COUPONS!!!

Ok, I think I've become a coupon nerd. Yes, that's right! I am a coupon nerd. What else do you call someone who subscribes to the newspaper simply to qualify for 5, yes FIVE, Sunday papers? I know ladies who get even more than that! Pretty impressive, eh?

That's not the best of it! I want to share what I bought last week and let you decide for yourself if coupons are the way to go. Now, please keep in mind I've been doing this since March, so I have a pretty good coupon collection.

Ok, in the 5 transactions I had at Albertsons this week (you have to do multiple transactions sometimes for the coupons) this is what I bought.

*7 boxes GM Cinnamon Toast Crunch
*10 boxes GM Honey Nut Cheerios
*10 boxes GM Kix
*1 box GM Cookie Crisp
*2 boxes Bisquick
*3 Best Foods Mayo bottles (you know, the bigger ones)
*3 boxes cereal bars
*4 boxes fruit snacks
*5 packages Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough
*3 52-load bottles of Tide
*2 8-count packages of Bounty paper towels
*11 boxes Puffs Tissue (65-72 count)
*36 (in 3 packages) rolls of Charmain toilet paper
*Asparagus
*2 packages baby carrots

Ok, here is the math. I bought 67 items. This totaled $94.23 before sales tax ($8.47). Now, the carrots and asparagus were bought on sale, but not with a coupon, so I'll subtract those out as well. Now we're to $90.57 and 64 items. That is $1.41 PER ITEM! How crazy is that?

Are you ready for this huge number? I'm going to tell you how much money the coupons took off. Including preferred savings: $236.47 WHAT!!! That insanity! I would never have fathomed saving so much. How exciting is this? I was curious to see how many coupons I used and the actual coupon total is $88.85 A little more believable, but still!

I pay less than $20 a month for the newspaper, and I'm saving nearly $90 AND building my food storage at the same time? We will not need to buy cereal for about 3 months, we're good on laundry detergent for the next 18 months if not much longer. Also, I'll probably not have to buy more mayo in over a year. Isn't this awesome? I'm totally geeking out about it ;)

Small update

Maybe I'm not as screwed up as I thought I was. I got a peak day on my monitor. Keeps us in your prayers and your fingers crossed!

Getting Desperate!!!

Ok, so those of you who know me know that I'm a cat person. I'd even go so far to say I am NOT a dog person. Anyone agree with me?

So, why do I want a puppy? I want a puppy and have gone so far as to research a bit online to see what kind of breed might do well with my family. I've even looked at the website for the local Humane Society to see what they have there. I think I want this kind of puppy:



How precious is that? And I've read that they are very good with kids, which is something we would need. I keep thinking it would be nice to have a dog to go on walks with and to play with and to entertain my kids with.

Am I sick??? No, I'm just so baby hungry :( I'm pretty sure that is at the root of all this. I'm ten months out since my last positive pregnancy test and 9 months from my miscarriage. I'm also noticing a lot of signs that are not good for my fertility. Last month my cycle was a whopping 68 days long. This month, I'm on day 20 and still have no hint of when ovulation may occur. I'm not only using ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) but I've begun taking my temperature as well. All signs tell me my body is screwed up.

So, Chip and I talked about it, and I'm going to see my dr about possible fertility treatments. We figure since we do want another baby, we should probably do all we can, within reason and money constraints, to get one here. I admit, I'm nervous about it. I've heard of some awful mood swings caused by the meds they put women on. Hopefully it would all be for the best.

Maybe life would just be easier if we got a dog.