Did someone say SALE?! My road to frugality.

I have NEVER been a money conscience person.  I even joke about not EVER looking at prices (sorry for making some people cringe).  When asked how that could possibly be I simply reply, "Well I only shop at stores where I know I can afford what they have to sell."  Leaving out the part about being able to afford maybe 1-2 items that they sell, not 10!

I'm not exactly sure where this lack of money sense stems from but sometimes I think back to the days of junior high... it's the night before a band concert (don't judge) and my mom and I are in search of the perfect white top and black skirt for me to wear.  I always being self conscious, and never wanting to stand out, run around to every store looking for the perfect outfit that will blend in with everyone else.  Of course, this is nowhere to be found.  As the night ends we settle on "the best we could find" and the next night I can barely focus on anything other than the horrible outfit I have on.  This traumatizing moment has led me to the motto of "If you like it buy it as some day you may need it!"... and that motto has led me to credit card debt.  Not the best motto I guess. :)

Recently after finding out I was pregnant with child #2 I realized I had to get my finances under control. I started this journey with a New Years Resolution "Get Finances Under Control."  There, I was set... not so much.  I had a lot to learn.  Over the past few months I have read books (thanks to my friend Shannon who is very wise with her money!) and have researched couponing (along with my new frugal partner in crime, my sister-in-law) and have even resorted to shopping at garage sales!

Here are some things I have learned over the past few months...


Grocery Shopping
1. Check your grocery store's weekly ad for discounts and make your meal plan around those discounts.  I had the most fun I've ever had at the grocery store when I went for the first time and actually LOOKED AT THE PRICES!  Who knew a bag of chips cost $4.00+!  I try not to buy them now unless they are on sale.
2. Buy store brand for items that you can't tell the difference.  My husband Luke had a really hard time with this one.  When I started telling him about my new found grocery shopping attack plan his sarcastic comment was "Next thing I know we will be eating store brand ice cream!"  After this I have made sure to only buy store brand items that I will be using in a recipe so he can't see the box and therefore won't know the difference ;)  don't tell him that.  Things like tomato sauce, canned vegetables or butter are good ones.
3. Cut coupons and organize them in something that you can take with you to the store.  Plan ahead and incorporate them into your meals when you can but also have them on hand in case you see something that you missed putting on your list and that way you have your coupon with you.  Make sure when using coupons that you only buy things you are going to actually use AND don't just buy that brand because you have a coupon.  Sometimes the store brand or another name brand is cheaper even with the coupon.  Buy that brand instead and skip the coupon.  I like to only use a coupon when the item is already on sale so then I feel like it's a double bonus!  Some stores like my local grocery store offer double coupon days... I now shop on those days in case I have a coupon to use.  My store doubles the first 5 coupons up to $1.00 each so that's an additional $5.00 in savings just for shopping on that day.  Ok, so some of you are probably thinking... who cares about $5.00.  Well, it all adds up is what I have to say.

This is my coupon organizer.  It fits in my purse so I can whip it out when needed.  I organized mine according to how my local grocery store is organized.

Baby Items
Getting ready for baby #2 is easier than the first as most of the big things I already own, however, I'm now having a girl and my first one is a boy so clothing is something I will need to purchase.  I know from dressing my little guy that not only do they go through an entire wardrobe every 3 months but they still need multiples of everything as outfit changes happen frequently.  I know I've spent hundreds of dollars every time my son grew out of his clothes.  This time I'm preparing ahead of time and doing it smarter.  I have to say that shopping for girls clothes is much easier than boys... and WAY more fun! :)  I have been to a few garage sales already and a local consignment sale called Just Between Friends.  If you have one of these sales near you I would highly recommend going.  I picked up 68 items for my baby girl all for a little over $100.00!  Some of them look hardly worn too.  They give you these huge IKEA shopping bags to put your clothes in while browsing and at one point I had to start kicking my bag along on the floor because it got too heavy to carry!  There is another one of these sales coming up in May and I have already made an assessment of what all I already have so that I can make sure to buy only what sizes I still need. (disclaimer, this sale is better for girl stuff.  I have tried to find boy clothes and typically the selection is limited.  They do have other baby items though so don't be discouraged if you have a boy)

Here is some of my loot from the JBF Sale and garage sales!  Nothing here is brand new.  

