She Works Hard For The Money (part one)

I am SO EXCITED that there are so many people out there who are interested in couponing!  I have to say that I never really thought that this would be something that I would get into.  Honestly, I didn't even really think it would work.  Fortunately, God brought me down to Florida and humbled me by showing what it looks like to NEED to learn how to coupon in order to put food on the table.  Then, He blessed me with a new friend named Shannon who took the time to teach me her tricks.  My grocery shopping habits have completely turned around, and I'd like to help you make the same thing happen for your home.

By no means will this be an exhaustive solution, especially considering that I am still learning so much myself.  Annnd… this post will only concern shopping at Publix.  There are plenty of ways to save at other grocery stores, but Publix is the most prominent store where I live, and therefore, the one I devote my time to.  (I just ended a sentence with a preposition, and it's killing me, but I don't feel like taking the time to reword it.  So…. deal.)

Okay, so every week is broken up into four sections of time:

1. Acquire coupons
2. Clip coupons
3. Match coupons to weekly ads/deals
4. Apply coupons at the store

I think the best way to show you my "tricks" is to walk you through my week.  In order to not be COMPLETELY overwhelming, I'm going to break this up into 4 posts… one for each of the above sections of my week.  See what applies to you. Start small, and work your way up to the more complicated deals.



ACQUIRE COUPONS

There are numerous ways to gather coupons: on-line, newspaper, etc.  It takes time to build up your coupon volume.  When I first got started, I was frustrated because all of the deals I saw required coupons that were no longer in circulation.  When you first begin to collect your coupons, don't lose hope that your deals aren't the best.  It will get better over time.

I get coupons through the newspaper every Saturday (Yeah… our Saturday papers have Sunday coupons).  I buy 2 Sun Sentinels and 2 Miami Heralds.  Each paper may contain different coupon booklets, so that's why I buy both.  I get two of each paper because I want to ensure that I'll have two of each coupon.  (That will make sense when we talk about matching coupons.)

In the newspaper, I am looking for these coupon booklets:
-SmartSource
-RedPlum
-P&G Brandsaver
-Publix Green and/or Purple Advantage flyers

Some people keep the weekly ads.  I find them excessive since I can just find the deals on-line.

I am also signed up for several e-mails that give me links to on-line coupons that may or may not be in the newspaper booklets.  Here are links to some of the sources that I use:

Grocery Coupon Cart
-a large inventory of the available on-line coupons
Target Coupons
-exclusive Target coupons that are considered "store" coupons and accepted as a competitor coupon for many Publix stores (more on that in the "Match coupon" post)
Best Meals At Home
-exclusive Publix coupons that you won't find elsewhere
Kellogg's Family Rewards
-exclusive Kellogg's brand coupons and a way to earn rewards when you buy their products
Betty Crocker
-exclusive Betty Crocker brand coupons

There are many more you can sign up for, but these are the ones I use the most.  Keep in mind, when printing coupons on-line, you can only print two of each per computer you use.

When you find a good coupon on-line, print two of them ASAP.  Most coupons have a maximum limit, and once the limit has been reached, they will no longer be available to print…  and that is a BUMMER when I see a deal and go to look for the coupon and get a "no longer available" message.  Super lame.  So, I look at the coupons when I have a moment throughout the week and see which ones I think I might use.

Do not feel like you have to print every coupon.  Even if a great deal comes up, there is absolutely no reason to worry about coupons for an item you will never use.  Don't let couponing become a reason to buy things you wouldn't buy already.  That is silly and the complete opposite of the point of saving money!  (Unless, of course, you want to create a stock pile of items that you choose to donate… In which case, you are a rock star, and that is awesome.)

Okay… this is the easiest step!  It seems like a lot in the beginning, but this has become my favorite part.  I just love seeing what coupons are coming in because it's like a get a sneak peek at what awesome foods are about to hit my pantry!  Right?!  Right.

It's the simple things, folks.

Next up… Clipping!

You Have Called Me Higher

"And I could hold on

I could hold on to who I am and never let You

Change me from the inside

And I could be safe

I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home

Never let these walls down..."

-All Sons and Daughters

These words hit me hard.  Change is hard.  Truth… is hard.  But breaking down the walls so that my Heavenly Father can prune me and peel away the dead parts of my soul… it's necessary.

I've been away for awhile, and there is a heavy, looming reason: my pride.  

How many people have read my blog today?  Have they seen how crafty I am?  Do they know how witty I can be?  Will they see that I have it all together??

Those are questions I have asked myself far too many times, and enough was enough.  

Several months ago, I had a conversation with someone that broke me to my core.  It hit all of the insecurities that I face daily… all of the doubts I have about myself… all of the fear that lies deep within my being. 

