You know how Men are supposed to be the hunters? And Women the gathers? Maybe that's true, because I don't know any women who don't like to shop, including me. And what is shopping? Gathering. I am totally a gatherer. Over the past few months my method of shopping has changed. It may lead you to wonder about my mental state. I assure you, it is sound.
Actually, my husband is to blame for this. He came across this woman's blog on digg about how she only spent $800 a year on groceries and household items for her family of four humans and a few animals. He asked me to read it, suggesting that perhaps we could use this method to reduce our monthly out pour to the grocery store. I read it, and have come across some other little tips here and there. Now we have made a change in our spending to about half.
It should be noted that I used to spend about $300 a week on grocery items like food, cleaning supplies and toiletries. Now I spend $100-$150 a week. It probably could be reduced even more, and I may decrease over time but right now I am still working on my stockpile. (Sounds crazy, I know.) I've even been hesitant to tell anyone what I've been doing because it seems so bizarre.
Not only have I reduced the spending, I've doubled or tripled what is brought home. We had to put shelves in our garage, basement and laundry room as well as cleared out a bathroom cabinet for toiletry items that were mostly acquired for free. Also I have a 6ft wide pantry that is stuffed as well as a freezer that is as large as most fridges. I was also so busy with the kids during June and July that I didn't do any shopping other than for bread, milk, eggs, occasional meat and fresh produce (about $25-$30 a week) I'm going to try to explain, I just hope I can get it to make sense.
*First of all you must buy your Sunday newspaper. One for each human household member. I buy 4 a week. That is $8 in newspapers but I use $15-$30 per week in coupons. Check the newspapers for coupons, sometimes around holidays there aren't any.
*Clip any coupon that if the item was free you would take it. You may not use them all but it's better to have them than to regret having thrown them out.
*Check Walgreen's ads for free items. It's usually on the back page or one or two pages before. Sometimes it's toothpaste or shaving creme or toothbrushes or deodorant even OTC meds. It will say something like "$5.99 with coupon for $5.99 off your next purchase, like getting it for FREE!" I always buy that item, even if I don't need or want it. Then the register will spit out this little coupon for the amount of that item. I'll then take that coupon and use it to buy something I want that is on sale. Like dish detergent, canned goods, olive oil, peanut butter, shampoo...whatever. Then you can look at it as you got that item free or the other items, however you wish to view it. In the beginning I would go once per day spending about $5 a day ($35 per week) just piling things up. Now I only go about twice per week. CVS does kinda the same, but it's not as good as Walgreen's.
*I try to hold on to my coupons for a week or two to make sure I'm getting the best value for them. I mostly buy at Publix. I've heard Kroger is good too, but I don't have one here. If I have good coupons I want to use, but haven't seen a great ad for them I'll go ahead and buy at Walmart.
*The whole idea behind the coupon/stockpiling thing is to stack offers. Publix always has BOGO offers as well as "essential items" that are things most people use, but have been deeply discounted. So you use your coupons against what is already on sale.
*I'm going to use my last shopping trip at Publix for an example. I told you I bought $108 worth of groceries for $43 and change. Here is how.
I bought.....
- 8 bottles of V8 splash @1.56 each (it was a BOGO)
-4 boxes Stove Top @.90 each (also BOGO)
-4 jars of Ragu @1.29 each ( essentials price) but also had coupon for .75 off of 2 resulting in @.92 each
-3 bottles of Lysol Spray cleaner @ 1.34 each (BOGO price) but also had .40 off coupon that was doubled resulting in @.54 each
-3 bottles of Shout @ 1.50 each (BOGO price)but had coupon for .55 off resulting in @ .95 each
-6 1lb boxes of Velveta @1.80 each (BOGO price) but had coupon for $1.00 off resulting in .80 each.
-3 Louisiana Decaff tea @1.85 each (BOGO price)
-2 McCormick Black Pepper @1.79 each (BOGO price)
So with tax it was $43 and change. I got a full buggy of stuff, but only multiples of 8 items.
This is where it gets weird. You no longer buy what you want, you stock up on what you can get for your best price. I know, you're questioning my sanity now.
