Obviously, I have not been a great blogger. I've known that for awhile now, as have all 10 of my awesome readers. ;)
Exhibit A: I started to write the following post back in August...
I'm a terrible blogger. I don't want to be terrible, I want to be fantastic! But, so far, I'm not. Not even close!
I think there are many reasons for my terrible blogging...
1. I don't like the name of my blog anymore. I'm not couponing (though, again, I haven't given up on it. Just haven't had the time/reason to do so lately) so it's weird for me to blog on my How Not To Coupon site when I'm not couponing. Although, now that I think about it, I guess that DOES make sense! ;)
And that's as far as I got. Shocking.
Yes, there are a lot of reasons I have been a bad blogger. I've been super busy. I haven't taken the time to figure out how to make my blog look cool, so whenever I decide to blog I get distracted by that fact. I've been doing a lot of writing at work and used up all my creative writing skills there. I've been super into reading lately (another big shock for those that know me), so that has consumed my spare time. But the main reason for my lack of blogging? The one I wrote about back in August. I don't like my blog title. Thus, I've started a new blog. I promise I'm going to TRY and do a better job over at http://hownottohaveitall.blogspot.com/ so check it out. :)
Xoxo!
Miss Jess
Friday, August 12, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
I Haven't Been Couponing...
Not because I've given up on it, but because I have been super busy! I was out of town for work, and then I was playing catchup, and then I was dogsitting (shoutout to my boy Watson!), Meanwhile, my roommate was cooking a lot, but it was food that we already had or that she picked up at the produce stand, so, thus no couponing!
I got my coupons together last night for a big trip to Harris Teeter for Super Doubles, but then I went out on the lake all day instead. Oopsy! ;) I leave on Thursday for 10 days, come home for 1 night, then leave for another 6 days, come home for a week (potentially), and then leave for another week. So, I may have to put off grocery shopping for awhile.
However, I do plan on blogging on other topics too, so I promise to update more soon!
Xoxo!
Miss Jess
I got my coupons together last night for a big trip to Harris Teeter for Super Doubles, but then I went out on the lake all day instead. Oopsy! ;) I leave on Thursday for 10 days, come home for 1 night, then leave for another 6 days, come home for a week (potentially), and then leave for another week. So, I may have to put off grocery shopping for awhile.
However, I do plan on blogging on other topics too, so I promise to update more soon!
Xoxo!
Miss Jess
Monday, May 23, 2011
Like a Virgin...
Yes, I admit it. Before last night, I was a coupon virgin. I'd never used one in my life, at least not that I remember. There are a lot of excuses people have for not using coupons. They don't have time for couponing, they don't want to buy any of the things that one gets coupons for, it's not worth the effort, they don't want to be the crazy coupon lady.
I could probably use every single one of those excuses, but the real reason why I had never used a coupon is that the idea had truly never occurred to me. I like a bargain as much as the next person, but I didn't think to even TRY to save money on groceries. So, once I realized that it was an option, I was all over it.
Yes, couponing DOES take time and effort. Yes, there are some items that you're going to get coupons for that you would never buy, and there will be things that you want to buy that you'll never see a coupon for. Not to mention, there are going to be some people that think you're the crazy coupon lady...or man (yes, men can coupon too!) Those excuses do have SOME merit to them, but not enough merit to make you miss out on these savings.
Because, I promise, there are LEGITIMATE savings out there. Last night, I went to Harris Teeter. I bought 17 items. I used nine coupons. I spent $22.15 and saved $32.99. Don't want to do the math? Don't worry, I did it for you. With a mere nine coupons, I saved 60% off my bill. Sixty percent! In my very first couponing attempt. That's legit.
