I have never been one to cut coupons. For deals, I've pretty much always just relied on the in-store specials with your store card or for retail stuff, the sales racks (even then, I'm not the best bargain shopper). However, lately I've been thinking that maybe I SHOULD look into coupon cutting. I mean, with a crappy economy -- why not try and save a few bucks off a grocery bill? Plus, with coupon saving blogs and now, even a coupon saving show on TLC, its hard not to be curious!
In the past, I've always just tossed the coupons and store inserts we constantly get in the mail. I found them bothersome as they just sit on my dining room table and start piling up until they get thrown out in one foul swoop. But, the past few weeks I've been glancing through them, and putting some aside that I thought we might use. About 60% of the coupons we get are useless to us anyway, but some caught my interest!
So, I decided to join the coupon saving game! Okay, so I haven't actually done it yet, but today, I starting cutting some out for our next shopping trip! I'm actually kind of excited about it. I was surprised at how many different coupons were out there, and coupons for stuff we actually use.
I do not, however, plan to be a crazy coupon cutter that gets $1,000 worth of stuff for $70. Thats awesome, but really, a little insane. Who needs 30 bottles of Maloxx or 10 packs of lunch meat?
At any rate, as soon as I get my coupon saving game face on, I will surely report back about how it goes/how much money is saved!
Stay tuned.. :)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
time to get crafty!
I used to pride myself on being a crafty person. When I was a kid, I was always the one getting the fun little "craft" sets like window clings or some other type of artsy thing. Over time though, I've kinda lost the drive to WANT to be crafty. Once in awhile though, I see something that strikes me interest, and I just have to do it.
Like the other night, for example. I was reading through some blogs and stumbled across this adorable wreath the blogger had made, out of her husband's old Air Force BDU'S. PERFECT! Not only have we been needing a neutral wreath to keep on our door in between holidays, but, my husband just so happens to have TONS (and I do mean tons!) of old ACU's in his foot lockers in our basement.
The wreath itself looked easy enough, so I got to work on googling exactly how to make one. It took a little research, as I stumbled upon several sites where women were offering up the instructions via a PDF file -- for a price. Really? Or, I could buy a pre-made wreath for $40+ if I wanted. Again, really? Luckily, I found another blog nice enough to list the steps for FREE (honestly, after all was said and done, I probably could have figured it out on my own) so I was grateful for that!
Last night after work, I headed to the craft store to pick up a few supplies I needed. Once I got home, I had Ryan dig around for a uniform that he wouldn't mind I chop up. After that, I got to work! Originally, I planned to just focus on the cutting of the pieces, and construct the actual wreath the next day. Once I finished dissecting the pants, I had quite a large pile of fabric squares, so I decided to maybe stick just a few pieces in the wreath, just to see what it looked like. Well, just a few turned into the whole wreath! lol. At one point, Ryan even joined me on the floor, helping me cut material and get even more fabric out of the tricky parts of the uniform (mainly the pocket and hem areas) -- teamwork! I am very pleased with how it turned out, and I think it looks great on our door :)
Like the other night, for example. I was reading through some blogs and stumbled across this adorable wreath the blogger had made, out of her husband's old Air Force BDU'S. PERFECT! Not only have we been needing a neutral wreath to keep on our door in between holidays, but, my husband just so happens to have TONS (and I do mean tons!) of old ACU's in his foot lockers in our basement.
The wreath itself looked easy enough, so I got to work on googling exactly how to make one. It took a little research, as I stumbled upon several sites where women were offering up the instructions via a PDF file -- for a price. Really? Or, I could buy a pre-made wreath for $40+ if I wanted. Again, really? Luckily, I found another blog nice enough to list the steps for FREE (honestly, after all was said and done, I probably could have figured it out on my own) so I was grateful for that!
