Madelyn thinks Matt is hysterical :)
A Celebration...
20 hours ago
Friday, July 17, 2009
How to Pocket Some Extra Green
My dear friend Kristin's recent post about money saving tips inspired me to post something similar, since Matt and I have recently had to severly cut our expenditures due to his job and the cost of daycare. So, without further adue, here are our tips to save some moolah.
- Restaurant saving websites are a Godsend! These sites sell gift certificates to popular restaurants in your area for half off and often have sales. Many times I've gotten $25 gift certificates to restaurants for a mere $3! Get on their email lists and watch the sales. It is so worth it. Eating out can be a huge cost but such a nice way to relax, and this allows you to do so on a budget. Here are a few of the sites I use:
Restaurant.com
Half off Depot
Coupon Clipper
- Coupons!! Grocery coupons are so accessible today as many of them can be printed off of the internet without ever having to buy a newspaper. Pair your coupons with sale and "buy one get one free" items and you have major savings. There have even been times I've gotten items for free, such as last week where Kashi waffles were marked down 50% off and I had a coupon for the remaining cost, so I bought 4 boxes! For free! Just as Kristin does, I plan all of our meals for the week based on what is on sale at Publix and go from there. It does take a bit more planning, but is well worth the 20 minute time investment. The best part is that there are several blogs out there that have done all of the legwork for you. These blogs list a variety of national stores, their weekly sales, and links to applicable coupons. When it's this easy, we have no excuse! By doing this I've gotten our weekly grocery budget down to $65 which is pretty remarkable. Also, don't forget about stores like Target and CVS. This week Target has Smart Ones frozen meals on sale for $1.99, plus there are several $1 off coupons floating around the internet, making them just $0.99. I can't think of many easy lunches that you can get for just $1. Check them out:
Money Saving Mom
Frugal Coupon Living
Fiddledeedee
- Decide what you really can and cannot live without. We recently cancelled Matt's gym membership and are in the process of getting rid of a storage unit we used for his extra work materials. These are things that are nice to have but are certainly not necessities, and they've put an extra $90 a month in our pockets.
- When you are in a budget crunch, make simple meals like spagetti, red beans and rice, pancakes and eggs- things that are super cheap. It definitely also helps to eat leftovers. I really only cook 3 meals a week and we eat the extras the remainder of the time.
- There is always the obvious: take your lunch to work, make coffee at home instead of buying out, drive less, etc etc. While these are simple and fairly commonly preached, they do make a difference.
- Rent moves from the $1 Redbox instead of Blockbuster. These Redboxes can be found all over, typically in or outside a drugstore or grocery store and charge just $1 per day for movie rentals. Renting a movie at Blockbuster costs $4.50! Make a homemade pizza and rent a $1 movie and you have yourself a nice Cheap date night :)Find your local Redbox at http://www.redbox.com/.
The blessing with having a budget crunch is that you come to really enjoy and appreciate the simple things in life, most of which usually cost nothing! It allows you to regain some perspective and remind yourself of what is really important :)
- Restaurant saving websites are a Godsend! These sites sell gift certificates to popular restaurants in your area for half off and often have sales. Many times I've gotten $25 gift certificates to restaurants for a mere $3! Get on their email lists and watch the sales. It is so worth it. Eating out can be a huge cost but such a nice way to relax, and this allows you to do so on a budget. Here are a few of the sites I use:
Restaurant.com
Half off Depot
Coupon Clipper
- Coupons!! Grocery coupons are so accessible today as many of them can be printed off of the internet without ever having to buy a newspaper. Pair your coupons with sale and "buy one get one free" items and you have major savings. There have even been times I've gotten items for free, such as last week where Kashi waffles were marked down 50% off and I had a coupon for the remaining cost, so I bought 4 boxes! For free! Just as Kristin does, I plan all of our meals for the week based on what is on sale at Publix and go from there. It does take a bit more planning, but is well worth the 20 minute time investment. The best part is that there are several blogs out there that have done all of the legwork for you. These blogs list a variety of national stores, their weekly sales, and links to applicable coupons. When it's this easy, we have no excuse! By doing this I've gotten our weekly grocery budget down to $65 which is pretty remarkable. Also, don't forget about stores like Target and CVS. This week Target has Smart Ones frozen meals on sale for $1.99, plus there are several $1 off coupons floating around the internet, making them just $0.99. I can't think of many easy lunches that you can get for just $1. Check them out:
Money Saving Mom
Frugal Coupon Living
Fiddledeedee
- Decide what you really can and cannot live without. We recently cancelled Matt's gym membership and are in the process of getting rid of a storage unit we used for his extra work materials. These are things that are nice to have but are certainly not necessities, and they've put an extra $90 a month in our pockets.