I usually do this, spend $20-$30 on perishables and about $15 on meats for the freezer (Only Items that are on sale like .99/lb chicken breast). Last week I spent $100 on just dog food, but I had about $25 in coupons, so I got it at about 20% off AND I won't buy dog food again for 4 months. You also have to stock and rotate just like a grocery store, paying attention to dates.
Also, if I see that we have more of an item than we could possibly use I take it to the church down the street that has a food bank for our neighborhood. That's also where the items I didn't want or need from Walgreen's goes. So as well as being a weird kind of frugal - we're helping others in our own neighborhood.
It takes a little time to get used to this way of shopping and planning. I spend 30min to 1hr a week clipping coupons and planning my shopping trip, but I feel like it is worth it. A good starting point is the Walgreen's routine as well as continue spending the same amount of money for the first few weeks. Just changing how you spend and reducing over time. I've only been at it since April and I'm still learning.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
"MASTER OF ALL THINGS CHAOTIC"
Really, really shouldn't tell people that I don't work. It's a lie. What I do should take an army. But it's just me.
Hear is a job description of the duties of Valerie
1.)Raise two girls. One of which is 14 years old, coming into her own, and can utter the words "I love you Mommy" while her eyes really say "I'm going to kill you in your sleep". The other being 5 years old, is sweet, loving and rambunctious, so rambunctious that being in the same room with her drains every bit of energy you have. But, I love them both dearly and am happy to have the honor of being their mother.
2.)Accountant. For our personal life as well as our business. This includes your basic bill paying as well as reconciling 4 bank accounts, filing monthly, quarterly, and annual tax returns, and payroll.
3.) Supervisor of our store. This includes riding the ass of my manager, making my staff shake in their boots at the site of me, working in the store a little, maintaining required paperwork, ensuring the store's operation and profitability as well as the balance between my store and corporate.
4.) Personal shopper for a family of four humans and three dogs.
5.) Laundry Fairy.
6.) Personal Chef.
7.) Nursemaid to sometimes sick husband. (Really not that hard, if he doesn't feel good, he just goes to sleep.)
8.) Taxi Driver.
9.) Half-ass Maid.
10.) Etc. Etc.
I'm sure you get the gist of it all, I'm just feeling a little stressed, but it's fine.
Perhaps my job title should be "MASTER OF ALL THINGS CHAOTIC"
Hear is a job description of the duties of Valerie
1.)Raise two girls. One of which is 14 years old, coming into her own, and can utter the words "I love you Mommy" while her eyes really say "I'm going to kill you in your sleep". The other being 5 years old, is sweet, loving and rambunctious, so rambunctious that being in the same room with her drains every bit of energy you have. But, I love them both dearly and am happy to have the honor of being their mother.
2.)Accountant. For our personal life as well as our business. This includes your basic bill paying as well as reconciling 4 bank accounts, filing monthly, quarterly, and annual tax returns, and payroll.
3.) Supervisor of our store. This includes riding the ass of my manager, making my staff shake in their boots at the site of me, working in the store a little, maintaining required paperwork, ensuring the store's operation and profitability as well as the balance between my store and corporate.
4.) Personal shopper for a family of four humans and three dogs.
5.) Laundry Fairy.
6.) Personal Chef.
7.) Nursemaid to sometimes sick husband. (Really not that hard, if he doesn't feel good, he just goes to sleep.)
8.) Taxi Driver.
9.) Half-ass Maid.
10.) Etc. Etc.
I'm sure you get the gist of it all, I'm just feeling a little stressed, but it's fine.
Perhaps my job title should be "MASTER OF ALL THINGS CHAOTIC"
a day of self loathing
Pity party for one. Pity. Party of one. We can seat you now.
I'm having a rough morning. I had a bad dream last night. It dredged up some old memories that I wish would just go away. So, my mind is forcing me to relive some of the horrible things I have done. I really can't and won't say what is troubling me other than, I have been a bad, bad, selfish person in the past. Perhaps it would be better to call this a day of self loathing.
Possibly, we have to loath the things we have done to keep from repeating ourselves. I don't know. I can only hope. Right now I'm trying to remember the good I've done, but it seems to escape me. I can only think of the pain I've caused. It makes me wonder "Do I deserve the life I have now?" Ugh.
