Weekly Blessings

I am a little late about posting this, and I am also a little late about updating my blog.  The month of November has flown by for me, and I have little time to do anything besides support my boys in their basketball, and for that I am thankful.  I am thankful that I have healthy boys.  Regardless if they played basketball, or played the tuba, I would still support them in whatever they chose.

Recently, my oldest son had his first "high school" scrimmage in a town a couple hours away.  My youngest son was in a tournament at the same time, so, I had to make a choice on which game I would watch, and since my youngest had already had several games, I chose my oldest sons scrimmage.  I went by myself, and my sister and brother-in-law took care of my youngest (along with Brandy and Cody  :-) ), so, I had a two hour drive all by myself.  Its close to Christmas, and money is a little tight around here, and I was talking to God, and just told Him, You know my needs, and I'm giving it to You.  At the time, I didn't know how I was going to get all the things my boys wanted for Christmas, along with the things they needed. (I'm still not sure, but, it's worked itself out so far...)

As I'm sitting at the game, beside a friend of mine, and a lady whose son plays for the varsity team (I'd never really talked to her before), we began talking about clothes.  This lady asked me if I knew anyone who needed a size 29 x 30 pair of mens jeans, and I said, well, that's what size my oldest wears, and she told me she had a brand new pair of name brand jeans in her car with the tags still on them, and I could have them.  I offered to pay her for them, and she wouldn't hear it.  She told me she would be tickled to just get the bag out of her car, it had been in there for a year.  So, my friend was going to her car anyway, and brought in this bag with a pair of jeans in them.  She didn't know how desperately bad my oldest needed new jeans, however, my Lord did!!!  And He provided!!!

I know that God knows my needs, and I know that He always provides, but, I am still amazed at all He does for my family and I, especially when we don't deserve it.  Those jeans, as simple as it sounds, were a blessing.

Two days later, a friend of mine gave my boys a bag full of name brand polo shirts...God is so good!!!

I'm not sure where all this blogging is going to lead, but, if it helps someone, whether it be by finding a great deal, or finding a blessing in the small things in life, I'm sure that God is here, guiding me every step of the way.

Weekly Blessings

After my computer crashed a couple weeks ago, I have been struggling to get back to posting on my blog, I am just so busy with my boys, it's really hard for me, so for that, I apologize to you all.

When I post a blessing that I've experienced each week, it's hard for me to choose just one blessing, because God has blessed me with so much.  Great kids, an awesome family, a super church, a good job, and much much more. 

The past few weeks, my kids have been running me to death with basketball.  However; I am so blessed to have my boys, I just don't know what I would do without them, and, if you are a parent you know what I mean when I say that I want for my boys, what they want.  And they both want nothing more than to play basketball, and to be honest, God blessed them with an athletic ability that I sure never had!!!

So, today, I am thankful that both of my boys made their basketball teams, my youngest made the 8th grade team, and my oldest is now playing high school basketball.  This may seem a little silly to be thankful that I am blessed with this, however, this makes my boys happy, and I love to see my boys happy!!!

I am also thankful that my oldest son got a good report at the doctor today.  I took him to the doctor on Friday, afraid that he had a fracture in his hand.  We were told that if he did have a fracture, he would be out at least 6 weeks, and 6 weeks to a 14 year old is a lifetime.  And, God answered my prayer!!!  He does not have a fracture and is good to go!!!  Praise the Lord!!!

Tuesday Tips!!!

Last week, I asked my readers to submit something they would like me to post a tip about...and I received a great question.  How do I justify the cost of the coupons verses the savings....(thanks Alyson!!!)

When I first began using coupons, I actually created a spreadsheet, and I kept track of how much I spent on coupons, and how much I saved by using my coupons.  I can tell you, that first month alone, I saved $153.00 OVER what I had spent on coupons.  I wish I still had that spreadsheet, but...my computer has crashed twice since then, so....

However, this question has got my interest sparked, so, I am going to create a new spreadsheet, and track my coupon "costs" to see just how much I am saving or spending.  I know that this past Sunday, I spent $10.00 purchasing five (5) papers to get my inserts, and then found out that I did not get my P&G insert, so, I had to find some on ebay to purchase...so, actually this would be a great thing for everyone to do.

Keep track of the ways you purchase coupons, like in  your papers, or if you purchase a magazine for the coupons inside, or if you use a coupon clipping service, then, when you go shopping and you use your coupons, keep track of how much you saved on each shopping trip.  I think you will be pleasantly suprised.

At the end of this month, I will post a complete breakdown of my coupon spending and my coupon savings, just to see how much I am saving!!!

Make Extra Money Shopping with Ebates

I already posted this once, however, the closer it gets to Christmas, the more I seem to be trying to find extra ways to make a little extra money here and there.  This is easy and FREE!!!  All you have to do, is do the shopping you were already going to do....

With Christmas fast approaching, you are probably already looking for great buys online.  Last year, I purchased 90% of my Christmas gifts online, not just for convenience, but, also because some of the deals I found were better priced online than in the stores.

With Ebates, you get actual cash back for the items you purchase online.  Simply, go through their website, and purchase the items you were already going to purchase, and you get cash back!!!  What could be better than making money while shopping?

If you sign up today,  you get a $5.00 sign up bonus.  Check it out!!!

Its Mega Swag Bucks Friday!!!!!

It's FRIDAY!!!!!!  That means its Mega Swag Bucks Friday!!!  Every Friday, with Swag Bucks, you have the chance to earn BIGGER Swag Bucks Dollars, just by using their search tool!!!

