Okay, I am still learning. I haven't been able to spend over $100 and only pay $10; but I honestly don't see that in my future. Well, unless Harris Teeter will finally add me to their thing-a-majig and start sending me those e-mails telling me about the special days.
Anywho... Here is what I do.
I get coupons from everywhere. I print them offline, I check every box we buy, and I buy the newspaper. For ones online, I get e-mails from coupons.com, I check out a few blogs including hip2save.com (she lives in my town), I check out stores websites (some will even let you send coupons straight to your card), and I recently started using savingstar.com (it sends coupons to your card that will not be taken off at check out but later sent to you through a few different online places such as paypal). I even sign up for e-mails from places because they will send out coupons on occasion in their e-mail.
I do NOT use all of the coupons I get. That's just insane. I use the ones that are a good deal or if I'm obviously buying it anyway. If I miss out on a deal, then I wait and see if another one comes along.
To stay organized, I downloaded an app on my iPad. They have all sorts of ones for smart phones as well. Some are free and some cost money. Some even let you scan it right up instead of typing it out. Mine lets me type it on my computer than it "shares" it with my iPad via e-mail. So I type it all up, send it in, and it's there. It tells me when some of my coupons have expired are or going to within a certain day limit. It also lets me search for a coupon if I think I have one.
My actual coupons I keep in a zipper binder with card holders. I've got several sections: one for frozen, refrigerated, baking, health, beauty, etc... This way it's easier to find when I go to look for it.
I ended up buying a second binder since so many people are giving away coupons right now to use for when I actually go to the store.
So, before I go to the store, I grab my binder and either a flyer or I pull up the weekly ad for the store and I go through it. I use my iPad to see if I have any of the items (especially buy one get one free sales) and I pull those coupons out. I mark it in my iPad. I write a list down and stick it in a page holder thing and put it in the new binder I got. This binder is not fancy or zippered or anything.
I still bring my iPad, the huge binder and everything with me. But only my iPad and the smaller binder go in the store.
Things you should know... Print out all the coupon rules for all the stores you shop at. You'll learn things you didn't know, such as many stores will let you combine store coupons and manufacture coupons. Just because you have a coupon does not mean you have to use it. You can even check to see if the store brand is still cheaper. You may spend more money at first "stocking up" supplies, but this means that you will save money later when normally you would need cereal and it's not on sale for less than a dollar (or something like that).
It takes time. Not everyone has to do it. It all depends on if you want your shopping to save money or if you want it to go quickly.
Oh, and those people on that show... It's not like that. They are special because the tv is there, so stores do special things for them.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Science?
Science is a state of knowing. Look it up. That's all it is. There are rules to science. In order for someone to really know how something works, it must be repeatable. This world coming into existence is not something we can recreate however, so everything you hear about how the world began is consider a theory.
Okay, I am all about everyone believing whatever they want to. Everyone has that right.
So, I was a little annoyed when on a hilarious show I watch called "Big Bang Theory" my favorite character said that evolution isn't a theory. It is. When you learn about it in school, it's called the "theory of evolution" because there's no way to prove it. You can't recreate it. No one who is living today can come out and say they saw the world come into being without being diagnosed and heavily medicated by some professionals.
I will admit, creation is a theory too. It totally is. If you believe in God, then honestly, you have to admit that He didn't come into your room last night and create a little world for you as proof. It's about trust.
Anyway...
Someone on Cafemom posted about how someone in the government wants them to teach all sides of how the world came into being and letting the kids pick on their own which makes the most sense to them. Makes sense to me. Obviously, doing this in Kindergarten is asking a little much. Most kids will go with what their parents believe. However, in high school, most kids already have their own opinion as to whether they believe in God, Buddha, or no one (or one of the million other choices out there).
I myself plan on teaching my children everything I know and letting them make up their own minds. My son is 5 now. Does he know the theory of evolution? Well, sorta from "Land Before Time" however I doubt that makes any sense to him at the moment since it didn't to me at his age and it was my favorite movie. Does he know what I believe? He knows that I believe that God created this world, however, he believes that aliens created the stars. There's really no reasoning with a 5 year old.