I'm not suicidal or going to curl up in a ball and cry all day. I've got too much to do today. I have a home and a family to take care of. That's one good thing I've done. Or, been doing. Trying to raise two great girls to NOT be me.
It would be very nice if I could borrow that little pen thing the guys had in "Men in Black" and just erase the bad, bad me from my memory. This me is pretty good, or tries to be. There's a me from before, that if I saw her today, I'd punch her in the face.
Oh, should have skipped this today. DEFINITELY NOT POSITIVE! But what do you want, rainbows, butterflies and lollipops? Maybe later.
I'm having a rough morning. I had a bad dream last night. It dredged up some old memories that I wish would just go away. So, my mind is forcing me to relive some of the horrible things I have done. I really can't and won't say what is troubling me other than, I have been a bad, bad, selfish person in the past. Perhaps it would be better to call this a day of self loathing.
Possibly, we have to loath the things we have done to keep from repeating ourselves. I don't know. I can only hope. Right now I'm trying to remember the good I've done, but it seems to escape me. I can only think of the pain I've caused. It makes me wonder "Do I deserve the life I have now?" Ugh.
I'm not suicidal or going to curl up in a ball and cry all day. I've got too much to do today. I have a home and a family to take care of. That's one good thing I've done. Or, been doing. Trying to raise two great girls to NOT be me.
It would be very nice if I could borrow that little pen thing the guys had in "Men in Black" and just erase the bad, bad me from my memory. This me is pretty good, or tries to be. There's a me from before, that if I saw her today, I'd punch her in the face.
Oh, should have skipped this today. DEFINITELY NOT POSITIVE! But what do you want, rainbows, butterflies and lollipops? Maybe later.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I taste the slight taste of nail polish on my toes.
Yay! I have obtained another follower. Now I have three! It's so redeeming to know there are some people who possibly enjoy reading the ramblings from the mind of Valerie! I suspect there are more people reading than I am aware of. So If you're reading please shoot me an email and let me know. It won't change anything I have to say here. Email me at: puppyzmommy@yahoo.com
But let me say Dad, if you're reading this, just stop here. And never read again. I don't want to know that you're reading. I would be afraid to ever write again. Oh, whatever! I'm well over 30 years old. What are you gonna do? Read whatever you want. I don't want to hear about it later!
On with my topic for today.
Just to enlighten you, I'm probably going to hell. God, I hope not. I hope the good that I've done in life outweighs the bad. But.....
A few nights ago I really, really wanted to go out to a bar with some friends. A karaoke bar. It's its own special kind of evil. It enchants you with its draw of stardom and the promise of a good time. Only for you to make an ass of yourself and then have the bar fill up with oodles of young college preppies who don't give a damn that they are making asses of themselves, but force you to listen. (Seriously, I had a great time. It's just funny to make it sound this harsh.) Anyhoo, I really wanted to go so my hubby offered to watch the kids and let me go out. Believe it or not, this is the first time we've done this since we've been married. And that was my first mistake. (No, I didn't have an affair!)
Actually, I felt bad for going out without my husband. I would be pissed if he left me with the kids and went out! Was he pissed at me? No. Although I still probably won't let him go out without me. I am not scared he'll cheat or bitter that he left me at home, he just forgets his limits when he's out! So, it's best that I drive him around. AND perhaps I would not have made such an ass of myself if he was there. If he's not around I feel a little free er to boldly misbehave as no one should. If he's there I dote on him, making sure he's not uncomfortable, trying to slow him down on his drinks, or trying to convince him to eat something. You know, mothering the boy.
Let's rewind for a minute. You may not know that I spent about a year, year and a half bar tending at a karaoke bar. Good 'ole "Rumors". That was the best but worst time of my life ever. I most likely bought my one way ticket to hell back then, but I had fun doing it. Then hated myself for it later. Talk about doing bad, bad things. Um. "Rumors" is also where I got my taste for younger men. It all started with this little hottie from Wisconsin. He was just 21 and I was 26. That was really young to me then. He was infatuated with the southern girls (I don't really see myself as a southern girl, but whatever) and I was happy to give in to his infatuation. Also, I really liked that he didn't live here, would work here for about a week go home a few days and then come back. I knew he was only here for about a year, that it would never be a "relationship". And I loved how appreciative he was. (I am blushing as I write this!) That is just the tip of the iceberg of the bad things I did there but, as much as I am willing to share! I forget that was about 10 years ago. It seems like yesterday.
