Saving SAHM Sanity

2012 in 2012: week 3

2012-01-22T22:39:00.000-05:00

I start school tomorrow and I'm really nervous. Surprisingly, I'm not nervous about school itself, I'm nervous about my home life, keeping the home clean, keeping up with the kids activities, all while writing papers and learning a foreign language! I expect my purging won't be happening too often, at least until May when the semester is over. This week I did okay. I had 22 items come into my home, needed a few things from Target and my daughter got a large bag of hand-me-down clothes. I got rid of many things:

21 Sesame St activity books
18 Magazines
11 adult clothing items
can of air freshener
8 computer programs (for windows 95!)
5 giant stuffed animals (you know, the ones the size of a preschooler!)
bottle of expired medicine
pair of kids pants
pair of kids shoes
5 kid craft foam shapes
4 tubes of glitter glue
2 large cardboard box projects (stuff the kiddos made)
4 child proofing items
color matching game
booklet of tracing letter
bag of Model Magic
Ink stamper
Crayola water color paint set

Total item = 87
Added items = 22
Adjusted total = 65

1928 - 65 = 1863 items to go!

2012 in 2012 week 2

2012-01-16T18:34:00.000-05:00

Didn't do to well this week. Got rid of:

8 magazines
2 dvds traded on swapadvd.com
cardboard gravestone (a Halloween decoration)

The reason why I didn't do to well purging things is because I hit the Target toy clearance (which was awesome!) so I had to add 15 items. Since I only purged 11 items I had to add to my grand total list. Now I have 1928 items to go.

Target Toy Clearance 70% off!

2012-01-12T12:23:00.000-05:00

Went to Target today to hit the toy clearance; this is a pic of everything I got. The black thing in the middle is a children's jacket for my daughter that she'll wear next year, also 70% off! This is a list of everything I got:

~Girls winter jacket
was: $44.99
paid: $13.48

~My Little Pony toy
was: $21.99
paid: $6.58

~Mermaid Barbie
was: $20.99
paid: $6.26

Target Holiday Barbie
was: $15.99
paid: $4.78

~Cootie game
was: $11.59
paid: $3.47

~Princess keyboard
was: $16.99
paid: $5.08

~Circo dress up shoes
was: $5.69
paid: $1.70

~Tiana doll outfit
was: $7.99
paid: $0.56!

Total Paid = $41.93
Saved = $146.22!!!

If I just add up the toy totals, than I only paid $28.45 for the toys and saved $101.23!!! Love, love, love the Target toy clearance!

2012 in 2012: week 1

2012-01-08T09:23:00.000-05:00

I won't be posting every week, as I know as the months go on I'll loose my purging steam and then will most likely post monthly. Since it was the first week of my purging goal, I've been tossing like crazy! I did very well shopping this week. The only items I purchased were food items. These are the thing no longer in my home:

22 Magazines
Mardi Gras face mask
Muffin tin
Glass nic nac
a bag of infant socks
26 children's clothing items
4 children's hair items
16 children's books
old car seat
Rubber spatula
3 trash bags of shredded paper
a pile of broken crayons and dried out markers
3 small puzzles
5 coloring books
2 books sent out on paperbackswap.com

Total items = 88
2012 - 88 = 1924 items to go!

2012 in 2012

2012-01-03T12:49:00.000-05:00

Every New Year, I've set a goal to purge all the unwanted, unused items in my home. After a few months I loose steam and never purge as much as I want to. This year I'll be doing the 2012 in 2012! I'm committing to purging 2,012 items from my home this year. I have a few rules that I'll be following.

Rule #1: Food doesn't count. I'm not going to track every time I use a jar of peanut butter!
Rule #2: I'll add items if I buy something new! The point is to purge. I feel like it would be counter productive if I get rid of five pairs of pants I don't wear, but then go out and buy eight new shirts! So if my total was five (because of the pants) then I add eight (because of the shirts) my total would be -3.
Rule #3: Goes along with rule #2. Follow one in one out. If a new magazine comes in the mail, I must purged an old magazine.
Rule #4: I won't count a single piece of paper or single photo. I'll count a whole magazine as one item, but I'll have to purge a stack of papers the size of a magazine to count as one item.
Rule #5: It has to leave the house to count! I sell many of my children's outgrown clothes at a semi annual consignment sale, so I'm constantly putting things away in the closet to sell. I won't count any of those items until they have left my home never to return!

