Recently a friend and I went to a coupon class. We learned the basics of saving money by buying things on sale, using coupons and stockpiling items when they are at their lowest price. I never would have thought it would be something I could do, but here I am... and blogging about it too! I just totaled up what I have spent and saved so far this month and was amazed at how well I'm doing. Sure, there are plenty of other people waaay better at it than me, but I'm still pretty darn excited.
I'll share with you some of my victories. To date this month, I have bought $694 of groceries and have paid $312. That's a savings of $382!! I'll tell ya, so far my favorite place to shop has been Publix. I have found that when you shop their BOGO (Buy one get one free) specials and factor in coupons, that is where you will get the best deal. I have also shopped some at Ingles, but my savings are not nearly as good when I go there. Prior to couponing I NEVER shopped at Publix. I always assumed it was more expensive, I couldn't have been more wrong. It has quickly become my absolute favorite place to shop.
I am by no means an expert, and I hope to get better and better with each shopping trip, but for now, I am pleased to be able to save what I am. It kind of makes feel better about being a SAHM. I feel like I am "earning my keep" in a sense. What I am saving is almost equivalent to a part time job, and the effort I have to put forth is so little in comparison to the benefits! Some of my favorite websites to help me find deals are www.couponmom.com and www.southernsavers.com. I have also recently discovered www.iheartpublix.com thanks to my cousin!
Coupons are no longer a thing of the past, or something only poor people do. It's a great way for everyone, in this crappy economy to save a little cash. Hey maybe what you can save could pay for a much needed vacation. Who wouldn't do a little extra work on their grocery list to enjoy a week on a beautiful beach somewhere?? Anyways, thats my $0.02 about coupons :) Good luck and happy saving!!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
It's almost Easter again
I'm in a small group Bible study that meets in our home Sunday nights. We are all people that God has brought together through one way or another; a previous church, work, our kids are friends, you get the point. We are studying the book of John and have made it all the way to the final chapters involving Jesus' trial, crucifixion and resurrection. In 17, Jesus sets gives us an example of how to pray. He begins by praying for Himself, then prays for the disciples, then for future believers in His name. Chapter 18 we start to see the actions which will lead us up to the Resurrection.
As I read, listen to music, or watch a movie, I can always feel like I'm there. The feelings I get when studying Jesus' trial and death are overwhelming sadness. I know the outcome. It's not like the first time I watched The Sixth Sense and was completely taken aback by the twist (I won't give it away for the 17 people in the world who haven't seen it). I know that "Joy comes in the morning". But my heart still aches for the emotional and physical pain that He endured for me on the cross. Earlier in my walk, I would also feel the accompanying guilt, knowing that it is my sin that put Him there.
I think (on most days) I have fully accepted Jesus' forgiveness for those things. Sure, the enemy tries to bring up my past mistakes and heck, even the ones I made just today. But for the most part I can accept that my sins have been cast into the ocean, and are remembered no more by God. But even without that guilt, I still just feel so bad for what He had to go through. John 15:13 says "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." WOW. To be called a child of God, and a friend! What an amazing gift of which none of us is worthy.
Chapter 19 details His interaction with Pilate and His actual death. I remember the first time I saw "The Passion of the Christ". Such a vivid retelling of the event. Historically and Biblically accurate in regards to the "the punishment that brought us peace". My heart broke as I watched the events unfold on the big screen. I couldn't control the tears that flowed freely down my cheeks. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. Sure, ole Mel has lost his marbles as of late, but that does not negate the good that came from the filming of that movie.
Anyways, theres an update on what's running through my mind as we approach Easter. What's on yours?
As I read, listen to music, or watch a movie, I can always feel like I'm there. The feelings I get when studying Jesus' trial and death are overwhelming sadness. I know the outcome. It's not like the first time I watched The Sixth Sense and was completely taken aback by the twist (I won't give it away for the 17 people in the world who haven't seen it). I know that "Joy comes in the morning". But my heart still aches for the emotional and physical pain that He endured for me on the cross. Earlier in my walk, I would also feel the accompanying guilt, knowing that it is my sin that put Him there.
I think (on most days) I have fully accepted Jesus' forgiveness for those things. Sure, the enemy tries to bring up my past mistakes and heck, even the ones I made just today. But for the most part I can accept that my sins have been cast into the ocean, and are remembered no more by God. But even without that guilt, I still just feel so bad for what He had to go through. John 15:13 says "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." WOW. To be called a child of God, and a friend! What an amazing gift of which none of us is worthy.
Chapter 19 details His interaction with Pilate and His actual death. I remember the first time I saw "The Passion of the Christ". Such a vivid retelling of the event. Historically and Biblically accurate in regards to the "the punishment that brought us peace". My heart broke as I watched the events unfold on the big screen. I couldn't control the tears that flowed freely down my cheeks. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. Sure, ole Mel has lost his marbles as of late, but that does not negate the good that came from the filming of that movie.
Anyways, theres an update on what's running through my mind as we approach Easter. What's on yours?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
'Fess up
Welp, here goes...
I admit it.
I am a baby.
For all my efforts to be a grown up; there are times (more frequent than I care to mention) when I would much rather be a child. Maybe it's because my own childhood sucked. Ask me about it one day, we can talk over coffee and compare sob stories.Maybe it's because I long for days filled with nothing but Scooby Doo and scrambled eggs. Mmm, I could go for some cheesy scrambled eggs right about now. Perhaps it's because responsibility can be overwhelming and relationships can be messy. Reasoning aside, when it comes down to it, adulthood isn't all it's cracked up to be.
I hear my daughter say she wishes she was a grown up and I remember saying that exact thing. Now what I wouldn't give to go back to the days when Mom would brush my hair as she blow dried it in the living room. She would sit on the couch and I in the floor in front of her. It seemed like such a simple thing; but over the past few days I have wistfully thought about her, the scent of shampoo and the gentle feathering she would do to my hair as she dried it.
So there ya have it. A grown woman who desperately longs to be in the arms of her mother, but won't get that this side of eternity.
I admit it.
I am a baby.
For all my efforts to be a grown up; there are times (more frequent than I care to mention) when I would much rather be a child. Maybe it's because my own childhood sucked. Ask me about it one day, we can talk over coffee and compare sob stories.Maybe it's because I long for days filled with nothing but Scooby Doo and scrambled eggs. Mmm, I could go for some cheesy scrambled eggs right about now. Perhaps it's because responsibility can be overwhelming and relationships can be messy. Reasoning aside, when it comes down to it, adulthood isn't all it's cracked up to be.
I hear my daughter say she wishes she was a grown up and I remember saying that exact thing. Now what I wouldn't give to go back to the days when Mom would brush my hair as she blow dried it in the living room. She would sit on the couch and I in the floor in front of her. It seemed like such a simple thing; but over the past few days I have wistfully thought about her, the scent of shampoo and the gentle feathering she would do to my hair as she dried it.
So there ya have it. A grown woman who desperately longs to be in the arms of her mother, but won't get that this side of eternity.
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