But in a few years when he starts to grasp history and that there was a time before a few weeks ago or even a year ago... I will tell him about the different theories. Heck, I'll even tell him what I know of different religions (based on facts not things I've heard) once he understands that different doesn't just mean boy and girl or tall and short or "yellow and Dad's yellow" as he calls our skin tones.
It's just like sex ed, dumb it down to their age. If they aren't ready, then don't talk to them about it, encourage their parents to do it unless it's obvious this is something they want you teaching their child.
Okay, and another thing. Separation of Church and State. That was meant to keep one from controlling another. Like back in the day when the Pope controlled countries by threatening Kings and Queens or visa versa. It's got nothing to do with science or what children should learn in the public school program.
Oh, and another thing. The only reason a lot of schools don't have different programs is because of money. Any school (including a public school) can decide what they want their preferences to be. However, the government decides which curriculums it will pay for and many schools don't want to pay for their own.
Do your research people. Honestly. And don't judge others for wanting everyone to get a better education. Just because someone learns about God at a young age does not mean they will believe in God the rest of their life and it's the same for the other situation. You as teachers are there to teach children everything that you know to the best of your abilities; and for sticky situations like this? Do what your boss tells you is your job obviously (don't go crazy and get yourself fired). You as parents are there to pick your own teachers or even become the teacher yourself.
There. I said it.
Okay, I am all about everyone believing whatever they want to. Everyone has that right.
So, I was a little annoyed when on a hilarious show I watch called "Big Bang Theory" my favorite character said that evolution isn't a theory. It is. When you learn about it in school, it's called the "theory of evolution" because there's no way to prove it. You can't recreate it. No one who is living today can come out and say they saw the world come into being without being diagnosed and heavily medicated by some professionals.
I will admit, creation is a theory too. It totally is. If you believe in God, then honestly, you have to admit that He didn't come into your room last night and create a little world for you as proof. It's about trust.
Anyway...
Someone on Cafemom posted about how someone in the government wants them to teach all sides of how the world came into being and letting the kids pick on their own which makes the most sense to them. Makes sense to me. Obviously, doing this in Kindergarten is asking a little much. Most kids will go with what their parents believe. However, in high school, most kids already have their own opinion as to whether they believe in God, Buddha, or no one (or one of the million other choices out there).
I myself plan on teaching my children everything I know and letting them make up their own minds. My son is 5 now. Does he know the theory of evolution? Well, sorta from "Land Before Time" however I doubt that makes any sense to him at the moment since it didn't to me at his age and it was my favorite movie. Does he know what I believe? He knows that I believe that God created this world, however, he believes that aliens created the stars. There's really no reasoning with a 5 year old.
But in a few years when he starts to grasp history and that there was a time before a few weeks ago or even a year ago... I will tell him about the different theories. Heck, I'll even tell him what I know of different religions (based on facts not things I've heard) once he understands that different doesn't just mean boy and girl or tall and short or "yellow and Dad's yellow" as he calls our skin tones.
It's just like sex ed, dumb it down to their age. If they aren't ready, then don't talk to them about it, encourage their parents to do it unless it's obvious this is something they want you teaching their child.
Okay, and another thing. Separation of Church and State. That was meant to keep one from controlling another. Like back in the day when the Pope controlled countries by threatening Kings and Queens or visa versa. It's got nothing to do with science or what children should learn in the public school program.
Oh, and another thing. The only reason a lot of schools don't have different programs is because of money. Any school (including a public school) can decide what they want their preferences to be. However, the government decides which curriculums it will pay for and many schools don't want to pay for their own.
Do your research people. Honestly. And don't judge others for wanting everyone to get a better education. Just because someone learns about God at a young age does not mean they will believe in God the rest of their life and it's the same for the other situation. You as teachers are there to teach children everything that you know to the best of your abilities; and for sticky situations like this? Do what your boss tells you is your job obviously (don't go crazy and get yourself fired). You as parents are there to pick your own teachers or even become the teacher yourself.
There. I said it.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Discipline Going Too Far
Okay, I'm not going to start telling people how they should discipline their kids. I'm not against spanking, time outs, or grounding. I think every family is different and every child is different. I do have advice based on books I've read and Nanny 911.
