This post was supposed to be a wrap-up of a trip Dan, Sam and I were taking to Duluth to play in an indoor waterpark and look at Christmas lights. We hadn't taken any vacations in years, if you don't count the obligatory go-visit-elderly-relatives-so-they-can-see-Sam trips, which I don't. Dan and I have left town and stayed in hotel rooms exactly two times since our honeymoon, and we've been married for 6 1/2 years. I'm 99% certain that we've never left the state of Minnesota together, ever.
I used to love travel. In high school, I visited Europe with my foreign language class. I visited New Orleans with a church youth group, and Orlando and New Orleans a second time with the high school band. As an adult, I drove to Las Vegas to help my brother move there for school, and flew there the following Christmas with my parents. As a child, my parents took us on many family vacations, and while I hated the long car rides, it was a good experience for me to see a place that wasn't familiar.
Dan, on the other hand, hated travel when I met him, and he's still not much of a fan. Any time he slept away from home as a kid, it was because something bad had happened (their house burned down) or something bad was happening (they were visiting relatives who were unkind, to put it very mildly.) When he has time off work, he would like nothing better than to just stay home and relax.
I did convince him that we needed to get out of town for a few days for our honeymoon. We drove up to Duluth and stopped for lunch, then headed further north to Grand Marais, which was lovely the second to last weekend in May. It was about a week before Memorial Day, so it wasn't crowded, and we got a free upgrade to our hotel room. We meandered around town, checking out little shops and eating in small independently owned restaurants. One day we visited Gooseberry Falls, which was surprisingly really fun--did you know Dan likes hiking in the woods? Neither did I. Lesson learned: Dan hates the idea at first, but once he's there, he usually has a good time.
Some time later, a friend got married up north, so we drove up and stayed overnight in a hotel. It was more driving on two-lane roads than Dan would have liked, and I don't really count it as a vacation. Then a few years back we visited some friends who had moved to Waseca. We got a hotel room, since they had cats and I am highly allergic. We took one day just to ourselves and visited New Ulm, which was fun if low-key.
And that's it. I don't think we've ever done anything more than that. The last time we took Sam to visit Grandma Loretta, we took our time getting there and back, stopping about every hour or so, and he did much better with the car trip than most of the other times we've taken him long distances. So I was really optimistic about Duluth, Edgewater, and Bentleyville. Unfortunately we've all come down with a nasty cold, and I had an ear infection, so we had to cancel. At least we were able to cancel in time not to be charged for it. We plan to reschedule, but part of the appeal was that Dan and I both had Thursday and Friday off, so we could go Thursday and Friday night, leave Saturday, and be home in time to decompress and get ready for our week. Who knows when I'll be able to get another Friday off?
Next post: What we did instead! Expect lots of kleenex, amoxicillin, and nasal decongestant. Yeah, we know how to party. :(
Monday, December 3, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
Raising a boy: what I didn't expect. (So far.)
I didn't expect it to be so very different from raising a girl.
I think I did expect, though I didn't fully comprehend, how much I would love him and love being his mom.
I didn't expect him to have so much trouble learning to speak. I didn't expect to worry about the autism spectrum and where on it some of his behaviors may lie. I didn't expect him to ignore me so much of the time. I didn't expect him to refuse to kiss, but present his cheek instead.
I didn't expect that boy poopy diapers would be so much easier to deal with than girl poopy diapers. I didn't expect him to learn his letters and numbers all in one shot, before learning to speak or even sing the alphabet. I didn't expect him to have a happy-naked-run that cracked me up this much. I didn't expect to have to learn the tongue-twister, "Wonder Pets Underpants."
I didn't expect that he would need me as much as he does when he does, or as little as he does when he doesn't. I didn't expect to become a mind-reader. I didn't expect that he would have fears of swings and riding toys. I didn't expect that breastfeeding would be so hard for the two of us.
I didn't expect him to look so much like me. I didn't expect to love his little facial expressions that remind me of my little brother at that age. I didn't expect him to love his cousins and friends so much that he feels the need to tackle-hug them on sight.
