I was over visiting on one of the "Mom Boards" that I frequent, and I came across a thread about couponing. I thought it was a "oh my gosh, I saved $X in coupons today" type of thread, but these moms took it beyond that.
I didn't know it, but there is a program at CVS that lets you buy items, and then you get bucks back, to use on your next purchase. Some of the moms go crazy, and buy a ton of things, some that they may or may not use, so they can get the extra bucks. Then, on their next purchase, they use the extra bucks, and get things for very close to free. Some of the shoppers will later have a garage sale and sell a tube of toothpaste that they got for free for a dollar, others donate the items to shelters or send them to soldiers that are currently serving over seas. Hmm ... interesting. I don't know if I could have a garage sale, but I could definitely see adding these things to the boxes that I am sending to "our" soldier.
Last week, I had a coupon for Buy One toothbrush, Get one free. And, on top of that, the store was giving back $5.50 in register rewards. So, for two battery powered toothbrushes, I paid $6.33. Not bad. And it's something we can use.
Today, I saw that they had cereal on sale 3 for $7. I had a coupon for $1 off of two boxes, so I got three boxes for $6. Then, I used the $5.50 in register rewards, and ended up paying $0.62 for three full sized boxes of cereal. Definitely something we use at our house. And, I got two more coupons - one specifically for cereal and another $2 reward for my next purchase, whatever it may be.
In two weeks, I have gotten two battery powered toothbrushes and three boxes of cereal, and I have spent $6.95.
I think I get the idea of couponing, and now I see how some people get caught up in the deal scoring aspect of it. After reading through some of those posts, I didn't know why they were so jazzed ... but now I do. I ended up paying $0.21 per box! The only thing better than that would be free.
With the price of gas what it is, and money tighter than it used to be, I'm paying a bit more attention to coupons and sale flyers, and definitely the money being spent. Now, after having figured this out, I think I have another angle to approach it from.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Goings On
The kids have been enjoying their summer so far ... we're still having a bit of a goofy time, and they are definitely in some "I don't feel the need to listen to my Mom, and I will do exactly what she is telling me NOT to do while she is standing right here"
It is a daily reminder in our house to not jump on The Bee's bed. I tell them to stop. They do. I walk away. They jump. Rinse. Lather. Repeat.
Today Niece Number 1 was over, and at some point I had wandered upstairs and noticed that the shelf above The Bee's bed was hanging by only one hook - not how it usually hangs. So, I asked Q and The Bee what happened. Of course, she pointed left and he pointed right.
She said that he threw his lion and it smashed the shelf down.
He said that he didn't know.
So, I said I would have to talk to Daddy when he got home to see how we were going to deal with this.
Tonight, I replayed the above to The Husband, and then he called The Bee into her room, where we were sitting. He asked her what happened.
She said that Q did a kick punch and knocked the shelf down.
Us: What were you doing?
Bee: Jumping.
Us: Are you supposed to be jumping?
Bee: I tried to stop, but my brakes didn't work (holds up her left foot). I need to get a new foot because my brake didn't work, so I couldn't stop jumping.
Us: Oh.
Bee: Yeah, my foot is broken.
I don't remember much after that point because I think I was holding my breath hard from trying not to laugh that I may have suffered a mini blackout type of thing or something.
It turns out that Q did knock the shelf down, but it was an accident. However, they were jumping on the bed. The shelf was able to be re-hung with minimal effort, although I wanted to exaggerate my efforts in re-hanging it, but I didn't.
We'll see what the rest of the week brings.
It is a daily reminder in our house to not jump on The Bee's bed. I tell them to stop. They do. I walk away. They jump. Rinse. Lather. Repeat.
Today Niece Number 1 was over, and at some point I had wandered upstairs and noticed that the shelf above The Bee's bed was hanging by only one hook - not how it usually hangs. So, I asked Q and The Bee what happened. Of course, she pointed left and he pointed right.
She said that he threw his lion and it smashed the shelf down.
He said that he didn't know.
So, I said I would have to talk to Daddy when he got home to see how we were going to deal with this.