Shorts, skirts and pants are in the drawer, along with a few onesies that I didn't have enough hangers for!

Websites
Groupon and Living Social can help you to still have fun and enjoy restaurants and services you like at a discounted price.  Most of the time I'm not interested in their offer of the day but when I find one I like it's super exciting!  For example, I just purchased a pedicure and manicure for only $25.00!  Now typically I would do my own to save money but with my growing belly getting in the way of touching my toes a monthly summer pedicure is a must.  I typically pay $50.00 for just my pedicure so to get both services for $25.00 is awesome!  Again, make sure to only buy deals that you a.) will actually use and b.) would have bought anyways.  Otherwise your just spending more money because it's on sale.

Stock Up/ Buying On Sale
Walk into my laundry room/storage area (in a small apartment you have mix use rooms, for example I store my dutch oven, bread maker and food processor in the closet of my guest bathroom) and you may find a mass of kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.  This is because I have changed my ways from buying something when I need it to buying it only when it's on sale.  This way I am guaranteed to get the best price.  For these household items that I use all the time I browse the local Target, Walmart and grocery store ads to see who is offering the best deal and then purchase what they have.  I have also been keeping track of what I've been paying for these so to make sure that I only buy when it's the best discount available.  Sometimes I walk away with 12+ rolls of paper towel, 24+ rolls of toilet paper... and it starts to add up at the check-out.  I then remind myself that I'm set for the next few months so to spend a little more now will be better in the future.

Mountain Dew anyone?  Obviously it was on sale for 4 12 packs for $

Eating Out vs. Eating In
Most people know that cooking your meals at home saves you money.  This is one I already knew! :)  The one thing I wasn't so good at was saving left overs and so in return wasted a lot of food.  In an essence this is a planning problem.  I make dinner every night except Fridays (that's Luke's night, which typically means ordering a pizza).  Luke doesn't eat left overs so I make an entirely new meal every single night.  Sometimes these recipes would feed an entire family of 4 and instead of thinking ahead I would simply throw the remainder in the garbage (another cringe moment, I know).  Now, when planning my weekly menu I PLAN for left overs!  I love left overs and since I eat lunch at work every day I now either save it in the fridge to eat within a few days or if there are tons of left overs I package them up in individual serving sizes, mark the date and what it is on the container and throw it in the freezer.  Not only does this save me money by not wasting but then I don't have to run out and buy a $7.00+ lunch every day!

The Library
I love reading and books in general and always just purchased my books from a store but then my friend reminded me of the library!  I don't think I've had a library card since middle school so I felt like a complete novice when I went in to get one.  Now when one of my book holds comes in I get super excited!  Not only do I get to read this amazing book but it's free!  Plus, I never let myself read because I feel as though I should be doing something else but if I can only keep the book for 14 days I am more apt to allow myself to read so that I can finish the book!

Here is my current library read, thanks to my friend Lindsay for recommending.

I hope by candidly sharing some of my new found enlightenments that you may be inspired to go out a save a dollar.  I'm still learning so any ideas that you have for me send them my way!

**Side note.  The morning after writing this post I attended a Matilda Jane trunk show at a friends house and relapsed.  A few cute dresses and pants for baby girl later and I'm forced to admit that my frugality is obviously a work in progress!**

Casserole Exchange

My sister-in-law came up with a great idea to have a casserole exchange between her, myself and my mother-in-law.  On Friday at work we all came to the table (well actually the car as we were driving to lunch) with a few recipes each to vote on.  My mother-in-law had two recipes that included sauerkraut (I voted those out immediately!) so for her we settled on Taco Pie.  My sister-in-law really wanted to make Barbecue Chicken Mac N' Cheese but my mother-in-law told her she had to offer up more than just one recipe so she listed off a few others and in the end we all settled on... Barbecue Chicken Mac N' Cheese (sounds delicious doesn't it!)  I had originally wanted to make Chicken Pot Pie but just in case printed off a few last minute recipes from Pinterest... my new favorite thing!  In the end they voted on Cheesy Chicken Lasagna.  Found originally on Pinterest.  I have made it before and really liked it and so felt confident making it for others.

