Extreme Couponing 101

Good morning folks!  I hope everyone is safe and sound I've been so concerned about certain areas with all the tornados.  I've been praying for people.  My heart goes out to Joplin, MO especially because I lived in MO for 10 years.  The storm here knocked out my router and my internet was down for a few days. We were lucky though.

I don't know about you but blogger has been giving me fits.  I can't log in and comment at all.  I've been visiting your blogs but been unable to comment at all this week.  I'm so impressed and jealous of all of you who were able to get your gardening started. We're still too wet here :(

I have been doing some extreme couponing lately.  I have done a few little trips and have had some mixed results.  I was disappointed at Walmart yesterday when they wouldn't take some of mycoupons.  Have you watched the show on TLC, Extreme Couponing? I know many people think that these extreme couponers are a bit bizarre and should be classified as hoarders instead.  I am fascinated by them.  I have been couponing since I got married.  It's been a way of life for me.  I can relate to many of them who have been under some difficult circumstances with loss of a spouse's job, illness etc. Unfortunately, this has not been a good year for us as we have lost half our income.  Despite my new part time job and my husband's we are still not doing well.  I haven't really shared much lately with you because I wanted to try and remain positive keep my blog on topic.  It's put a strain on our relationship.  My kids are very conscious and my DD even tells my son that we can't afford it when he starts talking about vacations, activities, toys etc.  This just breaks my heart.  My kids are starting to get to that age where they are more concerned about their clothing, shoes etc. It's been one year and two months since he retired.  It just seemed to me like extreme couponing might give me a way to save a lot of money for my family.  Food isn't something you can cut out when you are trying to save $ and not spend money. 

Here are some things I've learned so far:

1.  Get extra newspapers on Sunday.  I've told people that I'm doing this and now I'm getting two extra papers for FREE!
2.  Set up another email account and go to coupon websites, facebook etc. you'll be able to print out a ton this way.
3.  Match-ups are the way to go, match up the sale price + coupon with another in-store (catalina) coupon = lowest price.  Then stock up on that item.
4.  Check out your stores policy on coupons, make sure you ask questions if you don't understand.  Most stores honor manufacturer and in-store coupons allowing you to stack them.
5. If you don't have time you can save time by going to blogs where people write about match-ups and give you the links. It takes all the guess work out.
6.  Ask if your store has a loyalty or frequent shopper card, most do.  I went to their websites and they also have a coupons.  It's great you don't even have to cut them, just select and they will be loaded onto your card, so easy! When you checkout you can use your e-coupon  + your manufacturer coupon!
7.  Don't buy something just because you have a coupon.  Use your coupons on what you buy already.
8.  Don't be brand loyal, try something different.
9.  Know that stores have sale cycle certain products go on sale at different times of the years. For example now it's condiments, icecream, paper products,buns, insect repellent etc. Try to take note and stock up when prices are lowest.
10. Join a coupon swap club or get together with friends and have a coupon party!

Here are some sites I have found helpful:

http://hip2save.com/
http://www.weusecoupons.com/
http://mojosavings.com/
http://www.howtoshopforfree.net/category/extreme-couponing-contest-extreme-coupon-how-to-shop-for-free/
http://www.couponmom.com/

Blogs and Match-ups

http://www.iamthatlady.com/
http://athriftymom.com/
http://blessingsncouponing.blogspot.com/, Amy from TLC
http://www.livingonacoupon.com/, Jessica from TLC
http://www.thefrugalburgher.com/
http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/, Heather and Joanie
http://www.extremecoupondiva.com/, Jaime
I loved how she wore her designer boots while couponing! LOL!

More couponers from the show, here

So here's my take on this, we can't do anything about the gas prices or economy.  We can pray.  We can be frugal with our spending and use coupons.  I'd love to hear if you use coupons and how you use them.

Best of luck,
Carey

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Gotta any Bisquick?  This recipe is so easy you probably have everything on hand to make it.  I got it from Not Quite June Cleaver, love her blog!! I was able to make it on a weekday morning.  I'm enjoying my time off from school.  I love being able to make them a hot breakfast without rushing.  I also love being home all day and making dinner without being too tired.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the weather in your area.  We're going to try! 

Easiest Cinnamon Raisin Rolls


Blessings,
Carey

Give Away Winner!

Good morning, the winner of my little give away was Tina @ http://grammasinthekitchen.blogspot.com/

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 5

Email me Tina and I'll get your package right out to you!

Carey

A Peek into my Farmhouse Kitchen and Give Away Reminder

Good morning to you! Just a friendly reminder I would love to have all 200 plus followers again here with me.  Please like me on facebook too.  I recently gave the kitchen some spring cleaning, moved some things around and I really like the less cluttered look.

my lilacs, something cheery to look at while I do the dishes

my lil' child's oven, also next to my sink

my stove, love the red!

Here's another look at what you'll get for the give away.  Good luck!

