Coupon Skillz-an update to Mad Skills!

So, I've had a lot of people ask me lately how my couponing is going! I thought I would give you an update! Throughout this process I've found that like everyone, I have my strengths and I have my weaknesses! Let me begin with the strengths :)

My first strength is that I have a very organized and great looking binder! It is divided by sections it is oh so easy to find my coupons. With that being said, my next strength is eating out.

Well, friends! Let me tell you that we can eat out cheap! Of course eating would be my strength! AND not cooking! Let's take today for example. My family and I just got home from lunch at Chick Fil A (come on, you knew that was coming). We ate for around $12 and this is what we had:
The Spicey Chicken Sandwhich combo, 2- 4 count chicken nugget kid meals, a Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich and a small Coke and the Original Chicken Sandwich. YUM! Here's how :)

McKenna, Asher and I went out this morning to gymnastics, the library, etc and met Nathan for lunch. So we ordered separately. When he arrived, Nathan ordered his food (a combo) and used a free kids' meal coupon. When I arrived, I ordered my sandwich and a kids' meal (also using a free kids' meal coupon). After we had eaten and kids were playing, I was flipping though my coupons to see if any expired and there was one that expired today- a free chicken sandwich- so we split it! If I wasn't a pig, I would have passed it to someone who could use it in line which is normally what I like to do w/ my near expiration dated coupons. Oh-I almost forgot-the cashier told Nathan when he redeemed this coupon that the expiration date on it isn't really an expiration date but when they would like for individuals to use them (I guess a "use by the suggested date"). So that may be helpful to some of you.

This is just one example-I have found that we can eat out for pretty cheap! BUT I will also note that we did not eat out throughout the work week! Yay for us! We have decided that we are going to go for it again-however, I have a couple coupons for free oatmeal and that sort of thing from McDonald's. I'm not sure I will count that because the main reason we are not eating out is because we tend to waste money. But if I'm not paying for it, does it count? Okay-I apologize- I am rambling.

As for the grocery store and my grocery coupons-I am afraid that it is my weakness. I sometimes just see good deals, get excited and buy it! Or when they have the buy 10 items and save $3, I start buying stuff just to get the $3 off-when that really doesn't make sense. I am spending more to save $3. I try to stop myself...I was pleasantly surprised though last week when I did this and the Catalina coupon dispenser printed off coupons for me to save money on my next visit (I believe it was 2 coupons for $3 off).

Nathan would disagree-he is pretty pleased :) I save an average of $50 per trip to the grocery store. I usually pay $70-$80 for around $130-$150 worth of groceries. This includes formula, diapers, wipes, etc. I should be pleased, but I am still trying to figure out how some people pay something like $10 for $250 worth of food. I believe the difference is, that when I go to the grocery store, I am still shopping for a weekly menu and not just buying what is on sale and building a stockpile. I'm not intentionally building a stockpile, but I have lots of toothpaste and vitamins! I basically got it for a few bucks when they were on sale. The grocery actually paid me $0.02 for toothpaste-it was on sale for $0.98 and I had $1.00 off coupons! I will continue to keep you posted and maybe even give you some details of my next shopping trip.

I've enjoyed the challenge and will continue to save money for our family and to help others with the resources we've been given! I hope you have a fabulous Saturday!

Thirty One Website!

My Thirty One website is now updated! Feel free to browse and shop online at www.mythirtyone.com/KRH20

For those interested in the next event posted (a fundraiser for the Harrison County Tennis Team), you can go to my website and click on "my events". You will find a link that will allow you to place an order if you wish that will help in benefiting the tennis team. Happy Shopping!

Kids Eat Free (or cheap!)

One of our family's challenges is trimming down the amount of money that we spend at restaurants. I have noted in previous posts that we often use www.restaurants.com to save some when we go out to eat and as many may know, I always have a coupon to go somewhere :) I wanted to share with you some of the restaurants in our area (Georgetown) that have kids eat free (or cheap) deals. Make sure you contact the restaurants to confirm the deal and any other details!

Applebees (Georgetown, KY)
Kids eat free on Wednesdays (with the purchase of an adult entree)

Gold Star Chili (Georgetown, KY)
Kids 10 and under eat free on Tuesdays when dining in and accompanied by an adult purchasing a combo meal

Fazolis (Georgetown, KY)
Kids eat on Tuesdays from 5-8pm for $0.99

Giovanni's Pizza (Georgetown, KY)
Thursday is kids' night. Kids eat for $2.99 with adult buffet purchase.

Steak N Shake
Kids eat free all weekend! One free kid's plate for every $8 spent.

