Torn

I can't go into too much detail, but we've been living on a very tight budget the last year. Not because money is tight, just wanting to sock away as much savings as possible for...what I can't go into much detail about. {Now, wasn't that as clear as mud?} So I've put myself on a tight budget and I manage to stick to it. There are, of course, the unexpected expenses, but we've chosen this budget so we do have the freedom to either pay for things out of that savings or to set aside for things, depending upon the situation.

A few months ago I started couponing. I enjoy it. It's fun. However, it's something I do every Sunday afternoon/evening. I'd really rather just relax and enjoy the time playing with the kids, reading, needlework, etc. However, I can really save some money and stock up on things we'll run out of anyway.

Lately I've been reading some blogs and chatting with some friends on a small discussion board about buying less, making things myself, and trying not to purchase anything new if I can avoid it. It gets me to thinking.

With the exception of today (there were a LOT of great coupons in today's paper) I usually throw away more coupons than I keep. I only cut coupons for hygiene, paper, batteries, and other non-food items that we tend to find necessary. I cut very few food coupons and they usually expire. I prefer to buy as much fresh as I can. I'll buy frozen if it's a deal, especially if there's a dish I have in mind and I'm not sure I'll make it soon enough to buy fresh. I check out the grocery ads to make the bulk of my list. This week the things I'm out of was pretty short but one of my ads had great prices on chicken, ground chuck, etc. so I'll be stocking up there.

I also check out a certain major pharmacy chain that, while more expensive the a certain supercenter, has great deals in its ad every week. It's just a matter of matching the deals with coupons with what I need.

So, for tomorrow I have two lists. My grocery list and my major pharmacy list. I need to check the list again tomorrow to narrow things down, but mostly it's stuff that I'll decide on after I see how much stocking up on groceries sets me back. Start with the stuff I do actually need and go from there.

However, after reading The Non-Consumer Advocate, I'm wondering. How much do I really need to buy? Obviously, groceries. But of the other stuff?

I already avoid buying new clothes. The Boss is a growing boy. He's in men's sizes in clothes and shoes. And he's still growing. It doesn't make sense to spend the money on new clothes when he's going to outgrow them at some point. So I like to check out Goodwill and a great resale store here called Plato's Closet. Prices are pretty similar and it's easier to shop for sizes at the latter. Goodwill is only good if you're not in a hurry, frankly. Or if you don't need to look for things in a certain size. You can find some really great stuff there though if you have time and are in the mood. I shop there and at Clothes Mentor, next door to Plato's Closet and owned by the same people. My new favorite store. There are a few resale shops for the Peanuts but they're still wearing clothes from Lebanon, Kuwait, cousins in Lebanon, and cousins here. I buy them shoes new. The supercenter has them cheap enough I can buy new pretty much guilt-free, and of course the underwear...for all of us. LOL

Right now I'm stocked up on detergent and fabric softener. I normally use about half of what it calls for anyway, so it'll take me quite a while to use that up. When I'm done, I can try a homemade version and see how I like it. I might wait until I'm ready to open my last bottle so that if it just doesn't clean to my satisfaction I have a whole bottle to find deals for more.

I've heard bad things about fluoride. Do I listen to the harbingers of doom and switch to baking soda or do I keep on stocking up as I find sales/coupons? Hmmm. As far as Kleenex, do I only keep a few on hand for serious colds/allergies and sew up some hankies? Or just stick with the disposables? I don't use paper towels for much except cleaning messes that I don't want to use rags on (dog messes and other nasty things) and for catching bacon grease. So I go through them pretty slowly. So I'll probably not change anything there.

Do I keep a lookout for glass cleaner since I have coupons or try making my own? I want to save money but I want to be able to see myself in the mirror (not really, but it's the only way to get the make-up on straight and fix my hair) and out the windows. Again, I can try the next time I run out and go buy more if I'm not happy.

I have a huge list made up. The groceries are mostly non-negotiable but the rest kind of is. Just need to double check item by item.

What are your thoughts? Is trying to be a non-consumer compatible with sale ads and coupons?

Inspired but flour-less

This weekend I rediscovered my friend's blog. Let This Mind Be in You is full of recipes and hints. She's gotten me inspired to get on a baking bandwagon. I was in the mood to make up a batch of cinnamon rolls today, thank to her, but, alas, not enough flour. I'm completely out of whole wheat, have enough whole wheat pastry flour for another couple of pizzas, and a decent amount of unbleached white flour, but not enough for the rolls. Grandma's recipe makes 3 pans of rolls. I make them and then freeze two of them. They're great for sticking in the frig on Saturday so they're thawed for breakfast on Sunday morning. If they're still too chilled, just put in the oven for a few minutes.

