Couponing After a Seminar

I was blessed to be able to attend a couponing seminar. My friends have helped me so much, but I wanted to add what I already know, so I paid my $10 and off I went. I learned more than I even expected! So now I use a box with envelopes for my coupons and go through every month or so to weed out the expired ones. This has helped a lot while shopping in the store. I take in less things (coupon box, re-usable bags, my list and the store mailer) and I find I'm saving even more, esp. if there is a big sale and I've had the time to order extra coupons.

I also keep a calculator, a pen, small scissors and an extra envelope (for days that I've forgotten my list that I make on the back of envelopes). I put a rubber band around the box and make sure I've got my info clearly visible inside.

I like this system for now b/c I can have as many topics as I like. I have canned foods subdivided into soups, for example. I have pet items divided between cats and dogs. I have personal items divided into toiletries, soap and shaving, fem, hair, make-up. It makes for more envelopes but this box can hold a LOT, and it makes it faster when going through the grocery store aisles. I was tired of the binder since I was having to go through it so often to make room for new coupons. I may go back to that eventually but the box works real well for me right now.

Square Foot Gardening

This year we abandoned the old garden spot that grew mostly weeds last year in favor of a new (to me) concept: Square Food Gardening. I found a book by Mel Bartholomew at the Dollar Gen. for $5! The more I read the more I liked it. Well, every year my husband begs for soil from my garden but I fuss b/c I need the soil for beans and tomatoes and such. Well, I got the idea to let him have all the soil from the "old" garden if he would help me build 2 SFG. The deal was accepted and we now have a veggie garden and a flower/herb garden! Pictures to follow!

Next I'm hoping to scrounge around in the cellar and find some wood we already have to make a second veggie garden: then we'd have one for eating and one for canning! I've got my garden out the earliest this year I ever have and I'm so pleased. We already have teeny tiny lettuce and carrot sprouts. The sunflowers have sprouted and I'm looking for bean seeds.

I recommend Square Foot Gardening b/c you have less weeds to contend with, you don't have to worry about how suitable your soil is for growing plants, it's smaller and feels more manageable and you have very high yield. After the initial work then each year you only add compost to your growing mix. It can be a fun and educational family project. My son enjoying putting in the screws for the garden frame and the cage/cover and my daughter enjoyed helping with the cage/cover (necessary to protect the future food from cats, rabbits, etc.

There are many links online. The main one is www.squarefootgardening.com

Couponing...again

I'm still doing couponing and I've taken it a step further - I now sort them by exp. date so it's easier to keep them up-to-date. I'm a shopper at a store that doubles coupons and sends out store coupons. Today I was able to "stack" 2 coupons for dog treats that my dogs love but usu. cost at least $3. I paid less than a dollar for the same treats today!

I was told about a new website by a friend: www.southernsavers.com. I love this website b/c I can find the deals for the store I shop at, make out a grocery list and have it matched to available coupons, and print it out! I've recommended this site to several friends and acquaintances.

I found a lot of ground turkey on a manager's special for $1.49/lb. I bought several packs and put them in our freezer. Some will be used for chili or tacos. My guys don't really care for turkey although my daughter likes it and will never tell. But with all the spices no one picks up on the fact that we are eating turkey instead of beef. I, personally, am a vegetarian but I still cook and serve meat for my family.

I've included pics of my coupon binder and some materials I keep in it. I keep a calculator with a cover, scissors, pens and a sorting mat in the front. My favorite thing to cut coupons out with is a Pampered Chef i-slice.