I am coming back to blogger, after being gone for a few years. I have no idea if I can transfer my wordpress blog posts, but I will try. If not, we'll start fresh!
Fiber goodness coming soon.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Kroger Trip - Another couponing post
Well, I went to Kroger today and bought $109.17 worth of groceries for $35.93. I was so excited. It was a day where I needed stuff I didn't have coupons for too, so I was super happy with my final total.
Some more couponing strategies that I use include planning. When I first started using coupons, I didn't always plan, but now that I do - I'm a lot more successful. For example, my coupon for aluminum foil today stated it wasn't good for 25, 30, or 40 square feet boxes, so I wrote that on my list so I wouldn't pick one up, then be surprised at the registar when my coupon wouldn't work. Also, I find that planning and making a list keeps my buying habit in check. I don't walk away with unnecessary things, like extra cookies or candies.
And don't worry. Planning doesn't take all that long. A few minutes here or there. Make a list (I like to use my iPhone notes) of things you think you need as the week goes on. Then, when you are ready to go to the store, look at your list and see what coupons you have that match it. And you'll save time in the store by planning at home. And it gets easier every week once you get the hang of doing it.
And for all my yarn friends who think I've gone off the deep end, I am going to a fiber festival tomorrow, so I hope to provide you with some fun fibery goodness pictures!
Some more couponing strategies that I use include planning. When I first started using coupons, I didn't always plan, but now that I do - I'm a lot more successful. For example, my coupon for aluminum foil today stated it wasn't good for 25, 30, or 40 square feet boxes, so I wrote that on my list so I wouldn't pick one up, then be surprised at the registar when my coupon wouldn't work. Also, I find that planning and making a list keeps my buying habit in check. I don't walk away with unnecessary things, like extra cookies or candies.
And don't worry. Planning doesn't take all that long. A few minutes here or there. Make a list (I like to use my iPhone notes) of things you think you need as the week goes on. Then, when you are ready to go to the store, look at your list and see what coupons you have that match it. And you'll save time in the store by planning at home. And it gets easier every week once you get the hang of doing it.
And for all my yarn friends who think I've gone off the deep end, I am going to a fiber festival tomorrow, so I hope to provide you with some fun fibery goodness pictures!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Couponing 101
I said I would post a little bit about this - and I've really gotten distracted lately. My baby got ear tubes!! I was very resistant to it, but glad we got them. He had completely failed his hearing test, and at 9 months old - it's important for his development to be able to hear!! He started really babbling and saying new sounds the day after he got them. So far, I'm happy.
So, on to coupons.
Someone asked about them not being high value - but I actually have gotten a lot of FREE coupons and high value coupons. Right now, I have a coupon for free barbecue sauce and a free package of hot dogs that I got in a package from Kraft. Sign up for samples from the companies, as these often have very high value coupons with the samples!!! Also, coupons.com is a very good site for coupons, and they are almost always higher values. Also, even if they aren't high value, stores often double or have double days. My Kroger doubles all the time for any coupons under 50 cents.
Drug stores are a completely new skill - using their cash registrar reward systems to roll your money and obtain free items when you add to your coupons. For example, this week at CVS, I bought Crest mouthwash, Pantene shampoo and conditioner, Kotex, and Carefree liners and ended up walking away with a profit of $2.00. I will link some sites that are great for couponing 101, and they explain this drugstore strategy.
www.southernsavers.com
www.coupongeek.net
www.pennypinchinmom.com
www.frugalfemina.com
These are just a few of my favorites. Often you can find them on Facebook and friend them, and they update with all the new samples out or coupon deals and you can get it instantly to your Facebook feed.
I hope this is enough to help some of you get started.
Here's to saving tons of money!! (So you can buy more yarn!)
So, on to coupons.
Someone asked about them not being high value - but I actually have gotten a lot of FREE coupons and high value coupons. Right now, I have a coupon for free barbecue sauce and a free package of hot dogs that I got in a package from Kraft. Sign up for samples from the companies, as these often have very high value coupons with the samples!!! Also, coupons.com is a very good site for coupons, and they are almost always higher values. Also, even if they aren't high value, stores often double or have double days. My Kroger doubles all the time for any coupons under 50 cents.