Back to the present. When I joined our group at Bourbon St. I sat at the opposite end of the table, facing away from the stage. I think it was subconscious. Although I kept turning my neck to see the stage I mostly found myself watching the door. I was looking for and expecting some skeleton in my closet to walk in. I was also bracing for a quick exit. Jose started calling my name. I only had a few (4). I drank them quickly and early in the night because I do have enough sense to know that I need to be sobered up to drive home. I was never really drunk, just very tipsy and enjoying myself. This also paved the way for yet another strike against God.
At my tipsiest (is that a word?) a lovely young couple from our group was making their way around the table to say their goodbyes. This is where I put my foot in my mouth, again. I'm gonna give you a little dialogue. For this we're gonna use some abbreviations. We will call her lyl = lovely young lady. We'll call me da = dumb ass. OK. Got it? Let's start.
"Bye! It was good to see you." says the lyl.
"Oh, you guys are leaving?" replies the da.
"Yeah. Gotta get up for church!" answers the lyl.
"Well, PRAY FOR ME!" jokes the da.
Here is where I taste the slight taste of nail polish on my toes. WHO! WHO! Jokes about praying! Why tempt God to smite you! Oh, it gets a little worse.
The lyl, being the caring, God loving, honest Christian we should all be, takes the hand of the da, looks deeply in her eyes and says, honestly and full of concern "What do you need?"
The da sinks lower in her seat, full of remorse and honestly replies "Patience."
OK, I hope I redeemed myself a little in God's eyes with that. I could feel the Devil scuttling away under the table. Probably off towards a few of those college preppies to get a threesome started.
About God, I truly feel that if you keep God in your heart, treat people well, and raise your kids right that that is enough. I've tried Church, several times. I don't feel like I fit in. So, I keep God in my heart and TRY to do right by him.
After smiting God in a bar, I was really ready to go home. But, I was at my tipsiest and had to wait for sobriety. My ears were bleeding. I watched the door tentatively. I kept sipping on Diet Coke hopping caffeine would speed up the process. On my last trip up to the bar to get another soda this gross old guy from across the bar started making googly eyes and kissy lips at me. Ew. (He was probably my age. HA!) OH, I am too old for this shit! But alas, I really did have fun overall and WILL do it again.
But let me say Dad, if you're reading this, just stop here. And never read again. I don't want to know that you're reading. I would be afraid to ever write again. Oh, whatever! I'm well over 30 years old. What are you gonna do? Read whatever you want. I don't want to hear about it later!
On with my topic for today.
Just to enlighten you, I'm probably going to hell. God, I hope not. I hope the good that I've done in life outweighs the bad. But.....
A few nights ago I really, really wanted to go out to a bar with some friends. A karaoke bar. It's its own special kind of evil. It enchants you with its draw of stardom and the promise of a good time. Only for you to make an ass of yourself and then have the bar fill up with oodles of young college preppies who don't give a damn that they are making asses of themselves, but force you to listen. (Seriously, I had a great time. It's just funny to make it sound this harsh.) Anyhoo, I really wanted to go so my hubby offered to watch the kids and let me go out. Believe it or not, this is the first time we've done this since we've been married. And that was my first mistake. (No, I didn't have an affair!)
Actually, I felt bad for going out without my husband. I would be pissed if he left me with the kids and went out! Was he pissed at me? No. Although I still probably won't let him go out without me. I am not scared he'll cheat or bitter that he left me at home, he just forgets his limits when he's out! So, it's best that I drive him around. AND perhaps I would not have made such an ass of myself if he was there. If he's not around I feel a little free er to boldly misbehave as no one should. If he's there I dote on him, making sure he's not uncomfortable, trying to slow him down on his drinks, or trying to convince him to eat something. You know, mothering the boy.
