Coupons, They're not just for your Grandma

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Hey guys, remember these things? They're called coupons. You're grandma might have used them, heck you may have even used them yourself. Of course if you watch TV regularly you've probably also heard of the show Extreme Couponing. I'm sure at one time or another you've even thought that the hassle of coupons isn't worth it to save a measly $.30 but guess what... You're Wrong!

Now I'm not necessarily advocating that you go out and buy 700 mustards just because they are free but on things that your family uses everyday, why wouldn't you want to save some money or even get the item for free? Here are some quick tips on how you can save a couple extra dollars on your grocery bill each month:

1. Buy your local paper, but check to make sure there are coupons in it first

2. Sign up for your local stores loyalty card (i.e. Walgreens, Kroger, etc.)

3. Keep an eye out on your stores circular, when an items goes on a really good sale (i.e. 10 for $10) try to match your coupons with the items that are on sale. You will end up saving the most money this way.

4. Follow couponing blogs for helpful tips, more coupons, and advice on the best deals at each store.

My favorites are: moneysavingmom.com, thekrazycouponlady.com, totallytarget.com, & ilovetogossip.com
5. Check to see if your store offers their own coupons or an online coupon program. You will be able to use these coupons with manufacturer coupons to get an even bigger discount.
6. Learn your store's coupon policy and adhere to it. Your store may double coupons but they may only double a certain amount of coupons.
7. Sites like coupons.com, smartsource.com, & redplum.com offer coupons online that you can print off.

(This month in 2010 with the help of coupons I got all this for $25.47!)

These are only a few of the many things I've learned about coupons over the past couple years but let me say this, don't get discouraged. It's easy to give up and feel discouraged because you don't think you are saving enough but even if you only save $10, that is still $10 in your pocket for something else. Besides, like most things worthwhile this will take patience and practice before you become a pro. Of course if you have any more questions about this money saving strategy you know where to reach me. Happy Saving!

*J*

DIY - Customized Message Board

This DIY project is extremely simple but great for putting a personal touch on something that otherwise would be pretty utilitarian. This year I've been slowly converting my "dining room" into an office/den space, where I have my work table and hopefully soon more bookshelves and a place to sit and read comfortably.

I'm a visual person, so I like having a space where I can pin up inspirational photos or sketches and ideas I come up with. I found a plain jane cork board on sale for about $4 with the intent to dress it up a little bit.

Materials - 

• Cork board/message board
• Ribbon or shoelaces (2 pairs)
• Thumb tacks
• Glue ( I used E-6000)

Here's what I started with - 

Then I took 2 sets of shoe laces and pinned them up in an argyle pattern - sort of like a "french message board".

Originally I planned to use ribbon, but the one I wanted did not have enough length. I had these shoelaces I got at the dollar store and thought they'd be long enough to work, and the patterns coordinate. I hated that they were languishing in a drawer since I dont have shoes to use them in at the moment, so I'm happy that I was able to re-purpose them. I love the skulls and checkers together.

Oh, and of course, I had "help" while I was doing this - 

(I gave her the old sports section, so she loved me for ten minutes) 

Trim the edges and secure everything in place with some glue and more thumb tacs -

(I hope you'll forgive the haggard nails)

And here's the finished product

I like having pins and the laces, since I dont want to put holes through everything I'm posting on the board and sometimes I just dont have time to search for thumb tacs.


You could take the idea one step further and line the back with paper that you can jot things down on. Make it your own!

-B-

Healthy Tips for 2012

Where I work we have an affiliation with a local fitness center that comes in once a month and puts on presentations for a "Health and Wellness" series. 


There is a quote they use that has really hit home with me and one that has helped other people too -

Image by Beck

They generally aim the program towards their "Loser" program (like the show) since quite a few of our employees (even the company President) have been successful with it in their weight loss journeys. I go because I like to live as healthy a life as I can, so I thought I'd share some of the tips they gave us at the last session with you.

• Drink more water
• Everything in your body needs water to function. Recommended intake is at least half your weight in ounces of water a day
• I know I feel a lot better when I'm well hydrated, but it is definitely difficult to get into the habit of getting up and refilling my water bottle throughout the day
• MOVE, outside of work for at least 30 minutes every day
• This doesnt necessarily mean hitting the gym, it could be as simple as doing some household chores or yardwork. Even grocery shopping is moving! 
• Eat less sugar (no more than 10g per meal)
• Too much sugar causes insulin spikes (which messes with your energy levels) and possibly diabetes
• Eat your fruits and veggies
• I love fruits and vegetables, and generally have at least 3 different kinds every day. 
• Stop eating regular potatoes
• or at least eat less. White potatoes are high in starch, gets digested quickly and leads to insulin spikes and storage of fat.
• Take a Multivitamin
• This is another suggestion I'm trying to get better at myself but it's difficult because the one I got says to take with food, and I forget.
• Always carry a healthy snack
• Trail mix, a piece of fruit, something small that will "tide you over" if you're ever out and need a quick snack. It will help keep your energy levels up and help you resist "bad" snacks
• Get your family in on the fun
•  Your family is important, and so is their health. If you stay healthy together you will obviously have more time with them! You dont necessarily have to go pump iron in the gym together - If your family has a weekly dinner, suggest you all go out for a walk while it's in the oven, or afterwards to help digest your meal
• Get a buddy
• Besides your family, find a sponsor or partner who can work out with you and keep you accountable for the goals you set yourself. I remember when I was running last year I always looked forward to running with my friend than when I was running alone.
• Join a fitness program, not a gym
• This was geared towards the group in a weight loss capacity, but like most other things you are more likely to succeed at something if you have a support system. If you join a program geared towards your success it can help guide you in the proper direction.