Last night after work, I headed to the craft store to pick up a few supplies I needed. Once I got home, I had Ryan dig around for a uniform that he wouldn't mind I chop up. After that, I got to work! Originally, I planned to just focus on the cutting of the pieces, and construct the actual wreath the next day. Once I finished dissecting the pants, I had quite a large pile of fabric squares, so I decided to maybe stick just a few pieces in the wreath, just to see what it looked like. Well, just a few turned into the whole wreath! lol. At one point, Ryan even joined me on the floor, helping me cut material and get even more fabric out of the tricky parts of the uniform (mainly the pocket and hem areas) -- teamwork! I am very pleased with how it turned out, and I think it looks great on our door :)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
april showers bring may flowers...hopefully?
Our trip out west was wonderful. Exactly what we needed! It was a quick trip, but trust me, it was great for both of us. I got to get away from work for a few days and Ryan was on spring break, so he was already away from school -- but otherwise, he would have sat at home all week. Not to mention, the sunshine did wonders for us! We returned home with color while the rest of the city was still pale! It was sooo nice being able to take off some layers and soak in the vitamin D after months and months of cold weather and snow!
I got a chance to see & explore gorgeous San Diego, and also Arizona! I had never been to Arizona before, so that was a new experience for me. I actually enjoyed it, though my husband talks down about it all the time! One day, we even ventured into Mexico for a few hours. Even though we were literally just miles from the border, it was still neat to see! I left with a gucci wallet and a prada bag ;)Getting that bag took some SERIOUS bargaining skills. I refused to pay what the guy was asking (I mean hello, you NEVER pay full price for a knock off!) and kept trying to walk away. Eventually, the guy followed me out the store and finally offered me a price I couldn't refuse. WINNING! haha. 
It was also nice to spend some time with the in-law's and get a glimpse into my husband's life before me. Much to his disbelief, I still want to be married to him after seeing Yuma. LOL. In all seriousness though -- how could you not fall in love with a sunset like THAT?? I always thought Erie had a beautiful sunset (it still does, I promise) but I'm pretty sure Arizona has a one up in that department!
Ah, California. This was my third time there, and as usual, it did not disappoint. I absolutely love it there. LOVE IT. I've now been to three different parts of the state, and I've loved each one. I truly wish it were not so far away from my family because I would totally move there in a heartbeat. I don't even know what it is about it that draws me in, but I feel very content there. Probably the palm trees? We don't have those up north! lol.
Much thanks to Rainier hosting us and being our (well, my) tour guide while there! I definitely got my fill of In-N-Out Burger and Pinkberry (for the time being, anyway!) I hope that someday soon, we can make it back out there! It's definitely a bonus having a husband with friends and family in fun places :)
I got a chance to see & explore gorgeous San Diego, and also Arizona! I had never been to Arizona before, so that was a new experience for me. I actually enjoyed it, though my husband talks down about it all the time! One day, we even ventured into Mexico for a few hours. Even though we were literally just miles from the border, it was still neat to see! I left with a gucci wallet and a prada bag ;)Getting that bag took some SERIOUS bargaining skills. I refused to pay what the guy was asking (I mean hello, you NEVER pay full price for a knock off!) and kept trying to walk away. Eventually, the guy followed me out the store and finally offered me a price I couldn't refuse. WINNING! haha. 
It was also nice to spend some time with the in-law's and get a glimpse into my husband's life before me. Much to his disbelief, I still want to be married to him after seeing Yuma. LOL. In all seriousness though -- how could you not fall in love with a sunset like THAT?? I always thought Erie had a beautiful sunset (it still does, I promise) but I'm pretty sure Arizona has a one up in that department!Ah, California. This was my third time there, and as usual, it did not disappoint. I absolutely love it there. LOVE IT. I've now been to three different parts of the state, and I've loved each one. I truly wish it were not so far away from my family because I would totally move there in a heartbeat. I don't even know what it is about it that draws me in, but I feel very content there. Probably the palm trees? We don't have those up north! lol.
Much thanks to Rainier hosting us and being our (well, my) tour guide while there! I definitely got my fill of In-N-Out Burger and Pinkberry (for the time being, anyway!) I hope that someday soon, we can make it back out there! It's definitely a bonus having a husband with friends and family in fun places :)
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