Do You REALLY Go Weeks Without Shopping?!?!

You bet I do! I'll shop steadily for a couple of weeks, and then not shop for several.  That is a HUGE bonus of coupon shopping!  You can do it too!

Why/How do I do this?  I know that there will be rough weeks.  I get cyclical migraines.  I know that I'm likely to have at least 3 days worth of migraines in a month.  Those 3 days leave me struggling to get the basics done.  I'm good to school the kids on those days.  My Graves also goes in cycles.  I have good days/weeks/months and bad ones.

It's nice to know that for those 3 days and several after while I catch up that I don't have to stress about shopping.  It's nice to know that if my levels get out of whack, I can just stay home, relax, and know that my family is still provided for.  We might run out of milk, butter, or another fresh item.  We'll usually do without until our next shopping trip.  If I go long enough, we'll eventually have to buy more fresh produce to even have any in the house.

That's it, though!  That's all that's required!  We have built up enough of a stockpile that even while moving, we've managed to keep our grocery budget to a manageable level.

How do I do it?  When there's a good deal, I stock up!  Don't get me wrong, I don't go out & stock up on everything that's on sale!  I "buy" items that are free or better-than-free (they're paying me) in huge quantities.  I have several of just about every store here so it's fairly easy for me to stop by 6 of the same store (more in some cases) in one day & not have ventured more than 5 miles out of my way.

On a good week, I'll make a run on Sunday with my shopping helper for the week (my kids rotate through this highly-sought-after job).  I'll also make a run on Tuesday night to grab rain checks for out of stock items & sales that are ending and another run on Wednesday evening for sales that have just started.  If my husband is amenable, then we'll also make another run on Saturday either before or after church.

If there's a really spectacular sale, then I might make an extra run on Tuesday afternoon &/or other afternoons after we've finished school.  For something that's free or better-than-free, I've been known to make a quick round at least once a day.  These trips are usually short & sweet so it's not as bad as it sounds.  Plus, the stores are all within a couple minutes driving distance from my house.  Some of them are around the corner.

I do this when I'm feeling well so that I don't have to worry at all about shopping when I'm not.  It's a trade-off for me.  I spend the time now so I don't have to when I feel bad. 

How often do you shop?  Are you obligated to shop every week?  What are you willing to do so that you don't have to shop every week?

SOS Mom Saver: Free Batteries!

Today's Mom Saver is short and sweet. There are freebies out there at several stores right now, but the biggest & best is one we don't see very often.

Staples currently has their 20 pack of either AAA or AA batteries priced at $9.99. You then get 100% of what you pay for them back in Staples Rewards. (This is NOT a cash rebate. You get the money back as a rewards card to use at Staples only. If you don't have one of their rewards cards, I'd sign up in store just before buying the batteries or online if you're going to purchase them there.)

You can find all the nitty-gritty details online, but I'd recommend buying them in-store to save on shipping charges if you can.

You can do this deal twice for a total of 40 free batteries worth $20!!!

Happy shopping!

What Can $14 Buy?

Ever wondered exactly what it is that I get when I go coupon shopping? Sometimes I can get freebies or even get paid for "buying" groceries. I use this overage to help pay for the items that I rarely get a coupon on and/or rarely find on sale such as pre-packaged gluten-free products and organic produce (especially out of season or non-regional items...like bananas...we eat an astonishing number of bananas every week).

Today I did a short coupon trip. I have a couple of free coupons I didn't use. I also have some coupons that will make the item free after coupon that I have yet to use. While Von's has been better for me lately, I typically don't like to buy anything there unless it is a Von's-specific deal. I would rather give my other money to Albertsons or Smiths. They've both more than earned my business through the years with consistent, excellent customer service.

Here's what I got for $14:

(Yes, one of the yogurts is open as are some of the apples. There are also some bananas missing. My kids and husband usually make a nose-dive for the good stuff as soon as I walk in the door.)

