Money Saving, Coupon Crazed Moms Club

I have to admit, when I first heard about all this couponing and people saving 50% or more on their bills, I was quite skeptical.  I grew up in a house that never did the couponing thing, until my stepdad came along.  He was cheap  err I mean frugal and kept  a coupon box and clipped religiously on Sundays. If we didn't have a coupon we pretty much didn't buy it etc.  I am sure we saved money, but being military we did 90% of our shopping at the commissary where they do take coupons but unheard of for doubling, stacking or taking competitor coupons.  So you see I did not know of this elite club of couponers who were stacking coupons, using coupons that double, trading online etc until the last year. Even then I was to chicken to look into it, I mean really could I save 50% on my bill?

I wasn't to optimistic about any of this until the last few months, when moms in my group started posting all these deals they were getting, free things (not samples) and how much t hey had saved on groceries. I became intrigued, a member does a couponing 101 class and I was able to get some one on one time with her.  She taught me about SouthernSavers. I had looked at this website before but did not understand the lingo and was thoroughly confused. I was a newbie and did not know what RP or SS meant along with the other mile long list of acronyms. I listened and ingested what she said and decided to give it a try.

The first couple of weeks, I collected Sunday papers with coupons, read on SouthernSavers, tried to make a list etc.  I was still very overwhelmed, so I started off small, looking only at the Bogo sales at Publix and using coupons for those items. I began to save money but still not enough that I felt like I got it. I did not have enough coupons or the best deal, I was only getting 1 paper on Sunday and that just isn't enough. Now I buy at minimum 2 papers on Sunday, recently purchased a copy of All You magazine (has TONS of coupons) and am watching for good internet printables.

So all in all I have learned it takes some time to get to the point where you feel you know what you are doing and start seeing the actual savings.  My last trip to Publix I spent $300 but I saved $100 in sales & coupons, so I saved 25% on my bill. Not great, but it's a start.  I also went to CVS (that's another way to save) and bought 3 packs of diapers, 2 bottles of body-wash, and a tube of toothpaste for $27.52.  I saved $31, so a savings of over 50%! Plus I have some ECB's to use towards my next purchase.

So yes I admit it, I am a member of the Money Saving, Coupon Crazed Moms Club and proud of it.  Are you?

Sleepovers, Painting, Couponing & Swelling, Oh My!

Whew what a busy and exhausting week & weekend I have had. I think the title gives it away, that's been my life since Thursday afternoon.  J has been begging and I mean BEGGING for a sleepover with her Girl Scout friends for months now.  It seems every time we tried to plan it, something came up or someone was sick.  So finally during Spring break she got her wish. I had 4, 9-10 yr olds and a 5 yr old that partied non stop for just about the next 24 hours.  Half of them were up til about 2 am and the other half til about 4 am..which means little sleep for mom and dad lol. They all seemed to have a great time though, dinner, movie, popcorn, nail painting, talking and game playing.  Glad it's done and they have all gone back home though :) 

Friday night was my much needed girls night out with 5 other friends.  We had signed up for an art class at a place called Spirited Art. It was a lot of fun, yes I was trying to be a perfectionist on this painting lol but I did manage to put the brush down and walked away.  The great thing about it is, it's not supposed to be "perfect", everyone in class is painting the same thing and yet they all looked different.  My picture is growing on me as the days go by lol but still not sure where and if I will hang it up for others to see. I'll post a picture tomorrow, I haven't had time to take one yet. 

Somehow I thought it would be a good idea to sign up for an "extreme couponing 101" class the next morning.  Umm what was I thinking? I was exhausted from no sleep on Thurs. night, then stayed up late for the painting night and still got up early for Sat morning??? Yes it's quite obvious I wasn't thinking.  ;) However I am glad I went to the class, it was great.  I learned much more than I already knew and feel more confident about couponing and soon will start CVS'ing. If you are interested in learning more, the class I took was held by Jenny, who is the owner & coupon guru of Southern Savers.  In my opinion it was worth the $10 for the class, especially  if you are new to couponing or just want to learn more ways to save money on groceries. 

So this brings me to my final topic, swelling.  First however let me tell you, sitting in a plastic chair for 3 plus hours on Friday night plus another 3 plus hours on Sat morning is NOT good for a 32 week pregnant person. OUCH, I am still sore and it hurts to sit down. So take my advice, don't do it. EVER. Seriously. Listen to me.      So the last day or so I've had some swelling in my left ankle and my leg/foot feels kinda of numb.  It's been that way for several hours this evening and it's driving me nuts. I plan to ask my dr about it tomorrow when I go in for my appointment.  I've also had some contractions, getting a little stronger here and there but not really painful nor radiating from my back...so I am hoping it's nothing as well.  I'll update tomorrow after my appointment.