Inventory, Menu Planning, & Coupons... Oh My!!!: My Journey to Living Life More Frugally

So, after getting many AWESOME tips frome some family and friends, and then reading online and watching videos, I set out to go on my first "couponer" shopping experience.

I first went to Albertson's where I stacked coupons for my first time! (So exciting!) Here are the details:

Hamburger/Tuna/Chicken Helper 10/$10
$.80/4
$.75/3
Albertson's Double Coupons used on both
Total: 6.90 = .69/box

A1 Steak Sauce SALE $3.99
$1/1
Albertson's Double Coupon used
Total: 1.99

Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenderloins SALE $5.99 (bought 2)
Total: 11.98


TOTAL Shopping Trip: $20.87 but I also got 2 Catalina coupons at the register. One for $5 toward next trip, and the other for $2 toward next trip. So, I get to use those next time!!! Plus I got 2 Catalinas for Box Top points that I already input online. Yay! Love helping out the local schools.






My next trip was to Walmart, which I didn't really get a whole lot and I still need to go through everything for a bigger trip, but here's what I got so far:

Huggies Size 1 Diapers $8.97
$1.50/1
Total: 7.47 = .15/diaper!

Schick Razors $5.97
$1/1
Total: 4.97 = .83/razor

Suave Deodorant $.97
$.75/1
Total: .22

TOTAL Shopping Trip: $12.66
Not as good, but still excited about it. :)

So, I will be getting together more coupons soon and can't wait to see what my next trip will be like! Thanks for stopping by!

Simple Healthy Snacks for Busy Mommas

Here are a few of my “one handed” snack favorites.

(Some take a bit more prep-work than others, so choose what works best for you. If you have help available at times, hand them this list! If you have a chance, make a big batch ahead of time & stash it in the fridge.)

Hard-Boiled Eggs + a bit of Sea Salt (If you have an extra moment, you can mix them into egg salad.)

Homemade Fruit and/or Nut Snack Bars (Here's my favorite recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/playgroup-granola-bars/detail.aspx), I like to add extra things to it, but it is a great base recipe. I stash a couple bars in car compartments or diaper bags.

Homemade Trail Mix, with nutrient-dense nuts, dried fruit, coconut, & a bit of good dark chocolate or a savory-seasoned mixture (Buy ingredients in bulk for best cost economy; your toddler will be glad to help pour into a mixing bowl for you.)

Smoothies - Frozen berries (I will be writing a post soon on an easy way to freeze berries) or pre-diced fruit pieces are easiest, so you don’t have to chop up anything; just pour ingredients into a blender.

Natural Jerky - Dehydrate your own or purchase from your favorite local farm or meat market.

Cheese Slices/Cubes - You don’t have to buy special cheese stick packages; a regular block of mozzarella will tear into pieces just the same.
 
Prepared Sandwich - Prepare a sandwich or two ahead of time, cut it into quarters, and then just grab a piece from the fridge when you need a small bite to eat.

Toast + Avocado + a bit of Sea Salt (Scoop out with a spoon)

Baked Yam + a sprinkle of Walnuts, Butter, & Sea Salt or Raw Honey - For simplicity, bake it whole in a baking dish or crockpot. (Or make baked sweet potato fries. Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/spicy-baked-sweet-potato-fries/detail.aspx)

Cottage Cheese - Eat plain or stir in some fresh berries. (A mere 1/2 cup contains a whopping 14 grams of protein, plus good probiotics!)

What are your favorite healthy snacks?

8 Verses To Inspire Us To Be More Patient Mothers

When the baby is crying and the toddler is having a tantrum, patience can be elusive.

Here are eight verses to memorize or write on notecards and post above your sink, in your car or in the bathroom – for those times when you lock yourself inside to regroup. Not that I’ve ever done that. Of course.

Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (NIV)

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (NKJV)

Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. (NIV)

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (NIV)

Colossians 3:12-13
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (NLT)

Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (NIV)

James 1:19-20
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (NIV)

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV)

May these verses inspire us to walk in ever increasing patience.

Event #1: Samantha's Baby Shower

I am in LOVE with event planning!

In the past I thought about starting an event planning business, but instead had a baby and my goals shifted for a little bit. Now that I have had him and know how to juggle home and work life, I am trying to incorporate more events. For the time being, they are just for fun... But I hope eventually it can possibly turn into a successful business.

I already have some more events in the making so I will be posting on them soon!

Here are some pictures of Samantha's Baby Shower.





The BEAUTIFUL Samantha!!



The gift table:

So close!!!

These boys need to get home
Please consider donating today
They still need $38K
Would you please help them get these boys home
so they can have a loving family and the medical attention they need...
Thank You and God Bless ♥

Read their story here: http://bringingcarsonhome.blogspot.com/
Make a donation here: http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorcannell

Spring Is In The Air...

I was sitting here,
listening to the kids running around,
laughing and playing,
with Beauty and the Beast playing in the background.
I look around
I see a huge fort in the living room,
blankets strung all over,
happy smiling faces filled with joy.
I can smell
Spring air flowing in
The windows are cracked throughout the house.
It is the beginning of spring and we all have the fever!

I want to remember this day...

2011 Ultimate Blog Party

Are you ready to party?!?!

I am very excited to be a part of the 2011 Ultimate Blog Party! Thank you Terah @ LOVEFEAST for spreading the word! I can't wait to meet other bloggers and make some new friends.




Here's a little about me...

My name is Tricia. I am a twenty-something year old who's an easy going, fun, crafty person. I love the outdoors and try to get out whenever I can. I love crafts and make lots of fun accessories. I sell them on Etsy under HWBKBoutique. Funds from many of the items I sell help other EB families in need. I love my family and friends with all of my heart. My husband, Derik, and I met when we were seven and after being friends for years, dating, and then becoming engaged we got married Feb. 3, 2003. He is my best friend. We have an amazing son, Ashton Xander, who was born on November 13, 2008. Both Derik and Ashton have Epidermolysis Bullosa, or EB for short. It is a rare skin disorder that causes blistering and the skin to tear very easily. Ashton is the love of my life, he is my sunshine, he puts a smile on my face every day. He is the strongest person I know. Through the pain and discomfort he always smiles. It is tough caring for him, but I would not change it for anything. I am proud to be his Mama. This is our story of Love, Happiness, Tears, and Life with Epidermolysis Bullosa...

You can also find me on Facebook.

So, I hope you hang out for a little while, this party is going to be fun!