Now that the dishes were chosen we had to decide how much we were going to make.  My sister-in-law and myself wanted to use disposable pans so as not to worry about getting them back later.  We settled on using the 9x11disposable pans.  We would each make 1 per person so 3 total in order to keep one for ourselves.  The exchange was set for Monday at work giving us the weekend to purchase groceries and make our meals.

I made my Cheesy Chicken Lasagna Sunday afternoon while Max was napping.  Then I wrapped them up, wrote what they are, the cooking temp and time and when they were made.  I believe my mother-in-law was going to eat all of hers the week of the exchange but since Luke is out of town and it's only me and Max at home I knew I was going to have to freeze some for later when he's around.

This was great because I only had to make 1 recipe but will end up with 3 different meals!  Tonight I'm going to have my mother-in-laws Taco Pie.  I'm thinking this will be good to do again before baby #2 comes.  If anyone else is interested in an exchange let me know... I'm in!

Max's New Tricks

Luke and I discussed today about how Max is way cooler than a dog because you can only teach a dog a few tricks whereas Max learns something new every day!  (Yes, we truly have these very intellectual conversations.)  It's so exciting to watch him learn.  For example some of his newest words are:

1. "Uh Oh" (This one is said when things fall to the floor, when he falls down, when mom falls down, when he can't find his pacifier, when mom can't find his pacifier... it's pretty much all day long)
2. " Nooooooooooo" (He says it elongated I think because I'm typically yelling it while running in his direction to try and stop him from things like putting his finger in the outlet we haven't baby proofed yet.  The funny thing is that he sticks his tongue out when saying the "n" so Luke kept asking why Max was saying "mo?")
3. "Hello" (This is his newest word that he now says while putting the TV remote, calculator or cell phone up to his ear.  It's almost creepy the way the tone of his voice changes when he says it.  It sounds a little like "ellow"  I'm thinking he's been hanging out with a British women lately)
4. "Oh Sh**t" (Yes I heard him mumble this one a few times lately and thought to my self "OH SH**T!"  I'm blaming this one on his dad.  The good thing is Max says it pretty quiet because I don't think he's really confident with this one yet so I'm hoping that without reinforcement he will forget he ever heard it!)

So being that Max is now 14 months you would think the next new trick I'm going to tell you about is him walking... sadly no.  He can cruise around anywhere while holding onto things but has yet to venture out on his own.  He's so close though so maybe soon we will have a video out of that one.

No, the next new trick is one that him and his father showed me today while out shopping.  It's the first of the "Oh man look what my husband taught my son" tricks.  Soon he will be peeing on cars and spitting out windows!  This one isn't that bad, it's actually pretty cute.  It's hard to explain in writing exactly what they do so at the risk of being non-politically correct, Luke pretty much taught Max how to do the "Indian."  You know where you take the palm of your hand and put it over your mouth repeatedly while saying "o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o".  That's the only thing I could think of to describe it!  Max loves it and thinks it's really cool.  He's not really great at the hand coordination though and sometimes ends up saying "oooooo" while banging himself in the eye.

Lastly I had to share that, according to my husband, Max had his first "make out session" at day care on Friday.  You can imagine the imagery that this statement put into my head so of course I asked him to clarify.  Beaming (as most dads would) he said that when he went to pick-up Max the little girl who is almost two ran over to say good bye and gave him a huge smooch "RIGHT ON THE LIPS".  My reaction was "Oh, that's all"?  Knowing that French people kiss on the lips all the time I did not consider this a so called "make out session."  However, Luke was so proud that Max was such a stud at day care that I let him gloat a little about it.

Total Stud!  Notice how he styled his own hair using a new product I like to call "Spaghetti Sauce"

A Special Request

So this weekend I was asked by Max's daycare lady's son, Leif, (did you catch that?) if I could write a blog post about his girlfriend to surprise her as he said she reads my blog.   I of course obliged because I'm nice like that :) and I like people that read my blog. hehe :)  When I got back into my car after accepting this request I thought to myself... hmmm what can I write about Chelsea?

