I was going through my coupon binder preparing for a small grocery trip tomorrow, when I realized that I have accumulated a sizable stack of coupons that I will not use. I know that a lot of the extreme couponers say that there are no such things as "unusable" coupons, but I tend to disagree. As a mom, and the person who does the majority of grocery shopping in our family, I can't seem to justify purchasing items that my family, nor anyone I know has any use for. Thus, my dilemma. What do I do with the unused coupons?
Due to the current state of the economy, everyone we know is struggling to make ends meet. Many of our friends have begun using coupons as a way to slash their grocery bills. So, I thought that I would see if anyone had any specific coupon needs. Maybe we could even trade a few. This way no coupons go to waste. Everyone gets to save on the things they need. It's a win-win situation!
Another option that I have been looking into is sending my expired coupons to military families overseas. They are allowed to use the coupons up to six months after they expire!
If anyone has any other ideas, or wants to trade a few coupons, just leave a comment. We would really love to hear from you!
Oh! Don't forget to plan and thaw dinner for tomorrow night!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Stop By and Say "Hi"!
I just created a new Facebook page for Simple Savvy Savers. Please stop by and say "hi". We would love to hear from you!
Here We Go!
It's Sunday! We have a whole new week of possibilities awaiting us!
Did anyone get the coupon inserts from the newspaper today? I did. There were a few good ones, but overall I was a little disappointed because there were very few food coupons. Hopefully a better batch next week. I really need to get back into my coupon routine.
Speaking of routines, the week before school starts every year our family goes into full school mode. We wake up at regular school time. We go to bed early at night. We have done this every year since my oldest child started school. This jump start on our routine gives us the energy to start the school year with a bang! It's been a while since I have seen 5:00 a.m.!
Did anyone get the coupon inserts from the newspaper today? I did. There were a few good ones, but overall I was a little disappointed because there were very few food coupons. Hopefully a better batch next week. I really need to get back into my coupon routine.
Speaking of routines, the week before school starts every year our family goes into full school mode. We wake up at regular school time. We go to bed early at night. We have done this every year since my oldest child started school. This jump start on our routine gives us the energy to start the school year with a bang! It's been a while since I have seen 5:00 a.m.!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
What's for dinner?
"What's for dinner?" This seems to be the first thing that my family asks every afternoon, and usually before I can even get in the door. After a long day at work, dinner seems to be one of the last tasks that I want to deal with. I try to make dinner as simple as possible. Sondra and I are working on adding a page of simple go-to recipes that are healthy and family tested. Occasionally we will try to include other meal tips and reminders in our regular posts.
One of Sondra's favorite go-to meals is "Octopus" served with macaroni and cheese and green beans. Don't worry, it's not really octopus. Before cooking, slice a hot dog three quarters of the way down. Make several vertical cuts splitting the hot dog. As it is cooked the strips will begin to curl outward forming an "octopus". Serve with sides of macaroni and cheese and green beans. Voila! You have a healthy balanced quick meal.
One of my favorite go-to meals is shredded beef tacos. Put a roast in the crock pot with one and a half packets of taco seasoning. Allow to cook on low all day. When you get home shred the roast and use for tacos. Top with regular toppings. This is a great alternative to regular taco night. My family loves this! I love it because it is easy.
Don't forget to thaw out whatever you have planned for dinner tomorrow night! (Not that I have ever done that :-)
Let us know if you have any go-to recipes! We would love to hear from you!
One of Sondra's favorite go-to meals is "Octopus" served with macaroni and cheese and green beans. Don't worry, it's not really octopus. Before cooking, slice a hot dog three quarters of the way down. Make several vertical cuts splitting the hot dog. As it is cooked the strips will begin to curl outward forming an "octopus". Serve with sides of macaroni and cheese and green beans. Voila! You have a healthy balanced quick meal.
