Confessions of a Couponholic : When "Saving" Becomes Spending

I desperately need to confess. I'm addicted to saving money. I scour the Sunday paper for deals. I can't wait to save 40% on my grocery bill, or my daughters clothes. We have a good supply on pretty much everything and anything in the house and my cabinets are stocked full of food. Yet, something compels me to continue to buy, buy, buy. Am I stocking up for the Apocalypse here? Hopefully not, yet I buy even when I already have something on hand at home. I'm not really sure why. It's not as if I am not going to be able to run to one of the many stores within short driving distance if I run out of Italian dressing!

I'm on a mission to cut the waste out. I vow for the next 30 days that I will not buy a single thing unless we truly are in need of the item. This goes for ALL shopping including quick items such as drinks at the grocery store and the gas station.

I had to go on medical leave  recently and as a result I REALLY need to watch my spending since short term disability does not give you complete pay. So I VOW not to spend for the next 30 days! I have done a rough inventory of the items of our pantry, 2 refrigerators (It's true), and 2 freezers (Yes, really we have that much food in this small suburban abode.)

I estimate that I will be able to complete several meals with the items I have on hand. However, while I am doing the best to empty the contents of my kitchen I will ALSO be doing my best to maintain a healthy menu and one that my daughter will actually eat. Thus, I picked up a copy of Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld and steamed and pureed a large amount of vegetables today. I'm going to give her strategies a whirl since I have concluded that I can not allow Madeline to be a picky eater when there is so much good food in this world to be eaten!

Fab Grocery Deals!

It's a deal gone by.. and one I should have shared. I came across a coupon for $5.00 off 5 Healthy Choice meals at denverpost.com. I don't usually eat frozen meals since they are pricey and I prefer to take leftovers to work but I printed it.


I was shopping at my local King Soopers store yesterday and came across the Healthy Choice French bread pepperoni pizzas on close-out for $1.75 each. Of course I bought 5! With my coupon it was $3.75 for all of them! Hooray!! Perfect for those days when I'm running around like crazy!

There is a coupon for $1.00 off of two at their website now!

http://www.healthychoice.com/news-special-offers/

I'm Back!!!!

Life has been incredibly busy for us over past few months. I do wish I would have shared our holiday money saving ideas. There is always this year!

Plans for this year: (I'm not going to call them resolutions as they are almost 1 month late!)

Organize closets
Clean out Garage
Spend more time outside
Give more
Expect less
Eat 1 piece of fruit per day
Save $$ for our BIG trip

I also hope to live each day inspired, and to give Thanks to our Lord.

Here is to blogging in 2010!

Frugal Money Saving Gift - Monkey Diaper Cake

I love diaper cakes. I received 3 when I was expecting Princess Peanut and each one was amazing in their own unique way. I've always been a master of a glue gun and have been crafting since I was a wee child. I like to put those skills to use as often as I can. I've made wonderful fleece blankets for Christmas, designed and crafted centerpieces for our wedding, and many other things to save a buck or two. Two of our dearest friends are expecting and I recently put together an amazing gift to serve as the centerpiece for their shower I am hosting. I bought a majority of the items I used at Ross Dress for Less.  I also used coupons that I had laying around for the diapers. The ribbon was purchase from the craft section at Walmart, I usually purchase all of my crafting items there.

This particular diaper cake used about 150 diapers in both size 1 and 2. I used storebrand diapers for the center of the cake and premium diapers for the outside ring. All the items combined cost about $70.00 and you may not consider that frugal. If you were to purchase a diaper cake of this caliber from online or at a boutique you would be paying well over $100.00.

I used the following items in the cake seen here:

2 packs of Gerber burp cloths- $1.99

1 12 pack baby wash cloths- $3.99

1 3 pack bibs $4.99

1 3 pack socks - $2.99

1 pack of travel size baby lotions, shampoo, etc. - $2.77

1 pack size 2 store brand (generic) - 50 pack, $5.77

1 pack size 1 premium diapers - 42 pack, $11.00 with coupon

1 pack size 2 premium diapers - 38 pack $11.00 with coupon

1 spool brown satin ribbon - $1.99

1 4 pack receiving blankets - $14.99 (only item purchased from registry)

1 onsie - $1.99

1 stuffed monkey - 4.99

1 pack of two pacifiers - $1.00

The cardboard "cake" plate I cut out of a cardboard box so that was free, the ribbons I used to tie the diapers and secure the ribbon was curling ribbon, and was purchased from Dollar Tree (Obviously for 1 dollar).  I had the basic ideas for the cake and watched a few instuctional videos on youtube. I found the cake to be prettier when you put the items on the inside of the cake rather than hanging from the outside.