I just watched a video online from some news people on a family court judge who beat his daughter. His teenage disabled daughter nonetheless. She's an adult now and she released the video. I'm not sure why she did this. The judge apparently caught her stealing media online. He spanked her with a belt. Now, like I said, every family has different needs. However, watching the video, this father did go way too far.
It is NEVER okay to punish your children out of anger. Seriously.
Now, I know that I've done it. I've gotten fed up with my son and put him in time-out only to realize that I was out of line. It's tough being a parent. People in general get angry with each other, so it's understandable that even the most patient person has a line when it comes to children. However, the smartest thing to do is to tell your child, "We will deal with this." and go calm down.
Then, once you are calm and everything makes sense in your head, you can go back and use whatever punishment you think is necessary so long as you really are not abusing your child.
The reason this makes me so angry is that this person is supposed to help families come together, help protect children, and be an example. He's being an example alright... a very bad example.
Mind you, I don't know this person from Adam. I don't know if the child is very strong-willed like I was. However, if I ever caught my son stealing online (or doing something else against the rules of my household), then he will be grounded, he will have his license taken away, and he will lose all screen privileges. He would also get one of my famous "talking-to's" that he already avoids when he's about to get into trouble. Oh, and I would make him turn himself in. I'm sure a normal judge would be more than happy to make a teenager do lots of community service. Maybe an overnight in a jail cell would scare him as well. However, I would not do this out of anger. I would do this to show him that there are consequences and at 16, lots of those consequences won't be coming from me.
Of course, we'll have to see how things really are when my son is 16. However, I can promise that I will try my hardest not to let my emotions get involved.
I just watched a video online from some news people on a family court judge who beat his daughter. His teenage disabled daughter nonetheless. She's an adult now and she released the video. I'm not sure why she did this. The judge apparently caught her stealing media online. He spanked her with a belt. Now, like I said, every family has different needs. However, watching the video, this father did go way too far.
It is NEVER okay to punish your children out of anger. Seriously.
Now, I know that I've done it. I've gotten fed up with my son and put him in time-out only to realize that I was out of line. It's tough being a parent. People in general get angry with each other, so it's understandable that even the most patient person has a line when it comes to children. However, the smartest thing to do is to tell your child, "We will deal with this." and go calm down.
Then, once you are calm and everything makes sense in your head, you can go back and use whatever punishment you think is necessary so long as you really are not abusing your child.
The reason this makes me so angry is that this person is supposed to help families come together, help protect children, and be an example. He's being an example alright... a very bad example.
Mind you, I don't know this person from Adam. I don't know if the child is very strong-willed like I was. However, if I ever caught my son stealing online (or doing something else against the rules of my household), then he will be grounded, he will have his license taken away, and he will lose all screen privileges. He would also get one of my famous "talking-to's" that he already avoids when he's about to get into trouble. Oh, and I would make him turn himself in. I'm sure a normal judge would be more than happy to make a teenager do lots of community service. Maybe an overnight in a jail cell would scare him as well. However, I would not do this out of anger. I would do this to show him that there are consequences and at 16, lots of those consequences won't be coming from me.
Of course, we'll have to see how things really are when my son is 16. However, I can promise that I will try my hardest not to let my emotions get involved.
Just Because I Have To
Okay, I apologize in advance. This post is going to go all over the place. And yes, I know I am complaining.
All I want is some adult conversation and to not be needed for an hour. Longer would be nice, but an hour would be awesome in and of itself. I sit around my house all day taking care of two kids. I know, it sounds easy, right?
Well, I have a soon to be 5 year old who now sleeps and night and is up all day. And a daughter who seems to be going through a constant growth spurt who stays awake all night. I should also add here that she needs constant human contact, so I'm lucky if I get to eat my microwaved food while it's still hot. I've been living off of pretzels and cheez-its. I'm not joking. I also survive on soda since I really, really need the caffeine and we need to buy coffee filters. Oh, and even if we did buy them, I wouldn't want to drink it since it is hot and I am constantly holding my daughter and I'm afraid that I would spill since I do that a lot and she would get burned.