I didn't expect him to have a need to rub people's earlobes. I didn't expect him to still need to snuggle to sleep at this age.
I think I did expect, though I didn't fully comprehend, how much I would love him and love being his mom.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Christmas presents, part 2: Who wants an awesome scarf?
So scarves are nice to make, partly because they tend to be fast, and partly because they tend to be mindless. Which is a good thing when you're also trying to keep toddlers from inadvertently maiming themselves.
My first crochet project "back" this fall was this scarf here:
I told myself if I was going to start crocheting again, gosh darn it my first project would be for me. And I finished it, and it is glorious. It reminds me of a candy cane. I made up the pattern; it's stitched end-to-end in single crochet in the back loop only, alternating colors every two rows with 8 rows of cream in the middle. Stitching in the back loop only gave it a nice ribbed texture and a bit more bulk.
Later on, after I'd finished an afghan or two, I decided to use up a little scrap yarn, so I made two of these gaiters, I guess they are called. It's a loop that makes the neck part of the scarf, but you just throw it around your neck and don't have to tie anything. These I just made up as I went, stitching them the short way and single crocheting a seam in the back. Then I fold it in half--it's actually twice as tall as in the picture, so there are two layers there. The first one was red and black, and I gave it to Steph. The second one in pink and linen is pictured below:
It reminds me a little too much of those foam medical braces for people with neck injuries. If I make any more like this, they will be in darker colors. It doesn't look too bad with my black coat, though.
So for gift-giving, I am thinking I ought to follow a pattern. I welcome feedback on styles and colors here. If you're reading this, I will probably be willing to make you one, so just ask! This is my sanity-saving project to work on between afghans. Here is a cowl I'm thinking of making one of my scarf-loving, fashionable sister in laws:
OMG you guys, giraffe print turtleneck. That's taking yarn modeling to a whole new level. ><
OK, I will try to quit picking on the models. They are modeling for old ladies, so what do I expect? It's not like my pictures are high fashion, either. Seriously, though, I like that pattern and think in a different color, it might be lovely. It makes me think of an infinity scarf, which I suppose it is.
Then there is this, which I also love the look of:
Maybe in a different color as well. I don't really know. Sometimes I think I should go neutral, so it goes with anything, but other times I think a scarf is an opportunity to make an outfit pop, so I should go bold. If it's a gift, though, going bold can be dangerous--I'm not great at figuring out exactly what colors people would like to wear. So, if any of the lovely ladies in my life want to weigh in, make any requests, I will be happy to whip something up especially for you! And if you hate both of the scarves above, let me know what you'd like. Wide and chunky? Narrow and funky? Thin and lacy? I'll do whatever. Want a hat instead? No problem. In fact, I might dedicate another post to hats, since I need to make myself a new one.
Note: All pictures in this post are taken from Lionbrand.com unless otherwise noted. Yarn and other notions are available for purchase at their website, as well as many free patterns such as those linked above. The red in the first scarf pictured above is Vanna's Choice in cranberry. The second scarf pictured is Vanna's Choice in linen and pink with two strands held together. Both are my own pattern.
My first crochet project "back" this fall was this scarf here:
Photo credit: Me via Fotofriend
I told myself if I was going to start crocheting again, gosh darn it my first project would be for me. And I finished it, and it is glorious. It reminds me of a candy cane. I made up the pattern; it's stitched end-to-end in single crochet in the back loop only, alternating colors every two rows with 8 rows of cream in the middle. Stitching in the back loop only gave it a nice ribbed texture and a bit more bulk.
Later on, after I'd finished an afghan or two, I decided to use up a little scrap yarn, so I made two of these gaiters, I guess they are called. It's a loop that makes the neck part of the scarf, but you just throw it around your neck and don't have to tie anything. These I just made up as I went, stitching them the short way and single crocheting a seam in the back. Then I fold it in half--it's actually twice as tall as in the picture, so there are two layers there. The first one was red and black, and I gave it to Steph. The second one in pink and linen is pictured below:
Photo credit: Me via Fotofriend
It reminds me a little too much of those foam medical braces for people with neck injuries. If I make any more like this, they will be in darker colors. It doesn't look too bad with my black coat, though.