Tomorrow is church. I'm so tempted to do some shopping tomorrow but I have procrastinated and haven't done any menu planning. So, after lunch it's off to buy a Sunday paper and cut coupons. I'm not real big on it. I do combine them with good sales, but if I can't and I really need something, I stick with the store brand. Much cheaper. I've stocked up on a few things, but thanks to Calico Prairie's blog I'm wanting to try some of the homemade detergents, etc. I wanted to overseas but could never find Borax or Fels Naptha. The latter was optional since I found recipes where you could just use a good bar soap, but the Borax and/or washing soda were essential and nonexistent.

Today for lunch (and for supper leftovers) we had Potato Kibbi. It was so delicious! Yesterday it was mjadra only I browned the onions in bacon grease instead of oil. It was really good. The Peanuts wanted seconds. I still don't know how I'm managing to burn the lentils though. I honestly didn't have this problem overseas with the gas stoves. I know it made it here before the big move 6 years ago, but I'm sure I didn't have a problem with burning it. Boiling over, yes, but not burning. Hmmm...got to figure this one out.


Well, it's late and we have church tomorrow. It's our new pastor's first sermon at our church and I want to be awake for it. LOL I've already spoken to the Peanuts about letting me listen tomorrow. Last week the Little Prince was playing with the cars in the kids' bags in the narthex. He wasn't really being so loud but the bit of noise was distracting to me as I tried to listen. So I reminded him today that he could only play with them during Communion when there's no preaching or other things to listen to. The organ is playing, drowning out the little cars. Why do they put those in the bags?!nt.

Peace and quiet

I'm a horrible mother. I admit it. The Boss left Tuesday for church camp where he's a junior counselor. He was so excited and couldn't get rid of me soon enough when I took him to church to get his ride. The Peanuts and I went home and you won't believe what happened.

The Diva played video games in their room, the Little Prince played games in the Boss's room, and I sat in the family room and surfed the internet and listened to podcasts while working on the Little Prince's Christmas stocking. I even chatted with Mom on the phone without interruption.

As much as I love my oldest I have to say that not having a teenager in the house has resulted not only in a lack of noise fro him but a lack of noise from his brother and sister. They're not arguing with each as much, even when they're in the same room playing games or watching movies. Which they've done most of the time rather than split up.

Am I a horrible mother for enjoying this? Do I really care? LOL

Nice!

This evening I watched the movie "Arranged", which you see the trailer for below. It was a wonderful movie. I highly recommend it to everyone. I'd like to hear your opinions of it as well if you do watch it.

The summer is going by so fast. I'm wishing now the kids hadn't done summer school, even though they did enjoy it. School starts before we know it. {sigh} While I understand the benefit of a shorter summer break and more breaks during the year, I'm not sure I really like a shorter summer break. I'm not sure I like improvements...LOL But I do have an open mind so we'll see.

This week I bought fabric for a dress for the Diva. It's been years since I've made anything. The only times I've put my Viking to work has been to repair ripped out seams or put fake cuffs in a pair of jeans for the Little Prince. The pattern was .99 at Hobby Lobby and the fabric was on sale at JoAnn's. I also had coupons to use on the buttons and thread so I didn't pay full price for a thing! Yeah!

I cut out the pattern pieces today as well as the fabric and interfacing. I really wanted to start today but decided to wait until tomorrow. Today I cleaned the kitchen and bathroom so I got a late start on the cutting. Tomorrow I don't have any cleaning jobs planned outside of laundry and hot spots so I should be able to do most if not all of the dress. It's a simple dress, only 4 pieces to sew together, and then hem. Even if I need to rip out seams along the way it shouldn't take too long. It's pink with some glittery stuff on the right side. Very pretty. Very Diva.

ARRANGED - TRAILER

Pictures of the Day - Placido Domingo Opens Zouk Mikael International Festival

Pictures of the Day - Placido Domingo Opens Zouk Mikael International Festival

What I wouldn't give to have been there!

(More Than Dreams) Khalil's Story - Arabic

No, I'm not dead yet

I get into the swing of things for a few days and then I drop off the face of the blogging planet. I've been online quite a bit, just forget to head over here.

Things are hot but fun around here. Today we went to the Nature Center and learned about venomous and nonvenomous snakes. They're both illegal to kill here unless there venomous one about to bite a human and it's him or you. Good to know. I like snakes in general and like the job they have. Just want them to do it outside, please and thank you. I also would like to attract some bats around here for the mosquito population.

I've started the Little Prince's Christmas stocking. It's coming along. I'm getting a lot done since I have season 7 of McLeod's Daughters. It's not the same show since all of the original cast members are gone, but I still like it. I wish they'd nix all the feminist propaganda they like to spout. But I just let that nonsense about women having to be independent go in one ear and out the other. I know I don't need to be independent to get the job done. Or to be validated as a woman. Or to be a real woman. Anyway...it's still a good show.

It's way past 8 and I still need to feed the kids. But the Peanuts are outside in their swimsuits enjoying the sprinkler and getting the dogs barking. I'll fix us some hot dogs on the Foreman grill and then we'll hit the showers. And I'll try to work up a good blog post sometime soon. There are a few floating around in there somewhere.