Drug stores are a completely new skill - using their cash registrar reward systems to roll your money and obtain free items when you add to your coupons. For example, this week at CVS, I bought Crest mouthwash, Pantene shampoo and conditioner, Kotex, and Carefree liners and ended up walking away with a profit of $2.00. I will link some sites that are great for couponing 101, and they explain this drugstore strategy.
www.southernsavers.com
www.coupongeek.net
www.pennypinchinmom.com
www.frugalfemina.com
These are just a few of my favorites. Often you can find them on Facebook and friend them, and they update with all the new samples out or coupon deals and you can get it instantly to your Facebook feed.
I hope this is enough to help some of you get started.
Here's to saving tons of money!! (So you can buy more yarn!)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
New knitting needles and a (sort of) new hobby
Well, I really am still knitting. Even though I have nothing to show for it. Motherhood doesn't stop you from doing the things you love, it just takes a little longer!
I got some new needles, for socks, and I adore them. I got the Addi Turbo 8 inch circulars!!! They are so tiny, and I love them, but I think you either love them or hate them. I can go really quick on these things, and even the Cookie A. socks I love doing are going faster!
So, I have found something else to occupy my thoughts and mind. Couponing. (You know, so I can buy more yarn?)
I have really gotten into it, and doing quite well with it. I've not bought body wash or toothpaste, but gotten it all free after coupons, and have enough stockpiled for another month! Food is harder to get free - not as many great coupons, but still you can cut the bill a lot lower. If any of you are interested, I might do a blog post with some starter tips.
Oh, and I got my laptop back. If any of you noticed me missing, my laptop died and was getting repaired. I have another OLD laptop, but it's hard to use, heavy, and doesn't have any of my bookmarks. Soooo... yay, my laptop is back!
I got some new needles, for socks, and I adore them. I got the Addi Turbo 8 inch circulars!!! They are so tiny, and I love them, but I think you either love them or hate them. I can go really quick on these things, and even the Cookie A. socks I love doing are going faster!
So, I have found something else to occupy my thoughts and mind. Couponing. (You know, so I can buy more yarn?)
I have really gotten into it, and doing quite well with it. I've not bought body wash or toothpaste, but gotten it all free after coupons, and have enough stockpiled for another month! Food is harder to get free - not as many great coupons, but still you can cut the bill a lot lower. If any of you are interested, I might do a blog post with some starter tips.
Oh, and I got my laptop back. If any of you noticed me missing, my laptop died and was getting repaired. I have another OLD laptop, but it's hard to use, heavy, and doesn't have any of my bookmarks. Soooo... yay, my laptop is back!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
For Valentine's Day, we didn't do much. Went out to dinner last night to celebrate the Chinese New Year with some friends. I got a card, but most of all... I got sleep. I slept until 1 pm today. Oh, it was sooo wonderful. I haven't done that in years.
Sleep is good.
I also have been joining in the Ravelympics, and finished an old project that has been sitting in my knitting bag. Sad and all alone. Olympic knitting is so much fun, and so motivating for some reason!!!
This shawl is from "Knitting Triangles" by Evelyn Clark, and is a mix and match of different patterns to make your own. This book is great, and is more of a recipe book for a shawl than anything. Great book, I highly recommend if you like lace knitting, particularly in triangle form. Malabrigo laceweight, in a really candy cotton pink. My favorite of colors. I'm definitely not girly until it comes to the color pink. :D Size 4 Addi Lace needles.
Sleep is good.
I also have been joining in the Ravelympics, and finished an old project that has been sitting in my knitting bag. Sad and all alone. Olympic knitting is so much fun, and so motivating for some reason!!!
This shawl is from "Knitting Triangles" by Evelyn Clark, and is a mix and match of different patterns to make your own. This book is great, and is more of a recipe book for a shawl than anything. Great book, I highly recommend if you like lace knitting, particularly in triangle form. Malabrigo laceweight, in a really candy cotton pink. My favorite of colors. I'm definitely not girly until it comes to the color pink. :D Size 4 Addi Lace needles.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Damson blocking
Not much going on here. We've been a houseful of sickness. The baby has been sick, we have ALL had the stomach virus, and I officially tested positive for mono. Whee.
I did get Damson blocked. Thank you Rachel, I used the spare bedroom bed, and shut the door to keep the kitties out and off the yarn!
I did get Damson blocked. Thank you Rachel, I used the spare bedroom bed, and shut the door to keep the kitties out and off the yarn!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Lazy Sunday
I'm practicing a post with my new Wordpress app on my iPhone... It's a rainy lazy Sunday.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A loom and some shawls
Sometime since we last spoke about knitting or yarn goodness, I acquired this *thing*.
