Money Matters

Can I just say that I am so glad I use coupons?!? I have learned so much and saved so much over the past few years. It has been so much fun to see how much I can save or even what I can get for free. I'd be lying to you if I didn't say that there were some bumps and hurtles along the path of learning to coupon. In fact, I compare it to learning a new language. It takes a lot of effort and concentration when you start, but you eventually get to the place where it is second nature to you. Here are some of my favorite "getting started" tips:

• Create or use a seperate coupon e-mail address (i.e., juno, gmail, etc.) This will allow you to sign up for freebies and other things without crowding your main inbox.
• Don't try all of the drugstores at once. I recommend starting with CVS since they have the friendliest coupon policy.
• Be prepared to invest more time initially as you learn the ropes.
• Along with me, faithfully check www.southernsavers.com and www.moneysavingmom.com. Feel free to trust the coupon links they provide for you and always remember to print 2 coupons before exiting the tab.
• Preview the coupons that are coming in the Sunday paper and evaluate whether or not you should get it.
• Use the "getting started guides" on www.southernsavers.com.

I haven't kept track of all the photo books, Christmas photo cards, grocery items, etc. that I've gotten for free. Here is just a sampling of some great deals I've gotten in the past.

In my teenage and college years (since I was a town student), it was my job to scrub the grime or mold off the bottom of the shower curtain. After a while, we would just resort to buying a new one--usually right before company came. When I heard about a washable shower curtain, I became very excited! These cost more initially ($20), but I think it is well worth it since they last much longer than the cheaper ones. I wanted to point out that they say "Do not bleach," but I have been bleaching mine regularly without any problems. I throw them in the wash with 1 cup (or more) of bleach until they come out completely clean. I've also put bleach water in a bucket in the tub and bunched up the bottom of the curtain in it to do a quick, easy cleaning. I'll never go back to the "cheap" shower curtains! You can get one just like it at Bed Bath & Beyond for $19.99. Look for the "hotel white fabric shower stall curtain liner."

If you had told me a few years ago that I could have gotten a brand new car seat for only .56 cents, I would have never believed you! But that's exactly what we paid for Braden's new car seat this past November. I have to give most of the credit to my quest to learn how to manage my (our) money better. It has caused me to take a little extra time to consider if there is some other way to get things for less. It all started with a $25 BabiesRUs gift card from some family members. I knew Braden's current car seat was about to expire, so I began researching car seats to decide what kind we wanted to purchase and what store sold it for less. I came to the conclusion that I couldn't beat the deal we would get at BabiesRUs--considering the fact that we already had a $25 head start. I asked my husband to redeem some of our reward points from our Chase card in order to get another $25 BabiesRUs gift card. A few weeks later, I headed to the store with my 2 gift cards in hand. Because of my growing understanding of coupons, it dawned on me that BabiesRUs might take one of my BuyBuyBaby coupons for 20% off one item. On the way there, I also discovered yet another gift card in my wallet that I must have gotten when Braden was born. I thought it must have had only $1-2 left on it, but found out later that it had just over $9 on it. I shopped for a little while and finally decided on a car seat that cost $79.99. It was exactly what we wanted and needed for our little 3-year-old! At the register, I asked her if she would take the competitor coupon for 20% off and I was thrilled to hear her say, "Yes!" I then handed her my 3 gift cards and was left with a balance of .56 cents. Not bad for a brand new car seat!!! I'm so thankful for all that I have learned in the couponing world since it has taught me look for ways to save--even outside the grocery store!

I just recently listened to a series of messages that Dr. Mazak did here at The WILDS on October 23-25, 2009. He used 3 out of his 5 messages to address finances for couples. I thought it was such an excellent series and I wish I could require everyone I know to listen to it--even if you are not married. The advice he gave was based on his study in Proverbs and it was extremely practical & easy to understand. Feel free to review his notes here and please, please consider ordering this series of messages from this link here.

If you need to save some money, you should use your freezer more often!!

That is one of my money saving tips. There are a lot more things that can be frozen than you might think. I love to freeze chopped onions, berries or fresh fruit, leftovers, cubed potatoes, casseroles, sandwiches, bread dough, and even cookie dough. In order to save space, anything moist or wet enough to stick together should be spread out on a cookie sheet that is lined with wax paper and slightly frozen before being dumped into a freezer bag. I'm sure freezing my own cookie dough doesn't add up to huge savings, but it is certainly one of my favorite things to do! I make a double batch of the following recipe, scoop it out with my ice cream scoop, freeze the cookies on the pan for about 2 hours, and then dump them into freezer bags. All you have to do is cook the balls of dough a little longer than normal. This gives me the assurance that I always have a dessert on hand for unexpected visitors or for occasions when I don't have time to make anything else. I hope you enjoy this recipe and these tips as much as my family has!


2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup butter or margarine (=1 stick + 2 2/3)
     *One friend uses only Land O Lakes margarine.
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla (or try almond instead)
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
     *One friend uses all bread flour & I use half bread flour with half all-purpose flour.
12 oz (or 2 cups) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix thoroughly shortening, butter/margarine, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or just until outer edges start to turn brown. Cool before removing.

*Chocolate variation: substitute 1/2 cup cocoa for 1/2 cup flour
*If frozen: bake 2-4 minutes longer watching carefully

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