et cetera

Lilly is napping and I think I am going to take one, too. It has been a tough several nights with the Lillybug. At least now I know why she has been so cranky, besides the usually toddler stuff. She has an ear infection. I am hoping that this warm weather stays and just blasts out all the germs that have been hanging around all winter.

So my endocrinologist visit came and went...all my hormones check out normal. Okay, so what does that mean for me? I need to work really, really hard to lose weight and keep it off. Basically, in a nut shell, that is the deal. Fabulous.

I went grocery shopping today and saved 26%. I'm pretty excited about that. That is a lot of money. Now I just have to use what I purchased to make goodies for Easter dinner. THey are totally the opposite of WW foods! I am making the pineapple stuffing to go with the ham. Yum. And Ina Garten's Carrot Cake. Yum Yum! I am going to have to say no to leftovers. I honestly think leftovers are what kills me on holidays. At the meal I am okay. But give me stuff to take home and it is gone by morning. Since it is supposed to be a beautiful weekend maybe I can sneak a walk in there, too.

coupons & more

I had gotten off the coupon track for a while but have been gradually getting back into it. It is so easy to get behind because some of the coupons expire so quickly. We kept forgetting to buy the Sunday paper so we were not even collecting new ones, let alone weeding out the old ones. Anyway, I finally reorganized my coupon envelope thingy last night. And wouldn't you know I opened my email inbox to find a P&G reminder for this coming Sunday. P&G (Proctor & Gamble) has great coupons, but they do expire sooner than most. So this Sunday, August 30th get your paper for the P&G insert. Also, head on over to P&G.com for free samples & online coupons. I just signed up to get a bunch of free samples in the mail. I think that is a great way to try a new product without making the money commitment. A warning about online coupons that you print at home: Not all stores accept them, so you may want to check with your usual grocery store 1st. ETA: P&G online coupons work differently form most. You add your store savings card# and it loads the coupons onto it. Unfortunately there are no participating retailers in my area. I hope there are in yours because it seems pretty cool!

I just signed up for red plum coupons, too. Check them out!

Happy couponing!

What I do to save money...

Here are a few things I have been doing to save money.

1. I highlighted my own hair. It is the first time I have touched my own hair with color in, um, maybe 10 years. It was just as difficult as I remembered but the results were much better than the spotted leopard look I had my last attempt. This time came out pretty good. There are some spots that are a little brassy from not leaving it on long enough. But better some brassy spots than bald spots!

2. Coupons, coupons, coupons. I have pretty much become obsessed with coupons. I am not as crazy as some other people I know, but I do a decent job.

3. Cooking at home as much as possible. This is self-explanatory but still note-worthy.

4. Cut out stuff. Some things we have cut out... HBO package, Netflix (we use redbox or the library instead), buying books and magazine, hair cuts (let it grow), salon shampoo (hello Pantene!)

5. BJ's Buying in bulk is not always cheaper, but if you know your prices, you can make it work. BJ's takes manufacturer coupons which Costco does not. I got a great deal on Pampers last week. I think one of the keys to smart bulk buying is to not buy what you do not normally buy. The big bag of Swedish fish is tempting, but I do not need it!

What are your money saving tips?