3 daughters. Beautiful. Not dated.
Therefore, my daughter promptly went to her cousins and raided her closet.
Shoes: Remember the fancy high dollar heels that match? Now girls are trying the more "funky" fun options. Flip flops, Converse, etc. all personalized for the occasion.
The Ride: What Prom is a Prom without some kick butt ride? A Stretch Hummer limo. 14 kids got together and made a deal with the local limo guy. He couldn't pick them up early enough to be to the destination in time for pictures (due to a previous commitment) but would cut the price in half and drive for them the remainder of the evening (until 1 am)!What a deal.
Pictures: Since the kids were going to miss pictures anyway, we met at a pretty backdrop destination to do our own. Our house , at the pond. Beautiful but a bit windy. When we look at the pictures they turned out great! Her cousin found a beautiful park setting, nothing but a green back drop. Stunning.
Accessories: With all of the other savings, some girls opted to have their hair and makeup done , but most did their own. Actually , the comments I heard after , were that everyone who had their hair done , all had the same style!
Tuxes: Guys, it stinks. You shell out almost $150 and you don't even get to keep it! Not that you would wear it again either. Mom will almost certainly look for coupons for a tux. Don't be afraid to use them. It's the new chic. Five years ago, it used to be bragging rights to see who spent the most money on something, now ,who save the most wins!
Off to find this years "clearance prom" dresses!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Letters from Mom and Dad
Dear Billy,
We know that you want that very cool pair of kicks that the other kids have, but Mom and Dad need to say no. We do agree that those $200 plus pair of shoes look great, will make you very popular with the other kids, but unless we can figure out how you can use them to push the car to the grocery store. We know there are child welfare laws to protect you from this.
Love, Mom and Dad
p.s. Please turn in your paper route money to the family fund bowl located next to the refrigerator. We'll head over to Payless Shoes after leftover spaghetti
Dear Emily,
We hear you! We know that your are absolutely the only kid(practically in the world) who does not own a cell phone. We understand that this makes us horrible parents. I am sure somewhere between the pushing during labor, the sweat pouring down my face, the late nights we stayed up together while you threw up all over me, that I missed that page in the "Everything Parents Owe Their Children" manual that spit our of my body directly behind giving birth to you.
After careful consideration, We have come up with the following reasons for my decision.
1. We are saving you from years of future carpel tunnel surgery from texting.
2. We are teaching you that ,in real life, your interviewer will expect you to raise your head and speak. They will not text you.
3. People can see emotions and reactions. Learn how.
4. Let's not follow the "in" crowd.
5. What could we do with the extra $70 per month? Shoes for Billy? Still no. Food? If you help clip the coupons,then I won't make you stand in line with me to use them at the store.
I know I'll think of more, see me after I finish telling Daddy why he can't have the new super duper grill.
Love,
Mom
lol :)
We know that you want that very cool pair of kicks that the other kids have, but Mom and Dad need to say no. We do agree that those $200 plus pair of shoes look great, will make you very popular with the other kids, but unless we can figure out how you can use them to push the car to the grocery store. We know there are child welfare laws to protect you from this.
Love, Mom and Dad
p.s. Please turn in your paper route money to the family fund bowl located next to the refrigerator. We'll head over to Payless Shoes after leftover spaghetti
Dear Emily,
We hear you! We know that your are absolutely the only kid(practically in the world) who does not own a cell phone. We understand that this makes us horrible parents. I am sure somewhere between the pushing during labor, the sweat pouring down my face, the late nights we stayed up together while you threw up all over me, that I missed that page in the "Everything Parents Owe Their Children" manual that spit our of my body directly behind giving birth to you.
After careful consideration, We have come up with the following reasons for my decision.
1. We are saving you from years of future carpel tunnel surgery from texting.
2. We are teaching you that ,in real life, your interviewer will expect you to raise your head and speak. They will not text you.
3. People can see emotions and reactions. Learn how.
4. Let's not follow the "in" crowd.
5. What could we do with the extra $70 per month? Shoes for Billy? Still no. Food? If you help clip the coupons,then I won't make you stand in line with me to use them at the store.
I know I'll think of more, see me after I finish telling Daddy why he can't have the new super duper grill.
Love,
Mom
lol :)
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