So for gift-giving, I am thinking I ought to follow a pattern. I welcome feedback on styles and colors here. If you're reading this, I will probably be willing to make you one, so just ask! This is my sanity-saving project to work on between afghans. Here is a cowl I'm thinking of making one of my scarf-loving, fashionable sister in laws:
Photo credit: Lionbrand.com, pattern via link above
OMG you guys, giraffe print turtleneck. That's taking yarn modeling to a whole new level. ><
OK, I will try to quit picking on the models. They are modeling for old ladies, so what do I expect? It's not like my pictures are high fashion, either. Seriously, though, I like that pattern and think in a different color, it might be lovely. It makes me think of an infinity scarf, which I suppose it is.
Then there is this, which I also love the look of:
Photo credit: Lionbrand.com, pattern via link above
Maybe in a different color as well. I don't really know. Sometimes I think I should go neutral, so it goes with anything, but other times I think a scarf is an opportunity to make an outfit pop, so I should go bold. If it's a gift, though, going bold can be dangerous--I'm not great at figuring out exactly what colors people would like to wear. So, if any of the lovely ladies in my life want to weigh in, make any requests, I will be happy to whip something up especially for you! And if you hate both of the scarves above, let me know what you'd like. Wide and chunky? Narrow and funky? Thin and lacy? I'll do whatever. Want a hat instead? No problem. In fact, I might dedicate another post to hats, since I need to make myself a new one.
Note: All pictures in this post are taken from Lionbrand.com unless otherwise noted. Yarn and other notions are available for purchase at their website, as well as many free patterns such as those linked above. The red in the first scarf pictured above is Vanna's Choice in cranberry. The second scarf pictured is Vanna's Choice in linen and pink with two strands held together. Both are my own pattern.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Standards of Beauty
My freshman year at Concordia College I wrote a research paper on Standards of Beauty and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. It contained a lot of high-minded ideals about sexism, racism, and internalized self-hatred. Lots of criticism of the media and barbie dolls and everything else. At the time I knew racism=bad, but I knew nothing about the concept and reality of white privilege, partly because that's inherent in it: If you have it, you are probably unaware that not everyone has it.
The perspective of the paper was, "Shame on the media for making non-white non-blonde non-blue-eyed people feel bad, and shame on those people for not loving themselves as they are!" I got an A. My professor was, as I later found out, a total bigot. Feminist, yes, but also bigoted. A student walked out of one class I had with her two years later, after a fierce debate about whether students should be forced to say "under God" during the pledge of allegiance. Point is, I was a fair-haired, light-skinned, blue-eyed moron and got rewarded for it. Anyhow, back on topic.
At that time I lived down the hall from a very pretty girl who did "prom hair" every freaking morning. Even I rarely left my dorm without at least mascara. I colored my hair frequently over the next 3 years or so, until my scalp became so damaged I had to stop. In high school I had bleached my hair to be a lighter blonde than it really was, which my mom loved. In college, I went carrot red and fire-engine red and fuchsia and almost purple. What a rebellion. I was still burning my head with chemicals once a month.
Who was I then versus who I am now? I married a man who hates the look of lipstick, which is convenient because it dries out my lips. I prefer regular Chapstick or Burt's Bees. I didn't color my hair often for several years after my marriage, but recently I started using a demi-permanent ammonia-free color, partly due to boredom with my darkening mousy brown hair, partly because I started to see gray hairs in front. That's actually my barometer for when I ought to do it again: when I can see gray. (Let's not talk about ageism and double standards for women, at least not today, OK?) I rarely blow-dry and have never flat ironed my hair, and I very rarely curl it. Brushed out and parted or pulled back in a pony-tail or bun is pretty much my repertoire. Maybe I'll use a barrette on occasion. As for makeup, I've stopped using "base" altogether, though that's mostly just because I tend to sweat it all off anyway (and the sweat proof kind ruins my skin). I recently have been buying eye makeup with the intent to use it, but I basically never do. I think the last time was Halloween, and it's now late November. The frazzled mom look has sort of taken over my life, and I'm starting to feel a bit bad about it, and then a bit bad that I feel bad about it.