 If you are reading this, that means you probably know me decently well… well enough to know that I am a pretty open person.  I don't really have a difficult time sharing what's really going on in my life, even with someone I barely know.  That personality trait has allowed me to ease interactions with strangers and build a state of open trust with friends.  In the same breath, it causes me to shut people out.  Too many times it seems that my mouth is open instead of my ears. Somehow the conversation continues to come back to me and my experiences… me and my opinion… me and my big mouth.  

This conversation was led by someone that I trust as a mentor.  They knew what they were about to say to me was going to cut deep… So much so that they were a little hesitant to go there.  But it came from a caring heart to "faithfully wound" me.  You see, there is an aspect of me that feels the need to perform.  I have the neurotic tendency to perfect anything and everything I think that I can.  But coming down to South Florida has stripped away those comforts in areas that I know can be perfected.  We are here to plant a church with the faith God provided.  We came down here without family or familiarity.  We left behind all of the basic comforts we had been blessed to enjoy for so long.  And suddenly, I was left with this daunting fear:

"What is my purpose?  Who am I supposed to be?"

I've been asking myself those questions since I've been down here.  I took a break from teaching because the stress had become overwhelming to me, and I didn't want to add to that down here.  But that left me feeling like a failure and wondering what on earth DO I do?  If I'm not a teacher, what am I?  Then, as the church has been growing and stretching its limbs, I began to question my part in it all.  Where do I belong in this?  Does the church even need me?

Let me tell you, this is a dangerous place to be.  I have begun to dwell in the world of comparisons.  

They are better at this than me… This person is stronger in faith than me… Look at that family that has it all together… All my friends are becoming moms and I am once again behind the curve… I wish I could go on a shopping spree like those women…

Dangerous, I say.

WHAT ON EARTH, PEOPLE?!  

What is my purpose??  TO BRING GLORY TO THE SOVEREIGN LORD!  

Who am I supposed to be??  A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING!

Well, let's just say that there is a difference between your head that knows the truth and your heart that believes it.  And that is what God is revealing to me.  I have wasted so much time trying to reconcile my unbelief.  There is a battle that then ensues between TRYING to be a better Christian and actually BELIEVING that I am already righteous in the eyes of my Savior.  My husband reminded me that once my soul was claimed for the Gospel, Jesus Christ implanted ALL of himself within me, so that all His characteristics are already a part of me.  Instead of trying to make myself into someone greater, I need only seek to become who I already am.  

"I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  -Galatians 2:20

You see, the more I sit here and worry about becoming a better version of me, all I'm doing is focusing on me… which is the complete opposite of the point.  This life I live is not for the sake of my name, but for God.  You would think I would have that figured out before moving to another state to start a church.  But this is a process.  I will not be fixed by tomorrow simply because I've acknowledged the truth.  My flesh continues to whisper lies of conceit in my ear.  However, I pray that the Lord will persist in breaking me so that I no longer reflect myself.  

If you have set yourself to reading this entire outpouring of my weaknesses, I pray that the Lord has reached your own heart in some way.  If you feel so led, please lift up my heart that I would seek to be less of myself and more of Christ.  

"He must increase, but I must decrease."  -John 3:30

Please pray for the hearts of South Florida that will be reached through the sharing and spreading of the Gospel by the disciples of Desire Church and the surrounding brothers and sisters with the same mission.  

"But You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I'll go where You will lead me Lord
You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I'll go where You lead me Lord…"

-All Sons and Daughters

Olson, Gibbs, and Herron families at first preview service for Desire Church!

Must Be the Money Mondays!

…I just made that up…

Moving down to Florida has brought many joys, as well as plenty of challenges.  The primary obstacle we have had to face is our finances.  Our White House budget doesn't come close to meeting what is required to live life in Pines.  The cost of living is easily triple that of what we are used to.  That being said, we are definitely testing the waters of living by faith.  We are blessed to be able to say that God provides for our needs every step of the way.  Even in the moments when it's coming down to the wire, we see His hand moving to carry us through.  

I am so thankful for a husband who is working his HARDEST to provide for our family.  He is out every day making the most of each moment!  While I am in the process of acquiring a job (or jobs), I am trying to do my best to cut costs where I can.  So, with the help of the world wide web, and my good new friend, Shannon, I am learning how to coupon!  Do you coupon?!  I am definitely not gonna be one of those cray-cray people with no space to live because their home has become a warehouse for items they will never use… 

You know who I'm talking about, right?  The lady who who has diapers, wipes, and formula, but is single with no man in the picture, no children, and no plan to have them?  

That will not be me.  I WILL, however, save money on items that I will use, when I can.  I have just begun building my system, but I am excited to share my first experience using my newfound knowledge!

For this go-around, I am just going to show the items I purchased with coupons.  There were some other necessary purchases, and they will make it less exciting, so out they go!

All items purchased at Publix!

