Friday already....

It seems like since hubby has been home, I don't get alot accomplished.  On Tuesday we spent the day in Denver running errands, paying bills, shopping.  When we got home, we found out that our furnace had gone out.  So we spent Wednesday doing the home improvement store rounds until we found a replacement.  Just what we needed right now....

 Thursday was a cold and snowy day.  I spent the afternoon in the studio, just organizing, cleaning, finishing things up.  I also spent time printing off coupons, making a shopping list, catching up on laundry.  Last night, we attended my granddaughter Skylar's induction into the National Junior Honor Society.  I am very proud of her.

Today we went to the grocery store and a department store.  I saved $66 at the supermarket using coupons and shopping sales.  I have built up quite a little stash. 

I'm really not a hoader.  This is my freezer.  I buy frozen entrees on sale and use coupons.  For example, I bought 10 of the Weight Watchers Smart Ones for $1.88 each plus I had a coupon for an additional $3 off.  So I got 10 meals for $15.88 or $1.59 each.

This is my overflow from my kitchen.  Of course some of the items are my home canned items, but I also purchase items at deep discounts that I know I will use.  This week Cheerios were on sale for $1.99 a box.  I had a coupon for $.50 off which my supermarket doubled.  So I got a full sized box for $.99.  Since I had searched the ads before I went, I printed off an additional coupon so I could get two boxes. 

Coffee was also on sale.  Starbucks was $7.99 each (normally $9.99) and I had a coupon for $3 off two.  So I got two packages of coffee for $12.98.  It really doesn't take alot of time to coupon effectively.  Couponmom.com gives you the weekly specials and you can even print off the coupons right from the site.  And its free!

 

If you have seen the show Extreme Couponing, that is not me.  I do not go out and get 100 packs of toilet paper or baby wipes.  I buy only what we can use, and attempt to get the best price possible.  I shop markdowns especially on things like bakery items (you can freeze them) and some meats.  I purchase seasonal produce and in the summer, I shop farmer's markets and fruit stands and buy in bulk.  I garden as well, so I have a supply of potatoes, onions, rhubarb, greens on hand.  I freeze and can tomatoes, herbs, pickles, relishes, salsas, beans, cauliflower, etc so I can use at a later time.  I also give some canned goods as gifts over the holidays.  And I use coupons....but selectively.  Take a list and a calculator with you.  If the coupons do not reduce the cost of an item to less than the sale price of a like item...keep it until the item goes on sale. 

I know this isn't a great how-to craft, but maybe you can get a few ideas on saving some money.  Until then.....