Every item that I bought was something my roommate or I will use, so I didn't buy anything crazy to get these savings. To get an idea of how it worked, let me share my shopping list:
1. Fiber One Bars - I bought 2 packs of these, because my coupon required me to buy two. I eat one of these for breakfast every single day, so I knew I'd use the two boxes. Normally it would have cost me $7.38 for both boxes, but I paid $5.88. Not a great deal, but still less than I'd normally pay! (Tripled $.50 coupon)
2. Betty Crocker Cake Mix & Frosting - I had a coupon that required me to buy both cake and frosting, but they didn't have cake and frosting that matched for the kinds I like. So I bought Yellow Cake and Rainbow Chip Frosting and I'll buy Chocolate Frosting and Rainbow Chip Cake later. Normally it costs $3.78 for both, but I paid $.81 for both. (Cake Mix was on sale plus tripled $.75 coupon)
3. Pringles Snack Stax- Normally cost $3.69, but I paid $2.19. (Tripled $.50 coupon)
4. Special K Cinnamon Cereal - I didn't have a coupon for this, but it was on sale and on sale again (not sure why, but I'll take it). Normally costs $3.79 but I paid $1.77. I would have bought several boxes of this if I could (best. cereal. ever!) but the store had a limit of just 1 at that price.
5. Peanut M&Ms - I bought two bags of these because my coupon required two. They were $.99 each, so normally I would have paid $1.98 but I got them for FREE! (Tripled $.75 coupon)
6. Knorr Rice Sides - I bought two because my coupon required it (and because I love these! They are super yummy and a very easy side dish to make! So easy even I can do it!). Normally they cost $1.29 each, but I got them for $.25 each! (Store had them on sale for $1.00, and then I tripled my $.50 coupon).
7. French's Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce - This is something I wouldn't typically buy, but it was something that I thought my roommate would like. She uses honey mustard on a lot of things, so I thought since I got a good deal on it, it was worth trying for her! Normally it costs $1.99, but I paid $.49. (Tripled $.50 coupon)
8. Ghiradelli Candy Bar - My roommate is a big caramel fan, so I picked her up a giant candy bar! Always good idea to sugar up your roomie on a bad day! ;) Normally costs $2.49, but I paid $.99. (Tripled $.50 coupon)
9. Crest Vivid White - If you're not a brand snob, you can pretty well ALWAYS get toothpaste for free. However, I am a brand snob in this case. I love Crest Vivid White! Normally it costs $3.65, but it was on sale for $2.49 so even without a coupon, I picked one up.
10. Hot Dog Buns- While I was home for Easter, the sweet Easter Bunny brought me Nalley Chili, which I love but can't buy down South! Yesterday I didn't get to the store until almost 8 pm (I was busy watching one of my clients get his first NASCAR win(!) and then Indy 500 Bump Day was too good to turn off!) so I didn't have much time to make dinner after. I figured Chili Dogs sounded easy, quick and yummy! Thus, I needed buns. I paid full price (scandalous!) but did get the HT brand, paying $1.39.
11. Country Crock + Calcium - I had a coupon for Country Crock that allowed me to buy any size. Normally, it's generally the cheapest option to buy the smallest one, but my store had the large tub on sale making it even cheaper than the small one. Normally it costs $4.29, but I paid just $.94! (Store had it on sale for $2.14, and I tripled my $.40 coupon)
12. Jello Temptations - I kept seeing commercials for these and they looked yummy, so when I got a coupon for any Jello product, I decided to give these a try. Normally they cost $3.19, but I paid $1.39. (Tripled $.60 coupon)
13. Ballpark Beef Hot Dogs - As I mentioned above, I decided to make Chili Dogs for dinner, so I needed some hot dogs too. I had a coupon for Ballpark Beef Deli Style Hot Dogs, but I'm a pretty picky person and it's rare that I like hot dogs, so I wasn't sure I wanted to try new ones, especially since my coupon required me to buy two packages. My store did had the regular ones for sale though, so instead of $4.99, I paid $2.49.
Normally, I won't give you guys a complete breakdown of my shopping list, but I figured it might help to see what I bought. Also, seeing the price breakdown makes it easy to see just how much you can save.
