Extreme Couponing: Practice Run!

I have said many times that I want to be an "extreme couponer." I wouldn't want to be like one of those people that are crazy while doing it, but I would like to use coupons to save money on things we want and need. I have been clipping coupons for quite a while, with the full intent to go on a grand shopping trip and stock up on things; however, with working as much as I have and wedding planning and working on the house, my time is stretched pretty thin. 

Anyway, I decided that this week I would actually GO. Part of this decision was based on Farm Fresh's new ad, which said they would be doubling coupons up to $2. Normally, they double up to 99 cents daily, and $1 on Wednesdays. For those that don't know, doubling coupons means that the store will match the amount stated on the coupon- so, if the coupon states that it will take $1 off the item, the store will match the dollar off, making it a total of $2 off the price of the item. Doubling up to $2 (making the total savings $4) is a big deal, especially if the thing you want is already on sale, so I had to check it out.

After going through the ad, I found a great deal I was super excited about. Tylenol Precise Pain Relief products were on sale for $5, and I had a $5 off coupon, making the item free. That's right, I said FREE. I had wanted to try them out, and now was the best time to do it. :)

I made a list of some of the things I wanted and the coupons I had for them. The list was a great way to keep track of what I wanted and how much I would actually have to pay for them...which makes it easy to write about it later! :D

The following is a short recap of my shopping trip: Go to Farm Fresh, wander around the pharmacy section for a billion years because drugs are UBER EXPENSIVE, only get one Tylenol Precise patch box because it was all they had (I wanted two), wander toward yogurt and get last ones, get call from Will, complain about various grocery things on phone to Will while wandering more, eventually check out with coupons, SUCCESS.

I spent a total of two hours in Farm Fresh. I left a little before 11:30. Hahaha.

Here is a picture of my awesome haul! (Minus one yogurt cup because I ate it.)

And, for my own records, the cost, coupons used, etc:

• Swanson Flavor Boost (Chicken)- on sale, 2/$5, $1 off 1 coupon, doubled to $2, total cost = 50¢
• Yoplait Greek Yogurt Cups- on sale 10/$10, used 2 50¢ off 2 coupons, doubled to $1 off 2, total cost for 4 cups = $2
• Tylenol Precise Pain Relief Patches- on sale for $5, $5 off 1 coupon, total cost = FREE!
• Duncan Hines cake mix- on sale for $1.79, 35¢ off 1 coupon, doubled to 70¢, total cost = 79¢
• YoCrunch Yogurt- on sale 10/$6, $1 off 4 coupon, doubled to $2, total cost for 4 cups = 40¢
• Campbells Soup at Hand- on sale $1 each, 50¢ off 2 coupon, doubled to $1, total cost for 2 = $1

At checkout, my total cost before coupons ended up being $17.64. After coupons, the amount I paid ended up being $5.14. I saved a total of $12.50, which was a savings of 72%. :D (The receipt calculated all this out, not me, btw. Haha.)

The 72% savings is extremely impressive until you learn how small my purchase was...but hey, it's a start. I have deemed this shopping trip as my "practice run." I'm hoping I can find more coupons and combine them with great sales to stock up on things for our house. And hopefully the next trip will take less than 2 hours. XD

Soft Words and Loud Actions.

Silence is too often the answer for the most important questions, and loud answers are given by those that don't know what should be said. Words are often wasted on meaningless things; actions speak louder, but few are willing to take them. Soft words and loud actions rule our lives.


...anyway.

Today, we talked to the florist, got undergarments, picked up the dresses, got an alteration appointment, and got a dress for Granny. Very productive day. Will was also productive- he did a bunch of errands today, mostly related to the house. :)

I'm irritated with certain people currently, but it's my fault for expressing my views. I feel no shame in doing so; I am more upset that I was attacked about it by people I thought were friends that would support me no matter what. This has happened twice recently; once on a facebook post, and once through text. I understand that everyone has their own opinion, but can they PLEASE just respect my opinion and my wishes when and if I express them? :(

Facebook Timeline: Hi, Big Brother, nice to see you.

Facebook is forcing a new layout on it's users called "Timeline." Pretty much it's exactly what it sounds like- a timeline of everything you've ever posted, replied to, games you've played, pictures, videos, friends you added, etc, etc, etc. I got forced into it already, sadly, due to an app I wanted to try (Pinterest). I can't go back to the original layout.