I will admit it. I am jealous of my husband. He gets to leave the house and talk to other adults. I know his life isn't all fun and games, but it's really hard to imagine that it's not when I am so tired. I know he works hard and he's trying really hard to keep up on all his school stuff.
My husband left me the car yesterday when he went to work, just in case I wanted to go somewhere. Sounds nice, right? I really could have left and seen people. Here's the problem: I'm deathly afraid of cars. I'm not kidding. I was in two accidents and for some reason, I freak out at the idea of getting in the car. If I'm driving, I have to force myself to remain calm. I only drive when the roads are empty. You'd think it would end there, right? No. It doesn't. I'm afraid to let other people drive me or even my kids. I'll admit that when my husband takes my son somewhere without me, I freak out. I sit in the house and try to take my mind off things. But if anyone knows how the female brain works, they know it's hard. I can't barely sit there calmly while my husband is driving me. He's the only one who can handle my "backseat driving." I'm constantly reminding him of stop signs and stuff. Don't get me started when someone else is driving. I bite my ton and pray the entire time.
Should I go see someone about that? Yes. I really should. However that requires time and money. We aren't exactly making what my husband made in the military. When he was in the military, I could have seen someone, but that means that my husband would have to ask for time off and it is pretty much impossible to tell them that something else out there is more important. Honestly, what's more important than the safety of our Marines? So I didn't go because again, I would have to find a sitter and drive my husband in to work (rush hour) and then drive myself in to appointments. No thank you.
Let's be honest. Most of the women around here suck. They really do. I think I met a few great ladies and I really hope so because I need friends. I need someone I can talk to. Someone who understands that it gets annoying to never be able to stop and just take a break.
So while I love my family and my life, I am tired. I am so tired of trying to stay awake since one kid or another is always awake. I'm tired of having to try to remember everything. I'm tired of having no one to talk to. I'm tired of my house being a disaster.
Yes, I am working on changing this. Thank you for letting me rant. I'm sorry if you actually read this all. I just really needed to get it all out of my system.
All I want is some adult conversation and to not be needed for an hour. Longer would be nice, but an hour would be awesome in and of itself. I sit around my house all day taking care of two kids. I know, it sounds easy, right?
Well, I have a soon to be 5 year old who now sleeps and night and is up all day. And a daughter who seems to be going through a constant growth spurt who stays awake all night. I should also add here that she needs constant human contact, so I'm lucky if I get to eat my microwaved food while it's still hot. I've been living off of pretzels and cheez-its. I'm not joking. I also survive on soda since I really, really need the caffeine and we need to buy coffee filters. Oh, and even if we did buy them, I wouldn't want to drink it since it is hot and I am constantly holding my daughter and I'm afraid that I would spill since I do that a lot and she would get burned.
I will admit it. I am jealous of my husband. He gets to leave the house and talk to other adults. I know his life isn't all fun and games, but it's really hard to imagine that it's not when I am so tired. I know he works hard and he's trying really hard to keep up on all his school stuff.
My husband left me the car yesterday when he went to work, just in case I wanted to go somewhere. Sounds nice, right? I really could have left and seen people. Here's the problem: I'm deathly afraid of cars. I'm not kidding. I was in two accidents and for some reason, I freak out at the idea of getting in the car. If I'm driving, I have to force myself to remain calm. I only drive when the roads are empty. You'd think it would end there, right? No. It doesn't. I'm afraid to let other people drive me or even my kids. I'll admit that when my husband takes my son somewhere without me, I freak out. I sit in the house and try to take my mind off things. But if anyone knows how the female brain works, they know it's hard. I can't barely sit there calmly while my husband is driving me. He's the only one who can handle my "backseat driving." I'm constantly reminding him of stop signs and stuff. Don't get me started when someone else is driving. I bite my ton and pray the entire time.
Should I go see someone about that? Yes. I really should. However that requires time and money. We aren't exactly making what my husband made in the military. When he was in the military, I could have seen someone, but that means that my husband would have to ask for time off and it is pretty much impossible to tell them that something else out there is more important. Honestly, what's more important than the safety of our Marines? So I didn't go because again, I would have to find a sitter and drive my husband in to work (rush hour) and then drive myself in to appointments. No thank you.