Where is the line between looking neat and presentable, i.e. caring for oneself, and attempting to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty? I don't have long dark eyelashes. My hair is thinning and starting to go gray. I get stress acne. I'm obese. Should that stop me from taking any pictures of myself, or should I try to hide these things in pictures? This blog post suggests I should record myself as I am, which is how my son will remember me. Every time I try, though, I hate the way I look. I don't hate the way I look in my mirror, just the way I look in pictures without makeup and where you can see my scalp. Like this:
Totally cute picture of Sam. But my hair is a mess, you can see my chins, my acne is showing since I'm all sweaty, bleagh. I may actually be wearing mascara there, though. I'm not wearing a bit of makeup in this next shot, though.
The perspective of the paper was, "Shame on the media for making non-white non-blonde non-blue-eyed people feel bad, and shame on those people for not loving themselves as they are!" I got an A. My professor was, as I later found out, a total bigot. Feminist, yes, but also bigoted. A student walked out of one class I had with her two years later, after a fierce debate about whether students should be forced to say "under God" during the pledge of allegiance. Point is, I was a fair-haired, light-skinned, blue-eyed moron and got rewarded for it. Anyhow, back on topic.
At that time I lived down the hall from a very pretty girl who did "prom hair" every freaking morning. Even I rarely left my dorm without at least mascara. I colored my hair frequently over the next 3 years or so, until my scalp became so damaged I had to stop. In high school I had bleached my hair to be a lighter blonde than it really was, which my mom loved. In college, I went carrot red and fire-engine red and fuchsia and almost purple. What a rebellion. I was still burning my head with chemicals once a month.
Who was I then versus who I am now? I married a man who hates the look of lipstick, which is convenient because it dries out my lips. I prefer regular Chapstick or Burt's Bees. I didn't color my hair often for several years after my marriage, but recently I started using a demi-permanent ammonia-free color, partly due to boredom with my darkening mousy brown hair, partly because I started to see gray hairs in front. That's actually my barometer for when I ought to do it again: when I can see gray. (Let's not talk about ageism and double standards for women, at least not today, OK?) I rarely blow-dry and have never flat ironed my hair, and I very rarely curl it. Brushed out and parted or pulled back in a pony-tail or bun is pretty much my repertoire. Maybe I'll use a barrette on occasion. As for makeup, I've stopped using "base" altogether, though that's mostly just because I tend to sweat it all off anyway (and the sweat proof kind ruins my skin). I recently have been buying eye makeup with the intent to use it, but I basically never do. I think the last time was Halloween, and it's now late November. The frazzled mom look has sort of taken over my life, and I'm starting to feel a bit bad about it, and then a bit bad that I feel bad about it.
Where is the line between looking neat and presentable, i.e. caring for oneself, and attempting to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty? I don't have long dark eyelashes. My hair is thinning and starting to go gray. I get stress acne. I'm obese. Should that stop me from taking any pictures of myself, or should I try to hide these things in pictures? This blog post suggests I should record myself as I am, which is how my son will remember me. Every time I try, though, I hate the way I look. I don't hate the way I look in my mirror, just the way I look in pictures without makeup and where you can see my scalp. Like this:
Photo credit: Butch Gerde on Facebook
Totally cute picture of Sam. But my hair is a mess, you can see my chins, my acne is showing since I'm all sweaty, bleagh. I may actually be wearing mascara there, though. I'm not wearing a bit of makeup in this next shot, though.
Photo credit: Jill Book on Facebook
I actually like this one. Someone needs to hand me a newborn baby every time I need to have my picture taken. I think that's part of it. In the second picture, I'm relaxed, I'm excited, and I'm feeling this joy over holding Emma for the first time. Of course, Jill has a very fancy camera and the lighting was better. Also, in the first picture I was completely worn out and overheated after chasing Sam around the community center almost half the time we were there. (The other more than half was graciously done by Dan and some of my cousins.)