-B-

Eats - Banana Tea Bread

I thought for the inaugural food post I would share one of my all time favorite sweet treats with you.


Recently I was finally able to make it - not because I haven't been baking, but from the fact that I live with two small children who eat so many bananas I sometimes wonder why they dont have tails growing out of their backsides.


This is a quick bread which means there is no yeast and it uses very simple ingredients that you just have to mix and bake.. The recipe I have actually belonged to my great-grandmother, and I can remember going to visit her almost every weekend when I was little and she would always, always have a fresh batch made and waiting on the counter for us to slather with butter and eat with our milk.


Banana Tea Bread actually doesn't have tea in the ingredients - the name refers more to time/occasion to make it for (like Tea Cakes - for afternoon tea). The best kind of bananas to use for this recipe are the overripe, dark skinned ones that most people are turned off by and usually throw out, claiming they're "bad". They make the bread super moist and extra-flavorful.


Recipe: (makes one loaf)
Begin by pre-heating your oven to 350


2/3 Cup Sugar (white or brown)
1/3 Cup Shortening (I substitute applesauce with good success, and it makes it a little "healthier" too)
1 Cup Mashed Ripe Bananas (about 2 medium sized ones)
2 Eggs
1 3/4 Cups Flour
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt


Start by creaming together your sugar and shortening (or applesauce). Add the eggs and then blend in your bananas. Add the dry ingredients one by one, then pour it into a loaf pan that's been prepped with cooking spray and dusted with flour.


Its also an easy bread to make additions to. Some people include nuts but I think they are, well - nuts ( I hate nuts in my baked goods). I usually add raisins or chocolate chips. This time I used raisins.

Bake in a loaf pan for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Enjoy


-B-

DIY: Yarn Covered Vase

If you're addicted to Pinterest like myself then you have probably seen this DIY on the website quite frequently. What you don't realize though is how easy and how cheap this project is and if you are a frequent wine drinker then you are on your way to making this project even cheaper. Plus you can easily make these while you're watching your favorite TV show i.e. 2 Broke Girls. Here's what you'll need to make these:

1 Wine bottle or wine cooler bottle

Double Sided Tape

Yarn (any color or colors you like)

Before you start make sure you have cleaned the wine bottle out, taken any labels off, and the outside of the wine bottle is clean and dry. The next step can be done 2 different ways, you can either wrap the tape around the bottle all at once or you can tape as you go. I suggest doing the latter so that way miscellaneous hairs and fibers don't attach themselves to your bottle.

Carefully start wrapping your yarn from the top of the bottle going around the bottle in single rows making sure to pull tight on the yarn as you go and covering the bottle so the bottle doesn't peek through. As you can see in the picture below I didn't start at the very top. You can either come back and do that part separately later or you can use the very top of the bottle as your starting point. It benefits you to do it the way that I did it in this instance if you are color blocking. Also make sure that while you are wrapping the bottle you don't cut the yarn until you are down to the bottom. Just let the yarn hang out on the floor while you wrap and perhaps your kitty can have a little fun too!

               

After you are done wrapping just neatly cut off the yarn were you think it will look ok. Please note that I have not perfected how to make the bottom look as perfect as the top but that's alright, perfection is overrated anyway! No one will notice..I hope. Now you have a one of a kind vase to use for flowers or even just to group together like moi! So happy crafting...

*J*

*J*'s Read For February

Beck and I both tend to be big readers, or at least want to be. I may not have boxes and boxes of books to read like Beck but I do have quite a few lying around my house that still haven't been read and I'm sure I will collect more in the future. So monthly I'm going to try and read one of the books that I have in my house and give you a quick review of the book. So starting with the month of February I'm going to be reading The Glamorous (Double) Life of Isabel Bookbinder by: Holly McQueen. You can find a description and buy a copy of this book here.

This is very much a chick lit book and you are more than welcome to read along with me. If you choose to take this mission please share your comments about the book with me. 

Happy Reading!

*J*

I'm not whatever you say I am!

I'm not "Curvy", "Volumptious", or even "Plus size". Oh and I'm not pregnant either (don't even get me started on that). Unfortunately though that seems to be the label that our society wants to give me for having a larger than normal breast size. Btw, what is normal? Fill me in if you know. Anyway, its hard trying to find clothes for myself while trying not to fit into one of those categories. So while I admire the skinny waif type girls how about we start a revolution to include all types of girls in fashion. We all want to look cute. Even if you say you don't care how you look I know you do. Otherwise while else would there be so many mirrors in your house?!

In case you were wondering I can think of 2 Hollywood women that have been well-endowed (if you know what I mean), the lovely Sofia Vergara from Modern Family (who by the way was just voted the #1 sexiest woman by askmen.com. see the whole list here) and Christina Hendricks from Mad Men. So ladies if you have a hard time finding clothes that fit you, you aren't alone. Know that I understand you and can sympathize.

I'm sure there was a bigger point to this story but I guess I just needed to rant. Thanks for listening.

Sofia Image Source

Christina Image Source

*J*