I should mention that before I went to HT, I also went to Food Lion to buy some fruit. Food Lion doesn't normally have as many good coupon deals. However, they do usually have the cheapest prices for produce. I saw that they had grapes for sale for $.99/lb (great price!), so I bought my grapes and bananas there. Spent $5.10 for one bunch of bananas and two bags of grapes.
Note: This week was Triple Coupon week at HT, so I saved a little more (about $5.00) than I would on a typical day. Harris Teeter always doubles coupons, but Triples doesn't happen all that often. A lot of grocery stores double coupons, up to a certain amount, so be sure to learn your store's policy so you can plan your purchases accordingly. :)
That's it for now, Lovelies! In my next entry, I'll teach you how NOT to coupon (ie - share my strategy for my first big shopping trip!)
Xoxo!
Miss Jess
I could probably use every single one of those excuses, but the real reason why I had never used a coupon is that the idea had truly never occurred to me. I like a bargain as much as the next person, but I didn't think to even TRY to save money on groceries. So, once I realized that it was an option, I was all over it.
Yes, couponing DOES take time and effort. Yes, there are some items that you're going to get coupons for that you would never buy, and there will be things that you want to buy that you'll never see a coupon for. Not to mention, there are going to be some people that think you're the crazy coupon lady...or man (yes, men can coupon too!) Those excuses do have SOME merit to them, but not enough merit to make you miss out on these savings.
Because, I promise, there are LEGITIMATE savings out there. Last night, I went to Harris Teeter. I bought 17 items. I used nine coupons. I spent $22.15 and saved $32.99. Don't want to do the math? Don't worry, I did it for you. With a mere nine coupons, I saved 60% off my bill. Sixty percent! In my very first couponing attempt. That's legit.
Every item that I bought was something my roommate or I will use, so I didn't buy anything crazy to get these savings. To get an idea of how it worked, let me share my shopping list:
1. Fiber One Bars - I bought 2 packs of these, because my coupon required me to buy two. I eat one of these for breakfast every single day, so I knew I'd use the two boxes. Normally it would have cost me $7.38 for both boxes, but I paid $5.88. Not a great deal, but still less than I'd normally pay! (Tripled $.50 coupon)
2. Betty Crocker Cake Mix & Frosting - I had a coupon that required me to buy both cake and frosting, but they didn't have cake and frosting that matched for the kinds I like. So I bought Yellow Cake and Rainbow Chip Frosting and I'll buy Chocolate Frosting and Rainbow Chip Cake later. Normally it costs $3.78 for both, but I paid $.81 for both. (Cake Mix was on sale plus tripled $.75 coupon)
3. Pringles Snack Stax- Normally cost $3.69, but I paid $2.19. (Tripled $.50 coupon)
4. Special K Cinnamon Cereal - I didn't have a coupon for this, but it was on sale and on sale again (not sure why, but I'll take it). Normally costs $3.79 but I paid $1.77. I would have bought several boxes of this if I could (best. cereal. ever!) but the store had a limit of just 1 at that price.
5. Peanut M&Ms - I bought two bags of these because my coupon required two. They were $.99 each, so normally I would have paid $1.98 but I got them for FREE! (Tripled $.75 coupon)
6. Knorr Rice Sides - I bought two because my coupon required it (and because I love these! They are super yummy and a very easy side dish to make! So easy even I can do it!). Normally they cost $1.29 each, but I got them for $.25 each! (Store had them on sale for $1.00, and then I tripled my $.50 coupon).
7. French's Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce - This is something I wouldn't typically buy, but it was something that I thought my roommate would like. She uses honey mustard on a lot of things, so I thought since I got a good deal on it, it was worth trying for her! Normally it costs $1.99, but I paid $.49. (Tripled $.50 coupon)
8. Ghiradelli Candy Bar - My roommate is a big caramel fan, so I picked her up a giant candy bar! Always good idea to sugar up your roomie on a bad day! ;) Normally costs $2.49, but I paid $.99. (Tripled $.50 coupon)
9. Crest Vivid White - If you're not a brand snob, you can pretty well ALWAYS get toothpaste for free. However, I am a brand snob in this case. I love Crest Vivid White! Normally it costs $3.65, but it was on sale for $2.49 so even without a coupon, I picked one up.