Item breakdown:

Mott's Apple Juice: 

           Original price- $2.87

           Savings- $.94 each

• BOGO
• $1/1 Mfg coupon

Country Crock Spreadable Butter: 

           Original price- $2.65

           Savings- $1.33 each

• BOGO

Hamburger/Chicken Helper: 

           Original price- $1.89

           Savings- $.72 each

• BOGO
• $.90/4 Mfg coupon

Nestle Cookie Dough (YES PLEASE):

           Original price- $3.49

           Savings- $1.12 each

• BOGO
• $1.25/2 Mfg coupon

Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bars:

           Original price- $2.89

           Savings- $.95 each

• BOGO
• $1.00/2 Target coupon

TOTAL ORIGINAL PRICES- $31.36

TOTAL COST AFTER COUPONS- $11.56

37% discount!

This picture reflects more savings because it takes into account the sales Publix already had on certain products.  I know it's not paying $0, but I'd say that's $22.36 that I can use elsewhere in our budget!  Hooray for savings!!!  

Dear Couponers, do you have any tips?  Websites you love?  Awesome saving stories?!  Please share!

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

THE SPACE:

My Parents' Bedroom and Bathroom

THE MEMORIES:

1. This room never really changed that much.  (As you can see by the giant impressions on the carpet.)  The only major makeover was changing the bed from a waterbed to a Sleep Number mattress.  And when I say waterbed, I mean you could be sitting on one side and someone hop on the other side and you would think you were out to sea!  I missed that thing… So, when I got to get a new bed for my room, I got my OWN waterbed!
2. This used the be the room I would go to if I wanted to watch TV in bed.  It was always an awkward angle, but I felt cozy.
3. This is really the only bathroom I know.  I always hated the lack of water pressure in the bathroom I shared with Connor, so for most of my life, I made their bathroom my bathroom.  Of course, I was always the first one up every morning, so I had it all to myself.
4. Seeing as I was the only one awake, I thought I could take advantage of the time.  My mom would wake me up every 5-10 minutes for about half an hour before I actually got out of bed.  Then, I would drag myself in (with my blanket), turn the shower on, and curl up on the tile floor with my blanket and go back to sleep.  About 20 minutes later, my mom comes in the restroom asking what in the world I am doing.  "I'm tired!" I said.  "Get in the shower!  You're going to be late!" she said.  So, I would take my shower… and go back to my room and watch Saved By the Bell until 7:00am.  Who's with me?!  Z.M. and K.K. forevs!!!

 

Check out the intercom system on the wall.  IN EVERY ROOM.  I love-hated it.

Dad's closet and the location of the ironing board

My favorite bathroom and the tile floor where I would sneak in an extra 20 minute nap before school

Countless baths in that whirlpool tub… Except, we never used the jet part because it always shot out black stuff...

Mom's closet… oh to have this much space for just yourself… (And this isn't the whole thing… it continues on to the right.)

THE SPACE:
The Siblings' Bathroom

THE MEMORIES:

1. Like I said, I didn't use this one very much… So, there aren't nearly as many memories…
2. Drawer to the left: mine… Drawer to the right: Connor's
3. This used to be decorated with purple, blue, and green fish.  Not sayin' that we should have kept it that way, but when my parents decided to remodel, I did NOT have a say in the new decor.  I never liked it.  Wah… wah… wahhhhhh……
4. I did, however, like the needlepoint pictures my mom had hanging up.  She made them herself: one for me and one for Connor.  They had the little sayings… "Sugar and spice and everything nice… That's what little girls are made of…" "Snips and snails and puppy dog tails… That's what little boys are made of…"

Lame shower and a toilet that wouldn't stop running...

View from the throne room to the hallway...

In My Room

THE SPACE:

My Bedroom

THE MEMORIES:

1. This is where I spent the majority of my personal time.  My room was full of pictures of all my friends and family.  I loved mementos from different events and activities I had been a part of and I displayed them everywhere.
2. This is the room where I would run to be alone when I had my own phone line and I wanted to chat with all of my girls about things that didn't really matter.
3. This is the room where I would run to be alone when I was crying over a boy that broke my heart... And then I wrote poems about it.
4. This is the room where I would lay my Bible at the end of my bed at night because my daddy told me that God's Word would protect me from Satan's attacks, and I put that to the test!
5. This is the room that is covered in glow-in-the-dark stars from Wendy's kid's meals LONG ago.  I didn't take them down.  I wonder when the new family discovered the planetarium in their new house...
6. This is the room that shared a wall with my dad's office, so I would hear the choruses, or one line of a verse of songs on repeat alllllll summer long as he worked.  I knew those songs inside and out!  Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Sandi Patty, etc.
7. This is the room that I got to design and thought I was the coolest for having a beach on my wall.  I personally came up with the idea to have a palm tree hang over the other wall so I could sleep "under" it.  Who knew I would actually live near the beach some day??