Frisch's Big Boy
During February and again in October, you can purchase Valentine and Halloween coupons. Each coupon is worth a free kid's meal (choices are listed on the coupons)! You can get 8 coupons for $1. This is a great deal and we pass them out to our friends as well! During October, similar Halloween coupons can be purchased at Burger King (coupons are for fries) and Wendy's (coupons are for a frosty).

These are just a few in Georgetown. A website that I often use is Kids Meal Deals.
You can browse the website and simply enter in your zip code and day of the week that you would like to eat out and search! There are many other "Kids Eat Free or Cheap" deals! In Lexington, you may find Old Chicago, Abuelos, bd's Mongolian Grill, Chick Fil A and MANY MANY more!

Another secret I have found is that you can sign up on individual restaurant's websites and they will send you specials or keep you informed about specific deals. For example, at the beginning of February, I received an email from Chili's that gave me specific dates throughout the month that kids can eat free! I know that kids also ate free on Halloween, thanks to my email update.

Despite all of these GREAT deals and resources, we still find ourselves eating out too much!
This week, my family has decided to challenge ourselves to not eat out during the work week. My husband and I both commute to work each day and we are on the road quite a lot! With late work hours or meetings after work, we often find ourselves driving home hungry and then driving thru! So this week, we are taking a small step and will not be hitting the drive thru! I have applied rules for this as my mom often gets my two oldest on days that I tutor. She will sometimes treat them at McDonald's (usually once a week) and so this is the one instance we will allow eating out. We have often tried only eating out on a pay weekend (about 2 times a month), and have more than once set ourselves up for failure by saying we will not eat out an entire month. SO, we are starting small and not eating out during the work week :) Surely we can make it, right?! We'll see!

Spring!

Okay, so it's not quite spring, but hasn't the weather lately been such a teaser!? I can't help but get a little excited about some of the exciting things that come up during the spring! So I thought I would share a few of the things that I enjoy most about spring.

One of which is spring CONSIGNMENT SALES :) Our family has been working to clean out closets and decide which items we will be selling and which items we think we may need throughout the summer. Yard sales and consignment sales are a great way to get some of those big outdoor items that may otherwise be expensive and outgrown quickly. For example, last year I found a sand and water table for just $20! Here is a list of some of the consignment sales around Central Kentucky that I know of but I'm sure there may be more out there so feel free to share!

Lil Lambs Closet
Friday, March 4 8 - 6
Saturday, March 5 8 - 12

Kids Connection
This is off Southpoint Drive in the Pinnacle Neighborhood Clubhouse.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
12:00PM – 8:00PM
Friday, March 25, 2011
8:00AM – 8:00PM
*Saturday, March 26, 2011
8:00AM – 12:00PM
*Many items discounted 50% on Saturday!

Angels' Attic
Friday, March 11 9 - 7
Saturday, March 12 9 - 12

Lil Elks Consignment Sale
Thursday, March 24, 2pm-8pm
Friday, March 25, 9am-8pm
Saturday, March 26 , 8am-12pm


Lilybugs Sale (Georgetown)
Friday, March 11 7pm - 11pm
Saturday, March 12 8 - 12 *Half off sale day

Lil' Cherubs (Danville)
Friday, March 4 from 8:30 - 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 5 from 8:30 - 1:00 pm

This is also a good time to sign up for some spring deals and fun activities. Below is a list of activities going on throughout February and March.

Barnes and Noble

There is a story time on Tuesdays at 10:00am and Sundays at 3:00pm. See the events page for all sorts of fun themes, including a Dr. Seuss story time.

Saturday, March 19th at 11:00 am, Very Hungry Caterpillar special story time event.

Joseph Beth


Special Saturday activities are listed on the website in addition to:

Toddler Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Baby & Me: Sundays at 11:30 a.m. & Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.
Kids Corner: Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.

Lowes

February 26, 2011 at 10am your child can build the Lowe's Race Car

March 12, 2011 is a basketball game

Home Depot

March 5, 2011 at 9:00am, children will be building the Home Depot race car

April 2, 2011 at 9:00am, planter/basket

Salato Wildlife Education Center (in Frankfort)

Has lots of Spring Break Activities planned, but is also having Safari Saturdays (for ages 3-6)!
This takes place every second Saturday of every month. There will be a different theme each month and the cost is $3 per child. 10am-noon

Arboretum

Lil' Sprouts- Wednesdays in March at 10:00am $2 per child

Michaels Craft Store

Check the website often for family events!
February 26 from 10am-noon there will be science demonstrations from the book, "My First Science Kit"

As you can see, there is so much going on! I hope you find some useful information here and I'm always happy to receive it as well!