10. Hot Dog Buns- While I was home for Easter, the sweet Easter Bunny brought me Nalley Chili, which I love but can't buy down South! Yesterday I didn't get to the store until almost 8 pm (I was busy watching one of my clients get his first NASCAR win(!) and then Indy 500 Bump Day was too good to turn off!) so I didn't have much time to make dinner after. I figured Chili Dogs sounded easy, quick and yummy! Thus, I needed buns. I paid full price (scandalous!) but did get the HT brand, paying $1.39.
11. Country Crock + Calcium - I had a coupon for Country Crock that allowed me to buy any size. Normally, it's generally the cheapest option to buy the smallest one, but my store had the large tub on sale making it even cheaper than the small one. Normally it costs $4.29, but I paid just $.94! (Store had it on sale for $2.14, and I tripled my $.40 coupon)
12. Jello Temptations - I kept seeing commercials for these and they looked yummy, so when I got a coupon for any Jello product, I decided to give these a try. Normally they cost $3.19, but I paid $1.39. (Tripled $.60 coupon)
13. Ballpark Beef Hot Dogs - As I mentioned above, I decided to make Chili Dogs for dinner, so I needed some hot dogs too. I had a coupon for Ballpark Beef Deli Style Hot Dogs, but I'm a pretty picky person and it's rare that I like hot dogs, so I wasn't sure I wanted to try new ones, especially since my coupon required me to buy two packages. My store did had the regular ones for sale though, so instead of $4.99, I paid $2.49.
Normally, I won't give you guys a complete breakdown of my shopping list, but I figured it might help to see what I bought. Also, seeing the price breakdown makes it easy to see just how much you can save.
I should mention that before I went to HT, I also went to Food Lion to buy some fruit. Food Lion doesn't normally have as many good coupon deals. However, they do usually have the cheapest prices for produce. I saw that they had grapes for sale for $.99/lb (great price!), so I bought my grapes and bananas there. Spent $5.10 for one bunch of bananas and two bags of grapes.
Note: This week was Triple Coupon week at HT, so I saved a little more (about $5.00) than I would on a typical day. Harris Teeter always doubles coupons, but Triples doesn't happen all that often. A lot of grocery stores double coupons, up to a certain amount, so be sure to learn your store's policy so you can plan your purchases accordingly. :)
That's it for now, Lovelies! In my next entry, I'll teach you how NOT to coupon (ie - share my strategy for my first big shopping trip!)
Xoxo!
Miss Jess
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Getting Started...
Today, I used a coupon for the first time...and then I used eight more. It probably goes without saying that I needed to brag about my couponing trip on Twitter. In response, my dear friend AP challenged me to start a blog about it. Actually, Ashley just suggested I blog about it, but I channeled my inner Barney Stinson and said "CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!"
I should start by saying that I am not a blogger. Given how much time I spend on my computer and how much I like to hear myself talk, it's kind of surprising that I'm not a blogger, but I'm not. However, I'm going to give this a solid try. One, because I'm kind of funny (sort of...sometimes...a little), so you guys might enjoy my blog. Secondly, I really do want to stick to this couponing thing, so maybe if I blog about it, then y'all can hold me accountable. Lastly, even though I'm going to often tell you how NOT to do this couponing thing (and, let's be honest, probably some other things too), maybe someone will learn something...and I LOVE learning! :)
Let me begin by telling you why I decided to start using coupons. I really like to shop, for just about anything. This includes groceries. One, because any shopping is fun, but, two, I feel like a grown up when I grocery shop...and although I don't really like getting older, I do enjoy feeling like a grown up. So, even though I'm not much of a cook, I enjoy making trips to the grocery store. Sure, I have to call my mom and ask her how to tell if veggies and fruit are good, and sure a lot of what I buy doesn't get used because I have novel ideas of cooking and then I don't. But, still, I enjoy the grocery store.