Here is the wall I designed.  One of my dad's piano students had a mom who painted murals, so she brought my idea to life!

From the palm tree corner looking to the rest of the room.  This is the most common view I had.

Out of my window... Growing up, this is where I saw/heard all the neighborhood kids playing.  I actually popped out the screen one day while shouting something out to them.  

This is my closet.  Exciting, yes?

THE SPACE:
Connor's Bedroom

THE MEMORIES:

1. Obviously, I don't have nearly as many in here, seeing as how it was not my room.
2. I remember cleaning this room on many occasion.  I was responsible for vacuuming and dusting. And what was it that he had to do again?  I don't remember...
3. I remember reading to my brother when he was little.  My mom got the first Harry Potter book for me to read before it was even a popular thing.  I got through the first chapter and looked at Connor and said, "Do you have any idea what's going on in this story?"  He laughed and said, "Nope," and we didn't revisit it again.  (Years later, I fell in love with the series.  He like the movies.)
4. My brother and I did have many fun moments lying back on his bed and taking pictures making crazy faces.  We would laugh until our faces hurt.
5. I wish my brother and I hadn't been so far apart in age.  It put some distance between us for awhile.  My mom miscarried two babies in between us.  I will never know them, but God is sovereign.  Today, Connor turns 21, and I am so proud of the man he is becoming.  Love you Boo Boo!

Total opposite of me, his room has ALWAYS reflected his athletic nature.  Once Connor got to redo his room, it basically became a Chelsea (soccer) haven.  

Here Comes the Sun

THE SPACE:

Backyard

THE MEMORIES:

1. This yard saw a lot of imaginative and active play.  Oddly enough, most of it was from our neighbors.  We had the biggest yard around, so the neighborhood kids were constantly on our property.  It would make me frustrated, mostly because they were all boys, and I didn't want to play with them!
2. I did, however, love spending time on the playground set my parents got for Connor and me.  I loved hanging out in the fort and pretending it was my own secret world.  My neighbor Erin and I enjoyed creating and selling our own "perfume made from mixtures of my mom's good-smelling products and pieces of nature, like acorns... and flower petals... We did actually have a customer!
3. When we had grown out of the fun, we gave the playground to my high school Sunday School teacher and his family.  That did open up the yard for Connor to have a decent soccer field. (Never mind the giant slope in the yard.)
4. In 2004, my mom had this deck built with some of the inheritance from my Grammie and Papa.  The deck was nearly completed just in time for my high school graduation party.
5. The deck was never utilized to its greatest potential.  We probably only used the outdoor table enough times to be counted on two hands.  Dad was in charge of keeping the hot tub clean, but he was also the one who used it the most.  
6. I love the look of the yard, but I will always look back and laugh at all the times my mom wanted to revamp the greenery.  It would look BEAUTIFUL.  Then, the weeds would take over.  (P.S. Weeding was my least favorite chore.  LEAST.)

Coco, what are you doing here, silly?  The only memories you have in this yard involve #1 and #2.

Before it was removed, the playground was right back there.  It took a long time to get the grass to look natural covering up the space where small rocks used to reside.

The table sat on the rounded section.  We had pretty cheap furniture that didn't hold up very long in the weather conditions.

We had lounge chairs up top.  I would lay out there on occasion, but I always felt awkward if the neighbors were in their backyards... Plus, we didn't have a pool to cool off.... Only the hot tub...

These are just the pretty planters my mom collected.  See how alive the flowers look?!

Three Oh Three

This is gonna get real.  Like, I have to let it all out.  The tears have hit, and probably not for the last time.  Say goodbye to 303 Saddlebridge Lane.  Moving around a lot as a child, it was actually house number 5 and I was only 7.  However, this house is what I will always remember as "home".  It belonged to our family for 20 whole years!  We moved to Tennessee on Thanksgiving Day, stayed in The Landings apartments, and then moved into this house on my mom's birthday, February 5, 1994.  The memories range all the way from the joys of childhood to the sadness of a broken family.  I would not take back any of those moments.  They brought us to today.  Made us the people we are.  Set us on the path to who we will become.

But now 303 is going to tell the stories of a new family.  A young couple with a toddler and a baby on the way.  As I stood in the house for the last time, alone, I took a moment in each room and prayed over the family who will now be filling this home with brand new memories.  I prayed that the children would laugh like we laughed, play like we played, create like we created.  I prayed they would become children of God who share His love with others.  I prayed that the mother would love her husband and serve him with humility.  I prayed the father would lead the household and fight for them.  But most of all, I prayed that God would bring them joy, joy that can only come from Christ.

Over the next little bit, I am going to be sharing some memories and pictures from the place I will remember has home.  If you were ever at my house throughout the years we lived there, I would love for you to share some of your favorite memories in the comments.  The reminiscing is primarily for me, but it would be fun to hear from you as well.