Monthly Menu Planning

2012-01-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

I am one of those people that feel menu planning in very difficult. I never seem to get my act together to plan a week worth of meals. Every now and then I have a organized week where I do manage to plan, and stick to, a menu plan. On those weeks I find menu planning does save time and money. No more ordering a pizza because at 5:45 in the evening no one knows whats for dinner. Another thing I've learned about menu planning on a budget is even more difficult. I may really want to make a pot roast one week, but not a single local grocery store (I have 5) has pot roast on sale. So what do I do? I have a list of 20 cheap, easy things I know my family will eat. This is what they are:

(When I say "veggie" I use whatever was on sale that week, if there were no good sales, then I make whatever frozen veggies we have):
1) Brinner (breakfast for dinner) scrambled eggs, toast, whatever fresh fruit was on sale
2) Pasta in tomato sauce, garlic bread, veggie
3) Homemade pizza and fries(homemade or frozen)
4) Boxed mac & Cheese, veggie
5) Frozen chicken nuggets, veggie
6) Pork chops, couscous, veggie
7) Baked Chicken, cheesy risotto, veggie
8) BBQ chicken, fries
9) Cream cheese & chicken crescents, veggie
10) Lasagna, garlic bread, veggie
11) Grilled cheese w/ tomato soup
12) Chicken tenders, veggie
13) Baked fish, mashed potatoes, veggie
14) Homemade mac & cheese, veggie
15) Chicken quesadillas, rice, veggie
16) Stuffed zucchini, couscous
17) Goat cheese stuffed turkey burgers, veggie <-------only make this when goat cheese and ground turkey go on sale!
18) Philly cheese steak subs, fries
19) Herb rub chicken, also toss carrots & chopped potatoes in pan for a no fuss meal
20) Homemade beef stew <-----made in winter when stew meat goes on sale, I stock up and freeze extra beef stew

I have most the ingredients in my pantry, so that helps as well. Every week I usually pick five items off the above list and think of two other things I'd like to make that has most of the ingredients needed on sale. Using this method has made menu planning super easy!

That's my Frugal Tip Tuesday

Goals for 2012

2012-01-01T21:17:00.000-05:00

I still enjoy setting goals, but knowing I'll be in school full time from the end of January-May, then again from September-December, I'm keeping my goals simple-ish.

I've had the goal to purge all the unwanted crap from my home many times, but after a month or two I have no steam left and never seem to get rid of as much stuff as I'd like to. This year I'll be doing the 2012 in 2012. Meaning I'll try to purge 2,012 unwanted items in the year 2012.

I also want to save $1,500 by using coupons and $3,500 by shopping sales.

I would like to read 10 books of my choice.

Since I'm in college, I want to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher!

I know things will be tough, but I still need to take care of myself. I've set 12 small goals I'd like to achieve over the next year that will hopefully put me in better shape.
Between January and March I'd like to:
~Brush my teeth twice a day and floss. I know some of you reading that might think its gross that I don't do this already, but with two young kids and having a ton of school work myself, sometimes a 30 second brush is all I can manage!
~Eat breakfast everyday. And I don't mean just the cup of coffee I consume now. A real breakfast!
~Be physically active for 15 minutes a day. Even if I just go for a walk.
Between April and June
~Implement a skin care routine. Skin cancer runs in my family and I'm not nearly as careful about applying sunscreen to my face as I should.
~Eat at least one piece of fruit and one vegetable a day. I couldn't tell you for the life of me the last time I ate a piece of fruit or a veggie. French fries don't count!
~Do some type of stress reduction activity daily. Meditate or write in a gratitude journal.
Between July and September
~Catch up with all my Dr.'s I haven't had a physical in years!
~Eat low fat yogurt daily. Mmmm....
~Be physically active for 30 minutes a day.
Between October and December
~Go to bed before 11:30 pm.
~Eat more whole grains and less refined carbs
~Try a new exercise. Yoga, spin class, something :)

These are things I should be doing anyway. Everyone should be doing these things! I'm very out of shape and DO NOT take care of myself :( These goals seem easier that saying I will loose 20lbs.

Goodbye 2011!

2012-01-01T20:31:00.000-05:00

2011 was a year that went like I never imagined it would. At the end of Dec 2010, I was a SAHM. I set a bunch of goals I wanted to achieve in 2011 and thought I'd have plenty of time to do them. I have always wanted to go to college, but have never really had the chance. Not sure what made me become so gun-ho about attending, but I talked it over with DH and he had no problem with me going, so by the end of January 2011, I became a part time college student!