However, I really don't like spending money at the grocery store. It seems like (okay, doesn't just seem like; it's true) food prices have skyrocketed lately. I expect that I'm going to have trouble getting out of Target spending less than $100, but I don't expect that same problem when I go to Harris Teeter. However, I feel like whenever I go to stock up on groceries, I'm spending at least $80 bucks and if I go just to get stuff for one meal, I'm going to spend more than $25. At that rate, I might as well go out to eat. It's just as economical and way easier. So, that's what I've been doing. Eating out. ALL THE TIME. In fact, I moved to my new place on March 25th and I just went to the grocery store for the first time last week. FAIL!
Now, I'm fairly responsible. In fact, some might even call me boring. Now, I'd think those people are wrong but if they called me a geek, they'd be spot on. I'm a total geek. So, it probably goes without saying that I'm usually responsible, but let me explain anyway. I don't cuss. In fact, I've never said a bad word in my life. I don't drink. I decided to give up alcohol for 2011, just for the heck of it. I've never done drugs, I don't have casual sex, I went to law school, I check my credit score every week. I'm responsible.
Well, I'm responsible most of the time. I'm not super responsible when it comes to money. Granted, I'm probably not as bad as some people, but I'm not as good as I should be. Meaning, I don't bounce checks, I don't (usually) live too far beyond my means, but I definitely spend a lot and save a little. I want to change that. But, it's not easy. I'm a bit of a fashionista (not quite as much of one as I would be if I was a size 2 instead of a size...not 2, but still, I love clothes...and shoes...and purses!), I'm addicted to books, I love buying presents for people, I buy way too many songs on iTunes, I like to take trips...ie - I spend quite a bit of money.
At the same time, I have my first job out of school. Well, okay, my second job out of school. But my first one paid me a salary that is now forcing me to be paying off my first job out of school while working my second job out of school. This "first job out of school" is in racing, and for those of you that don't but want to work in sports, let me tell you, you take a pay cut to work in a field you're passionate about. In my case, the pay cut is worth it. I love what I do.
However, when you take into account that I'm paying off a law degree and an undergraduate education, I live in a cute little townhouse in a to-die-for area (with a roommate - remember, I'm fairly responsible), I have some credit card debt from the year at my not-going-to-count-it first job out of school, I just paid a ridiculous amount of money to the IRS for 2010 taxes, etc...the salary from my job I love so much doesn't go very far.
So, that's the situation I was in when I first saw the show Extreme Couponing. It took all of half an episode for me to get addicted and start talking to my friends about it! Turns out, a TON of them were using coupons already and not just the ones with kids like I expected. Now, okay, anyone that has seen the show probably can agree with me that it's not super realistic. I know, it's not. However, there IS money to be saved when you use coupons. So, I'm going to start couponing. My hope is that using coupons and saving money at the grocery store will eventually bleed over into other areas of my life, and I'll think twice before buying that super cute dress at Target or those shoes at the mall. Then, maybe I'll be able to afford that new (to me, not brand new; again, I'm not as responsible with money as I want to be, but I'm not irresponsible) car I want/almost need, but still just want at this point. Or I'll be able to afford to go visit my family more often. Or, I'll actually start saving money instead of just spending. Or, maybe not. But it's worth a try, right? :)
Now, this post has already gotten WAY longer than I intended, so I guess you guys will have to wait for the next post to hear about my first couponing trip.
Xoxo!