Let's be honest. Most of the women around here suck. They really do. I think I met a few great ladies and I really hope so because I need friends. I need someone I can talk to. Someone who understands that it gets annoying to never be able to stop and just take a break.
So while I love my family and my life, I am tired. I am so tired of trying to stay awake since one kid or another is always awake. I'm tired of having to try to remember everything. I'm tired of having no one to talk to. I'm tired of my house being a disaster.
Yes, I am working on changing this. Thank you for letting me rant. I'm sorry if you actually read this all. I just really needed to get it all out of my system.
Birthday Parties
Planning is something that I have turned into a hobby. I go into every detail of everything I can and I plan it all out. Now, I may not stick to the plan since I do kind of live in the moment; but I like having one there just in case.
Birthday parties are one of those things that I love planning and hate planning at the same time. I love researching ideas and coming up with something that is almost original (well, I do get my ideas online after all). I hate second guessing my decisions and trying to get my husband to give me an opinion on those details that he really doesn't care about since I just can't make up my mind.
This year, I have something considerably smaller planned for my son's fifth birthday. Last year, we went all out. He was into superheroes in a major way. We did a superhero training camp. We set up inside our house with "pow" and "kachow" type signs we made. We made each kid a cape (it was cheap and not pretty, but it worked). We made Gotham City in our backyard. I'm not kidding. I went around and got several boxes from Walmart and Sears and I painted them black with yellow windows and made a Gotham City sign. The kids had a blast running between them and knocking them down. I even made my husband dress up as Batman and do photos with the kids. He had fun though.
This year, we are doing Phineas and Ferb. My son still loves superheros, and pirates, and Toy Story (previous themes), but I want to do something different each year. This year, we're letting the kids do a craft; we're giving them funky colored fedora hats like Agent P, and we are going to do air guitar with the songs from the cartoon with plastic balloon type guitars. There are a few other ideas, but I'm trying to keep it so kids from all different age ranges can participate. Now, I'm just trying to come up with food, cake, and whether or not we will do a pinata.
Birthday parties are one of those things that I love planning and hate planning at the same time. I love researching ideas and coming up with something that is almost original (well, I do get my ideas online after all). I hate second guessing my decisions and trying to get my husband to give me an opinion on those details that he really doesn't care about since I just can't make up my mind.
This year, I have something considerably smaller planned for my son's fifth birthday. Last year, we went all out. He was into superheroes in a major way. We did a superhero training camp. We set up inside our house with "pow" and "kachow" type signs we made. We made each kid a cape (it was cheap and not pretty, but it worked). We made Gotham City in our backyard. I'm not kidding. I went around and got several boxes from Walmart and Sears and I painted them black with yellow windows and made a Gotham City sign. The kids had a blast running between them and knocking them down. I even made my husband dress up as Batman and do photos with the kids. He had fun though.
This year, we are doing Phineas and Ferb. My son still loves superheros, and pirates, and Toy Story (previous themes), but I want to do something different each year. This year, we're letting the kids do a craft; we're giving them funky colored fedora hats like Agent P, and we are going to do air guitar with the songs from the cartoon with plastic balloon type guitars. There are a few other ideas, but I'm trying to keep it so kids from all different age ranges can participate. Now, I'm just trying to come up with food, cake, and whether or not we will do a pinata.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
FuzziBunz One Size Review
It's about high time that I wrote some reviews on cloth diapers. I figured that I would start with the ones I use most often. I use them the most because I have more Fuzzibunz than anything else. I bought them on sale where you buy six and you get two for free. They are all one size. Six of them we bought with the hemp inserts and two came with the usual microfiber.
These are pretty good diapers. The instructions are a little confusing to people like me who have never seen them let alone any other cloth diaper before. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about, they have elastic around the legs and the back like the kids pants that you can resize the waist on. This way, it doesn't have those snaps on the front that can look a little ugly or can come unsnapped when you try to stuff them.
My daughter isn't exactly a heavy wetter, so those hemp inserts aren't exactly needed. Who knows though, they may come in handy later. On the smaller settings, which we are using right now, they seem to be harder to stuff than the microfiber inserts. So if you are strapped for money, get the microfiber which is cheaper anyway. Unless you have a heavy wetter. I'm told that hemp is awesome for heavy wetters.
