Friday, December 31, 2010

TLC's Extreme Couponing

So TLC made a documentary called Extreme Couponing, focusing on four shoppers who used coupons to save money. Now I cant help but feel from the previews that they were looking to spin this into a negative; after all using coupons I have seen the issues where cashiers treat you like dirt because you pass them a stack of coupons, I have been accused of stealing from the store because I saved too much money.

So I Dvr'd the show and sat down to watch it expecting to finish the show with the realization that I need to slow down that this may be a problem/addiction. That within days support groups would be popping up where you meet in darkened hallways introducing yourself with:

"My name is Karen and I am a coupon addict!"

Where would the 12 step program begin? How many would admit to this shameful behavior?

So cautiously I pressed play and took an intake of breath, after all my friends and family think that I do go overboard.

As I watched, a smile crept across my face, the light bulb bouncing around with new and creative ideas. Now I have no intention of jumping into dumpsters to get coupons (although my mind entertained the thought for about 35 seconds) but I need to get back to using the clipping services and get my printer up and running again. I already buy 10 papers a week for the coupons and use my Grocery Game to save tonnes, can I do more? Can I save more? Can I be more frugal? Yes, Yes I can!!!

I saved the show with the intention of watching with pen and paper in hand...

My name is Karen and I am proud to be a Coupon Addict!!!!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Year, New Challenges, New Focus!!!!



So goodbye to 2010 it has been an eventful year. Our gorgeous son Xavier was born Feb 11 this year, hubby went through 4 jobs but somehow we kept our head above water and didn't drown. We moved into a cute house: In September we bought it, we had a crazy hail storm, found out we were expecting again and had all my family fly in from England. Could the year have been better? Well of course it could have been! Would I change anything? No!

So this year I promise to be better with my blog, after all I started it to show the challenge of being a Stay at Home Mom, you know what, I knew it was hard work and a challenge and it still didn't prepare me for how much work. I even attempted to watch another little baby to help with the money situation but with the new pregnancy it was too much. (Due 8/24)

I was focused on saving money to the point I couldn't keep up, I was trying to do everything perfectly. Was trying to be a perfect Momma, perfect wife, perfect person. This year I promise to let go of perfection and just do my best.

So Here are my resolutions and my chaos all thrown in to one.

1. Update my blog more frequently with money saving tips, offers and real life honesty about being a stay at home mom.
2. Let go of perfection
3. Get my home in order
4. Finish the repairs from the hail damage and finish one home improvement
5. Honestly review our debt and create a plan to get rid of it.
6. Actually start date nights.
7. Enjoy time with my little family.
8. Normally this is where I would say lose some weight but being pregnant I cant go on a 'diet' so this year I am going to focus on being healthy and feeling better about myself.