This is not my dining room...

But I wish it was. 

I love the bench with all the pillows, the wall color, and the covered chairs.

Ohh, so many ideas...

My kids started school today,

so I am ready to tackle some home projects while they are doing some homework.

I love these pillows...




I can see them in my livingroom, or maybe in my home office, or maybe in the diningroom.  Oh, so many possibilities.  I found a tutorial for Martha Stewart's new line of paints at Tatertots and Jello. I think I need to head over to my local craft store.  Run...don't walk!!!

I want to be here....

Please don't let summer end yet!

Support Our Troops...

In good times and especially in bad.


Keep this rose going for the 31 US Special Forces and 7 Afghan Commandos who lost their lives in a helicopter crash 
_____/)___/)______./¯"""/')
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯\)¯¯\)¯¯¯'\_„„„„\)
¯`v´¯) Your families are in our thoughts
`*.¸.*´ and prayers during this
¸.•´ ¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨) difficult time!!



(just a note...I talked to my sister, and all is well)

I heart coupons!

I have completely changed the way I shop since learning about coupon shopping. I had no idea how much money I could have been saving all these years. I am still learning how to get the best deals, when to buy and when to stock up, and where to get coupons. But there are so many websites and bloggers to help. It takes some time and a little extra effort, but well worth it in savings.

Here is what I purchased today...
I shopped at my local CVS, today is the last day for these items on sale.

Edge shave gel $2.49
use .55 coupon
Pay $1.94

(2 ) Skintimate shave creams $2.49 each
Use 2 $1/1 coupon
Pay $1.49 ea

(2) Schick slim st3 disposable razors $8.49 each
Use B1G1 free coupon
And use $1/1 coupon
Pay $16.98, -$9.49 in coupons, = $7.49 total

If you spend $20 in schick items, you get $10 extra bucks.
So my total came out to...
$24.45
-12.04 coupons
My total came out to $12.41
I used $7.99 extra bucks (from last weeks purchase).
So my out of pocket total was $4.42 + $1.59 tax = $6.01

But I also received $10 extra bucks for transaction #2.
I figured it out to be $12.41 plus $1.59 tax,
minus $10 extra bucks,
= $4 for 5 items or .80 cents each.

#2...
(2) Crest pro health toothpaste $2.99 each
Use(2) .75/1 coupon
Get $2 extra bucks
Pay $2.24, rcv $2EB,
(Total= .24cents each)

U by Kotex tampons $3.49
Use $1/1 coupon
Get $2 extra bucks
Pay $2.49, rcv $2EB
(Total= .49cents)

Bengay $5.99
Use $3/1 coupon
Get $2 extra bucks
Pay $2.99, rcv $2EB
(Total = .99 cents)

My final total = $15.46
minus coupons. - 5.50
Out of pocket total = $9.96
I used my $10 extra bucks from transaction #1 and only paid for $1.01 for tax.
Plus I received $8 in extra bucks to use next week!

I'm sorry I can't tell you the source of the coupon. Once I cut them out, I don't know the paper and date it came from. And I did use my extra bucks from a previous shopping.  I like to save my extra bucks to use for the next week. I find it's just easier on me that way, rather than splitting up my purchases into smaller transactions and using them right away.

If you want to find out  where I get great tips for CVS shopping, go to The Krazy Coupon Lady . There's tons of information on what coupon to use, where it came from and what is a hot deal. There are also tips and the coupon lingo.

Hope that helps and enjoy looking for the bargains!

Extreme vs. Realistic

Have you seen it???

TLC's show called Extreme Couponing.  It has started a trend of coupon-ers in my neighborhood.  I see everyone carrying coupons in binders, envelopes and filers. The shelves are empty on hot coupon items. It has changed the way they shop, and the way stores have changed their coupon policy.

I have to admit...I am one of those mom's armed with my coupons.  I am a beginner!  I have tried, many times, to use coupons.  Normally they  just sit in my coupon organizer until they expire.

After watching the show, I realized I have to stop buying things as I needed them and most importantly...I needed to stop paying full price for ALL my items!  I never took into account how much money I was spending.  I never knew you could get items for free, more importantly lower the cost of my shopping.

I know they call it "extreme" couponing for a reason.  I think 100 bottles of mustard, 150 bottles of pain medication and 40 cases of soda is extreme.  I know many of them donate these items.  But for me, I would like to be a more realistic shopper and try to save money for my family.  I have seen the debates online.  Extreme vs. Realistic.  Don't get those mom's angry...they will let you know their opinion.

You can arm yourself with more knowledge than you need.  There are so many sites available to learn how to shop this way.  I have found a few I like to use.  They're easy to use, perfect for me.

One of my favorite sites is Coupon Mom.

I can go directly to my favorite stores in my area and print out a list of all the items I want to get.  I email the list to myself so I have it in my phone if I forget it.  I also like how she organizes her coupons.

I also like The Krazy Coupon Lady.

 Just the name made me want to learn more from her.  I created my coupon binder by copying her pages and organizing them in a 3-ring binder.

I just started using Couponing 101.

It gives a lot of  tips and a more realistic approach to shopping. I like having a direct link to the item also.

Don't stop there though.  The information is everywhere. Probably the best way to learn is to go with someone who has been doing this awhile.  This for me is my sister.  She has 5 kids and has been shopping this way for years.  Now, she did have a problem with the Target manager about how she could not use more than 1 coupon for an item when I went shopping with her.  Because she has been shopping this way over 10+ years and has been able to use a buy one, get one free and another manufacturers coupon as far as she can remember.  Now she was told by Target, she could not do it this way.  She wasn't happy!   Because of the show, stores are changing their policies.  Don't forget to read them or even better print them out and bring them with you.  Although they can still interpret them the way they want.

I am now armed with some knowledge, my coupons, sometimes my sister and my list.  I'm going to give it a try and see how much I can save.  I have already saved but it has been time consuming.  I would like to save some money for a trip...maybe California, my nephew is getting married in August...maybe Scotland, my 20th anniversary is coming up.  Can I do it?  Will I be realistic?  Or will I get caught up and go extreme and buy 150 packs of gum?   I do love chewing gum.

To be continued....

For Japan With Love...