Frugal Challenge Update and THIS is Why I Use Coupons

Since starting my couponing journey last year, I have had to learn all the ins and outs of trying to buy things with the lowest OOP or Out of Pocket. Well, below is a picture of some items I paid ZERO out of pocket for. It is so nice to walk out of a store and you didn't spend one dime. It is really a high you get from such nice shops as this. Here is how I did it. I used my CVS Extra Care Bucks that were expiring, several coupons and the amount that was left over I paid for with a $10 gift card I received from My Points. So my OOP would have been 2.21 and with the gift card paying for that it was 0! Yeah. I am a mild couponer but sure love to stock my shelves with free stuff or cheap stuff. Who wouldn't?

Some things to remember when you first start:

1. Couponing is work. But you can choose how much time you want to spend at it.

2. Start small. I started with CVS and of course clipping coupons for grocery shopping. At this time I do not have a lot of time to run to multiple stores. Choose one drugstore and learn its ins and outs. I'm now getting many toiletries very cheaply and often for free.

3. You don't have to buy lots of papers to get coupons. I have one paper delivered every week and my in-laws get two papers and give me the inserts. I am not out to have tons of shampoos or other items because I don't have the room for storage. I do like to have enough until the next sale rolls around.

4. Couponing gets easier the longer you do it. Give it time. Like anything else in life, practice makes perfect. It also gets addictive. You really start to hate paying full price for things. 

5. When life is hectic, take a break. When I am busy or have sick kids, I don't deal shop. I just wait until the next week to start again.

 If you ever have any questions on starting to coupon shop and stockpile, please just ask. There are people out there that do far better than I ever do and have entire blogs on the topic, but for me it is a small part of my life that I do enjoy sharing via my blog. I'm happy to get others started.

Some of my favorite couponing blogs:

hip2save.com

weusecoupons.com

jerikayssearchfortheperfectdeal.blogspot.com

http://www.totallytarget.com/

I want to provide the link to one of my absolute favorite money saving blogs. She is straightforward and so informative. Right now she has a series on making money through rebates. 

Frugal Makes Cents

Oh I forgot one. This is a great resource of SoCal couponers as she is in our area but she shares nationwide info too.  http://www.saveathomemommy.com/

and

http://www.simplycvsshopping.com/

Linking to:

The Thrifty Home

Time Warp Wife

The Saved Quarter

Raising Homemakers

A Tour of my Fifties Kitchen

I love to see tours of other people's homes, especially kitchens. So in tune with that, I thought I would share my kitchen such as it is. If you want to see a kitchen from the fifties, I have one. Other than flooring and an added dishwasher, this is the home's original kitchen. We bought this house after my hubby's grandmother passed away. She was the original owner and the cleanest most persnickity woman I ever met. I mean that in a good way. It is the reason the kitchen was kept in such good care.  Ready for a time warp?

Love doing dishes and looking out my window.

Original stove hood. Copper is what I was told it is made of. Not sure about that.

Oranges from the yard.

Morning central.

 Original oven and my aprons hanging there. Of course the dirtiest one is on top.

Hung this pot rack here though it has never held a pot. Too low. Just old things from my mother's kitchen.

We cram this banquet with 7 people sometimes. Dad and I get the bench. The kids and their friends all squeeze.

Finally figured out where to place my spatterware coffee pot I just bought.

50s houses have lots of doors.

Snack jar I always keep filled for the kids. Usually it holds Goldfish but today I couldn't resist the Lil' Debbies.

 Just looking at these pictures reiterates the need I feel to paint this kitchen another color. It is indeed the color Bandaid as my kids say.

Okay do you want one now? They are great frozen.

There you have my simple kitchen. What I did not show you were the funky tiles I have strategically hidden. Turquoise blue Sunburst tiles. I even see dishes with that pattern in antique stores. Have never been able to embrace them but maybe someday I'll go more retro in here but I just love cozy so much more.

Linking to:
Between Naps on the Porch
A Stroll Thru Life
Boogie Board Cottage
Show off your Cottage Monday
Coastal Charm
A Beach Cottage
Sue Loves Cherries
Faded Charm
Savvy Southern Style
Brambleberry Cottage
Vintage Thingies Thursday
My Romantic Home

Spring has sprung!

I have an ornamental peach tree in my backyard that is the most gorgeous thing when in bloom.

It is the harbinger of spring. I know the seasons are changing when I see it bloom. Yesterday, the first bloom popped and I wanted to share. Little striped pink blossoms will cover her soon.

So fear not, spring is on its way!

Happy Valentine's Day

Our celebration is tonight in our house as hubby is out of town again tomorrow. He surprised me with flowers. Baby roses and carnations, my favorites.

Heart shaped pound cake waiting for fresh strawberries and home made whipped cream.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone from me to you!

Cozy Kitchen Corner

I have been trying to figure out where to display my little toy stove. The first spot was not successful. Next to the phone, everyone was dumping paperwork on it. Of course it wasn't me I swear.

I moved my breadbox to another spot and scrubbed down the counters and backsplash. I may change the picture hanging behind the flowers but for now it will stay.

Brought out this green tin that has been hiding in the laundry room.

Always a candle burning in my kitchen. I stock up when I find them on clearance.

In the evening after dinner, kitchen all scrubbed and counters straightened until the next day when life begins again.

Linking to:

Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Saturday Night Special

Seasonal Sundays

My Romantic Home

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Met Monday

Crock Pot Chili Verde

Cooked up one of the pork loin roasts I just bought and chili verde was on the menu. This is so easy. I only do easy I guess. Enough was made for two dinners. Love to cook once, serve twice.

Chili Verde

First, I cut the loin in half and browned it in a pan with season salt.

Next, just put the roast into the crockpot with enough water to cover the roast half way.

I add a little bit of chicken bullion to the water and stir.

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1 small can diced green chillies

some green chili salsa.

Just poor the ingredients into the crockpot and simmer all day until tender.

Shred with a fork before serving.

Serve on warm tortillas with the fixins you like. We had cheese, sour cream, cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes and home made guacamole. Just cool and freeze whatever is left for another meal.

Linking to:

Be Different Act Normal

Shabby Nest

Foodie Friday

Friday Potluck

My Romantic Home

Raising Homemakers

Saturday Night Special

Permanent Posies

Surprise

Received a phone call Tuesday telling me I had won the January drawing at my favorite little store. Well I was down there that afternoon to go shopping. Picked up this little lamb pull toy.

Some picks for St. Patty's. Won't these be cute to put out in March?

Love the dots.

Picked up some of their flavored ground coffees. Amaretto this time. Yeah, what a nice surprise that was.

Hubby's Office

My lineman is out of town again and you know I must be missing him when I am posting about him just to see his face. Here he is in a helicopter surveying the Station Fire damage. 

150 ft high up on a tower. Really does he need to even show me these?

But this is how I prefer him. Home safe next to me.

The bummer is he is in such a remote area right now  he doesn't even have cell service. Hard to believe that even exists any longer.