What is a Couponizer?

Alright, so where have I been? Well, due to a series of family illnesses, I had to take some impromptu time off. The good news? We’re all back to being healthy and ready for Christmas.

So now onto something far more interesting – The Couponizer!!

As an admitted gadget, gizmo and organizer junkie, I was surprised when it was my husband who found this little gem. Now we’ve all been there. You’re in the store, and even if you are lucky enough to be shopping without kids, you are either shifting through an envelope or an envelope shaped organizer searching for coupons. For me, I’ve gotten so frustrated with the clumsy envelope system, that I’ve just disregarded the coupons all together.

My husband, not understanding my reluctance to use coupons, came shopping with us one evening. While he diligently searched through our envelope shaped container of coupons, our children ran haphazardly through the store, while I just grabbed what I could off the shelves in an attempt to finish the shopping. There were several occasions that my ever-patient husband was at least two aisles behind the rest of us. By the end of the outing, my husband had a better appreciation for my coupon quandary.

While my husband vowed that there had to be a better way to organize and use coupons, we hastily left the store with our full-priced goods.

Several days later, I was surprised to get a package in the mail. Given our self-imposed “spending freeze”, I was surprised, and slightly annoyed, to find that my husband had made a purchase without my knowledge. Upon review of the package, I found “The Couponizer”. Admittedly, I was irritated. I had all too often fallen into the fancy packaged organizational promise land purchase that resulted in nothing more than more trash for our ill-fated landfills.

With some reluctance, I allowed my husband to give the Couponizer a try. He pulled out the seductive and brightly colored “CoupStacker”, which presorts your coupons as you cut them into neat piles, as I watched from afar. While intrigued, I was reluctant to buy into another disappointing organizational gizmo. Then we tried another shopping trip. I watched as my husband strutted through the store, with his smug smile, quickly locating his easily and effectively organized coupons.

While I detest when I’m proven so clearly wrong, the Couponizer is now my favorite shopping accessory.

So what is the Couponizer? According the website, www.couponizer.com, the Couponizer is an 8" x 5 ¼" booklet with 18 grocery coupon pockets, 4 Non-grocery coupon pockets, 3 gift card/shopper loyalty sleeves and shopping pockets. I have personally, while unwillingly, found it to be genius. While the pre-sort mat makes the coupons easy to organize, it’s the easy to flip through pages that allow for easy coupon viewing and access that makes the couponizer a frugal shopper’s necessity.

The Couponizer 7-piece package can be purchased on the website for a mere $19.95 – which is money that you will save in no time at all.

While I was never a huge coupon-gal, in my new reality, coupons are now a necessity, and now that I’m using them regularly, I can’t believe how much I can save.

Good luck!

Black Friday Starts Early This Year

Here we are again, Thanksgiving. Just three days before most of our nation sits down to give thanks and share a meal with family and friends and you know what’s on my mind? Black Friday!

Each year as the Wednesday before Thanksgiving rolls around I start to get anxious. Will there be any great holiday deals worth getting out of bed for? I search the ads, I plan accordingly and then I wrench myself out of bed at some forsaken hour and traipse out in the cold in search of bargains. Has it been worth it? Admittedly, in years past, I’d have to say “yes”. It’s exhausting, and crowded, but I have gotten some fairly decent deals. An added bonus? I shop without the kids. My husband and children are blissfully sleeping off the turkey from the night before, and I have a few uninterrupted, child-free, hours to shop.

This year, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the Thanksgiving paper. Our budget is tighter this year than ever before, and I’ve been steadily putting away a few bucks each week in order to have the cash to spend on Black Friday.

While patience has never been my strongest character trait, I was ready to wait. That is until my ever generous, and always on top of a bargain, neighbor forwarded a link to a site dedicated to Black Friday 2008. It was like an early Christmas present. The site, found at http://bfads.net/, lists all the best deals and where to find them. Also, at http://bfads.net/Adscans, you can preview the advertisements to most major retailers now!

While I haven’t seen any great deals yet, I’m excited to have the opportunity to get a head start in planning now. Thank you shopping gods.

Is Anyone Hiring?

Looking back, I definitely took too much for granted. Most days I still miss that invisible bubble that protected me from reality. When I graduated from college, I didn’t worry about finding a job. Why would I? At the time, there were plenty available. Now we are amidst the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression. If you are looking for a job, where do you start?