The diaper comes with the insert (whichever one you choose) and an extra set of elastic things. I haven't had to use those yet. My daughter is only 8 weeks old after all. We haven't had to change the settings yet since we got them and I was trying to figure them out. We'll see how they hold out in the long run.
Also, the inside of the diaper is sticky. Kind of annoying at first when you are trying to rush through everything because you have a newborn who doesn't exactly understand "hold on a second," but it's pretty handy when you do pre-stuff your pockets since it doesn't let the inserts slide around.
If you like pockets, then go ahead and give these a try. They even have new ones with little sayings on the back. My daughter has one that makes her little butt say "Does this make my butt look big?" Very cute.
These are pretty good diapers. The instructions are a little confusing to people like me who have never seen them let alone any other cloth diaper before. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about, they have elastic around the legs and the back like the kids pants that you can resize the waist on. This way, it doesn't have those snaps on the front that can look a little ugly or can come unsnapped when you try to stuff them.
My daughter isn't exactly a heavy wetter, so those hemp inserts aren't exactly needed. Who knows though, they may come in handy later. On the smaller settings, which we are using right now, they seem to be harder to stuff than the microfiber inserts. So if you are strapped for money, get the microfiber which is cheaper anyway. Unless you have a heavy wetter. I'm told that hemp is awesome for heavy wetters.
The diaper comes with the insert (whichever one you choose) and an extra set of elastic things. I haven't had to use those yet. My daughter is only 8 weeks old after all. We haven't had to change the settings yet since we got them and I was trying to figure them out. We'll see how they hold out in the long run.
Also, the inside of the diaper is sticky. Kind of annoying at first when you are trying to rush through everything because you have a newborn who doesn't exactly understand "hold on a second," but it's pretty handy when you do pre-stuff your pockets since it doesn't let the inserts slide around.
If you like pockets, then go ahead and give these a try. They even have new ones with little sayings on the back. My daughter has one that makes her little butt say "Does this make my butt look big?" Very cute.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Change Number 1
"Why don't you change it?"
A quote I heard recently in reference to someone who doesn't like her life. Okay, it's from Grey's Anatomy, but it's still an awesome quote. And it's true too.
Okay, so I love some major parts of my life, but there are some parts that I could do without or even with a change. And I am going to change it.
Change number one: Get a Cleaner House
Okay, I have been working on this one for quite some time. But it's still something that drives me bonkers. I started with doing some organizing and actually trying to get the house cleaner before I get to bed. It's still a disaster, but it's getting somewhere. I'm building up my ability to work very quickly while the baby "naps."
Those of you who have had a needy baby understand this. Those of you who haven't had one yet... It's hard. My husband who is the first to complain when the house isn't very clean (okay, he is understanding to a point) has even been letting the house slide along with me. He watches as I try to get one sink full of dishes done while the baby cries. He even tries holding her which only works half the time. We've tried the baby wearing. It only works when my husband is wearing her. There are even times we can't stand in one spot or she'll cry bloody murder.
So, where are these wonder robots to help us clean that we were promised by the Jettsons?
A quote I heard recently in reference to someone who doesn't like her life. Okay, it's from Grey's Anatomy, but it's still an awesome quote. And it's true too.
Okay, so I love some major parts of my life, but there are some parts that I could do without or even with a change. And I am going to change it.
Change number one: Get a Cleaner House
Okay, I have been working on this one for quite some time. But it's still something that drives me bonkers. I started with doing some organizing and actually trying to get the house cleaner before I get to bed. It's still a disaster, but it's getting somewhere. I'm building up my ability to work very quickly while the baby "naps."
Those of you who have had a needy baby understand this. Those of you who haven't had one yet... It's hard. My husband who is the first to complain when the house isn't very clean (okay, he is understanding to a point) has even been letting the house slide along with me. He watches as I try to get one sink full of dishes done while the baby cries. He even tries holding her which only works half the time. We've tried the baby wearing. It only works when my husband is wearing her. There are even times we can't stand in one spot or she'll cry bloody murder.
So, where are these wonder robots to help us clean that we were promised by the Jettsons?
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