Coupon Clipper (That's right. I said COUPON CLIPPER)

So, let's be honest. Kenny works. I work. We bring in a decent amount of money. But, we also have quite a bit of debt. Even still--I have always been under the assumption that because we both work, I deserve to go to the store and buy whatever I want (when it comes to food, etc.--because I can.) I also told myself many times that I am not poor, and I don't need to be one of those penny-pinching-make a shopping list-keep track of my budget grocery shopping women. Seriously. I was really obnoxious like that.
Well, Brooke (who I love by the way) had a grocery party at her house or whatever it was called officially... and I went to it. One of her friends taught us (very simple by the way) how to save money on our grocery bill. So, I thought...well, I'll try it.
This week was the first week that I really clipped the coupons and looked for the sales. And, it may be of no interest to anyone besides myself (and Becca because she went with me)...but I was pretty proud of myself for my shopping...so let's see how I did.
(I went Albertsons and Smiths. Albertsons for most all of my shopping, but Smiths also because there were a few deals I could not pass up. )

I bought the following....

2 bottles of Wesson cooking oil
5 4 packs of Hunts pudding
5 bottles of Hunts ketchup
4 boxes of popcorn
1 package of Hot Dog buns
2 boxes of Gushers
2 boxes of fruit roll ups
3 boxes of Capri Suns
6 Easy Mac
2 loaves of bread
4 12 packs of coke products
3 Fiber One Pop Tarts
2 boxes Alberton's cereal
4 boxes of Kelloggs cereal
1 package of Mini delights
2 cartons of egg beaters
2 packages of Kraft american cheese singles
3 8oz chunks of cheese
7 boxes of Lean Pockets
2 Deli Select meat packages
8 oranges
3 boxes of Electrosol tabs (that's 60 total dishwasher loads)
2 gallons of Milk
6 packages of hot dogs
1 roast
2 bags frozen potatoes
1 10 lb bag of potatoes
1 bottle Kraft salad dressing
1 bottle Kraft bbq sauce

Now, Becca was trying to help me figure out the percentage I saved. I can't remember exactly but it was I want to say 65%. But, don't quote me on that because I don't really know how to do it with all the tax and stuff. But, If I was to pay regular price for the food I bought...I would have paid $257.45. But, I paid $95.85. Um....HELLO? What have I been wasting my money on this whole time?
Now, some of you may be wondering why in the world I bought some of this stuff. 5 bottles of ketchup, 6 packages of hot dogs etc. Well, why not buy it when I get it super cheap, instead of only buying one and then having to pay full price when that one runs out.
I'm sold. Seriously sold on this whole thing. Kenny thought I was bonkers...because I taking pictures of the food I bought...but it was entertaining to him I think. But I mean--I'm never ever going to look at shopping the same. It's totally given me a new appreciation for the money that I have been "wasting" this whole time at the grocery store.
So, yeah...I'm a coupon clipper. At first I was nervous to admit it--but, I'll say it again. I'm a coupon clipper, and proud of it.

Phew!

So, that's it family and friends...I'm caught up. You're thinking....What? It's been a month and that's all that happened? Well, pretty much. We work, we play, we ....work we play....and sometimes we do other things....but, really, we're just living life and enjoying our little Kira who is not really that little anymore.
I am making an effort to keep up with my blogging more because I really do love it...and the posts are a lot more entertaining to do when I don't have a months worth of pictures to upload and weed out. For anyone still looking at my blog...I'm back. Wooo Hooo!

I really do try

This is my effort to show everyone that I do try. Do you see this flower in Kira's hair? It was in a total of 10 seconds. And, that's because I put it on 5 times, and it stayed there for 2 seconds each. I went through a phase where I made hair bows. She'd rip them off. I bought little cute clips, she'd pulled them out. I put funky fun hair ties in--she won't rest until she yanks every last one of them out. I think some people think I'm one of those moms who doesn't care if her kids have cute hair. I totally do, but this child HATES stuff in her hair. I try. Just wanted that in the open--I try--it doesn't really work.

Binkie?

Kira has never been into binkies. She never really needed it for soothing...and we never really gave them to her often. She discovered a binkie in her room, and has found it entertaining to stick in her mouth and chew on...until dad found out. He wasn't fond of the binkie activity...and I agreed. Why get her addicted to something she never cared about before. So, this is one of the few pics I have with her in a binkie, and i thought it was cute.
On a side note--this child is GROWING. at her 18 month check up she was 28 lbs 6 oz, and 33 inches tall. She's growing, and learning, and overall she's really quite healthy.

It's time for summer

As if we didn't do enough together....workout together, hang out together, ....let's get our hair done together. And, this is my hair post (because I always do one.) I went blonde this time. And, Keelee...of course I love it. Summer is coming.... Time to tan the skin, and lighten the hair. I love sunshine!

Kira loves her babies

Kira likes to take her babies everywhere now. When we go shopping, she makes me buckle the baby in the cart. She holds one while she's in the car, or when she's going to bed, or when she just wants to play. She pats her back, gives her kisses, takes her for walks...and dumps her out of the stroller onto her head.... Well, she's still learning. :)

Little Green Monster

Kira is coloring nicely. She's in her highchair with crayons and paper. I do the dishes. Kira is still coloring nicely. I go the laundry room and return a minute later...Kira is eating crayon. Oops. Oh well, a little crayon never hurt anyone, right.....?