The complete list:

• (2) bags of tortilla chips (soy-free, artificial color and flavor-free, gluten-free)
• (4) 8oz bags of Kraft Naturals shredded cheese
• (1) 4 pack of Dannon light and fit yogurt
• (2) Lunchable subs
  
• (2) 2-packs of Betty Crocker Warm Delights Minis desserts (Chocolate!)
  
• A 1/2 gallon of Silk Pure Almond milk (soy-free, gluten-free)
• A package of Multi-grain crackers (artificial color and flavor-free, gluten-free)
• 4 lbs of bananas (what's left of them)
• 3 lbs of organic apples
• (6) 4-packs minis of Philadelphia cream cheese
  

The regular price of these items at Von's is $59.73. However, Von's regular prices are incredibly over-inflated. If I weren't using coupons or watching sales, I'd have purchased the items I needed (except the organic produce) at Wal-Mart or pretty much anywhere else BUT Von's.

Still, by Von's prices, my original total was $59.73. After sales, clearance prices, and coupons, my total was $14.29. I also have $2 in Catalina rewards to spend next time I go shopping at Von's. That comes out to a savings of 76%. Certainly not my best, but it will do while I'm restocking our fridge and freezer. (I don't figure the Catalinas that I have to spend next time into my savings now. Otherwise, my savings would be off if it got lost, I forgot to spend it before it expired, or...whatever. It ensures that my savings are accurate. I do consider the Catalina when determining whether or not to do the deal in the first place, but not when I'm actually calculating my savings after the fact.)

So...there you have it! THAT is what $14 can buy!

What can you buy with $14?

Why I Can't Sit In the Back

Here's the problem. I'm a people-watcher. People-watchers like watching people. Not in a creepy "I'm watching you" sort of way but in an "Oh my gosh! Did you SEE what that woman DID?" kind of way.

When we go to church, I can't sit in the back. If I sit in the back, I will be able to recount for you how every person in front of me decided to do their hair today, but will know nothing of what the pastor said. I must sit in the front. No one can be in front of me. If they are, I will watch them. And I will not watch the pastor. I know. I'm bad. Horrible. Probably shouldn't be allowed back into church.

For some reason, I thought it might be a half-brilliant idea to attend the Women of Faith Conference this weekend. Here's what I learned tonight while sitting at the very back of the audience:

1. Natalie Grant wore HUGE, "those have to HURT" heals. I'm certain she needed a stretcher to get back to her room after wearing those on stage. Seriously. Those aren't natural.
   
2. While I did love Natalie Grant's music, I was too busy stressing over the realization (for like the hundredth time) that I'm old to actually listen to the rest of what she was saying. I mean really! If you have never heard of "Make it Happen" by Mariah Carey, then I'm not sure you're old enough to be attending the conference, let alone old enough to be procreating. So really, pregnant woman who insists on making me feel old...that wasn't necessary. At. All. I'm not sure I'll be able to look you in the face tomorrow.
3. Of the 2000 women attending the conference, approximately 1,980 of them owned iphones or other similar phones with a flash light app. The other 20 of us were running to the restroom hoping no one would notice that we didn't have the same phone as the "cool" kids. Except the one old woman 2 rows down from me who had an ACTUAL flashlight. I was scared to ask what else she might have in that purse.
4. The lady 4 rows down from me had a really cute hair clip. I wonder where I can buy one of those?
5. I forgot to tell my husband that I had some things dehydrating in the oven. I hope the house doesn't burn down.
   
6. The lady 10 rows down was irritated for much of the conference by her bra strap as was evidenced by her constant attempts to fix it. She never succeeded.
7. I wonder what I'll make for dinner tomorrow?
   