Tonight, I replayed the above to The Husband, and then he called The Bee into her room, where we were sitting. He asked her what happened.
She said that Q did a kick punch and knocked the shelf down.
Us: What were you doing?
Bee: Jumping.
Us: Are you supposed to be jumping?
Bee: I tried to stop, but my brakes didn't work (holds up her left foot). I need to get a new foot because my brake didn't work, so I couldn't stop jumping.
Us: Oh.
Bee: Yeah, my foot is broken.
I don't remember much after that point because I think I was holding my breath hard from trying not to laugh that I may have suffered a mini blackout type of thing or something.
It turns out that Q did knock the shelf down, but it was an accident. However, they were jumping on the bed. The shelf was able to be re-hung with minimal effort, although I wanted to exaggerate my efforts in re-hanging it, but I didn't.
We'll see what the rest of the week brings.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A silly reason to be jealous
I was talking to a friend today, and she paid $3.99 a gallon for gas on Sunday.
Today I paid $4.07, down from $4.19 last Friday. Needless to say, I coasted into the station today, and still didn't fill my tank.
I think it's pathetic that we were both excited about our deals.
I think it's more pathetic that I was jealous of the price she paid for gas.
What's next?
Today I paid $4.07, down from $4.19 last Friday. Needless to say, I coasted into the station today, and still didn't fill my tank.
I think it's pathetic that we were both excited about our deals.
I think it's more pathetic that I was jealous of the price she paid for gas.
What's next?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Farm
I mentioned that we went to a local farm today, and I thought I'd put the information here in case all of my (zero) readers are interested in what we do or do not do. It's not a traditional red barn with a silo type of farm, but it's a farm nonetheless.
Heritage Prairie Market in Elburn is a wonderful little place. It's just outside of town, but still in the middle of what farm land we have left in the area. The shop has a variety of wholesome, organic, locally made items, including some wonderful honey! I bought some of the Buckthorn Honey today and I can't wait to have some on my toast for breakfast tomorrow. It's reminds me more of molasses than honey, though. It's not something to put in your tea.
We also talked to the goats and the chickens, and looked at their plantings. I resisted the urge to buy more herbs to plant. The kids were so excited to be out and at a farm, they were a bit zooey today, so we didn't stay as long as I would have liked. They eventually calmed down after about twenty minutes, and I'm hoping that when we go back for story time next Friday, they'll be a bit calmer.
It was nice to be at a place that is in sync with the lifestyle choices you're making - supporting local grown, organic farming practices. I know it has become the eco thing to do of late, but for those of us that have been trying to make these lifestyle choices, or at least to live in greater harmony with the planet that supports us, it's nice to see other people catching on. All of the stuff that I've done that people thought strange (worms, composting, biking, recycling, tote bags) is becoming more widely accepted these days, and either I'm not so weird, or the world is getting weirder with me.
Heritage Prairie Market in Elburn is a wonderful little place. It's just outside of town, but still in the middle of what farm land we have left in the area. The shop has a variety of wholesome, organic, locally made items, including some wonderful honey! I bought some of the Buckthorn Honey today and I can't wait to have some on my toast for breakfast tomorrow. It's reminds me more of molasses than honey, though. It's not something to put in your tea.
We also talked to the goats and the chickens, and looked at their plantings. I resisted the urge to buy more herbs to plant. The kids were so excited to be out and at a farm, they were a bit zooey today, so we didn't stay as long as I would have liked. They eventually calmed down after about twenty minutes, and I'm hoping that when we go back for story time next Friday, they'll be a bit calmer.
It was nice to be at a place that is in sync with the lifestyle choices you're making - supporting local grown, organic farming practices. I know it has become the eco thing to do of late, but for those of us that have been trying to make these lifestyle choices, or at least to live in greater harmony with the planet that supports us, it's nice to see other people catching on. All of the stuff that I've done that people thought strange (worms, composting, biking, recycling, tote bags) is becoming more widely accepted these days, and either I'm not so weird, or the world is getting weirder with me.