One of my favorite go-to meals is shredded beef tacos. Put a roast in the crock pot with one and a half packets of taco seasoning. Allow to cook on low all day. When you get home shred the roast and use for tacos. Top with regular toppings. This is a great alternative to regular taco night. My family loves this! I love it because it is easy.
Don't forget to thaw out whatever you have planned for dinner tomorrow night! (Not that I have ever done that :-)
Let us know if you have any go-to recipes! We would love to hear from you!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Savings, savings everywhere!
Woohoo! It's Tax Free Weekend for Floridians! That's right, all school clothes valued up to $75 and school supplies $15 and under are tax exempt. This my not sound like a substantial savings , but when it is combined with sales and coupons you can score some real bargains.
There are also some serious bargains to be had at Borders bookstore right now to. As you are probably already aware, this major chain has gone under. The liquidation process is well underway. As much as I hate losing my favorite bookstore, there are some seriously great deals available. I am not sure if all of the stores are following the same pricing, but my store is currently running sales of 30% - 50% off. Be sure to stop by while the selection is still good.
Have fun bargain hunting this weekend! Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you find!
There are also some serious bargains to be had at Borders bookstore right now to. As you are probably already aware, this major chain has gone under. The liquidation process is well underway. As much as I hate losing my favorite bookstore, there are some seriously great deals available. I am not sure if all of the stores are following the same pricing, but my store is currently running sales of 30% - 50% off. Be sure to stop by while the selection is still good.
Have fun bargain hunting this weekend! Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you find!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Back to School!
The smell of crayons and newly sharpened pencils. Empty notebook pages that hold endless possibilities. It's time to head back to school!
No more listening to the kids whine, "I'm boooooored". Instead, parents get a reprieve. Kids will be excited to see the friends they have missed and eager to relay their summer adventures.
The weeks leading up to the beginning of the school year are filled with excitement, anticipation, and sometimes even a little anxiety. One sure way to calm your student's frazzled nerves is to take them school supply shopping. I have learned that this is a great way to calm my daughter's anxiety. If she feels that she is doing something proactive, she feels like she is in control of the situation. This activity is even helpful with teens, but make sure they get to choose cool gear. So grab a copy of your child's school supply list and let's get started!
It is best to start a month or more in advance. Start watching the weekly ads for Office Depot and Office Max. These stores will offer select basic school supply needs for as little as a penny! Each week the stores offer different deals. Have your child watch the ads with you and compare them to their list. If the item is needed, make a special trip to pick up your bargain. Not only will your child be excited about finding something they need, they will have learned a valuable financial lesson to boot! Kids are never to young to learn about saving money.
By the way, I am sorry to say that the parental reprieve from whining will be short lived. The second week of school brings a new routine. The pleading whiny voices at our house ask daily, "Do I haaaave to go to school today?" Good luck! Have a great year!
No more listening to the kids whine, "I'm boooooored". Instead, parents get a reprieve. Kids will be excited to see the friends they have missed and eager to relay their summer adventures.
The weeks leading up to the beginning of the school year are filled with excitement, anticipation, and sometimes even a little anxiety. One sure way to calm your student's frazzled nerves is to take them school supply shopping. I have learned that this is a great way to calm my daughter's anxiety. If she feels that she is doing something proactive, she feels like she is in control of the situation. This activity is even helpful with teens, but make sure they get to choose cool gear. So grab a copy of your child's school supply list and let's get started!
It is best to start a month or more in advance. Start watching the weekly ads for Office Depot and Office Max. These stores will offer select basic school supply needs for as little as a penny! Each week the stores offer different deals. Have your child watch the ads with you and compare them to their list. If the item is needed, make a special trip to pick up your bargain. Not only will your child be excited about finding something they need, they will have learned a valuable financial lesson to boot! Kids are never to young to learn about saving money.
By the way, I am sorry to say that the parental reprieve from whining will be short lived. The second week of school brings a new routine. The pleading whiny voices at our house ask daily, "Do I haaaave to go to school today?" Good luck! Have a great year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)