8. Oh look! Our friends are 7 sections over. Let's wave wildly at them so they can see us while others look at us like we're crazy. While us old farts are waving, they'll turn on their flashlight apps & wave their phones so we can see them. And feel old all over again...as we all run to the bathroom realizing that, again, we aren't the "cool" kids with the flash light app.
9. Is it already 9pm? I should check to see if the kids have called. Or the police are trying to notify me that the cat is dead. Or something.
   
10. It's 9:30? Have I really been on Twitter and Facebook on my phone for the last 30 minutes?
11. I want some ice cream.
    
12. WOW! Check out the HAIR of the lady in the next section! I'm fairly certain she was attacked by her hair dryer this morning.
13. I wonder how old the flash light ladies are. Do they use the flash light on a regular basis or just at conferences? If it's too dark outside I wonder if the Flashlight lady will walk me to my car.
    

As you can see, I shouldn't have been sitting in the back row. I have a sneaking suspicion that Lucy Swindoll won't let me sit with her, though.

Happy Birthday, Tootsie!

I cannot believe that my baby girl is a pre-teen! 11 years ago today, I became a mom for the first time. That moment changed my life forever. Definitely for the better!

I thought it only fitting that I try to get an updated picture of my dear, precious daughter. After all, she's now a pre-teen! She's coming into her own.

Hmm. Not quite. We'll have to try that one again. Seems she's not as much of a camera hog as her brother & sister (or her parents for that matter).

Still not getting the pic. Perhaps later...

And there we go. Finally. Isn't she beautiful? And that only took roughly 2 hours. For ONE picture, people! ONE! I have NO IDEA where that child gets it!

Toots, we love you. You are such an incredible blessing. I know we tell you that a lot, but honestly, you can't hear it too much. It's the truth. Our lives wouldn't be complete without you.

Happy birthday, baby girl!

SOS Mom Saver: Easy Egg Substitute

I know we've all been there at one time or another. You start baking the cupcakes for your child's class tomorrow & realize you're out of eggs...or that one of your dear family members put the EMPTY egg carton BACK in the fridge. (Ahem...my husband...)


You either don't feel like running to the store when you've already started baking, or you're a one-car family like us and can't because your spouse has the car.

What do you do? Are you stuck? Do you HAVE to run to the store?

I actually discovered the simple solution to this problem for a much different reason. We were poor. Like dirt poor. It cost $350 just to feed and medicate our infant son every month and our grocery budget (including food, paper products, cleaning products, personal hygene, & diapers) for the ENTIRE family was only $200 a month. Those numbers added up to us having to make some hard choices and drastic sacrifices, and led to us finding cheap alternatives to keep us going.

We can afford to buy eggs now, but still use this substitute when baking because no one can tell the difference. Why use our expensive, organic eggs when something else will do?

You need these 3 ingredients:

Water, corn starch, & a tablespoon. And no...you don't HAVE to use bottled water. I don't use bottled water. You get a picture of the bottled water instead of my sink because my dirty dishes-filled sink just wasn't as pretty.

You'll need 1 tablespoon of corn starch per egg in the recipe.

Doesn't that look so pretty?

Dump the corn starch in a bowl. (That's the "official" method. You're supposed to mix the corn starch & water together in a separate bowl before adding it to the mixture. I did that for you (don't you feel special?), but I don't do that any other time. I just dump both straight into my mix & follow the regular directions from there. I'm all about simplicity. And less dirty dishes.

You'll need 3 tablespoons of water per egg. So...that's 1 tablespoon of corn starch and 3 tablespoons of water per egg. If you need 2 eggs, you'll need 2 tablespoons of corn starch, and 6 tablespoons of water. You get the idea.

And again, the "official" instructions are to dump the water in the corn starch which is in a separate bowl.

If you've followed the "official" method, you'll stir the water & corn starch together and then add them to the rest of your mixture as if the mixture was eggs. Viola! You've solved your problem of not having eggs (or just saved yourself some money).

