I'm still here!

At least a 1/2 dozen times a day I think of things I want to type in my blog ... BUT at least 2,010 times I get called off to do something else instead ... Maggie Jo took a nose dive out of the high chair - Camden took a nose dive over his Tonka truck oh & lets not forget Joe needs something typed up & sold on craigslist.com!!


... but I've finally made it over here to my blog! FINALLY it's almost "mommy time" - Camden on my lap - wiggling - making it very difficult to type! I've so many things I want to share but obviously my time is going to be short ... so I will share something that really made me smile today!!


I've always used coupons! Always looked for deals! Years ago some even called me the coupon queen! I've fallen away for a few years. My excuse it simple - coupons were hard to come by because I do not receive the newspaper ... but like many others out there I have been motivated by TLC's new show Extreme Couponing.  I've only caught a couple episodes & let me be quick to say I think these people border on hoarders!! I honestly think it's foolish to own obscene stockpiles of food!! Yes, we are in an economic recession ... & yes, I do stock up on good deals!! But I don't let my good deals take over my home or make it my full time job! I am a mommy first. A mommy second!! A mommy 24/7!! ... my trips to the store are small in comparison to the show's extremers & my time is limited to how quickly my 2 year old gets bored ... actually in comparison to the show you could say my shopping trips are EXTREMELY SMALL!


So motivated by the show - I have found a newspaper recycle bin that allows me 3 - yes, only THREE - coupon inserts. I don't dumpster dive for more! I don't beg neighbors to save them. I don't advertise on craigslist asking ... I take my 3 inserts compare them with store flyers from only 3 - yes THREE stores - Walmart, Walgreens & Kroger's ... oh & yes, I'm guilty of "like"ing a few facebook pages that share deals & I've jumped at the chance to sign up for freebies in the mail ... but I buy only what I know we will use & what we need! or what I can give to family ... & yes, if it's FREE & we don't need it I donate it to the local women's shelter ... 


So with all that said - I want to share today's "haul".  I save money all time using my coupons but this is the first time I walked away with my stomach jumping ... my bill was $32.08 ... I paid $5.20 ... & I also got a $5 rewards to spend on my next trip so TECHNICALLY this "haul" cost me a whopping .20 cents!! My absolute best shopping trip by far!! & with some goodies for the diaper bag as a bonus ... we've got Grandpop's Father's Day present!! ... & since I have 2 more coupon inserts left ... I might just do it all again tomorrow for Daddy!! & now with the kids asleep & Joe snoring I'm off for my real mommy time to watch my FREE Redbox rental!