I’ve scoured the Internet and found the following resume and interview strategies and employment search engines:

Resume and Interview Strategies

Six Serious Resume Blunders

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/careerbytes/CBArticle.aspx?articleID=835&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=8d5ddbd4bb324723b7d68a92042ea6ac-274979526-w4-6

Six Interview Mistakes

http://content.comcast.monster.com/interview-preparation/Six-Interview-Mistakes/home.aspx?WT.mcn=comcast030

Resume Critique Checklist

http://career-advice.monster.com/resume-critique/Resume-Critique-Checklist/home.aspx

Employment Search Engines

http://www.monster.com/

http://www.jobfox.com

http://www.simplyhired.com/

http://www.snagajob.com/

http://www.careerbuilder.com/

http://www.metrochicagojobs.com/

http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites

I have so many friends and relatives looking for jobs these days . . . I hope this helps.

Super Mom – Is there such a thing?

I know it’s a misnomer, yet I try anyway. Am I doomed to fail?

I lie in bed each night, listening to my husband snore, remembering all of the little things I forgot to do and the responsibilities facing me in the coming week. I wonder, am I the only one who goes to sleep thinking about everything that still needs to get done?

I like to be organized. I love planners and calendars and folders. I’m a gadget girl. It’s been established, I’ve admitted it, I know I have a problem.

However, despite how many items I’ve purchased to organize myself, I still don’t feel like I have enough time in my day. Some days, despite my best efforts, I don’t accomplish anything I set out to do. Being a good wife, mother, daughter, friend and employee requires an idiosyncratic balance, and one I’ve yet to master.

While I realize I should cut-back on some of my activities, I also feel like I could be more efficient. When you have no choice how do you fit more into your day? While the purchase of some sort of planner may be useful to some, an organizational tool alone will not immediately make you more efficient. Trust me, I’ve tried. So what does work?

The site http://www.busy-moms-online.com/category/time-management/ has some good suggestions that include:

1.       Prioritize!

2.       Reduce time wasters. (Things like TV, checking

          your email every 5 minutes, online or computer

          games, and phone calls from chatty friends)

3.       Don’t be afraid to say no.

4.       Ask for help.

5.       Energy renewal. (Set aside a few minutes or

          more a day to renew your energy.)

In my opinion, one of the best suggestions is ask for help. A significant other can:

1.       Do the Dishes/Unload dishwasher

2.       Sort the Laundry

3.       Set the Table

4.       Vacuum a room

5.       Pick up clutter

6.       Give the kids a bath

7.       Be Understanding of your needs!

Planners and gadgets are great, setting reasonable goals and determining priorities are essential, but really, a good partner can be a great help. More importantly, if that partner could just recognize, acknowledge and understand your needs, it would likely reduce your stress.

So for me? Tonight I’m going to sit down, figure out what’s on the schedule for the coming week, determine what projects need to be accomplished for work and create a meal plan for the work week. Then I’m going to review the plan with my husband and see where he can help out.

I already feel more productive . . . maybe I can attain the impossible.

So do you have more time or money?

More time or money? Hmmm . . that’s a tough call these days. Since lately it seems like I have very little of either, I’ve become interested in the idea of Once a Month Cooking – known to insiders as OAMC. The premise behind OAMC is that you decide on a meal plan, create a shopping list, cook an entire month’s worth of meals in one or two days, and then freeze the meals for use at a later date.

After a busy day at work, or a long day with the kids, I’m typically exhausted and I dread the dinner rush. The idea of having pre-cooked, affordable and healthy meals in the freezer is extremely appealing. However the idea of shopping, spending a day chopping, a day cooking and, presumably, a day cleaning up, makes me hesitate to jump onto the OAMC bandwagon.

So, what are the benefits of OAMC? According to most websites you can:

• Save Money – There is little doubt you can save by buying in bulk, and you can avoid eating out.
• Save Time – Fewer trips to the grocery store, and no last minute items to run out for.
• Save Energy – You can personally save time by only cooking 1-2 days a month, save on appliance costs by cooking in bulk, and save gas by running to the store less frequently.
• Have Less Food Waste – Eat what you need and leave the rest in the freezer.

An individual on one website boasted that she reduced her grocery costs by an average of $400 a month. According to http://frozenassets.wordpress.com/getting-started/, she was spending close to $700 per month on groceries and other food-related expenses (including eating out). By simply planning ahead, and buying in bulk, she reduced her grocery bill to $300 a month.

