baby couponer.

Every time I watch Extreme Couponing on TLC, I get this EXTREME motivation and drive to become just like these crazy women who hold up lines and get super stressed out, BUT save hundreds of dollars every shopping trip!

I surf the internet looking for "how to's" on awesome money saving websites trying to morph into one of these women, but have sadly only become what I like to call a "baby couponer."

I have only mastered CVS.  I don't know if it's because my husband works there and I feel comfortable shopping there or if it is truly the easiest place to save money.  I'll share what I've learned and what I do to accomplish saving money, because it is addicting and everyone should do it... ( just don't go to my CVS, because I hate when they're out of what I'm buying!) :)

1) Every Sunday I buy 1-2 papers that have the inserts with coupons. I come home to cut them out and sort them into piles... baby, food, toiletries, and won't use.  The ones I will use I put into separate envelopes.

2) I get the CVS ad either in paper form or from the internet and make a list of things I need or want.  It's important to look for things that are on sale and also will give you cash back (ECB/Extra Care Buck).  Take note of items that you can only buy one per household on sale.

3)  I will go into CVS and scan my extra care card several times to get various coupons you can use within the store.  Any CVS coupon can be used with as many other CVS coupons you want.  And sometimes you will get CVS coupons based on what you have bought previously. 

4) I will organize my cut out coupons and combine them with my CVS coupons and double check that these items are already on sale and get will ECB's back. 

5)  Then you buy!  If you want to you can ring up several transactions so that you can use your ECB's on your other items.

Example:  This week CVS was running their Huggies jumbo pack of diapers on sale for $8.99 (originally $11.99).  I had 2 CVS coupons for $1 each off Huggies diapers.  I also had a $3 coupon off Huggies that I cut out of Sunday's paper.

They also had Huggies wipes on sale for $2.79 (originally $3.99).  I had a cut out coupon for $.40. 

They also had Johnson Bedtime Baby Lotion on sale for $2.99 (originally $5.99).  I had 2 manufacturer coupons for $1 each. 

I combined this with a CVS coupon I had gotten earlier this week that will take $3 off of $15 you spend on baby items.

I also used an ECB I had gotten from another item. 

The total original price  was $28.  After having a a combo of coupons and ECB's I spent $6 and saved $22!  Not to mention I got $4 more dollars I will spend on my next visit!

 On the box of Pampers I saved $7 and got $3 ECB's :)

mom cuts, sweatpants, and no makeup.

Growing up I've always looked at mothers wondering why they all insist on getting the "mom" cut, why they are usually never wear makeup, and why they never want to dress up and wear cute clothes.  I have finally realized exactly why they quit trying, because I am SO there.. well, minus the mom cut. 

I would love to have my hair long again and wear it down and curly, but unfortunately I have a 2 month old that LOVES to grab at anything he can get a hold of....so I wear my hair in a ponytail everyday and he still grabs all the baby hairs he can find.  Thanks, Sam.  Do I need to shave my head?

I would love to go shopping and dress in super cute fall clothes and get new heels, but as I stand in the isle, all I find myself looking at is sweats and flats.  I feel like without them, I'm in a constant state of uncomfortable.

I would love to look pretty for my husband and myself and put on makeup, but what's the point?  If I stay inside all day with Sam, I might as well go natural.  He doesn't mind :)  And I guess I'm saving money on makeup, so yeah!

I'm sorry for silently judging all moms who decided to leave the house looking a hot mess, because I have jumped on that band wagon and I'm not even ashamed.  Maybe when he's older I'll try again....but don't count on it.