Why I Love This Guy....

Hi, everyone! It seems as though it has been a while since I have written here on my blog! Working all week last week wore me out! Actually, it was only 4 days as I had a personal day to spend with Nathan for his birthday! I'm glad I have a snow day today so that I can spend a little time writing!

We are quickly approaching Valentine's Day! Nathan and I have never really done a lot to celebrate Valentine's. Maybe exchange small gifts, flowers or candy, but nothing too extravagant. Since having our babies, Valentine's has become a time where we celebrate the love of one another. Loving our friends, family and celebrating those relationships. However, I can't help but remember one of my favorite Valentine's with Nathan. It was the one after we first got married (February 2004). Nathan brought me home Godiva chocolate (they had a kiosk right outside of the retail store where he was working at that time) and he was so proud :) We cooked dinner in our new little townhouse on Crusaders Way and then went to see a movie (Along Came Polly). It's the little things we appreciate and remember the most.

So it is in the spirit of Valentine's Day that I decided I would love to share a little of our love story and what I love about him with you . I will preface that yes, this may contain some mushy content, but there must be a little mush to make this world of ours go 'round!

Nathan and I met at a birthday party when we were 16. At this time, the story is pretty short as we did not like one another! I thought he was boring and sort of a dork (which I now appreciate) and I can say that I really have no idea as to what he thought about me, but as a 16 year old girl, I don't think it mattered what he thought at the time. I was probably too worried about my own thoughts-sad but true...

It was later that fall that we happened to be in the same chorus class and through some strange twist, hit it off! It may have been our sarcastic sense of humor, it may have been that we both loved music and loved to perform (ok, you may say we were hams) but on September 17, 1998, we went on our first date-to see "Something About Mary" and we continue to date even now -but more when we have a sitter and the chance to get out :)

What I love about Nathan is that we have been together since high school. In many respects, we have grown up together. We have seen some of the best moments together in addition been through some of the most difficult moments together. From high school, to college, to marriage and parenthood, it has not always been an easy road. We've learned quickly that it takes work!

I love that Nathan is very loyal. Whether it is work, church, friendship, or family, you can be certain that Nathan is a loyal individual. He stands up for what is right for those around him and he plays by the rules. If he has something negative to say he will tell you and you can be certain that gossip can be one of his pet peeves.

Nathan's loyalty leads to the support he often shows me. He has been supportive with all my ideas and endeavors. As a matter of fact, I know he reads my blog and sneaks a peek at my journal from time to time to see what I've got to say! He shows interest in the new 31 patterns when my new catalogs come in (even if he really isn't interested) and when I went back to school to get my teaching degree, he was such a help as he patiently listened to me discuss all those confusing education acronyms.

I have always joked that Nathan lives in his own little world where everything turns out great. I believe that for Nathan, it is more of a matter of faith. Faithfulness is one of his spiritual gifts and I am blessed by this because I am sometimes more of a doubter. If something is going wrong and it seems as though it can't get any better, Nathan's response is "Don't worry, it will be fine." It usually is and he simply has faith that it will be. We know that God will never put us through anything we can't handle and with his faithful heart, he reminds me of this-I admire this about him.

I love that Nathan is not afraid of children (or having more if that is what we are called to do-who knew!?-). Nathan is a great Dad and wants the best for our family. I know he had many worries when our babies first came along. Seven years after we were married we have 3 beautiful babies that keep us busy and fill our life with lots of love and noise. We have the desire to help them grow and teach them how to be Christ-like, loving, thoughtful and hardworking individuals.

I love that I've seen Nathan's heart for God & servant-hood grow through the years. He loves to serve by using his beautiful talent in music (which is a passion for him in itself) and even if it's not your style or what have you, he loves to praise and worship God-it's not about him but the gift he's been given. I've watched now as he looks now to reach out more and find what God would have us do to serve in our community as we grow as a church (and even what our family can do for others).

Now, yes, I've been mushy and there is so much I can say about Nathan & our marriage. Know we are not all mushy (which people probably see more often and you will see as my blog continues!). This probably takes care of my need to mush and gush for awhile.

There are projects around my house that I am STILL waiting to be completed. We still hang out on the couch at night and watch tv, we play board games, we still hold hands in the car, and we juggle responsibilities around the house as if we are professionals (Nathan, by the way, cleans the vomit-not me!). I could go on and share with you many other aspects of our relationship but the fact of the matter is I am very proud of him and of us-we have always said that we are lucky to have what we have, in today's world, it can sometimes be unusual.
Happy Valentine's and may you celebrate with those you love!