Happy 2nd Birthday Little Love of Mine

The sweetest kind of lovin'

Happy Birthday to YOU, Sweet Baby Girl <3

Extreme Couponing

minus the really extreme part. Let's call it pretty good couponing.

So most of you know, I've been inspired by the new show, Extreme Couponing. Maybe it's the absurdity of just how major the savings are... or maybe it's curiosity, wondering what one individual could possibly do with 72 bottles of mustard. 

(FYI: this was my first extreme couponing purchase and it made me ridiculously happy to pay .12 a bottle)

Truthfully, though... I think it's the challenge. I like challenges. I like free things too. :) So couponing is win win for me.

It's been nearly 3 weeks since I've started and I'm so excited about how well it's going that I'm actually blogging to you. Lucky you! :)

My first coupon run was at Bi-Lo (which has become my go-to store). They double coupons up to .60 AND they offer fuel perks. I think I'm up to .40 OFF PER GALLON! That's like, hang on...

.40 x 98gajillion gallons of gas that the Tuna Boat uses = a pedicure WITH coffee! 

(HA...unless they provide toddler-strength duct tape with that foot massage, it'll never happen) :{

Really though, it's a BIG savings over the course of the month.

Ok, back to the first run. 

Bi-Lo: Spent $60, Saved $28. Pretty ok.

Second run.

Publix: Under $8, Saved $8. Hey, Hey.

Third.

Ingles: Under $8, Saved $7.

Fourth.

Bi-Lo: Spent $9, Saved (wait for it...) 23.60!!!!

Fifth.

Bi-Lo: Spent $119, Saved $82, plus .40 off per gallon (a $10 savings in just one fill-up), plus $35 in Catalina coupons!

Wal-Mart cannot compare...tried it today. Since they don't double coupons and rarely have the B1G1 sales, I've found it's cheaper to go to the smaller (and MUCH nicer) stores and buy brand name items. Bonus- the kids get free cookies while I shop. Sweet, man!

So maybe one more smaller shopping trip before the month's end. I'm calculating to spend under $100. Adding up all my purchases, I'll have cut our grocery bill in half! 

Choppy Chop.

With so much still to learn, I imagine the savings will only get better. 

And though I'll probably never have 753 bottles of stool softener in my possession, I do know that I might never have to cringe at the final total of my shopping trips ever again.

Feels a little like stealing... breaking the law, breaking the law.

** Update Update**

I've finished my shopping trip with a 50% savings (and I thought I really bombed it because I mostly shopped with my eyes closed...it was that kind of day) But I scored FREE yogurt, razors, eggs and nearly free cereal. I also raised by fuel perks to .60 off per gallon. Woo Hoo!

Bi-Lo: Spent $50, Saved $49 (plus fuel perk)

April Grand Total: $260

Remember, this included shopping for Easter dinner AND multiple dinners for 12+ people.

Yay to me!

An Impromptu Photo Shoot With Miss Priss

 Oral Hygiene...she's a pro- maybe it has something to do with the threat of a wiggly worm infestation should they choose not to brush?

 Yup. My heart just melted.

 Little booger baby doll...

is growing up WAY too fast. 

SUPER <3

Earth Day a Smidge Early

 Each year for Earth Day we plant a tree. We've planted Crepe Myrtles, Cypress and a peach tree...

 This year we've picked out a lovely little Redbud. Kovi and Ever call it a Tall Tree.

 It was SUPER windy today, but we persevered. The kids were especially helpful in speeding along the process :)

 Kovi is a primo digger... he's better than any dino, he'll tell you. But not better than Lulu...that dog will save us a fortune in pool excavation.

Sheila and Bub... and Tall Tree

Happy Earth Day, Humans.

CRAFTing

 Scored this at my fav thrift... awesome frame, SUPER UGLY picture. A coat of chalkboard paint and some love for the frame, VOILA... cute AND functional.

 Eggies from the Little Peeps

 The artist's signature (now it's worth millions)

 Ever's "words"

 SPRING!!!

 Our carrot tree. We made these from a pack of Dollar Store sham-wows and one of those long grassy stalks

 The kids stuffed them. Cute, eh?

 We have SO many pink chickens out back...so we skinned one and made him into an Easter wreath

Happy Spring :)

What You Really Come Here to See...

 A leftover Pupcake from Leah Beah's 3rd birthday party

 Blue is Better!

 Sweet little wet feet

 Serious contemplation of pool toys... floaty or squirt gun, floaty or squirt gun?

 Dinosaurs and Horses DO kiss

 Safety first

 Cute even when she's naughty...(good thing for her cause she's a booger a good bit of the time)

 De-stressing

 Her too