If you are not signed up with Swag Bucks, you should check them out!!!  You get 30 FREE Swagbucks just for signing up - it's FREE to you, plus you can earn Swag Bucks to buy other cool rewards from their site!!!  Go check it out!!!

Weekly Blessings

I am posting my Sunday Praises a day late...I have been running so fast and hard these past few weeks, when I got home from church last night, I just fell asleep on the couch....

As I often think about my praises, and "Thank You God"s, I often think...hmmmm, how was I blessed this past week?  I've recently realized, that sometimes we don't realize when we've received a blessing.  Blessings don't have to be huge, like, winning the lottery...blessings come in every way, shape, form and fashion.  I've taken so many blessings for granted, and now, I just want to thank God for EVERYTHING!!!!

Some people are blessed with wealth, some people are blessed with fame, but me, I am blessed with a GREAT family!!!  Without my parents, my children and I would be in a bad place.  I don't know, honestly, where we'd be, probably on the street.  God blessed me and my boys with a Godly family, who, no matter what, never stopped praying for me.

Thank you Lord for my family!!!

To Do Friday

This is going to be another busy weekend for the boys and I.  My youngest son's Middle School Football Team is being honored at the High School Football Game tonight during halftime, so, of course we have to go to that.  There is also a Tailgate Party in their honor before the game, so...and that is AFTER both of their basketball practices!!!  Whew - I know..but, I'm not done yet!  Tomorrow is a High School Basketball Parent Meeting/Cook -Out/Baby Shower (oh golly I forgot to make the scrapbook!!!  HOLY COW!!!), then right after that is a cook-out for the older youth group at church!!!  But...I'm giving it ALL to God, and whatever happens will be HIS will.

So, if I do get to make it to Kroger and Wal-Mart this weekend, this is my plan:

Kroger

 

(5) Bumblee Bee Tuna Pouches - $1.00 (I have 0.55/1 coupon, after doubling, that makes them a $0.10 money maker each) 

(10) Cans of Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup - $1.00 (I have $0.40/2 coupons, after doubling that makes each can $0.60, Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming, so, that would be a great way to get your casserole supplies cheap!)

(8) Crest Toothpaste, 4 oz - $1.00 (I have $1.00 off coupons, along with $0.50 off coupons, after doubling, this toothpaste will be free, and NO, I don't NEED 8 tubes of toothpaste, but, I will donate some to my sons Middle School Resource Center for children in need)

(7) Dawn Dish Detergent (only if Dawn Hand Renewal with Aloe is Included) - $1.00 (I have $1.00 off coupons along with $0.50 off coupons, making this free)

(14) Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls - $1.00 (I have $0.40/2 coupons, after doubling this make them $0.60 per can, and since both my boys can eat a can each at a time, these don't last long at my house!!!)

(4) Knorr Pasta or Rice Sides - $1.00 (no coupons for these, my boys just love them!)

(4) Little Debbie Snack Cakes - $1.00 (no coupons for these, they will be devoured by the end of the day with two teenage boys)

(14) Totino's Pizza Rolls, 15 ct - $1.00 (I have $0.40/2 coupons for these, after doubling, makes these $0.60 a box, that is a great price to me)

(13) Healthy Choice Cafe' Steamers - $1.78 (I have B5G1 FREE coupons, along with $1/2 coupons, so, after all coupons, it should make these $0.70 each, AWESOME!!!)

(5) Healthy Choice Steam Fresh Entree - $1.39 (I have $1.00 off coupons, making these $0.39 each, CHEAP LUNCH!!!)

(2) Hungry Man Entree' - $1.78 (I have $2.00 off coupons, makes these a $0.22 money maker each)

(5) Idahoan Mashed Potato Pouches - $1.00 (I'm not sure if these are on sale at my local Kroger, if they are, I have (2) $1.00 off coupons, and a $1/3 coupon, making them $0.40 each)

IF all prices are correct, and they have all the items in stock that I want, and all coupons work correctly, this should only cost $42.95 plus tax...however, I'm sure I will find some other great items on sale that I will just have to have....

Wal-Mart

(5) Trial Sized Pert Plus 3 in 1 or 2 in 1 - $0.97 (I have (3) $1.00 off coupons, giving me $0.03 in overage for each coupon, for a total of $.09 in overage)

(5) Trial Sized Febreeze to Go with Gain - $0.97 (I have (3) $1.00 off coupons, giving me $0.03 in overage for each coupon, for a total of $.09 in overage)

(5) Small Sized Gain Dish Detergent - $0.97 (I have (3) $1.00 off coupons, giving me $0.03 in overage for each coupon, for a total of $.09 in overage)

That makes a total of $.27 in overage for this trip, I know this does not sound like much, however, that's $.27 you can use on something you need.  

My overages used to be much greater for Wal-Mart, and what I normally did was purchase my All  You Magazines with my overage, but, recently on the Proctor and Gamble coupons, they added a disclaimer that you could only use 4 Like Coupons, of their coupons.  I have read where others have used more than four at one time, however; I want to be completely legit when I use my coupons, so, I am limiting my Proctor and Gamble coupons to four at a time.

I actually have (6) of the Febreeze and Gain coupons, so, I will use (3) at a time, and check out twice, or go to two different stores, in order to make my coupon usage legit, according to the wording on the coupons.

If I happen to find any other neat deals at Wal-Mart or Kroger (if I get to go), I will share them with you!!!

Happy Shopping!!!