Brooke Blogs This

It is no secret if you know me at all, I am a working mom.  I work full time. I leave my house at 6AM and barely make it home by 6PM, Monday through Friday.  And then I work overtime some nights and weekends...like today.  I am spending my Sunday working overtime.  And then I also do photography on the side to make extra money. And I am active in my church's childrens ministry.  It gets to be alot.  Our lives are very hectic and sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. Are my priorities right? I believe my work is important.  I believe my work is necessary for my families survival.  Sometimes my work is needed for my sanity.  Even with a crazy work enviorment, sometimes it is mental break I need to function at home. However, as my children get older, the more I realize that I am missing thier lives.  I've daydreamed about becoming a stay at home mom, but let me tell you, the numbers don't work.  Even if we gave up all the ammenities...

I'm back!!!  I've taken a 2 year hiatus in the blogging world, but now I am back...and a little more focused.  I will continue to blog on this site about my everyday life, challenges, thoughts, and creative writing.  However, I've started another blog Santa Safe that is all about protecting our kid's belief in Santa...and other Christmas material will be added.  Please go check it out.  I just started it tonight, and know it needs lots of work, so keep checking back.  I hope you'll find something that you like. A lot has happened in the past 2 years.  I've changed jobs.  Shiloh has started Kindergarten.  I've been doing photography on the side to supplements my families income (that will be a whole other post).  Zachary is in middle School.  Jeremy still works crazy hours.  My dogs are still big. Very big. I hope you'll welcome me back into your blog reading and I hope you enjoy my crazy ride.

School is just about out, and if you are like me, you are starting to wonder just what you are going to do to keep the kids entertained, on a budget. Kids Bowl Free is a wonderful program (that requires you to sign up) where kids get 2 free games of bowling, every day this summer. Regal Cinemas are showing "G" and "PG" rated movies for $1 every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 AM all summer long. This is especially appealing if you have a little one and your not quite sure they will make it through a whole movie. Speaking of movies, check with you local parks department, many around here host movies in the park at least once a month May through September. Also see what is going on at your library, besides weekly story time, they usually offer other programs as well such as puppets, magicians and reading programs where your reader can possibly score freebies (movie tickets, free pizza, free books, etc) for reading a book a week. Don't waste your money going to a ma...

Here are the deals that I just can't pass up this week (and neither should you)! Walgreen Mars and Dove Candy Bars - $.39 Post Cereal - $1.75 Soft Soap Body Wash - 2 for $6, plus you get $4 Register Rewards Starbucks Frapuccinos - 4 for $5, plus you get $1 Register Rewards Old El Paso 12pk Taco Shells - $1 Hamburger Helper - $1 (there have recently been coupons in the paper for $.75 off of 3) Dole Fruit Crisps - $1 (A few weeks ago, there was a $.50 coupon in the paper) Duncan Hienz Brownie Mix - $1 Lunchables 2 for $3, plus you get $1 Register Rewards Finish Power Tabs - $3.49, plus you get $1.50 Register Rewards (and if you've been saving your coupons, you probably have the $.75 coupon tucked away) Gillette, Old Spice and Zest Body Wash (mix and match) - 3 for $10, plus you get $3 Register Rewards (There are also multiple coupons. In this weeks paper there is a Gillette Body Wash $2 coupon. In recent papers there have also been $1 off 2 Old Spice Products, Buy 1 Get 1 Free O...

My coupon project continued into March, and here are the results: *Unless otherwise noted, my comments to them were compliments Heinz Heinze Ketsup - 2 $.50 coupons Ore Ida French Fries - 4 $.75 coupons Campbells Prego Itallian Sauce - 1 $1 coupon Campbells Soup 1 $1 coupon Unilever Country Crock Spred - A coupon book for Unilever products. 12 coupons totaling $11 Popsicle - A coupon for a free product, worth $5 Lipton Knorr Noodles - Did not send coupons General Mills Yoplait - I recieved a $3 check after complaining about a products texture. They sent the check instead of a coupon due to my states dairy laws. Totinos Pizza Rolls - Did not send coupons (No response was received at all) Proctor & Gamble Puffs - Did not send coupons (No response was received at all) Cover Girl - Did not send coupons Other Uncle Bens - 1 $1 coupon Jose Ole Frozen Mexican Products - 1 $1 coupon New York Brand Bread Sticks - Coupon for a free product worth $4 Dole Salads - 3 $.75 coupons ...

I hope everyone had an awesome Easter. We sure did! The Easter Bunny came and the dogs didn't chase him away or eat him or anything (at least as far as I can tell.) The kids were very excited about thier baskets. Other than the traditional baskets, we for went any other traditions on Easter. There were no egg hunts, there were no huge dinners. We ate candy (ok, so maybe that IS traditional), cinnamon rolls, fish sticks and fries and Mexican food. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM...Mexican. I am eating the left overs now. Overall it was a pretty fantastic (and the fantasticness was much needed) weekend. Now I just hope I haven't set my sights too high for the upcoming week and weekend!

Lately I've been asked lots of questions about my couponing, and I never seem to be organized enough to give anyone the full run down, so I though I would post some of my favorite tips. Feel free to ask questions, and I'll be glad to answer. Consider this an overview and I'll go more in depth on some of these in later posts. 1. If you use coupons, you will save money. Period. However, it is important to know what your goal is. Are you trying to get more expensive products at a bettr price? Are you trying to get your grocery bill down to a certain amount? Your goal will determine over all how much you save/spend. 2. Usually (I've never found a case where this isn't true) you can only use 1 manufacturer coupon and 1 store coupon on a single item. If you purchase 5 products, you will need 5 coupons (if you want to save on all 5) unless the coupon states otherwise. 3. I tend to save a bigger percentage and have a lower grocery bill when I buy the less expensive item...