- When you are in a budget crunch, make simple meals like spagetti, red beans and rice, pancakes and eggs- things that are super cheap. It definitely also helps to eat leftovers. I really only cook 3 meals a week and we eat the extras the remainder of the time.
- There is always the obvious: take your lunch to work, make coffee at home instead of buying out, drive less, etc etc. While these are simple and fairly commonly preached, they do make a difference.
- Rent moves from the $1 Redbox instead of Blockbuster. These Redboxes can be found all over, typically in or outside a drugstore or grocery store and charge just $1 per day for movie rentals. Renting a movie at Blockbuster costs $4.50! Make a homemade pizza and rent a $1 movie and you have yourself a nice Cheap date night :)Find your local Redbox at http://www.redbox.com/.
The blessing with having a budget crunch is that you come to really enjoy and appreciate the simple things in life, most of which usually cost nothing! It allows you to regain some perspective and remind yourself of what is really important :)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Daycare Drama
I waited until the absolute last minute to go pick out a day care. I think I was in denial that I was actually going to have to take Madelyn to one, so in my mind if I just postponed the activity it wouldn't happen. Unfortunately yesterday I realized I better get my act together or I'd have to take her to work with me when I go back on the 20th (realistically, this idea didn't sound so bad! Not sure my bosses would agree...)
So yesterday morning we ventured out to a daycare called Discovery Point which was recommended by a friend. It's brand new, very close to our house, a natural choice. Halfway through the tour I started crying (little did I know this would only be the first of many times I would cry on this day), but luckily it was hidden by my unnecessarily large but very stylish sunglasses. I saw these women that I don't know anything about, playing with these children that for all I know they could care less about, and I realized they could never care for my Madelyn to a standard I would find adequate. Yes they have a low student/teacher ratio, yes it was clean, yes they have an excellent curriculum, but these women could have just started here after being baggers at Publix for all I know. Let the waterworks begin. We got in the car, I had a major emotional meltdown, and we forged on to daycare number two.
I looked at SIX daycares yesterday. At one I was told they had a 6:1 student/teacher ratio, to which my response was "I'm sorry, I thought you just said six, I must have misheard you". Nope. Six babies to one woman. I don't think so. At daycare number four their idea of a curriculum was laying the children on the floor and blowing bubbles. Next. One was old and dirty but I loved the director. If only I could transplant her to daycare number one. Is it so much to ask that my daughter be watched by an enthusiastic, competent, CPR-certified, nurturing women with a high IQ and professional sense about them? I came home, cried, called my mom, cried, held Madelyn while she napped, cried, and then took some advil because I had a headache from crying so much. After talking to a friend who's son attends daycare number 1 we've decided they are the lucky winner. They are by far the best facility around (I would know, I saw them ALL), and I feel confident that Madelyn's basic needs will be met, and she'll be stimulated as much as you can do so with a two month old. Next week I'm going to drop her off on Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6 so I can attend dentist and hair appointments, and so I can try to tame the waterworks when I go back to work on Monday, July 20. More importantly, I'll be packing concealer and waterproof mascara for my drive to work that day. Everyone said this would be hard, but I don't recall anyone using the adjective "gut-wrenching" which is how I would most appropriately describe it.
That being said, I'm actually very excited to go back to work. If I could just bring her with me, the world would be a perfect place.
So yesterday morning we ventured out to a daycare called Discovery Point which was recommended by a friend. It's brand new, very close to our house, a natural choice. Halfway through the tour I started crying (little did I know this would only be the first of many times I would cry on this day), but luckily it was hidden by my unnecessarily large but very stylish sunglasses. I saw these women that I don't know anything about, playing with these children that for all I know they could care less about, and I realized they could never care for my Madelyn to a standard I would find adequate. Yes they have a low student/teacher ratio, yes it was clean, yes they have an excellent curriculum, but these women could have just started here after being baggers at Publix for all I know. Let the waterworks begin. We got in the car, I had a major emotional meltdown, and we forged on to daycare number two.