Back on a schedule
So, it's only Week 2 of Summer Vacation, and we already need to be back on a schedule. This whole idea of "ooh, let's just see what the day brings us and run with it" isn't working, at least for us. I think, by nature, that The Husband and I, created kids that need the structure. They're not totally lost with free time, but the seemingly endless free time we've had going on was starting to get to them. And me.
So, I decided, since I work on Tuesday & Thursday, that the other week days will have a plan.
Mondays will stay our Staying Home Day - the day I've always used to clean up after the weekend, to do laundry, vacuum, make bread, etc. I tend to like Mondays, even if they are busy working sort of days.
Wednesday is now our Field Trip Day. It's our day to have an adventure of sorts. Today we went to a local Farm, and checked out their chickens and goats. And I bought some really good Buckthorn Honey. Yum. I can't wait to have toast in the morning. Next week, we're meeting friends at the Dollar Movie at the mall. So what if we've already seen it - it's a dollar and we're out, with friends, having fun. It makes it so we can see the movie and have lunch.
Friday is going to be our Library Day, which I think I'm going to alternate with days at the Farm, because they have Story Time on Fridays at 11:00 and 1:30. The library has a great kids section, and as long as I know what I'm looking for, I can leave them there for the three minutes it takes me to run and get my own book. Plus, I can't resist the Used Book Racks. It's like a treasure chest every time I go there.
The weekends are just the weekends ... June is already booked and so is half of July and half of August. I don't know how it happens, but all of a sudden, BAM! and the weekends are full. I'm already looking at the middle to end of August, which is right before school starts back up. It's strange, because school just let out two weeks ago, and I'm already looking at when it starts back up. I hope I get to enjoy the time between the two events.
So that's what we've got going on for the summer ... any ideas or suggestions are welcome.
So, I decided, since I work on Tuesday & Thursday, that the other week days will have a plan.
Mondays will stay our Staying Home Day - the day I've always used to clean up after the weekend, to do laundry, vacuum, make bread, etc. I tend to like Mondays, even if they are busy working sort of days.
Wednesday is now our Field Trip Day. It's our day to have an adventure of sorts. Today we went to a local Farm, and checked out their chickens and goats. And I bought some really good Buckthorn Honey. Yum. I can't wait to have toast in the morning. Next week, we're meeting friends at the Dollar Movie at the mall. So what if we've already seen it - it's a dollar and we're out, with friends, having fun. It makes it so we can see the movie and have lunch.
Friday is going to be our Library Day, which I think I'm going to alternate with days at the Farm, because they have Story Time on Fridays at 11:00 and 1:30. The library has a great kids section, and as long as I know what I'm looking for, I can leave them there for the three minutes it takes me to run and get my own book. Plus, I can't resist the Used Book Racks. It's like a treasure chest every time I go there.
The weekends are just the weekends ... June is already booked and so is half of July and half of August. I don't know how it happens, but all of a sudden, BAM! and the weekends are full. I'm already looking at the middle to end of August, which is right before school starts back up. It's strange, because school just let out two weeks ago, and I'm already looking at when it starts back up. I hope I get to enjoy the time between the two events.
So that's what we've got going on for the summer ... any ideas or suggestions are welcome.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Still Here
Just laying low ...
We finished up the end of the school year, and I was rewarded for that with ten days of some horrible stomach ick that I seem to have finally recovered from. I was actually interested in food for the first time this past Saturday, after avoiding it for the eight days before that. Lovely. I started it off with a day in the bathroom and ended it with a migraine. No small illnesses for me - start and end with a bang.
And, speaking of bangs, it's raining again, after another big thunderstorm at midnight last night. I really wish I had a rain barrel or two. I'll have to see what I can do to remedy that.
We finished up the end of the school year, and I was rewarded for that with ten days of some horrible stomach ick that I seem to have finally recovered from. I was actually interested in food for the first time this past Saturday, after avoiding it for the eight days before that. Lovely. I started it off with a day in the bathroom and ended it with a migraine. No small illnesses for me - start and end with a bang.
And, speaking of bangs, it's raining again, after another big thunderstorm at midnight last night. I really wish I had a rain barrel or two. I'll have to see what I can do to remedy that.
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