Are you one of those extreme couponers?

My Money Monday post was late. Too late Tuesday anyone? So in an effort to save money, I started couponing. After watching the whole season of Extreme Couponing on Netflix and talking to my friend, I was convinced I would have to build a basement to stockpile shampoo and toilet paper. Terry said no stockpiling allowed so I had to change my strategy. Here is my non crazy guide to couponing without stockpiling for the Zombie Apocalypse.
Step 1: Get coupons. Lucky for me, my dad gets the daily paper and just throws his out. So I take his. I know some of those extremers (my nickname) dumpster dive for multiple copies. I prefer not to. That's totally up to you. Also, join loyalty programs like Kroger, Brookshire's, and one of my favorites CVS.
Step 2: Organize your coupons. This was the trickiest part for me. The setup that works best for me is my Thirty-One small notebook with envelopes for each month. I list all the coupons on the envelope. Also, I don't keep coupons I don't use. This is in honor of Terry's no stockpiling rule. I'm not buying it just cause it's on sale.
Step 3: Research the sales. This part is super easy thanks to awesome coupon bloggers that do all the homework for you. My favorite is SouthernSavers.com because it lists the major stores I visit and have loyalty cards for. You can save the deals you want that week to a printable list and even print additional e-coupons.
Step 4: Make a list of what you need. Terry and I make a weekly grocery trip now. We used to go whenever we needed something. Huge money waster. Usually Sunday mornings we'll go out to Target and Kroger. We make a list of meals for the week and add any essentials that need to be restocked.
Step 5: Group coupons with sale items. This is the biggie for me. Double coupons and sale items increase your savings. But be careful with deals where you have to buy a certain number of items to save...my first trip out I came back with 8 bottles of mouthwash. (No stockpiling!!!)
Step 6: Enjoy watching your total drop (also to check for mistakes) and brag about your savings to everyone you know. (My favorite part!) One recent shopping trip to Target I saved $85 on a $200 shopping trip. The cashier asked if I was an extreme couponer. That made my day. I may not walk out of the store for free, but I have been saving 30-40% on each shopping trip.
So do you coupon? Have any helpful savings tips? Share in the comments section and look out for the next (hopefully on time) Money Monday!

A penny saved...

New Year challenges:

It's that time again, time for resolutions. This year is quite the challenge. I find myself thinking about Teagan and being the best I can be for her. So I came up with my top two goals for 2013.

2: Money Management 

I have come a long way in the money department. Paid off some debt, worked on a budget. But I really want to start saving for Tea. So here are my baby steps for my baby. 

-Pennies in the piggy bank

All the loose change from our pockets goes in Tea's piggy. I gave up my Dr Pepper and Gardettos habit which also helps goal #1. That's $1.50 a day, 5x a week! Her first full piggy made $150. All the money goes into her savings account.

-upromise by Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae has an awesome program called upromise where a percent of what you spend shopping and eating out goes to an account for college. 

-Coupons

Saving money leaves more for Tea. I am really enjoying couponing. The toughest part is finding the sales to match with coupons. Thankfully there are blogs that save this working mom some time like southernsavers.com. This blog is my favorite bc it lists deals at Kroger and CVS which are linked to my upromise account. 

So those are my two goals for the year. Join me for my new blogs with more tips on Money Mondays and Fitness Fridays. 

Challenges Part 1

New Year challenges:

It's that time again, time for resolutions. This year is quite the challenge. I find myself thinking about Teagan and being the best I can be for her. So I came up with my top two goals for 2013.

1: Healthy mommy

I'm about to get real here. I weigh 190lbs. Wow, that was tough. It's the most I've ever weighed. Before I got pregnant I was diagnosed with PCOS and lost 25lbs. As a new mom, time and energy are in low supply. And everyone tells you "Don't worry about weight! Nursing will take care of it." So I splurge too much. Also everyone looks at Tea so I don't feel like I have to worry about looking nice. So enough excuses...Tea is starting the adventure of food. I think about everything that goes in her mouth. I make her own food. How can I expect her to choose healthy foods as she grows if she sees me choosing junk? So back to food tracking I go. Lose it! was my go to app I reinstalled. Also increasing activity...oh so little time. My sister in law invited me to join Nexercise which awards points for activity you can exchange for gift cards. That goes into my next challenge. See my next blog for challenge #2: money! What are your resolutions? Got any health tips to share?

New Years in Disney

Disney 2013

Rung in the new year with my favorite people in my favorite place: Disneyworld with Terry, Tea, Lisa, and Shannon! Since New Year's is a time of reflection, I reflected on my 3 wildly different trips to Disney. The 1st trip Terry and I were still in school and dating. Everything was new and exciting. 2nd trip last December we celebrated our 3rd anniversary and were expecting Teagan. This trip was a celebration of growing family and still exciting Our 3rd trip included sweet Tea. Watching her face as she watched everything around her was truly magical and you guessed it: exciting. It did require some change in plans, and I have a list of things that made our trip run smoothly.

1. Use a carrier. Terry and I swore last time we came that we would NEVER use a stroller in WDW. We kept our promise. Parents (esp. dads) pushing bulky strollers watched in envy as Tea slept peacefully in her Bjorn through the parks. 

2. Return to your room. We never did this before Tea. We were dumb. Coming home for a rest keeps everyone happy. 

3. Wear a backpack with a camelpak. Easy access to water and Tea's supplies was essential. 

4. The baby centers are awesome! Seriously. They have everything you need in case you forget or run out. They have rocking chairs for nursing, bottle warmers, and many changing tables. The staff were kind and helpful esp during Tea's massive blowout. We had to throw out an entire outfit and it took 4 people to change her.

5. "It's not about you." I heard more than 10 parents say this to their children during our trip. Please don't say this. Ever. Yes it is about your child. YOU chose to have them AND bring them to Disney. If it wasn't about them, leave them at home. Tea is 6 months old and this trip was about her. I stood in more character lines than ever because it put a smile on her face which put a smile on my face. Isn't that why Disney is called the happiest place on Earth? And it can be and it was for us. We're planning on returning when Tea is 6 years old and I can't wait!