Let's rewind for a minute. You may not know that I spent about a year, year and a half bar tending at a karaoke bar. Good 'ole "Rumors". That was the best but worst time of my life ever. I most likely bought my one way ticket to hell back then, but I had fun doing it. Then hated myself for it later. Talk about doing bad, bad things. Um. "Rumors" is also where I got my taste for younger men. It all started with this little hottie from Wisconsin. He was just 21 and I was 26. That was really young to me then. He was infatuated with the southern girls (I don't really see myself as a southern girl, but whatever) and I was happy to give in to his infatuation. Also, I really liked that he didn't live here, would work here for about a week go home a few days and then come back. I knew he was only here for about a year, that it would never be a "relationship". And I loved how appreciative he was. (I am blushing as I write this!) That is just the tip of the iceberg of the bad things I did there but, as much as I am willing to share! I forget that was about 10 years ago. It seems like yesterday.
Back to the present. When I joined our group at Bourbon St. I sat at the opposite end of the table, facing away from the stage. I think it was subconscious. Although I kept turning my neck to see the stage I mostly found myself watching the door. I was looking for and expecting some skeleton in my closet to walk in. I was also bracing for a quick exit. Jose started calling my name. I only had a few (4). I drank them quickly and early in the night because I do have enough sense to know that I need to be sobered up to drive home. I was never really drunk, just very tipsy and enjoying myself. This also paved the way for yet another strike against God.
At my tipsiest (is that a word?) a lovely young couple from our group was making their way around the table to say their goodbyes. This is where I put my foot in my mouth, again. I'm gonna give you a little dialogue. For this we're gonna use some abbreviations. We will call her lyl = lovely young lady. We'll call me da = dumb ass. OK. Got it? Let's start.
"Bye! It was good to see you." says the lyl.
"Oh, you guys are leaving?" replies the da.
"Yeah. Gotta get up for church!" answers the lyl.
"Well, PRAY FOR ME!" jokes the da.
Here is where I taste the slight taste of nail polish on my toes. WHO! WHO! Jokes about praying! Why tempt God to smite you! Oh, it gets a little worse.
The lyl, being the caring, God loving, honest Christian we should all be, takes the hand of the da, looks deeply in her eyes and says, honestly and full of concern "What do you need?"
The da sinks lower in her seat, full of remorse and honestly replies "Patience."
OK, I hope I redeemed myself a little in God's eyes with that. I could feel the Devil scuttling away under the table. Probably off towards a few of those college preppies to get a threesome started.
About God, I truly feel that if you keep God in your heart, treat people well, and raise your kids right that that is enough. I've tried Church, several times. I don't feel like I fit in. So, I keep God in my heart and TRY to do right by him.
After smiting God in a bar, I was really ready to go home. But, I was at my tipsiest and had to wait for sobriety. My ears were bleeding. I watched the door tentatively. I kept sipping on Diet Coke hopping caffeine would speed up the process. On my last trip up to the bar to get another soda this gross old guy from across the bar started making googly eyes and kissy lips at me. Ew. (He was probably my age. HA!) OH, I am too old for this shit! But alas, I really did have fun overall and WILL do it again.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I'm really in trouble with this one!
I'm loving school being back in session. It gives me the free time to do what I want to. So, I've been playing a LOT. I really wish housework was something I wanted to do. Maybe tomorrow.
On the way to school my little one (5yrs old) started talking about a boy at school. This morning she had a dress picked out that she wanted to wear, and made me curl her hair. Then she tells me it was for a boy! I'm really in trouble with this one! But, when I picked her up today she talked about how awesome school was and how much she enjoyed the library. Shew...
So tomorrow it's jeans and a t-shirt for her. And an attempt at housework for me!
On the way to school my little one (5yrs old) started talking about a boy at school. This morning she had a dress picked out that she wanted to wear, and made me curl her hair. Then she tells me it was for a boy! I'm really in trouble with this one! But, when I picked her up today she talked about how awesome school was and how much she enjoyed the library. Shew...
So tomorrow it's jeans and a t-shirt for her. And an attempt at housework for me!
Monday, August 17, 2009
"don't cross me, I'll kick your ass"
Here I am! I'm back!