I looked at SIX daycares yesterday. At one I was told they had a 6:1 student/teacher ratio, to which my response was "I'm sorry, I thought you just said six, I must have misheard you". Nope. Six babies to one woman. I don't think so. At daycare number four their idea of a curriculum was laying the children on the floor and blowing bubbles. Next. One was old and dirty but I loved the director. If only I could transplant her to daycare number one. Is it so much to ask that my daughter be watched by an enthusiastic, competent, CPR-certified, nurturing women with a high IQ and professional sense about them? I came home, cried, called my mom, cried, held Madelyn while she napped, cried, and then took some advil because I had a headache from crying so much. After talking to a friend who's son attends daycare number 1 we've decided they are the lucky winner. They are by far the best facility around (I would know, I saw them ALL), and I feel confident that Madelyn's basic needs will be met, and she'll be stimulated as much as you can do so with a two month old. Next week I'm going to drop her off on Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6 so I can attend dentist and hair appointments, and so I can try to tame the waterworks when I go back to work on Monday, July 20. More importantly, I'll be packing concealer and waterproof mascara for my drive to work that day. Everyone said this would be hard, but I don't recall anyone using the adjective "gut-wrenching" which is how I would most appropriately describe it.
That being said, I'm actually very excited to go back to work. If I could just bring her with me, the world would be a perfect place.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Our Fourth of July in Pictures
Madelyn's first truck stop :) She slept the entire drive both to and from Florida except for two stops to eat and stretch out. This was just before we crossed over the FL state line on our way down.
Laying in her boppy in the car during our stop...she's a pretty unhappy baby (yeah right)
Getting some kisses outside Grandma's house. I like this picture because the sun was setting and there is a little halo of light around Madelyn and my mom's heads :)
First family trip to the beach!! We got to see the most amazing ocean-side fireworks for the fourth, and while Madelyn won't remember them, I can't wait to tell her about them. 
More kisses from Grandma. As you can see, she doesn't hurt for attention...
Playing with her great-Grandma whom she found very entertaining.
Napping on great grandma after lots of playing :)
Just hangin at Grandma's house...And below are a few pictures from an impromptu Madelyn/Grandma photo shoot before we left
Monday, June 29, 2009
Now that I'm a Mom...
- I am a much better driver. I pay so much more attention than I used to and I am so much more cautious and vigilant about the other cars around me. Don't all the speeders and reckless drivers know I'm carrying precious cargo?! Don't worry, I'm not putting a "Baby on Board" sticker on my car anytime soon, but I wouldn't mind one that says "Don't Drive Like an Idiot" :)
- I am truly a better, more compassionate, sensitive person. I don't think I've said anything bad about anyone since having Madelyn, because all I can think is that whoever I'm about to talk about is/was someone's baby, and if anyone ever said anything bad about Madelyn I would give them a very large piece of my mind. I'm even less judgemental of people's lifestyles, because I know I'll support Madelyn in whatever life she wants to live when she gets older, as long as she is safe and happy.
- I probably wash my hands 30 times a day. Seriously.
- I am going through a post-partum nesting attack. I'm a nester by nature, so the fact that I relentlessly cleaned, cooked, and organized throughout my pregnancy came as no surprise to anyone. But, now that little one is here, I feel the need to further simplify Everything. My philosophy for my life now is "less is more". I don't need 6 black shirts that look exactly alike, or 19 picture frames that I don't even like, so the extras are going to Goodwill. And I have so many hotel toiletries I am not buying any more lotion or shampoo until they are all gone! I also probably print 3 recipes a day that I want to make. I try to keep these compulsive behaviors to times when Matt isn't home so he doesn't think I'm going looney.
- It has become increasingly important to me to workout and eat healthy because I want to set a good example for Madelyn when she gets older. I want her to know that it doesn't matter what you look like, as long as you are happy and healthy, but that it's very important to take good care of yourself.