I don’t know about you, but that peaked my interest! Can OAMC really save you that much?

Well, I’m not sure, but I can make a few quick calculations. For example, a 15.2 oz can of corn costs approximately $1.49 or $0.10 an ounce, whereas you can buy a case of corn, or twenty-four 15.2 oz cans, for $24.85. Which, calculates to $1.04 a can or $0.07 an ounce. This equates to a savings of around $10.80 for just this one bulk purchase.

The question of if you can save money is obvious. How you work this program into your life is far more complex.

So how do you get started? I found the following websites which provide some meal plan ideas and planning strategies:

http://www.llli.org/NB/NBMayJun00p91.html

http://forums.dealhunting.com/campfire-off-topic/28982-co-op-meals.html#post71215 – 14 meals with Grocery List and plan, posted from Woman’s World Magazine.

http://frozenassets.wordpress.com/

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes/oamc-freezer-make-ahead

http://www.momsbudget.com/freezerrecipes/index.html

I haven’t tried this yet, but I’m anxious to get started. I’ll report back and let you know how it goes!

From Spend-Thrift to Frugal Mom

It’s so hard to admit. I’m ashamed. Admission is the first step right?

I am a buyer. I like to shop, of course only when I can buy – and I’ve never liked to think too much about what I’m buying. I’m not a collector, I hate clutter, but I like new things and gadgets. When one wears out, I toss it and get a new one.

My main vice? Pajamas and ‘comfort’ clothes. Come on, admit it, there is nothing like slipping into your lounge pants and sweatshirt after a long day . . .

Of course, times have changed, and so must I. Admittedly, it’s been an adjustment. However, if I can make the change from spend-thrift to frugal mom, anyone can.

How have I done it? Well, first, through a ‘unified-decision’ between me and my spouse, we stopped using credit cards. As difficult as this has been, it has opened up my eyes to what I buy, where I buy it and how much I purchase. If you’re an avid spender like I was, this is truly the only remedy. Realizing you only have so much money you can spend each month, or risk losing your home, will compel any retail junkie to cutback.

So how am I making ends meet? With a lot of preparation, research and smart shopping. Gone are the days of running to Super Target and grabbing everything I need in a one-stop shop. These days I plan my meals at least a week in advance, using the grocery store ads on Sunday and again on Wednesday. I identify where the sales are, what’s on sale and what coupons are available. The best place to get coupons is on the Internet. Most manufacturers and grocery stores have additional coupons online. Some great links are:

http://family.go.com/tagsearch-coupon/groceries/

http://www.pillsbury.com/coupons-promotions/

http://www3.meijer.com/mealbox/mealbox.html

http://sites.target.com/site/en/supertarget/page.jsp?title=coupons_specials

I’m still getting the same items I once purchased before, but now at a whole lot less. The smarter I shop, the more naïve I realize I once was. I was literally throwing money away, and excusing my behavior on being pressed for time. What I'm amazed at is that planning ahead really doesn’t take all that long, and for what I save, it’s well worth the effort.

We only have how much to spend this Christmas?

Well, it finally happened. My husband has taken away my remaining credit cards. Of course I knew this was coming, and, although I hate to admit it, I know he is right.

I’m not a child, nor do I have a passive personality. Actually, given my strong-will and opinionated nature, the idea of him ‘telling’ me what to do is somewhat laughable.

Over the past several years my husband and I have faced more than our fair-share of health and financial challenges. During these rough times, we’ve done what most families do, eat up their savings and surf on credit. After wrapping several lumps of credit over the years into a now rather large home equity loan, the time has finally come.

Really, I should have seen this coming.

So, here we are, just six weeks from Christmas and I’m limited to cash! As a woman addicted to both her credit and debit cards, and the idea of cash completely foreign, this is a huge transition. So, how am I going to swing Christmas for our large family? With a lot of preparation, planning and smart shopping.

First, I came up with a reasonable “wish list” for each child. I created a spreadsheet listing each item and then did some quick Internet research to come up with an approximate price for each item. Then came the daunting part – I calculated a total for each child. What I found was eye opening, but extremely helpful in coming up with a realistic plan to maintain some of our holiday traditions while keeping within a sensible budget.

Second, I assessed our non-existent Christmas budget. In the past we’ve been able to put a little aside each month to relieve some of the financial strain that each December inevitably brings. Unfortunately, this has not been a banner year, and our savings has dwindled. As a result, I’m going to have to be a bit more creative.