Things have been so Ka-ray-z around here, I haven't been in a great state of mind for doing this.
I told myself I was going to keep my blogging on a positive note and not use this as a spot to just sit and bitch! I do that enough! Well I haven't felt very positive lately. For the past few years I've had a fairly drama free life, but lately it's been pouring in. You may have noticed I even deleted a blog. I thought it was sweet and on a positive note BUT it bothered the person of topic. So out of guilt, I deleted it. Now I am remorseful. I wish I kept it. Those were my words, my feelings and now there gone. So I am going to give a short version in the paragraph below, and then we're going to leave the subject alone.
YES. I love my ex husband. My husband knows, understands and is OK with it. Perhaps I can rank it for you. I probably love him more than my dog, but less than my kids, and nowhere near or anywhere close to how much I love my husband. I also feel very protective of him, like a child. But I can't protect him from his own bad decisions, I'll just have to protect our child. I wish he could stand on his own two feet. Adulthood doesn't suit him. Neither does decision making. These are the reasons I divorced him. It makes a whole lotta sense that this would be why we're arguing now! Topic over.
So between that, some drama with my oldest kid, and some drama at my store, my head has been in a rather dark place. But, I'm crawling towards the light. I'm working through the drama with my ex (I have to, he is still part of my family) I'm kicking my kid in the ass, and my staff is learning this is not a good time to f*** with me. At least with them if they piss me off to the point of no return, I can fire them. I'm stuck, happily, with everyone else. I haven't been sitting and moping. I've just been in a "don't cross me, I'll kick your ass" state of mind. I'm getting back to the happy housewife state of mind.
You should know I am the nicest bitch you will ever meet. AND I really am praying for patience, it is a virtue that I do not have but really wish I DID!
So, I have been blogging in my head. I have a few topics I've been working on and will get out there soon. Here is a list.
1. My Anniversary- It was wonderful.
2. School starting back
3. Diet Coke
4. The name and website of my blogspot
5. HCG Diet
6. Stock piling- weird, huh?
So there you go ladies. My 2 little followers.
Things have been so Ka-ray-z around here, I haven't been in a great state of mind for doing this.
I told myself I was going to keep my blogging on a positive note and not use this as a spot to just sit and bitch! I do that enough! Well I haven't felt very positive lately. For the past few years I've had a fairly drama free life, but lately it's been pouring in. You may have noticed I even deleted a blog. I thought it was sweet and on a positive note BUT it bothered the person of topic. So out of guilt, I deleted it. Now I am remorseful. I wish I kept it. Those were my words, my feelings and now there gone. So I am going to give a short version in the paragraph below, and then we're going to leave the subject alone.
YES. I love my ex husband. My husband knows, understands and is OK with it. Perhaps I can rank it for you. I probably love him more than my dog, but less than my kids, and nowhere near or anywhere close to how much I love my husband. I also feel very protective of him, like a child. But I can't protect him from his own bad decisions, I'll just have to protect our child. I wish he could stand on his own two feet. Adulthood doesn't suit him. Neither does decision making. These are the reasons I divorced him. It makes a whole lotta sense that this would be why we're arguing now! Topic over.
So between that, some drama with my oldest kid, and some drama at my store, my head has been in a rather dark place. But, I'm crawling towards the light. I'm working through the drama with my ex (I have to, he is still part of my family) I'm kicking my kid in the ass, and my staff is learning this is not a good time to f*** with me. At least with them if they piss me off to the point of no return, I can fire them. I'm stuck, happily, with everyone else. I haven't been sitting and moping. I've just been in a "don't cross me, I'll kick your ass" state of mind. I'm getting back to the happy housewife state of mind.
You should know I am the nicest bitch you will ever meet. AND I really am praying for patience, it is a virtue that I do not have but really wish I DID!
So, I have been blogging in my head. I have a few topics I've been working on and will get out there soon. Here is a list.
1. My Anniversary- It was wonderful.
2. School starting back
3. Diet Coke
4. The name and website of my blogspot
5. HCG Diet
6. Stock piling- weird, huh?
So there you go ladies. My 2 little followers.
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