Miss Jess
I should start by saying that I am not a blogger. Given how much time I spend on my computer and how much I like to hear myself talk, it's kind of surprising that I'm not a blogger, but I'm not. However, I'm going to give this a solid try. One, because I'm kind of funny (sort of...sometimes...a little), so you guys might enjoy my blog. Secondly, I really do want to stick to this couponing thing, so maybe if I blog about it, then y'all can hold me accountable. Lastly, even though I'm going to often tell you how NOT to do this couponing thing (and, let's be honest, probably some other things too), maybe someone will learn something...and I LOVE learning! :)
Let me begin by telling you why I decided to start using coupons. I really like to shop, for just about anything. This includes groceries. One, because any shopping is fun, but, two, I feel like a grown up when I grocery shop...and although I don't really like getting older, I do enjoy feeling like a grown up. So, even though I'm not much of a cook, I enjoy making trips to the grocery store. Sure, I have to call my mom and ask her how to tell if veggies and fruit are good, and sure a lot of what I buy doesn't get used because I have novel ideas of cooking and then I don't. But, still, I enjoy the grocery store.
However, I really don't like spending money at the grocery store. It seems like (okay, doesn't just seem like; it's true) food prices have skyrocketed lately. I expect that I'm going to have trouble getting out of Target spending less than $100, but I don't expect that same problem when I go to Harris Teeter. However, I feel like whenever I go to stock up on groceries, I'm spending at least $80 bucks and if I go just to get stuff for one meal, I'm going to spend more than $25. At that rate, I might as well go out to eat. It's just as economical and way easier. So, that's what I've been doing. Eating out. ALL THE TIME. In fact, I moved to my new place on March 25th and I just went to the grocery store for the first time last week. FAIL!
Now, I'm fairly responsible. In fact, some might even call me boring. Now, I'd think those people are wrong but if they called me a geek, they'd be spot on. I'm a total geek. So, it probably goes without saying that I'm usually responsible, but let me explain anyway. I don't cuss. In fact, I've never said a bad word in my life. I don't drink. I decided to give up alcohol for 2011, just for the heck of it. I've never done drugs, I don't have casual sex, I went to law school, I check my credit score every week. I'm responsible.
Well, I'm responsible most of the time. I'm not super responsible when it comes to money. Granted, I'm probably not as bad as some people, but I'm not as good as I should be. Meaning, I don't bounce checks, I don't (usually) live too far beyond my means, but I definitely spend a lot and save a little. I want to change that. But, it's not easy. I'm a bit of a fashionista (not quite as much of one as I would be if I was a size 2 instead of a size...not 2, but still, I love clothes...and shoes...and purses!), I'm addicted to books, I love buying presents for people, I buy way too many songs on iTunes, I like to take trips...ie - I spend quite a bit of money.
At the same time, I have my first job out of school. Well, okay, my second job out of school. But my first one paid me a salary that is now forcing me to be paying off my first job out of school while working my second job out of school. This "first job out of school" is in racing, and for those of you that don't but want to work in sports, let me tell you, you take a pay cut to work in a field you're passionate about. In my case, the pay cut is worth it. I love what I do.
However, when you take into account that I'm paying off a law degree and an undergraduate education, I live in a cute little townhouse in a to-die-for area (with a roommate - remember, I'm fairly responsible), I have some credit card debt from the year at my not-going-to-count-it first job out of school, I just paid a ridiculous amount of money to the IRS for 2010 taxes, etc...the salary from my job I love so much doesn't go very far.
So, that's the situation I was in when I first saw the show Extreme Couponing. It took all of half an episode for me to get addicted and start talking to my friends about it! Turns out, a TON of them were using coupons already and not just the ones with kids like I expected. Now, okay, anyone that has seen the show probably can agree with me that it's not super realistic. I know, it's not. However, there IS money to be saved when you use coupons. So, I'm going to start couponing. My hope is that using coupons and saving money at the grocery store will eventually bleed over into other areas of my life, and I'll think twice before buying that super cute dress at Target or those shoes at the mall. Then, maybe I'll be able to afford that new (to me, not brand new; again, I'm not as responsible with money as I want to be, but I'm not irresponsible) car I want/almost need, but still just want at this point. Or I'll be able to afford to go visit my family more often. Or, I'll actually start saving money instead of just spending. Or, maybe not. But it's worth a try, right? :)
Now, this post has already gotten WAY longer than I intended, so I guess you guys will have to wait for the next post to hear about my first couponing trip.
Xoxo!
Miss Jess
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