Why NOT save money?

 So this post is being generated after couponing yesterday and saving an AMAZING $101.01 in grocery savings for a two week grocery trip. This trip included a case of diapers and the largest container of powdered baby formula you can buy. Couponing was introduced to me by two co-workers and my grandmother. Over the past few years, each month like clock work my grandmother would send me coupons she clipped for me in the mail, I would use a few here and there but really saw NO difference in my total grocery bill, so I would pass my unused coupons onto my co-workers, both of whom have shopped and paid pennies for items from everything to cosmetics to laundry detergent.... which to me is INCREDIBLE! ****It is important to say in advance that each consumer and couponer should be responsible by knowing a stores coupon policy and I DO NOT CONDONE clearing store shelves! I DO NOT EXTREME COUPON, but I do coupon to save money for our family and every little bit of savings to a family means being able to pay down debt, pay another bill, take a vacation, or even go to out to dinner each week. I am of course just an amateur but I absolutely have learned from the best!!! I do not have a binder (Although I may consider one one day) I just use a three envelope system where grocery coupons are in one, retail and restaurants in another, and J.B. (BABY) coupons are in another. This system keeps me from digging around in my purse to collect my coupons and just keeps me organized. As I shop I pull out each coupon as I need it and pile them up for checkout to make check out faster, and not to anger the people behind me in the checkout line. So one may ask... HOW DO YOU DO IT? Well, the extreme couponers have a MUCH BETTER and more refined system, but for me I do what works for me so here are my tips.

Couponing tips:
1. DO YOU DOUBLE?....Many stores in our area do not double coupons, so that option is out for me.
2. CONSIDER YOUR SOURCES... I clip coupons both on the internet and in Sunday's paper, which I LOVE the paper.
3. PLAN PLAN AHEAD.... Take the time to plan out your trip, before I shop I plan out what to buy according to my coupons. Now I just don't buy what I have coupons for but couponing has opened our family up to trying new products, foods, and brands.
4. DON'T SKIP on the FRESH... Vegetables,cheese,meats, and fruits because you don't have a coupon. These items are essential for your families everyday nutrition and I ALWAYS include these at every trip and as part of EVERY MEAL. You CAN make healthy meals by couponing and not just eat boxed and frozen dinners.
5. MAKE A MENU.. I planned out the past two weeks for this recent trip and I am currently cooking for 4-5 adults each week and I always have enough :) .
6. FREE FLIERS... Pick up stores weekly fliers these may only have a few coupons but are worth it!!! I got $3.00 off diapers this week because that type of a coupon was in the flier, these are rare, so always look!
7. BABY CLUBS... Join every grocery stores baby clubs, one club I joined provided soft tip spoons, baby food, and shampoo for FREE on this trip. Many of these clubs have buy one get one frees, and I donate my extra baby items to a local women's shelter in my town... again I am NOT clearing the shelves!
8. DIAPERS, DIAPERS, DIAPERS... Join diaper websites, on these websites you punch in diaper codes and earn points towards photos, invitations, and more diapers. You are already buying diapers regularly why not get some rewards on all that money you are spending?
9. KNOW AND ASK... Ask about each stores coupon policy, you do NOT want to figure it out when its tie to pay your bill.Some stores will take a manufacturer coupons, in-store coupons, as well as a competitor coupons at the same time for one product. For example, diapers were on sale this week, one case for $19.99.. so I had a computer coupon for $3.00 off, an in-store coupon for $3.00 off, and then a manufacture coupon for $2.00 off, and then an in-store coupon for a free 184 count of wipes when I bought the case, so I got an entire case of diapers AND WIPES for 11.99- that's a big savings!
10. INVEST TO SAVE.. Invest in printer ink... many couponing websites have a ton of coupons that have to be printed in order to use them, so make sure you have plenty of printer ink.
11. COMPARISON SHOP, it may mean going to another store or making another trip but its worth it. For me I will ONLY do these if it means picking up multiple items.
12. DRUGSTORES TAKE COUPONS??...  Most chain drugstores TAKE coupons so comparison shop and use your coupons there, they also offer in-store coupons so use them as well.

13. REWARD CARDS... Sign up for all store rewards cards they save you money or accumulate points for rewards later, they are awesome!
****14. HAVE FUN!!! Couponing allows you to be creative and try new things so have fun with it, start small if you want by saving a few dollars here and there if you need to, just do what works for YOU and YOUR family.

Smiles and Babbles..

I love watching our son sleep, he is so quiet, peaceful, and even smiles while he sleeps. Now most would say this is gas but I totally disagree! I think this is part of his heart and spirit and is part of who he will become in the days and years ahead. I constantly wonder what on earth he is dreaming about... is it a hug and kiss from me and his dad, a warm bottle, a warm bath and pj's? I personally would like to believe he is dreaming big, wonderful, and magnificent dreams and that he never frowns. I hope that whatever he is dreaming about,which obviously makes him happy, comes true for him. J.B. is so amazing and at times takes my breathe away with all the new things he is doing. Most recently he is quite the conversationalist, he babbles up a storm all day long. Going through the store he just babbles as loud as he can trying to get everyone's attention. I am so happy that he seems to be so social and loves people, at times this overwhelms him but mostly he loves to just watch what others are doing. His babbling reminds me of a tiny scientist on the brink of some life changing discovery... his VERY first word! WE are so eager to hear what it will be, no matter what it is I know we will be proud! WE LOVE YOU J.B., talk and laugh (belly laughs are the BEST!) lots and always remember to dream BIG!!

Moving to the BIG BOY BED!!

