Coupons

Happy Monday to everyone. Mondays are my get things back in order from the weekend and prepare for the week ahead day. I almost always have to run to the grocery or pharmacy for something too. This morning I had to run out to grab more apples. The people in my house are eating them like crazy but if I bought 2 bags at the store they would stop eating them for sure. You can imagine my happy face while at the store this morning and these coupons popped out.

I do use coupons but I am not an extreme couponer. I just get the digital ones through a few store apps, the ones that come in the mail and a few that someone may give me that they dont use. I maybe spend an hour a week looking at ads, coupons and making my lists of things I need.  I may save $5-$10 in coupons and another $20 in grabbing sale items for that week. I think the saving for that hour of planning are well worth it.

I mentioned the other day that I bought 8 boxes of cereal since they were around $1.10 a box. Unless they are that price again in the coming weeks I will not buy cereal. I also have managed to stockpile 20 cans of Chunky and Progresso soups since both have been on sale the past month for .99 a can. Yes I could make a big pot of soup cheaper in most cases but its one of those convenience things and I dont have to use the freezer space to freeze 20 bags of single serve soup. Mr Ladybug and I were out most of the day on Saturday with the exception of running home for lunch. We couldnt decide on a quick place to grab a bite and soup and sandwich at home cost about $3 for both of us to eat.

I found the extra money for the animal feed easy enough in the budget. I just have to change some numbers around. We are looking at less that $90 for gas for the month so I can use some of the extra towards the food. I also had some other categories over budgeted and will have a new budget made out for February.  Using cash and seeing the actual money go out of your hands helps alot. I can easily see the savings going up. Setting money aside for specific things really helps you see where things go. I made a car maintenance budget of around $130 a month. Our car is new and still has a factory warranty but the kids car does not and even though the boy and hubby can change the oil it still costs something. Plus putting money aside for any little repairs that may come up and for tires make things easier.

I hope to have a few new recipes for you tomorrow with the theme of single serving desserts. I found a chocolate chip cookie recipe for the kiddos and a skinning apple pie for Mr Ladybug and I.