Since school was a very last minute decision, I missed the deadline for financial aid and needed a little extra cash to help with expenses (I took the cost of tuition and books out of our savings and want to replace it) By the end of February I was working about 20 hours a week in a bakery.

I ended up quiting my job in July for reasons I won't get into (lets just say there is only so much one can take for minimum wage!) In September my part time student statues changed to full time. Man did I study my butt off to get good grades and it did pay off, I currently have a GPA of 3.75!

Needless to say the goals I set for 2011 got pushed aside, but since my life went down an unexpected (but better!) path, I'm not the least bit disappointed. So what if I only read 16 out of the 25 books I planned to read, or I never got around to painting the coat closet, I'm achieving a life goal to have a college degree!!!

Healthy & Natural New Coupons

2011-12-29T11:53:00.000-05:00

Coupons.com has a few new healthy coupons to help those with New Year's goals to eat better:

~$.75/1 Any One (1) Bag or Box of Crunchmaster® Crackers
~$1/1 on any box of Kashi® Soft n Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip bar
~$1/1 any Kashi® GOLEAN Crisp!® Cinnamon Crumble cereal
~$1/1 any Kashi® GOLEAN® Cereal
~$1/1 any Bear Naked® Product
~$1.50/2 on the purchase of any TWO (2) WASA

Hurry and print them before they're gone!

50% off Toys at Wal-Mart

2011-12-28T19:59:00.000-05:00

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday and I'm glad I did! Wal-Mart is not a store I shop at often, maybe once every year. Nothing against Wally World, I just have two Targets that are closer than my closest Wal-Mart. Anyway, I noticed quite a few toys 50% off. I got my daughter Lite Sprites for only $7.40 each! The Lite Sprite Wand (that I paid $30 for) was marked down to $14.50! There were also puzzles, Littlest Pet Shops, and a few other things. I didn't have too much time to look, but I may have to plan a return trip soon!

New Year, New You!

2011-12-28T15:22:00.000-05:00

Now through Jan 21, Amazon's New Year New You sale has everything you need to accomplish all those New Year goals! Whether you would like to get in shape, get organized, or just learn something new, chances are it will be on sale. Go check it out!

2012 Sunday Coupon Insert Schedule

2011-12-28T14:28:00.001-05:00

This is just a preview, so it may change throughout the year, but its a great thing to keep in mind so you'll know when to stock up on Sunday papers, or skip buying them.

January
1 — (2) Redplum & (2) Smart Source, P & G
8 — Redplum & Smart Source
15 — Smart Source
22 — Redplum & Smart Source
29 — Redplum & Smart Source

February
5 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
12 — Redplum & (2) Smart Source
19 — Redplum
26 — (2) Smart Source

March
4 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
11 — Redplum & Smart Source
18 — Redplum & Smart Source
25 — Redplum & Smart Source

April
1 — (2) Redplum & (2) Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
8 — No Inserts (Easter)
15 — Redplum & Smart Source
22 — Smart Source
29 — Redplum & Smart Source

May
6 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
13 — Redplum & Smart Source
20 — Redplum & Smart Source
27 — No Inserts (Memorial Day)

June
3 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
10 — Redplum & Smart Source
17 — Redplum & Smart Source
24 — Redplum & Smart Source

July
1 — No Inserts (July 4th)
8 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
15 — Smart Source
22 — Redplum & Smart Source
29 — Redplum & Smart Source

August
5 — (2) Redplum & Smart Source
12 — Redplum & Smart Source
19 — Redplum & Smart Source
26 — Redplum & Smart Source

September
2 — No Inserts (Labor Day)
9 — Redplum & (2) Smart Source
16 — Redplum & Smart Source
23 — Smart Source
30 — Redplum & Smart Source

October
7 — Redplum & (2) Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
14 — Redplum & Smart Source
21 — Redplum & Smart Source
28 — Redplum & Smart Source

November
4 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
11 — (2) Redplum & Smart Source
18 — Smart Source
25 — No Inserts (Thanksgiving)

December
2 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
9 — Redplum & Smart Source
16 — Smart Source
23 — No Inserts
30 — No Inserts

How I'm doing with back to school shopping

2011-08-10T12:09:00.000-04:00

A few posts ago I put up my son's 1st grade supply list, which had quit a few things on it. My huddy and I are also going back to school and will need things like computer paper, pencils, folders, ect. I've been trying to get every item needed for $1 or less and so far this is how I've done:

~24+ Pencils = .90
~Scissors = had
~6 glue sticks = .60
~10 pink erasers = $1.36
~24pk of crayons = had
~2pk highlighters = .50
~Pencil box = .50
~4 dry erase markers = FREE w/ coupons
~Scotch tape = FREE w/ coupon
~11 prong folders = .33
~Bottle of glue = .20
~Sm. pencil sharpener = .39
~Art smock = had
~Pencil cap erasers = FREE
~4 notebooks = had
~Pens = had

Grand total for the 35+ items above = $5
I think I'm doing good so far. I try to hold off on buying clothes until the end of September when it starts to get chilly. I know that if I bought new clothes for my kids now, they would have a growth spurt in a month! Plus I still have to go threw all the winter clothes I bought on clearance, for almost nothing, at the end of winter to see what I really need to buy.

Free Expo markers @ Target

2011-08-09T16:53:00.000-04:00

Like Expo Markers on their Facebook page and print a $2/2 coupon. Then head over to the Target website and print a $1/1 coupon. The 2pk is $1.50 at Target. Buy 2 packs for $3, use one $2/2 FB Q and the $1/1 TQ and they'll both be free!

Walgreens has the same 2pk on sale for $0.99, but a lot of people are reporting that their local Walgreens won't take the $2/2 Q because it exceeds the price of the product. Even though Walgreens coupon policy states they will adjust the coupon, reports say they still aren't.

I Just Won 25 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

2011-08-05T18:33:00.000-04:00

I Just Won 25 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

Back to school deal 7/31-8/6

2011-07-31T12:49:00.001-04:00

These are the best deals I've seen. I purposely left some things off, like $0.59 composition books at Walgreens. Why? Because next week they'll be $0.49!

Rite Aid
~ One Subject Notebooks $0.29
~ 15ct Pencil Eraser Caps $0.29

Walgreens
~ 2 Pocket Folders w/ prongs $0.11 limit 6
~ Crayola 8pk washable markers $2
recieve $2 RR back (limit 1)
~ 15ct Pencil Eraser Caps or 2pk Pink Eraser $0.29 with in ad coupon limit 6
~ 4pk Dry Erase Markers $0.99 with in ad coupon limit 3

Target
~ 6pk Elmer's Washable Glue Sticks $1 (works out to about .17 cents each)

Staples
(DEAL GOOD TIL 8/6)
~5pk Pental RSVP ballpoint pens, fine, black
OOP $4 - $4 easy rebate = FREE (limit 1 rebate per household)
(Extreme Deal valid 7/31-8/3 only. Limit 2 each. Minimum $5 purchase to recieve extreme deal price. 10 cent items and tax does not count toward $5 minimums.)
***10 cents each***
~ Sharpie Accent Yellow highlighter 2 pk
~ 8pk #2 Yellow pencils
~ Staples 3'' x 5" white lines index cards 100pk

Target Toy Clearance

2011-07-28T20:50:00.000-04:00

You may have heard that the semi annual toy clearance at Target has started. Most stores have already hit 75% off, the remaining few should go to 75% tomorrow. This is a great time to stock up on holiday and b-day gifts. Or if you'd like to donate to charity!
This is what I got today:

~2 Dragon Drenchers
originally $9.99 ea
I paid $2.48 ea

~60 piece puzzle
originally $3.34
I paid $0.83

~Tinker Bell make up set
originally $14.99
I paid $3.74

~Bakugan thing
originally $10.99
I paid $2.74

~2 Light up Zoobles
originally $10.99 ea
I paid $2.74

~Dragon Universe Mega Bloks set
originally $29.99
I paid $7.48

Total OOP: $26.81 (including tax)
Total savings of: $76.04

My son's 1st Grade Supply List

2011-07-28T19:28:00.000-04:00

This is the long list that was in my son's backpack on the last day of kindergarten letting me know all the items he'll need for 1st grade.

12-24 Standard sized pencils
Scissors
12 glue sticks
Clipboard
12 erasers
24 pack of crayons
2 pack highlighters
A box of tissues for each term (we have 3 terms)
A pencil box
8 dry erase markers
White board eraser
Scotch tape
2 folders with prongs
Small bottle of glue
Small pencil sharpener
Art smock
Clorox wipes
Ziplock bags, quart and gallon size
1 package of cheap white paper plates
1" three ring binder

Not even on the list: Backpack and lunchbox! Some of these items make sense to me, but others I'd think the school would have on hand. (Clorox wipes? Really?) I've already made up my mind to buy everything I can if I can get it dirt cheap. Our budget is tighter than its ever been and I'm not sure I'll be able to afford all these things!