Which leads me to the third step of this process – eBay (www.ebay.com). I have been amazed at what I can find, and how substantially reduced the prices are on eBay. Several of the highly anticipated video games that my older son is requesting are easily found on eBay ranging between $10 to $20 less than retail. Thankfully, this will enable me to get a few of the games that otherwise would be out of reach.

Lastly, in preparation for Christmas, I’ve been sifting through old toys and unused items. A quick picture and easy listing on Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) gives me an opportunity to raise a few extra dollars, while also possibly helping others keep within their Christmas budget. Listing on eBay is also an option, but it requires more finesse and computer skill.

This Christmas is certainly going to be different than in years past. The gifts may not be as plentiful, or the meal as extravagant, but it will have a stronger emphasis on family and friendship. Also, when it is all over, I can put away the Christmas dishes and tree and take comfort in that come January I can literally start completely fresh without the lingering Christmas debt.

Possibly, while I will never tell my husband, this is the smartest thing he has ever done. I have not only become a better, smarter, shopper, but I’m also taking some joy in the true spirit of the season.

Save Money and Feed your Family

Financial and personal health seems to weigh heavily on my mind these days. I’ve been trying to find a way to both literally, and figuratively, tighten the belt. To me, it seems, there is a similar line between saving money and losing weight. We all recognize the concept, eat less and exercise more to lose weight, and make more money and spend less to gain financial security.  While the first part of that equation is relatively straight forward, the second may not be as easy.

Whether you are rushing home after a long day at work, with irritable and hungry children, trying to figure out what you can quickly make for dinner, or preparing to make and clean up yet another meal at home, providing healthy, budget-friendly, meals is always a challenge. Sometimes it just seems so much easier to feed the kids on the run – for just a few minutes of quiet in the car – or have your husband pick something up on the way home. Both options are both bad for your health and your pocketbook.

So, as a full-time working and stay-at-home mother of four, I’ve been looking for budget friendly and healthy meals. With a little bit of Internet savvy, I found the following:

Ten Meals on $10: http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Ten-Meals-on-10/Detail.aspx

Frugal Family Recipes: http://www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalrecipelist.htm

Budget Friendly Recipes for Families: http://family.go.com/food/pkg-cheap-eats/#

1 Bag, 5 Dinners: http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Dinner/1Bag5Dinners/1Bag5DinnersLanding.aspx

While it may not be gourmet, Kraft Foods really does make the 1 bag, 5 dinners extremely simple. In addition to providing recipes, the site also includes a detailed shopping list. Perfect for even the busiest of weeks.

Here’s to another easy, scream-free, healthy, home cooked meal . . .

Welcome to My World

Most days I wonder how other mom's do it. How do they appear so together and organized, when I feel like I'm having a good day if I have an opportunity to shower and provide my family with something other than cereal for supper . . .

As a full-time work-from-home, and stay-at-home, mother of four, there are days I feel like my sanity has completely left me. Today has been one of those days. Despite every effort to make my children the focus of my day, I was left with screaming, frustrated and unhappy kids. Seriously, I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.

I take pride in thinking of myself as a good mother. I have made my children and home my priority. Despite seeing most of my friends aspire to lofty and admirable goals, for so long my only desire has been to be a good wife and mother. While not completely politically correct, especially in today's world, I wanted a family. I wanted the whole dream - suburban house, 2.2 kids, loving husband and community activity. What I have found is so much more, and less, than that dream.

What I never realized while chasing my dream for the perfect sitcom family is that couples fight, children get sick and somewhere, between changing diapers, picking up toys and running errands, that my dream may change. That I may, at some point, simply want more - more than a few minutes to think and more than the opportunity to spend time with friends.

Its cliche, but I want it all. A career, family and friends . . . what I haven't found yet is the time! Yet, during the most quiet and blissful part of every stay-at-home mother's day - some call it a nap, I call it bliss - I find a moment to breathe, to refocus and prepare for the battle ahead called dinner.

Despite spending most of the morning wondering why I try to stay-at-home, and work-from-home, and banging my head wondering how I can possibly do it all, this afternoon I remember why I spend most of my days tired and exhausted. It's for those happy little faces, time with my patient and understanding husband, and the ability to sit in my sweats and write this blog.

Here's to hoping tomorrow is an easier day . . .