You can also use ground flax seed instead of the corn starch. However, ground flax seed isn't recommended for pregnant women, and is more expensive & not as shelf-stable so we just use corn starch. (I don't remember why it's not good for pregnant women, I just remember it isn't. Perhaps someday I'll get that information and share it with you. Until then, my dear, close friend Google would be ecstatic to help you.)

A Beautiful Site: Our New Fridge is Home

Isn't she beautiful? A brand-new WORKING fridge!! WOOHOO!!!

SOS Mom Saver: Save on Appliances Pt. 1 (Rebates)

You CAN save money on appliances, but it can take a bit of work. Right now, however, government rebates in the appliance version of "Cash for Clunkers" makes it much easier for us to save on appliances!

Many don't believe that I'm really as sadly cheap frugal as I say I am. Let me put it this way: We haven't had a working fridge for close to 2 weeks now...and are not going to have one until the 17th so that we can take advantage of the rebate to save even more money. The fridge portion doesn't work at all. The freezer portion of the fridge now acts as our fridge because it's cold enough for a fridge, but no longer freezes. We have a small freezer in the garage that is holding ALL of our freezer stuff. And when I say small...I mean WAY TOO small for a family like ours that relies on buying or making much of our allergy stuff in bulk to save money.

So...we'll be purchasing a brand-spanking new fridge & a new freezer this coming Saturday. We were actually planning waiting until June to purchase the freezer & planning on using a 10% coupon at that time as there are rarely good sales on the bigger chest freezers. We moved our plans up because the $150 rebate offered by the state of Nevada on freezers is too good for us to pass up on something we need anyway. (We left our VERY old big freezer in Michigan because the door had broken & had to be kept shut by putting several large, heavy objects on top of it. It was a pain. Not to mention inefficient.)

I'll cut to the chase for those who just like to see the info for themselves. You can go to the Energy Savers site to find out info for your state including when it starts & which appliance groups have rebates offered on them. The Energy Star site details every appliance that is eligible within each appliance group.

Just to clarify, by "appliance group" I mean washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, etc. The covered appliance groups and rebates offered within each group does vary by state. For example, Nevada offers various rebates on dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, or clothes washers while California only offers rebates on refrigerators, clothes washers, and room air conditioners.

Each state does have a different start date. In most states, you must pre-apply for the rebate BEFORE you purchase your appliance. You must also have an eligible old appliance that is properly disposed of (and have proof of that disposal). I talked to the store manager of our local Lowe's who said that most major appliance stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, Sears, and Best Buy offer free haul away of your old appliance with delivery of your new one. The most important thing to verify is that the delivery person who hauls off your old appliances gives you proof that they have done so. This proof is necessary for your rebate.

The one consistency across the board has been how quickly the rebates go. For example, the rebate period in Arizona opened yesterday morning (April 12th). All funds had been promised by 10am. There is currently a waiting list for the rebate on a clothes washer, but all other rebate options have been officially closed. Some state sites open at 12:01am on the eligible day (April 17th...this coming Saturday in Nevada). Others wait until the start of business day. In Nevada, you can also reserve your rebate by phone, but you'll likely get in earlier by going online. If you NEED this rebate (like us), I would recommend staying up to check the site & see if it goes live in the midnight hour. I'm already a night owl so this isn't a problem for me. I'll update on my Twitter & Facebook accounts when the Nevada site has gone live as I'll be staying up & waiting for it.

You can find info on how else we're saving on our fridge & freezer in Part 2.

Mom Saver: Save on Appliances Part 2 (Price-Matching)

I covered the upcoming appliance rebates courtesy of our tax money in part 1. However, there's a lot more to how we're saving money on this $898 fridge from Lowe's than just the rebate.