To me, though, that's what beauty should be. Capturing a moment of utter glee. You're not going to catch it on film every day, but if you don't try, you won't get anything at all. Digital cameras have saved us a lot of money on film and developing fees, but they've also allowed us to hit delete, delete, delete, until there is no proof of our existence at all. So I'm not perfect. No one is, unless you count absurd amounts of retouching. But I can be beautiful, and I don't have to work as hard at it as I think. I just have to feel joy, and be in the presence of a friend with an amazing camera. :P
And here is me, late Sunday night, just as I am, sick as a dog, staring at the computer screen. Crummy webcam and all. I took this right before I got ambitious and started taking crummy webcam pictures of myself in scarves. But that'll be another post.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
New contributor! Sort of.
I figured out how to post as me, not as my former business account, and still keep the same blog. It's much easier than logging in and out of Blogger, Google+ and Google Reader every time I want to compose a post. So from now on, I'll be posting as myself and not as Auntie Mel. Sounds good?
I also wanted to make a note that I'm not going to be restricting myself to post mostly about crafting, which should be obvious from the last week or so of posts. There will still be lots about crafting, but it's not the blog's main focus anymore. I think using my own name and my own Google account will make more sense than using my Auntie Mel account because of that.
Then I want to thank everyone who's been reading so far. When I blogged before, I had pretty much zero readers. Maybe my mom. And according to Blogger, this blog had 98 page views last Thursday. This blog has only had 320 page views, ever, and 285 of them have been in the last week. So, thank you. Hopefully I'll have something interesting to continue to say.
Since this is a rather boring post, here is a picture of my first holiday ornament of the season. Normally I do these on plastic canvas, but that's sort of impossible with the littles around. It's a good way to use up some of my scrap yarn, though.
It's a pink poinsettia. The rest of them will probably be red, but I thought the light green yarn would work better with pink petals.
I also wanted to make a note that I'm not going to be restricting myself to post mostly about crafting, which should be obvious from the last week or so of posts. There will still be lots about crafting, but it's not the blog's main focus anymore. I think using my own name and my own Google account will make more sense than using my Auntie Mel account because of that.
Then I want to thank everyone who's been reading so far. When I blogged before, I had pretty much zero readers. Maybe my mom. And according to Blogger, this blog had 98 page views last Thursday. This blog has only had 320 page views, ever, and 285 of them have been in the last week. So, thank you. Hopefully I'll have something interesting to continue to say.
Since this is a rather boring post, here is a picture of my first holiday ornament of the season. Normally I do these on plastic canvas, but that's sort of impossible with the littles around. It's a good way to use up some of my scrap yarn, though.
It's a pink poinsettia. The rest of them will probably be red, but I thought the light green yarn would work better with pink petals.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Christmas Presents, Part 1: Afghans
So, not to spill the beans too much, but here are the patterns I've been working on for friends and family. These are basically TV-watching lap-ghans. The colors I'm working with are different, to fit each gift recipient. Here's the first one:
I've finished two of these so far, and then I got a little bored. It works up really fast and easy, over my free-time in a couple of days, although making the fringe can be a little putzy. For my next project, I decided to try to make this pretty thing:
If you clicked through to the title of the pattern, you will have noticed that it's called "Super Fast & Easy Throw". It's totally not, but I finally finished it last night after about 2 or 3 weeks of spare-time work. It's gorgeous though, and I'm glad to have made it. The yarn is super comfy. It was nice to have in my lap as I worked on it--I already miss snuggling up to it!
I'm currently scouting yarn for this one:
I think it will go pretty fast, since it's stitched with a speed hook. I also love working with the really thick chunky yarns. It's just going to be a matter of making sure that no one in the recipient's household has a wool allergy, and finding the yarn on some sort of sale. Worst case, I will probably make another of the top throw, maybe without the fringe this time.