Back to school sales 7/24-7/31

2011-07-23T21:54:00.000-04:00

These are all the cheap deals I saw at stores this week:

CVS
~Paper Mate Grip pen 8ct.
pay $1.99-get $1.99 extrabucks reward back

Target
~Sterilite Pencil Box, Select $0.50

Walgreens
~Small two hole pencil sharpener $0.39 with in ad coupon

Staples
~Staples pencil box $0.50
~Rose Art Classic Washable Markers $1
~Staples 8.5" x 11" multipurpose paper, 500 sheets
OOP $5.99 - $5.49 easy rebate, like paying $0.50
~BIC Brite Liner Grip Yellow Highlighter 5pk
OOP $4 - $4 easy rebate, like getting them for free

Back to school shopping

2011-07-22T20:15:00.000-04:00

          Where I live school doesn't start until after Labor Day, but I know a lot of other states start as early as the middle of August, YIKES! Seriously, where did the summer go?
          This September I'll be a full time college student (taking all of four classes) My other half has also decided that he would like to go back to school and will be in college as well. My son is going into the 1st grade and his school supply list has over 60 items on it!
          As you can imagine, I'll need to save as much money as possible on supplies. Every week, starting this Sunday, threw September I'll be posting all the great back to school deals I can find. My goal for most items is to keep the cost under $1 an item.
          Check back for great deals!

Free Scunci @ Walgreens starting 7/24

2011-07-22T19:52:00.000-04:00

As you can see if you buy two 18ct. Scunci No Damage Hair Elastics you'll receive a RR for $3. The following week (7/31-8/6) Crayola Washable Markers will be on sale for $2, but you'll also get a $2 RR for buying the markers! Great time to get markers either for school or the holidays for free!

I've missed blogging

2011-07-22T19:35:00.000-04:00

I really have! I'm not the best juggler. I'm not the type of person that is able to do four different things at once and still have everything run smoothly. In January I went back to school. First time back to school since high school. We'll just say it's been way more than five years since I graduated high school ;) By the end of February I started a small part time job working about 20hrs a week. On top of still trying to run my home, spend quality time with my children, and still find great sales/deals, I couldn't find the time to blog. I'm on summer break from school and I quit my job. Just to much, had to let some things go and work wasn't the greatest. Hopefully, for at least the summer, I can get back on the blogging wagon!

Shaw's 5/27-6/2 Great Week!

2011-05-25T22:04:00.001-04:00

~12/$1.99 Florida Sweet Corn on the Cob

~5/$10 12 pk Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, or Sprit (must buy 5) -still a great deal!

~Lawry's Marinades $1
$0.50/1 RP 5/15
=FREE

~Bushes Baked Beans $1.69
$1/2 SS 5/22
=$1.19 each

~Yoplait Greek Yogurt $1
$0.60/2 SS 4/17
=$0.40 each after coupon doubles

~Treasure Cave crumble cheese $3.49
$0.50/1 SS 4/17
=$2.49 after coupon doubles

~Ronzoni Garden Delight $1
$1/1 SS 5/15
=FREE

Get $4 OYNO when you buy 4 ice cream items (Edy's, Nestle Novelties, Skinny Cow)
Deal Idea:
Buy 4 Nestle Novlties @ $2.99 each
use $1/2 SS 5/1
and two $1/1 Drumsticks here
=$8.96 also will get $4 OYNO back
Like paying $4.96 or $1.24 each!

There are a bunch more deals this week, check them out!

May budget challenge

2011-05-02T18:49:00.000-04:00

Every month I track how much money I save using coupons and getting things on sale. But I never track how much I'm spending. I tried tracking about a year ago, but it took to much time. This time I'm only going to track my grocery and HBA instead of every single penny I spend. Honestly, I have know idea how much my family spends a month on food and other necessities. My guess would be $400-$500, but I don't know for sure. I plan to budget us for only $400 (I plan to lower this once I get a grasp on how much we really spend)These are the rules I plan to follow:

~Eating out/Fast food won't count, but I won't use it to avoid grocery shopping
~If I get reimbursed for something it doesn't count as OOP
~Things like photos, birthday presents, and clothes won't count as part of my $400 budget,
~But pet expenses will!

25 Nature Activities for Kids

2011-04-22T19:06:00.000-04:00

Visit babble to discover 25 fun activities that will get you and your children outdoors and enjoying this great planet!