Should I write about the fact that she was the only babysitter that I liked/trusted to watch Max and now that she's off to college trying to pursue the rest of her life I'm stuck watching DVDs on my couch instead of going to movies in the theater?  This is serious as I have a bad case of narcolepsy when it comes to watching movies in my living room.  I purposely leave every single light on, sit up straight and sometimes drink caffeine just so I can sit through an entire movie.  It's horrible.  Due to this habit of falling asleep Luke has banned me from selecting movies as he hates it when it's my turn and I pick out a chick flick only to fall asleep halfway through leaving him to finish watching "my dread full movie" by himself.  Why doesn't he just turn it off you may ask... he can't.  Much like my falling asleep he has a problem with finishing movies.  It could be the dumbest movie out there and he WILL NOT turn it off.

On the other hand, I could write about the fact that Chelsea and Leif blow-up each others facebook walls with "I love you" "I love you more" I love you too" I miss you" Can't wait to see you this weekend" "loved seeing you this weekend"... etc all day long.  She went off to college 2.5 hours away and now the rest of us have to suffer.  I'm totally/ somewhat kidding :)  I understand what it's like to be separated from your sig other (I think that's what cool people are calling it these days) but at least keep it to texting or skype or something. :)

So in the end I decided the best thing to write about Chelsea is the fact that she's a super sweetheart and Max loves hanging out with her and Leif so I guess I'll keep them around a little longer.

P.S. Chelsea, if you ever come back to Madison for the weekend and want to watch Max let me know!  We will pay you in cash plus Arbonne products as a bonus :)

Pumpkin Train

Even before I was pregnant my mother-in-law talked about taking our future kids on the little Pumpkin Train to pick out a pumpkin.  That day has finally come.

Today my mother-in-law, Max and I drove to Marshall, Wisconsin to ride the train and get Max a pumpkin.  Max was soaking in all the kids running around and I think he was really enjoying the sites.

Then the train started to come around the corner and he almost started to cry.  In his defense it was a little louder than I expected and there were kids yelling everywhere.

Once on the train he still wasn't so sure but he started to enjoy himself a little.  Then came time to pick out the pumpkin...

Let's just say he was not as excited to sit in prickly grass next to a pumpkin in the middle of a field with kids running around screaming... as I thought he would be

Not happy!

What's that pumpkin doing? 

The ride back was much better and I think Max relaxed a little and started having fun.

The tunnel spooked him a little bit as it was pretty dark in there but it didn't make him cry again.

My favorite picture of the day

I really enjoyed taking Max to a new experience and hope that in the future we can spend more time together.  He's such a fun little boy!  Thanks Grandma for a fun afternoon trip!

Yeah Solid!

All I'm going to say is this is the text message that I received from my daycare provider this morning.  Max has been a little under the weather these past few weeks and without being too graphic I'll just tell you that there was a lot of clothing changes going on due to "leakage."  I'm sure he wasn't feeling too well but I'm more excited for selfish reasons, if you know what I mean.

What a pleasant text to receive at 7:30am :)  I'm thinking his tummy and his booty must be feeling much better!

Go Pack Go?

It is the opening night of the NFL (National Football League) and I have mixed feelings.  I know most people (my husband) are SUPER excited about tonight but I'm feeling a little "eh"  I'm excited that Maroon 5 (mostly Adam Levine) sang "Moves Like Jagger" to open the night and it's pretty cool that the Packers are the reigning Super Bowl Champs but what tonight really means is now every Sunday I'm "husband less."  With 8+ fantasy football leagues I can't even get him to look up from his i-Pad/Computer on Sundays to even acknowledge me. (seriously)  I have plans a few Sundays from now and even though my husband will be home, I'm considering hiring a babysitter just to make sure Max is well taken care of.  

I will admit that I did watch the super bowl... I think?  But like most women it was the commercials I was most interested in.  I guess I just don't exactly get the obsession with sports but then again I'm a girl - disclaimer- some girls like sports, I'm not judging :)

Some of my family will be disappointed that I'm cheering for the Packers, as they are Vikings fans, but as a true Minnesotan and "Fair Weather Fan" I'm sticking with the winning team.  No I'm just kidding... about the fair weather fan, not about cheering for the Packers (sorry to my brother).

Wish me luck the next 16+ Sundays :)