Uh-oh. I found another one that I sort of like:
You know, minus the seductive turtleneck and mom-jeans wearing lady. Aw yeah. Bangs and a ponytail, you know yarn models know how to party. ;)
So, that's part of what I've been up to and planning as far as Christmas gift crafting. I've experimented a bit with cowls with my leftover yarn, but I haven't really come up with a pattern I love. I'll have to save scarves and cowls for another post.
Note: All pictures in this post are taken from Lionbrand.com. Yarn and other notions are available for purchase at their website, as well as many free patterns such as those linked above.
Photo credit: Lionbrand.com, pattern via link above
I've finished two of these so far, and then I got a little bored. It works up really fast and easy, over my free-time in a couple of days, although making the fringe can be a little putzy. For my next project, I decided to try to make this pretty thing:
Photo credit: Lionbrand.com, pattern via link above
If you clicked through to the title of the pattern, you will have noticed that it's called "Super Fast & Easy Throw". It's totally not, but I finally finished it last night after about 2 or 3 weeks of spare-time work. It's gorgeous though, and I'm glad to have made it. The yarn is super comfy. It was nice to have in my lap as I worked on it--I already miss snuggling up to it!
I'm currently scouting yarn for this one:
Photo credit: Lionbrand.com, pattern via link above
Uh-oh. I found another one that I sort of like:
Photo credit: Lionbrand.com, pattern via link above
You know, minus the seductive turtleneck and mom-jeans wearing lady. Aw yeah. Bangs and a ponytail, you know yarn models know how to party. ;)
So, that's part of what I've been up to and planning as far as Christmas gift crafting. I've experimented a bit with cowls with my leftover yarn, but I haven't really come up with a pattern I love. I'll have to save scarves and cowls for another post.
Note: All pictures in this post are taken from Lionbrand.com. Yarn and other notions are available for purchase at their website, as well as many free patterns such as those linked above.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thrifty Lady, Target Addict
OK, I will admit it. I spend way too much money at Target. That makes it impossible to track what I'm spending on food, clothing, toys, electronics, household goods, medicines and personal care items, and all kinds of other things because I buy it all there. Most of the time, though, I don't pay full price. I've got a few tricks. Some of these apply to shopping at Rainbow and Cub for groceries, as well.
1. I subscribe to the local paper and save the coupon sections each week, keeping them in neat little file folders and labeling them with the date. I don't clip anything until I'm about to use it. I also hang onto the weekly ads for stores I use frequently, but only for that week. When I get a new paper, I throw out the expired ads. Here's Maggie helping me dig through my stash of coupon inserts.
2. I check Carrie's list. She and her team match sales with store coupons and manufacturer's coupons to get the best possible deal. She also keeps track of online printable coupons, which brings me to:
3. If it's not on Pocket Your Dollars and I need it urgently, I check Target.com's printable coupon section before I leave home. I tend to go through everything they have available when I make my shopping list, and keep an eye out for coupons I regularly use. There are frequently coupons for Target's store brands, so even if you're an "I buy generic to save money" type, you can get an even better deal with a minimal amount of planning. The same is true for the grocery stores' weekly ads. Generic butter and milk are good examples of things that are almost always cheaper with the grocery store's coupon.
4. Also, if it's not on one of Carrie's lists and I need it urgently, I check her coupon database. This tells me if there is a coupon in my filing box for something that's not on sale, and if there is an online printable. If I'm not picky about brands, I can usually get a better deal than paying full price.
5. I receive mobile coupons from Target via text message. These are usually similar to what's on their printable coupon site, but without the hassle of printing. Save a tree!
6. Rainbow has a double coupon day each Wednesday and some Saturdays. They will double the value of up to 5 coupons with values up to $1, with a $25 pre-coupon purchase total, so you can save $10. They also have a lot of store coupons and weekly specials, especially in the meat department. I usually try to put my list together early enough in the week that I know whether or not it will be "worth it" to do double coupon day. When I do, I typically save around 50%. Cub doesn't double coupons, but they accept manufacturer's coupons up to 30 days after their expiration date. Cub also has online printables.