We're utilizing the Lowe's price-matching policy to our full advantage! The exact same fridge is carried across town by Costco for $799. Lowe's will not only match that price, but they'll give me an additional 10% off! Make no mistake here, that's an ACTUAL 10% off, NOT 10% of the DIFFERENCE off like it is at many stores. Now, we're down to $719.10. In addition to that, I have a coupon that we got when we moved into our new house for an additional 10% off. (Note: Whether or not they'll accept this coupon is VERY MUCH a YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) which means that the manager of the store has the right to refuse the coupon with a price match...but some WILL take it. I had to call 3 different Lowe's stores before I found one that would also take this coupon.) That brings our total down to $647.19. Off of that, I'm applying the Energy Star rebate from the government bringing my total for this $898 fridge down to $447 plus taxes.

The other bonus in having Lowe's price match instead of buying it at Costco is that Lowe's offers free delivery & haul-away of my old appliance. These would have cost me at least an additional $40 had I purchased the fridge at Costco.

There is another rebate out there for $50 that I'm told by store staff that we qualify for. However, I can't find any information on this rebate online. If it is, indeed, a valid rebate, then that will bring our total down to $397.19 for the fridge!

Not bad for a brand new, 25.1 cu. ft., stainless steel-look (which we prefer over actual stainless steel) side-by-side fridge that comes with filtered, in-door water & ice with a lock!

It definitely pays to shop around; especially with bigger items. My next goal is to find a good deal on an Energy-Star freezer before Saturday!

SOS Mom Saver: Honey for Allergies

Have allergies? Eat some honey. No. Really. Raw, local honey (i.e.-native to YOUR area) helps prevent allergies. How? In the same way that allergy shots do...only it's much healthier, in many cases cheaper, and has no side effects!


The way an allergy shot works is by introducing the allergen (what you're allergic to) into your body. They do this a little bit at a time on a weekly basis. Eventually, your body is used to this allergen and no longer has an allergic reaction to it.

Honey works the same way, only naturally. Many of us are allergic to pollens. Bees work by carrying the pollen from one plant to another. This pollen ends up in the honey that they produce. When you have honey daily (a tablespoon a day is recommended), it slowly introduces these pollens to your body. Just as with the allergy shots, eventually, your body will have become used to this allergen and will no longer have a reaction to it.


This is what we use in our area. You can see that the producer clearly labels their honey as raw & unheated. The location information (to the left on this bottle) tells you what area it's from. If the bottle is not clearly labeled as being raw (unheated), then you should assume it's not. It would be labeled that way if it were as that's a MAJOR selling point & major producers know that.

It is important that you utilize raw, local honey for several reasons. If it's raw, then it's not been heated. Heating the honey destroys many of the enzymes and pollens that allow it to be beneficial to your body. You need it to be local so that you're getting the right allergy "shot" (so-to-speak) for your area. It wouldn't make much sense for a person with an allergy to grass to receive an allergy shot for mold instead. The shot wouldn't be beneficial. In the same way, using non-local honey will help you not have an allergic reaction to the pollens in ANOTHER area...which doesn't do you much good if you don't live in that area!

I called and spoke with Dee over at Annsley Naturals Southwest who produces honey in the Henderson, NV area (which covers Vegas as well). She said that not only is the honey good for allergies, but it's great for diabetics. It is the only natural sweetner that most diabetics can safely use. (I'll assume here that we all know the dangers of artificial sweetners. If you don't and would like me to enlighten you, shoot me an e-mail & I'll do a write-up on it.)

Where do you find this fantastic raw, local honey for your area? Once again, Local Harvest comes to the rescue! Enter your zip on their honey page and you'll get the info for local producers in your area. If that doesn't turn up anything in your area, then check out your local health food stores. If that doesn't work, then head to Whole Foods. You can usually also find local honey producers at your local Farmer's Market. Again...Local Harvest can give you that info.

How much?

1 tablespoon a day.

Doesn't that look delicious!

Do I seriously eat a tablespoon of raw honey a day? Yep! In most cases I actually put it in my smoothie. On days when I don't get a chance to make a smoothie, I eat it straight or have a peanut butter & honey sandwich. YUM!