Enter here and leave me a comment.  This closes at Midnight est.
 
Have a great Monday!

Carey

Decorating Inspiration

Where do you get your decorating inspiration from?  For me it's a combination of what I see in magazines, blogs (lately) and shopping displays.  I love to window shop, ok maybe occasionally buy ;)  things at my favorite decorating shops.  When I lived in MO, before my kiddos came along I would drive about an hour to do just this...get inspiration.  Liberty, MO   Sometimes I would try to recreate what I saw exactly.  I may get lucky and have some of the items already.  Then other times I would buys key pieces and add, or take away others depending on what I liked.  Another thing I might do is to buy other items at discount stores on the way home.  That was always my last stop.  If I really like the twenty dollar silk geranium I know Hobby Lobby would have something much cheaper.  Also, some of those shops would buy from chains like Michael's or HL and mark up the item for resale.  Here's an example of what I created from a magazine.  I've had this for years in my files of things I love.

 The inspiration photo, sorry it's not clearer. 

 If you look closely you can see the flower pots, chalkboard and little fence like in my hutch.  They also have some old gardening tools mixed in with the pots, seed packets and nests.  I think this is great for May, June decorating when so many of us are in the garden. 

Give away Reminder go here, you have until Monday!

Blessings,

Carey

Spring Mantle Make-over

Recently, I decided it was time to put away the bunnies and most of the eggs.  I wanted a different look.  However, the budget is not there for redecorating...if ya'll know what I'm saying.  The price of gas...staple like bread and milk Yikes!!! I wanted to brighten my fireplace up a bit so I robbed  took the old white frame from downstairs to the family room.  I added some red silk tulips and more white pieces.  I love how just rearranging a few things can make your space look different. What do you think? I have a few more things to share this week.  I'll be back soon.

Before

After

Click here to enter my give away and become a follower.

I'm linked up to the following parties.

At Home with K

Metamorphosis Monday

Blessings,

Carey

Mother's Day & Spring Give Away

Hello blogging friends, I hope you had a wonderful mother's day.   We opted to go out Saturday night to avoid the crowds.  Little did I realize people were celebrating prom and graduation.  It was still busy.  My kids gave me a peaceful day (I asked for no fighting)  They made cards, placemats and flowers at school.  I enjoyed my crepe breakfast, which is starting to be a tradition.

Me and my big girl, she is almost as tall as me now.

my boy needs a haircut, he is liking it long

Getting a picture of all of us was quite the challenge!

I have decided to proceed with my blog name change.  Keep in mind that my content will stay the same.  I still like prims to some extent and for more than one reason cannot afford to change my home completely over to a new decorating style.  I just feel like getting back to my roots of country.  I love old things and antiques.  That will probably never change.  I'm not into all white or shabby.  While I love pastels they just don't speak to me the way a good dose of color does.  I find myself really loving the farmhouse look.  I also love the nod to Vintage kitchens especially dishes and tableclothes.  I do like white because it does such a great job of acting as a backdrop to my colorful accents.  I love all my prim friends and I would hate to lose any followers.  I do understand though. You can expect more recipes, antique finds and decorating on my new blog.

Here's my new name and Blog address.  I think the name fits and many of you agreed.

Carey's Farmhouse Kitchen

Here's what you'll be getting, I went with a kithen coffee theme!

1.  Cream Dishtowel/Soap Rack

2.  Coffee Recipe cards

3.  Coffee Mug with Multi-colored stripes

4.  Dish towel

5.  My favorite votive candle from Warm-Glo, Homespun Harvest

6.  Latte Votive candle

My give away rules

1.  Entry for Comment on new blog, please enter at Carey's Farmhouse Kitchen tell me about how your decorating style has changed or evolved over the years.
2.  Become a follower on my new blog
3.  Become a fan on facebook
4.  Post about my give away on your blog

You must live in the United States, stateside to enter my give away.  Sorry.  I will close this giveaway next Monday at Midnight est.


I have already moved my posts over to my new blog and will be closing this one after a certain period of time.  Please change your url or bookmark soon. 

Carey

Help me Pick a New Name

Hello, it's time for a change.  I've been thinking for awhile now I would change my blog name.  I'm trying to come up with something that says home (decorating) and baking goodies (especially pie).  I find myself into prims less and less (sorry prim friends). I really want to stick to my country roots.  So to celebrate and let you be a part of it I thought I would give you 3 options and then I will create a new facebook page around my blog too!  I haven't forgotten about the give away.  I will be doing that soon.  Keep checking back!

Option # 1

Mom's Homemade Apple Pie

Option # 2

Carey's Farmhouse Kitchen

Option # 3

American Girl Farmhouse

Option # 4

Create a name (I know you some of you out there can be really creative)

In a few days I will see what the most popular name is and choose a name.  You'll have to change your bookmark and follow me at my new address as I will be closing this blog soon.

Blessings,
Carey