Well, last night we moved J.B. from his bassinet to his crib (A.K.A- The BIG BOY BED!) he did pretty well with it... I on the other hand I did not. This is because I was up exactly six, yes count them 6 times to get him settled (10pm, 12am, 2:04am,3:17am,3:47am,5:43 am- and yes I actually managed to remember this while getting ZERO SLEEP!)In "my wisdom (we will use that term loosely here LOL)" I thought it would be best to sleep on the floor right by the crib because I was so worried about him. He of course slept great all sweet and snuggled in his bed sucking his pacifier while I laid awake most of the night making sure he was okay, watching his little chest go up and down and even on occasion hearing him snore! God reminded me this morning that as I lay awake wasting precious time and sleep worrying about our sweet sweet son, HE is busy watching over J.B. As a parent I am finding it harder and harder to let go as J.B. grows, I want to keep him close to me like a kangaroo keeps her Joey close by (I actually refer to J.B. as "my Joey (baby kangaroo) on occasion). This is difficult especially when I know situations are completely out of my own direct control. Whether I am awake or asleep GOD ALONE is watching over our son and I need to worry LESS and have MORE faith! Well, as we all know, especially you worriers out there that is much easier said than done, I guess I feel if I worry the situation then may actually be in my direct control... WRONG!!!! GOD ALONE is in control, he even says this to us in his word, Psalm 4:8 (NIV) " I lay down and sleep in peace for you ALONE, O Lord make me dwell in safety (this is even on a wall in our home as a reminder of God's protection)." We love our son so very much and know that God will be his protector as we lay our heads down to sleep each night.

**** We DO NOT use ANY of the crib bumpers, decorative coverings on the bassinet, or blankets shown in the above pictures, they have been removed for his safety.

I am right here sweet son...

This morning it dawned on me how upset our little man gets when he cannot see me, although I am in the same room. Each time he fusses I say " I am right here son, mommy is right here and will never leave you." Well, truth be told this not entirely true, one day I will be leaving him at school for the first time,dropping him off to college, or watching him drive away in his first car, and even watching him get married! All things I want for him so VERY much but letting go is sooooo very hard even at his current age, I mean I had a total meltdown recently when I left him in the church nursery for the very first time so the thought of him not needing me so much one day saddens me. Truth be told he will leave me too one day and grow up and have a life of his own and will not need me quite as much as he needs me now. To me that is sad but it is the reality. It is amazing how much LOVE for your child changes who you are, the decisions you make, and how you even think on a daily basis. LOVE for J.B. is like LOVE I have never felt before in my life and all I want to do is ensure he is safe like when he was in my stomach. When he was in my stomach my body protected him while he grew inside of me, now that he is outside of me I want him to always be safe and ensure he has Jesus in his heart, is happy, is always healthy, make sure he never feels pain, and never has to deal with a broken heart but as you know many of those things are completely out of my own control. As a mom you want the very best for your child but like a close friend said to me recently "you raise them to be independent." It is our job as his parents to serve as Godly role models and make sure he is equipped to handle what this world throws at him.As much as we want to protect him, we realize as parents that God will help us to help him with whatever happens in his life and that our trust is in GOD ALONE! We love you J.B. so much, God created you and gave us you and we know you will do AMAZING and MAGNIFICENT THINGS!

My First Mother's Day Ever!!!

Yesterday was my VERY FIRST MOTHER'S DAY, a day I feel like I waited forever for. First I want to say how grateful I am to have my mom here with me to share this day with. She has taught me so much about being a great mom and just loves our family and her new grandson so very much! THANKS MOM YOU ARE AMAZING! Mothers day started off with my sweet husband and son bringing me breakfast in bed, Jason made a video montage of pictures from J.B.'s birth and pictures of just us, as well as a beautiful letter that made me cry! Next we left for church where it was J.B.'s Baby Dedication service, with the entire church present, both sets of grandparents, Jason's sister, and J.B.'s Godfather Brian present we committed to raising him in a Christian home and raising him with our Christian values. It was an emotionally charged day for me and I felt so very blessed to finally celebrate this day and dedicate our son to the Lord on the same day. It was UNFORGETTABLE!!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BEING A MOMMY! I feel like this is what I was always meant to do and I take each day one at a time and count each and every blessing.... the greatest of which is our son J.B. Thank you to my husband for making ALL my dreams come true.. I LOVE YOU LOVE!!!

Tiny Feet... BIG Changes

Well, J.B is now three and a half months old and the past few months have felt like a whirlwind. Breastfeeding, a tremendous lack of sleep, a hormonal roller coaster, and realizing that our tiny son is the now our event planner on a day basis-LOL LOL.My life as a mom is completely different than what is was before I became a mom. My priorities have completely shifted and my focus is totally J.B and taking care of my husband! J.B. is utterly and simply amazing, and has changed our lives in so many small and grand ways. He wakes up everyday with a smile for you, when you tickle his tummy he laughs, and just today I videoed him rolling to his side and holding his bottle. These milestones may not mean much on an average day to the average person but to a mom they are EVERYTHING!!!! I am now working as a full time mom at home, which if you have ever asked ANY mom what it's like they probably respond by saying it is hard work! I wont lie... some days are hard but most days are AWESOME!!! I am completely grateful for our blessing and am seeing how much I have changed is even life changing to me as well. My sweet husband told me the other day I am more relaxed! Go figure, if you know me you know that that in itself is a feat! J.B has totally transformed the way I love, nurture, and protect. I LOVE HIM SOOOOOOOO very much that words cannot even properly express the sheer LOVE AND JOY he brings to OUR FAMILY.