- I take the time to enjoy the many small pleasures in life that often get missed in a typical hurried day- a really good song, a glass of wine with Matt, a nice breeze, Madelyn's baby breath which I sneak sniffs of while she sleeps :)
- If I don't write down every "to do" or reminder the second it comes to mind it is gone. Gone. I never understood this about my mother until now (she will appreciate this :)
- I am truly a better, more compassionate, sensitive person. I don't think I've said anything bad about anyone since having Madelyn, because all I can think is that whoever I'm about to talk about is/was someone's baby, and if anyone ever said anything bad about Madelyn I would give them a very large piece of my mind. I'm even less judgemental of people's lifestyles, because I know I'll support Madelyn in whatever life she wants to live when she gets older, as long as she is safe and happy.
- I probably wash my hands 30 times a day. Seriously.
- I am going through a post-partum nesting attack. I'm a nester by nature, so the fact that I relentlessly cleaned, cooked, and organized throughout my pregnancy came as no surprise to anyone. But, now that little one is here, I feel the need to further simplify Everything. My philosophy for my life now is "less is more". I don't need 6 black shirts that look exactly alike, or 19 picture frames that I don't even like, so the extras are going to Goodwill. And I have so many hotel toiletries I am not buying any more lotion or shampoo until they are all gone! I also probably print 3 recipes a day that I want to make. I try to keep these compulsive behaviors to times when Matt isn't home so he doesn't think I'm going looney.
- It has become increasingly important to me to workout and eat healthy because I want to set a good example for Madelyn when she gets older. I want her to know that it doesn't matter what you look like, as long as you are happy and healthy, but that it's very important to take good care of yourself.
- I take the time to enjoy the many small pleasures in life that often get missed in a typical hurried day- a really good song, a glass of wine with Matt, a nice breeze, Madelyn's baby breath which I sneak sniffs of while she sleeps :)
- If I don't write down every "to do" or reminder the second it comes to mind it is gone. Gone. I never understood this about my mother until now (she will appreciate this :)
Happy Monday :)
We are busy getting ready for a trip to Florida for the 4th of July to visit my mom and take little Madelyn to where mommy grew up. You can't even begin to imagine that mass amount of items you need to take a 2 month old 6.5 hours away. It requires that I begin packing three full days in advance to ensure nothing is forgotten, but truth be told, I always start packing early, even when it's only for myself.
Among the trips to Target to get last minute items and snacks for the car, I'm busy doing laundry, cleaning the house, paying bills, cleaning out the fridge, and tying up all of the loose ends as we'll be gone Wednesday-Monday. I am super excited and I cannot wait for my mom to see Madelyn's big smiles. This morning Madelyn was in her swing and everytime I walked up to her and smiled she got the biggest grin on her face. There just isn't anything better in the world!
She is the most amazing baby- she sleeps around 9 hours a night now (woohoo!), still rarely fusses, and is so good when we take her out places. We are so so lucky.
In honor of Matt's first Father's Day as a new daddy, here are a few pictures of him with his little angel :)
Among the trips to Target to get last minute items and snacks for the car, I'm busy doing laundry, cleaning the house, paying bills, cleaning out the fridge, and tying up all of the loose ends as we'll be gone Wednesday-Monday. I am super excited and I cannot wait for my mom to see Madelyn's big smiles. This morning Madelyn was in her swing and everytime I walked up to her and smiled she got the biggest grin on her face. There just isn't anything better in the world!
She is the most amazing baby- she sleeps around 9 hours a night now (woohoo!), still rarely fusses, and is so good when we take her out places. We are so so lucky.
In honor of Matt's first Father's Day as a new daddy, here are a few pictures of him with his little angel :)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Aloha
Being home during the day I've realized that daytime television is an absolute disgrace. Many days I don't even turn on the tv. I can't stand soap operas or talk shows, so I usually end up on TLC or something similar. One thing I have begun doing is watching the Rachael Ray show. I am not a big fan of Rachael's. Nothing personal, something about her overly-bubbly personality just rubs me the wrong way. BUT, she has made some very yummy-looking recipes on her show lately, one of which is below. I made this recipe for Hula Joes for dinner tonight- it a Hawaiian spin on the sloppy joe, loosely based on a Hawaiian pizza. It's not the healthiest thing on the menu (absolutely NO veggies), but serve it with a salad and it's not too bad. It calls for ground pork but I used turkey. It's husband-approved and took less than 20 minutes- two major "pro's" in my book. Enjoy!
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/hula-joes/
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/hula-joes/
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