7. I try to use what I have first, and wait for a good deal on something before I buy it, unless it's a rock bottom price. I also don't buy things I don't think we'll use, just because they are cheap or free. For things we've run out of, I use the Cozi app on my phone to keep a running grocery and shopping list. When I'm shopping with Dan and he wants to make an impulse purchase, you will often hear me say, "I think I have a coupon for that at home. Put it in Cozi and I'll buy it next time."
8. Last but not least, we broke down and got RedCard debit cards from Target. They save us an additional 5% on top of whatever I've already saved us with coupons, and we never pay interest because it comes right out of our joint checking account.
Dan has a variety of tips for buying electronics, DVDs/Blu-Rays and video games, but I don't really keep up on them. I just sort of nod and smile, and if I'm wanting to get something, I ask him to keep an eye out for a good deal. If you are ever in the market for a new computer, laptop, wireless router, TV, etc. you are welcome to ask him for advice. He also does freelance home tech support for way cheaper than Geek Squad, and he gets the job done right. Just sayin'.
What do you and your family do to save money?
1. I subscribe to the local paper and save the coupon sections each week, keeping them in neat little file folders and labeling them with the date. I don't clip anything until I'm about to use it. I also hang onto the weekly ads for stores I use frequently, but only for that week. When I get a new paper, I throw out the expired ads. Here's Maggie helping me dig through my stash of coupon inserts.
2. I check Carrie's list. She and her team match sales with store coupons and manufacturer's coupons to get the best possible deal. She also keeps track of online printable coupons, which brings me to:
3. If it's not on Pocket Your Dollars and I need it urgently, I check Target.com's printable coupon section before I leave home. I tend to go through everything they have available when I make my shopping list, and keep an eye out for coupons I regularly use. There are frequently coupons for Target's store brands, so even if you're an "I buy generic to save money" type, you can get an even better deal with a minimal amount of planning. The same is true for the grocery stores' weekly ads. Generic butter and milk are good examples of things that are almost always cheaper with the grocery store's coupon.
4. Also, if it's not on one of Carrie's lists and I need it urgently, I check her coupon database. This tells me if there is a coupon in my filing box for something that's not on sale, and if there is an online printable. If I'm not picky about brands, I can usually get a better deal than paying full price.
5. I receive mobile coupons from Target via text message. These are usually similar to what's on their printable coupon site, but without the hassle of printing. Save a tree!
6. Rainbow has a double coupon day each Wednesday and some Saturdays. They will double the value of up to 5 coupons with values up to $1, with a $25 pre-coupon purchase total, so you can save $10. They also have a lot of store coupons and weekly specials, especially in the meat department. I usually try to put my list together early enough in the week that I know whether or not it will be "worth it" to do double coupon day. When I do, I typically save around 50%. Cub doesn't double coupons, but they accept manufacturer's coupons up to 30 days after their expiration date. Cub also has online printables.
7. I try to use what I have first, and wait for a good deal on something before I buy it, unless it's a rock bottom price. I also don't buy things I don't think we'll use, just because they are cheap or free. For things we've run out of, I use the Cozi app on my phone to keep a running grocery and shopping list. When I'm shopping with Dan and he wants to make an impulse purchase, you will often hear me say, "I think I have a coupon for that at home. Put it in Cozi and I'll buy it next time."
8. Last but not least, we broke down and got RedCard debit cards from Target. They save us an additional 5% on top of whatever I've already saved us with coupons, and we never pay interest because it comes right out of our joint checking account.
Dan has a variety of tips for buying electronics, DVDs/Blu-Rays and video games, but I don't really keep up on them. I just sort of nod and smile, and if I'm wanting to get something, I ask him to keep an eye out for a good deal. If you are ever in the market for a new computer, laptop, wireless router, TV, etc. you are welcome to ask him for advice. He also does freelance home tech support for way cheaper than Geek Squad, and he gets the job done right. Just sayin'.
What do you and your family do to save money?
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