My husband's best friend was at some estate sale and asked what it was, and he was told it was used to wind yarn, so he bought it for me. I had no idea what it was, so I took it to my knitting group. I was told it was a loom. Hmm, what kind of loom? So using Ravelry, I found out it was an inkle loom.
I am really wanting to use it, but have no idea how to begin. I keep thinking that I'll have a day where I can go to the Woolery in a nearby city and have them show me what additional supplies I need and the basics, maybe even a DVD. I just can't seem to find the free day to go!
Other things I've been working on....
I finished my Damson shawl but it desperately needs blocked. My problem with blocking is that I don't have a blocking area. I only have one room with carpeting and the cats would lie on it if I block it with towels on the carpet. Any suggestions?
I started the Aestlight Shawl. In Madelinetosh sock. MMMM... let's talk about this yarn. It's in a "copper penny" colorway, and it is BEAUTIFUL. It does shine like a bright new penny. And the yarn is buttery and wonderful. I love this yarn. I just happened to get it while on maternity leave in a Loopy Ewe update, and I am so happy with that purchase.
My husband's best friend was at some estate sale and asked what it was, and he was told it was used to wind yarn, so he bought it for me. I had no idea what it was, so I took it to my knitting group. I was told it was a loom. Hmm, what kind of loom? So using Ravelry, I found out it was an inkle loom.
I am really wanting to use it, but have no idea how to begin. I keep thinking that I'll have a day where I can go to the Woolery in a nearby city and have them show me what additional supplies I need and the basics, maybe even a DVD. I just can't seem to find the free day to go!
Other things I've been working on....
I finished my Damson shawl but it desperately needs blocked. My problem with blocking is that I don't have a blocking area. I only have one room with carpeting and the cats would lie on it if I block it with towels on the carpet. Any suggestions?
I started the Aestlight Shawl. In Madelinetosh sock. MMMM... let's talk about this yarn. It's in a "copper penny" colorway, and it is BEAUTIFUL. It does shine like a bright new penny. And the yarn is buttery and wonderful. I love this yarn. I just happened to get it while on maternity leave in a Loopy Ewe update, and I am so happy with that purchase.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The last time....
The last time I posted I was carrying a baby. He is now 5 months old, and beautiful. Life has changed. In so many ways.
I have wanted to start blogging again, but wow, life is so busy. So, I won't make promises. But, I feel like I have so much to say.
I am working on redesigning the blog. I almost decided on a whole new blog, but I didn't want to lose pieces of me. I may be changed, but essentially I'm still the same. I also need to update my blog list, as some of my friends have moved on to pretty bright shiny new blogs. I am really unsure of my new custom header.... it may still change. Maybe I should take a poll.
So, what's happened in 6 months? I had a baby, a sick baby who spent time in the NICU. He is now healthy and happy and doesn't know anything happened. Two chest tube scars later, mommy really wears the biggest scars inside. It's something that I'll never forget. I am thankful for every smile, every whimper, every giggle. I did go back to work, and I'm still nursing. I am still knitting (when time allows!). I have discovered the beauty of a crockpot and audiobooks. The house is on hold until we see some warmer weather. The cats are still with us, and seem to really love little man as much as we do. Quite frankly, it's a sweet little life.
So, no real promises. But hopefully you'll be seeing me.
I have wanted to start blogging again, but wow, life is so busy. So, I won't make promises. But, I feel like I have so much to say.
I am working on redesigning the blog. I almost decided on a whole new blog, but I didn't want to lose pieces of me. I may be changed, but essentially I'm still the same. I also need to update my blog list, as some of my friends have moved on to pretty bright shiny new blogs. I am really unsure of my new custom header.... it may still change. Maybe I should take a poll.
So, what's happened in 6 months? I had a baby, a sick baby who spent time in the NICU. He is now healthy and happy and doesn't know anything happened. Two chest tube scars later, mommy really wears the biggest scars inside. It's something that I'll never forget. I am thankful for every smile, every whimper, every giggle. I did go back to work, and I'm still nursing. I am still knitting (when time allows!). I have discovered the beauty of a crockpot and audiobooks. The house is on hold until we see some warmer weather. The cats are still with us, and seem to really love little man as much as we do. Quite frankly, it's a sweet little life.
So, no real promises. But hopefully you'll be seeing me.
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