I also made this pink and green diaper cake for friends of ours that are having twin girls! It wasn't quite as big and I didn't use premium diapers on this one, but I think it is just as beautiful!

My Fantastic Thrift Store Finds

Ahhhh.... how I love the times that I go into one of my favorite thrift stores and walk out with a bag full of wonderful items for a incredible bargain!

I ventured over to such a place today. It is on the opposite side of town so I rarely get to go, so I am always hoping that the thrift store gods are with me when I do. Let me tell you they were in full force today! Princess Peanut and I scored! Of course everything we got was in near new condition, and in current style! Of course I would never accept anything less!

For a mere $80.00 I got a Winter sweater wardrobe and Princess Peanut got several sleepers and outfits!

Mommy got these 8 Items:

1 black cardigan sweater - Banana Republic

1 white cardigan sweater - Banana Republic

1 black & white striped cardigan - Ann Taylor Loft

1 grey and white striped sweater - Banana Republic

1 white casual sweater coat - Simply Vera Wang

1 black boat neck sweater - Ann Taylor

1 cream cable sweater - Old Navy

1 blue long sleeved hoodie - Old Navy

Princess Peanut got 9 items:

1 red corduroy jumper - Gymboree

1 pink polka dot sleeper - Old Navy

1 purple striped sleeper - Carters

1 pink corduroy dress - Mini Boden

1 white sweater shrug - Cherokee

1 black and white star shirt - Circo

1 pink animal sleeper - Baby Gap

1 green bee sleeper - Gymboree

1 pink flower sleeper - R.E.I.

All in all we got 17 items for $80.00, that is $4.70 a item! Wow! You couldn't even buy a t-shirt at Walmart for that. I know some people are "ooky" about used items. I ask those folks to state a legitimate reason why. Ever heard of soap? How do you think hospital and hotel linens are cleaned? If they still steer away from thrifty finds then I say "More for Me"!

Easy and Fast Tomato Bisque

We've got about 2 feet of snow where I live since last night and it's freezing outside, definitely making for a perfect soup day! There has always been something about tomato soup and snow days that really makes me happy. These days I like to take your standard condensed tomato soup and turn it up a notch. By adding a few additional ingredients you can have a soup that is a little more sophisticated and grownup but still satisfies the way it did when you were a kid! For around $4.00 you will get about 4 servings. Note: Prices are based on my local supermarket's offerings.

2 cans condensed tomato soup - $1.78

1 1/2 cans milk – appox. $.50

1/2 can water

1 can diced tomatoes $1.29

1 teaspoon dried basil to taste

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese – approx. $.50

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir well. Bring to boil on medium- high. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. I told you it was fast!

I serve my tomato bisque with toasted ciabatta croutons. To make croutons slice 1 ciabatta roll into slices about 1" thick and top with fresh grated parmesan. Toast in toaster oven until golden brown and parmesan begins to bubble. Cool and cut into cubes. Add croutons to soup before serving. Top soup with additional grated parmesan cheese. Note: My local grocery stores sells 6 ciabatta rolls for $2.79 or about $.47 each.

Frugalista Confession #1

I don't always stick to my guns and buy frugally. Sometimes I buy items that are considered a splurge. In doing so I try to ensure that such items are well worth the money! Items that you use daily like shoes, purses, and coats should be well made and versatile. This allows you to have more wiggle room in the the other areas of your wardrobe. By mixing items that are well made with thrifty finds you save money but don't look like you did!

My daily commute includes several walks to and from my office. I splurge on good shoes that don't pinch. I also like to buy well made coats that can withstand the elements and allow me to still look professional. Most people would never know that my pants were purchased at Target if I have a nice pair of (discounted) nice Nine West shoes (purchased at an outlet store).

I work in a very competitive environment/industry and a professional wardrobe is a necessity. A lot of worthy finds have come from thrift stores and clearance racks. Again, I purchase quality items that will last a long time rather than trendy cheap items that will be out by next season. Black shoes, black pants, and white dress shirts can be worn at anytime with a few accessories if you know how to buy those items to last.