So many different ways to save...

I haven't been shopping much lately, because I stocked up quite a bit on the Fry's Mega Event a few weeks ago. However, I've taken a few of the suggestions from coupon blogs I have read, and I'm trying to implement them.

One of the suggestions is doubling the recipe when I cook, and freezing the extra. Just tonight, my husband pulled out one of the frozen casseroles and stuck it in the oven. I am excited to keep this up, so hopefully we'll cut down on our last-minute I-don't-know-what-to-fix-so-we'll-eat-out habits. :)

We've also tried eating out of our pantry. I used to look in the pantry, see a package of torillas, and think, "I can make chicken enchiladas!" But then I end up going to the store for chicken, sour cream, onions, celery, and cheese. So I wasn't really saving any money by trying to find something in the pantry. Now, I've started putting entire meals together out of pantry items. I made chicken salad sandwhiches earlier with ingredients all from the fridge and my pantry.

I was researching on the internet at work tonight, and found a store nearby that sells the cast-offs from grocery stores. Stuff like the dented cans and boxes that can't be sold in the grocery store. I am going to go check it out this week and see whether it's a good deal or not.

I've also signed up for quite a few sample items from different companies. I've read that a lot of people can get some good products from just requesting free samples. So in 6 to 8 weeks, my mailbox should be overflowing! :)

I may or may not be successful at all of this, but one thing is for sure, I'll continue to cut the coupons from the Sunday paper and organize my shopping trips!

It's been quite a while...

Yes, I know. I'm officially the worst blog updater ever. But I'm going to be better. I'm getting back into clipping coupons and saving tons of money, so I'll be posting pictures of my shopping trips. This one was from Monday. I had two transactions at Fry's. I spent a total of $9.51 and saved $136.29!!! Now we have frozen vegetables to last us for months!

More Pictures!

Here's some more pictures from our trip.

Our Trip to Cali

Yeah, I officially suck at blogging. But there's hope. We just got home from San Diego, and took TONS of pictures! Over 500 pictures! In 4 days! So... here goes nothin!

Coupons! SO MANY COUPONS!

Well, I've been pretty busy these last few weeks, hence, no blogging. But I'm hoping to get back to it now. I've started really dedicating myself to using coupons in our shopping trips. My brother-in-law's gf is awesome at couponing, and she hardly spends anything and gets so much! Most of the time she gets stuff for pennies or even free! So, she's been teaching me the method to her madness.
It's very time consuming, but it's paying off. Just today, I got 8 rolls of TP for $1.25, and a free toothbrush! I've started a notebook to keep track of all of my coupons, and use the best ones for the store I'm at. It's taken a lot of hard work, and watching the sales, but I have noticed a big improvement on the money I'm spending versus the amount of groceries I'm bringing home. I'm hoping to get better at this and be able to build our food storage while still saving money! :)

Grandma has gone home

Well, Grandma passed peacefully last night. We went to see her, and she was asleep. About 15 minutes later, she touched her chest and asked for a nurse, and fell back asleep. When the nurse came in, Grandma was gone. The nursing staff at the facility were so amazing in tolerating our large family, and helping to answer any questions. I'm so grateful for them and for the time and effort they put into to making Grandma comfortable in her last few days. The funeral should be sometime this week, so it looks like Bear and I are taking a trip up north to the funeral and the family cemetary. It will give us a good chance to get some information for our family history work too.

Reflections...

These last few weeks have been a little rough for our little family. Bear's Grandma has been in poor health, and she is declining quickly. Last week we went to see her in the hospital, and she was weak and frail, but in good spirits.
Last night we recieved information that Grandma is declining even further. We went to see her at the Hospice care center where she is staying. This is an entirely new experience for me. My grandparents are still all living, and I haven't yet had to face this sort of thing in my life. Bear is struggling with losing his beloved Grandma.
When we were at the hospice last night, I sat watching her. She was unresponsive to most everyone in the room. However, she was calling out and speaking to her Mother, who passed many years ago. Also, she was speaking to her first husband, who passed over 28 years ago. As I sat, watching her, I realized just how grateful I am for my knowledge of the Gospel. I always thought that I would be upset at the passing of a loved one. But I'm not. I just have an overwhelming peace. I can find comfort in knowing that Grandma is seeing her loved ones, and they are preparing her and helping her to transition to the next life. There was such a peaceful feeling in the room. The family was gathered to say goodbye, as the family on the other side of the veil gathered to welcome her home. It won't be long now before she passes, and I am grateful to know that I'll see her again someday.