It's very "Big Brother"-esque. Others can choose a year and a month to see all your interactions from that time period. Every single status you made, every single thing you were tagged in, what you liked, everything.

Some people have asked me why I'm deleting everything I can from past years on my profile now.

Though most people wouldn't think it and don't realize it, I tend to be more private of a person. I don't like people being all up in my business, nor do I want anything from the past (pertaining to me or others) to be pulled out of the grave. Therefore, I have made the decision to delete the old content. I have deleted every note I made except one (how he proposed) and have been working on removing content from at least 2009 and on to clean it up.

So when people ask why I'm deleting the old posts: Because I want to. Now fuck off.

Another blog on the internet.

I got a tumblr about a billion (one) years ago. I have just now started using it, and I'm actually liking it now that it's personalized and I have a fandom (Sherlock) to lurk around. Haha.

Speaking of Sherlock, I've been watching other shows that Benedict Cumberbatch has been in. So far I've seen To the Ends of the Earth and Fortysomething, all for free on Netflix Instant. I am now watching The Last Enemy- I've finished the first episode and have enjoyed and been confused by it so far. :)

Pretty much I think he's gorgeous in everything. I actually like him as an actor as well, and I typically don't have an opinion on actors, so.

In life news, we will be getting into the house in about 5 days :3 I am super excited! First things to do will be taking before pictures, cleaning, painting, and flooring. And then moving! :D

I don't know what else to talk about, so I will go do something. Laters! (lol Sherlock reference)

Can you guess my favorite animal?

As far back as I can remember, I've loved cats. I don't know where this obsession has come from, but it's here to stay. :) I just thought I'd share some really cute cat photos I found on www.thatcutesite.com.

These are the type of pictures that make me turn into a bowl of jelly, blubbering incomprehensible words about how cute that cats are and squealing in an incredibly high pitch. It sounds something like this:

eeeeeEEEEEEEpubuporjeuheprjafsaEEEEEEEeeeee

I don't think I'm over exaggerating, either. I <3 cats. :3

My last family Christmas.

This year marked the last family Christmas at my Grandmother's house that I will ever attend. This may sound like a horrible, sad thing, but it's really not- in fact, the reason it will be the last here is because all further holidays will be held at my house. I have great memories of Christmas and holiday times in general with my family, but we've all slowly drifted apart due to sickness and marriage and such. I'm so excited that Will and I will be able to have Christmas at our house, and I'm already planning it out, haha. :)

I spent Christmas Eve with Will's family- we went to his church's Christmas Eve service, and then back to his grandparent's house for eggnog and cookies. Christmas Day was spent with my family, with Will joining us later, after he had finished with his family in the morning. It was a little awkward before he got there- my uncle and his wife came over with his son, but they didn't bring her three kids. Weird.

Anyway, my Christmas holiday was overall very nice and I can't wait for next year at my place. :3

My haul this year (and from who, too):

     Mom: earrings, a bracelet, $50 cash, rain boots, angry birds keychain, angry birds magnets (for our fridge!)
     Granny: $100 cash
     Dad/Virginia: $50 to Olive Garden, cookies, scarf/hat/gloves set
     Will: Guesstures, a kitten salt and pepper shaker set
     David: $15 to Bath and Body Works
     David/Sarah: sugar free bridge mix, $30 to Best Buy, $25 to Cracker Barrel
     Will's Grandparents: $50 check
     Will's Parents: crochet/knitting patterns, crochet hooks, stitch markers, $50 to Home Depot, various other small, useful items
     Blair: New Professor Layton game, $30 to Barnes and Noble
     Julia/Erwin/Lily: a book about Unuseless Japanese Inventions, French White Corningware

All in all, it was a great Christmas. Will and I got some house stuff, and I received some nice and useful gifts.

There are certain traditions that I will steal from both sides of the family (like where Will's mom makes all the "kids" stockings full of useful things, and where the family all eats dinner together from both sides) but I can't wait to start making my own traditions with Will (and maybe some eventual kids ;P).


I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This was a sorta belated blog post, haha. Happy holidays, all. :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas~

...except the shoppers are still CRAZY.

Working retail kinda sucks, especially with the extended holiday hours of all the shopping centers. At least I'm getting a great paycheck to cover all my shopping expenses!

On that note, I've almost got my shopping all done- just need two more things for Will, then I shall be done. :)

Here's a picture of a kitten, the best Christmas gift ever!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, and happy holidays! :3