Comin Along

Sorry for the lack of posting lately folks. My life has been very unexciting since I am laying on the couch in a ball, full of pain meds the last two weeks. I try really hard each morning to get a bunch accomplished but by 2 o'clock each day I have been pretty down for the count and back to the couch. They still aren't sure what is wrong...something with my kidneys. I am on my 2nd round of antibiotics and if things are not all cured by the end of this round, we are taking testing to the next level. Joy

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So there are not a lot of great pics of us doing fabulous things. I have made it to Cherry Hill twice simply cuz I can sit in a chair and watch my kids swim...not too rough. I'll post all about that later.

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A few months ago one of my bestest friends, Crystal, up and moved to California. Its been rough to have her gone but they are adjusting and making new friends so we are super happy for them. While helping her pack, she offered me her food storage shelves since they would not be going to Cali with her. I have wanted shelves in my storage since we moved in but it just never made it to the top of my list.

I WAS THRILLED TO HAVE SHELVES!!!

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Up until that point this is what my food storage consisted of only this...

I was determined that now that I had a place to put it, I was going to really get going on my food storage. Problem was, I didn't really have the money...or so I thought.

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First off, I have ALWAYS been a coupon queen. I WILL NOT pay full price for ANYTHING, never have! I shop everything to death and I am always determined to get the best deal. I have been very lucky and fortunate in shopping my whole life, and I knew I wanted food storage to be the same.

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I started to follow 6 different blogs that laid out all the deals for me. All I had to do was make a list, pull a few coupons and head to the store. All the hard part of figuring out what sales went with what coupons was done for me. I was exstatic!!

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Crystal gave me her shelves about the first week in April when she moved...

So far this is what I have done!

Funny thing is, I have spent half of what I was spending in groceries etc and yet have aquired 4 extra of EVERYTHING!!!

I don't quite have a year supply of everything...

but I have QUITE a supply of several things

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Like for instance cleaning supplies...

Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap and I have body wash coming out my ears. I spend less than 3 dollars total for all in the pic here...WOW right!!!

I have more than a year supply of toilet paper and paper towels. I hit a clearance and cleaned em out for $.64 a 6-pack of double roll TP. Rock on!

All this deodorant, feminine hygeine, razors and toothpaste I actually made money on.

CRAZY RIGHT?!?!

I have a variety of condiments, marinades, dressings etc and didn't pay more than 39 cents for any of it

IT IS VERY ADDICTING to practically rob a store by taking a cart full of stuff for under ten bucks!

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Wanna see a few secrets to how I do all this crazy stuff?

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First off, I LOVE to be organized! I have this trusty binder which I take with me EVERYWHERE. It is like a diaper bag for a baby, you CANNOT leave without it, just in case!

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I bought all these tabs and made coupon categories so when I see something on sale I have know I have a coupon for, it is super easy to find!

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I have always couponed and tried several methods and although this one is a lot of cutting out coupons, it has worked the very best for me because I have yet to miss a deal or waste 20 mins in a store searching for a coupon. Shockingly, I don't have very many coupons ever expire. Maybe 1/10 if that, so I don't think cutting them all out each week wastes my time.

After I check the blogs and am told the great deals everywhere, I ALWAYS make a list of what I am going to buy and how many. Sticking to your list is a HUGE way to save money. Only get what you came for unless you hit a clearance you just can't pass up

Then I just pull out my coupons I know I will be using and put them in a page protector. I head to the store with my list and my binder and breeze right through the store!

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I promise it is super super fun and easy!  I can't believe how much fun it has been to do something that is very important and we have been counseled to do for YEARS. My kids enjoy going because our trips are very planned out and quick so we can be in, out, and moving on to bigger and better things!

I hope this inspires some of you to get COUPONING!!

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If you need any help, just let me know! I would be happy to get ya started!!!