Oye...

It's Thursday.  That means that my one local paper has coupon inserts in it.  Of course, it's the same paper that my bf picks up from the driveway and takes with him to work to read, before I can get the coupons out of it.  I would ride my bike (if it was here and in working condition) to the Quick Check up the street to pick up a couple of copies, but I won't.  I could just walk, but it would take twice as long.

I really don't need the coupons, right this second, but it would be nice to be able to get them all organized and start matching them up with this week's sale circulars so I can do my food shopping tomorrow after my interview. 

I've been looking at my cabinets lately, and they are starting to become bare. Wait, no, scratch that.  They're not really bare, but they're missing the essentials that are needed for day to day life.  Meaning, my snacks are dwindling.

This was taken on Friday afternoon while I was going through my kitchen reorganization project.  All of this food was shoved in a bottom cabinet and there was only 1 shelf.  So, basically everything was thrown in the cabinet, in no sort of organization at all...which really burst my bubble and aggrivated me completely.

All of this was purchased over the last few weeks.  I didn't spend too much as I had some coupons.  The only things that were free, were the items that we received as part of a Christmas present from my bf's uncle.  He got him (or us) a care package of sorts from General Mills.  The box was extremely heavy but it had these items in it:

We've ate the fiber one brownies, some of the fruit snacks and two of the bars that were sent in the box.  Everything else is still in the cabinet, waiting for use.  I have used the measuring spoons, but not the measuring bowls or cook book.  I can't wait to see what this years holiday box is going to contain.  I may just get a box for my sister, cousin, brothers and maybe even my parents and Aunt.  But I just wonder how expensive they are. We will see. Now, if it came with coupons, I'd be more willing to purchase the stuff that was in the box.

I wonder if there is anywhere else I can get boxes of cereal, etc for cheap.  I know a friend of mine had gotten a care package for like $20.00 and it had a crap load of stuff in it that would have retailed like $50.00 in the store. 

Well, it's time to start my shopping list and figuring out what I definitely need to buy.  Looks like I'm going to go to a few stores tomorrow since the sales are awesome and I don't want to spend an oodle amount of money.  Hah...famous last words from a mom who has a growing boy that is eating me out of house and home.

New Year, New Budget Plan

Althought it's 25 days into 2012, it's never too late to start a new budget plan.  I've never really stuck to any budget persay, but since I've been ungainfully unemployed since mid-October, I figured it was time for a change.

My budget should be pretty easy to follow as there are only a few things that I really need to focus heavily on:

• PSE&G bills - to keep the electric/gas on so we have electricity and heat.
• Verizon bills - to keep our Fios TV/Phone/Internet connected.
• FOOD! - we can't survive on crackers and cheese every night.  (We have crackers and cheese but we're not specifically just eating THAT.
• Car & Insurance Payments - without both of these, we might as well say good bye to money for food, tv/phone/internet, and electricity/gas. 

I've been coupon clipping with the best of them, but it's tough.  I want to be able to be an "extreme couponer" so that I don't have to pay an arm and a leg for food.  I've been watching "Extreme Couponers" on TLC to get some insite.  I still don't understand how to pair up coupons with sales flyers, but I'm learning.  I've been able to get toothpaste and toothbrushes for free.  Now to expand to food items!  Slowly but surely, I'll get there.

My to-do list to get THERE is as follows:

• Find a couponing group to meet with and swap coupons.
• Figure out how to get more coupons (possibly from my son's school? Ask for teachers and other students to send in un-wanted/un-expired coupons??)
• Clip coupons and actually USE them before they expire.  I just threw out about $300.00 worth of expired coupons!!! Not cool!
• Shop and actually save money.  Keeping in mind that I have X amount of money to spend and the coupons have better get me to that or I'm SCREWED!
• Find a job so I can actually have some disposable income to pay for food/stocking up.
• Be patient with myself. I tend to overreact to EVERYTHING, especially money.

I'm sure there are other things that I need to do to get there, but right now my mind is not fully functioning.  I feel like I've been run over by a truck and have my giant breed dog sitting on my chest.  YUCK.  Thanks to my wonderful boyfriend for passing on his cold/flu.  YUCK.  I still love him dearly though!

Time to get couponing and searching. 

Momma