Extreme Couponing

I just finished my trip from shopping for the first time with my coupons! I must say I am tired, but extremely excited.  After having a coupon swap session and cutting out session with my friend, "S. B.," I went to get a Madison County Herald. The Madison County Herald is a free newspaper, which has both the Red Plum insert and the SmartSource insert (if you are lucky maybe 2 or 3 in the same paper). After cutting out some and filing away the other inserts (idea thanks to S.B.), I began the process of comparing weekly ads, comparing coupons, and making a list.  In the end, I had a list and coupons for CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, and Rite Aid.  Then I found a three prong folder with pockets. I placed inside sheet protectors. The coupons were paper to each shopping list (which was for a specific store). On each list, I wrote than a brief description of item, sale price, and amount of coupon.  I file my coupons in a small photo album, so it's convenient for me to have them in case I see something on sale that I have a coupon for. Also, I put a SmartSource and Redplum extra insert in the back pockets, and a pantry list, along with next week's menu in the front pocket. My first stop was RiteAid.  I spent 7.53 on Kelloggs Cereal and Pringles.  I saved $7.88.  Next stop was Walgreens. This trip was more complicated. Some of the items I had written down included a coupon from the paper.  We had to find a sales paper and show the coupons. Next time, I will clip out the coupons in the paper. Also, I learned to paper clip my list and coupons to the current sales paper. I had to get a raincheck (my first one) on the sugar. That felt so powerful. :) (Yes, pretty lame, but oh well!)  I spent $25.20. I saved $17.67, plus I received $2 off my next purchase!! Next stop was Kroger. In addition to the coupons, I had digital coupons on my Kroger card.  Yes, I was able to get my Magnum Ice Cream... (can't wait for the kids to go to sleep for me to devour all three! LOL! Yes, I will be at the gym in the morning!!  I spent $46.82. I saved a total of $12.43.  My last stop was CVS.  I saved $20.38 plus I received a  $4.00 coupon off my next purchase.  I spent only $17.87.  What a shopping trip! Saving that much money felt so empowering. YAY!!! I am excited about this saving money journey. Total saved, including coupons, came to a total of $64.36.  Couponing is my new hobby.

Braves vs. Stars

Tonight we went to Trustmark Park to watch the Mississippi Braves play against the Stars. Even though Jeremiah and I stood in line at the concession stand for over thirty minutes, we had a wonderful time. Jasmine and Jacob enjoyed the clapping and shouting. They really had fun watching the players and seeing the baseballs fly. It was a really great deal. Admission into the ballpark was free if you donated items for the Salvation Army. We also received wonderful souvenirs and a free hot dog and drink for the whole family. If you haven't been to a Braves game, you are truly missing out. I understand why Sandi loves it so! People were everywhere. Children were playing. It was so nice to see families together. Here are a few pictures I took and video of the game. My iPhone 3GS is so awesome!

and the LIFETIME JUGGLING AWARD GOES TO...

So much has transpired in the past few days that I can't keep track of the continuous flow of my body without rest and relaxation. Lately though, I have been having these migraines, which have decided that they will withstand the pressure of the strongest medication. Trying not to feel completely pushed in corner, I realized that (just maybe) I might have too much going on. Recently, the reality of working away from the home was very real, especially dealing with interpersonal relationships with difficult, stubborn, and sometimes rude coworkers. Normally, when a person exits their job and crosses the threshold of their home, they enter into a surreal world. Unfortunately, I cross the threshold to my second job. Looking around my home and noticing what has not been done and really isn't much of a priority to be completed, I just feel more exhausted and worn out. Can someone erase the chaos in my life with the lifetime eraser? I want to experience the calm, relaxing environment, surrounding being at home. I want to be able to curl up in a corner and get to my TBR (to be read) stack of books, with no interruption. However, for me this remains only a dream deferred. I must continue to manage a household, businesses, work, complete two degrees, a continuing education class, be involved in church, help with homework, tutor, and fulfill so many other tasks while maintaining my sanity.