wee bit o'irish!

Copeland Savings: Part Three

Okay...last one for the day! (or rather night since it is almost midnight and I am still up!)

We have been beyond blessed with clothes for Eli and are so thankful. Lee's cousin (Hollie and Mark) had a little boy (Eli too!) a year before and gave us 3 or 4 giant gift bags full of clothes, socks, shoes, etc. Then my friend Angie sent me a box of clothes (15 lbs) from Statesboro from her little boy Griff who was born the year before as well. This (plus my shower gifts) have kept Eli clothed completely for 6 months. We really have not had to buy anything...except for the outfits I had bought him while I was pregnant...which still wasn't a lot.

I was starting to run out of my hand me downs and worried about what I would do for his spring and summer clothes. My cousin Kristin told me about this Consignment Sale in Gwinnett that was supposed to be incredible. Long story short, I ended up going by myself and RACKING UP on some deals. I was very selective....name brand items...no stains....most were new items or rarely worn items. Look at what I got for $65!!

My aunt Danielle is also letting me borrow Sim's clothes from last year...so literally this boy is set for Spring and Summer. HALLELUJAH!!! God surely answers prayers doesn't he? :)

Copeland Savings: Part Two

Here is my weekly menu for this week:

Breakfast: Waffles w/ Peanut Butter (YUM!), Cereal, Yogurt (w/ Grape Nuts), English Muffins (w/ cheese or honey), Bacon

Lunch: Tomato Soup, Turkey Sandwiches, BLT Sandwiches, Chips

Dinner:

Sunday: Elk Burgers, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Green Beans (already had this from last week)

Monday: Leftovers from Sunday (great thing about only having 2 people to feed)

Tuesday: Chicken and Vegetable (broccoli, red pepper, carrot, water chestnuts) Stir Fry w/ Rice (had other veggies left over from last week)

Wednesday: Leftovers from Tuesday

Thursday: Spaghetti and Homemade Meatballs (already have meat) w/ Salad (Friends over so no leftovers)

Friday: Mini Pizzas (w/ English Muffins) and Salad (already have pizza toppings)

I also went to Kroger today (it really wasn't that bad going to two grocery stores b/c I knew exactly what I needed and was quick). Here is what I got:

BOGO: Bacon (put one in the freezer)

Sale Items: (using Kroger card) Yogurt (5), Perdue Chicken (GREAT SALE! $2.50), Deli Turkey Meat (.5lb), Wheat Bread, Diced Tomatoes, Cheese Slices

Coupon Items: Baby Food, Butter, Cottonelle TP (one of my best deals - was on sale for $6.99 but I had $2.00 in coupons - 12 pk), DH Cake Mix (FREE!)

Other: Milk, Ginger Ale, Broccoli, Romaine Lettuce

All this for $37.24!! I saved $18.80!!


The savings will get better and better each week as I learn the process and get more coupons in my stash. Remember, check out Leigh Ann's blog and she will teach the you the process. Let me know if you have any questions!! I hope everyone starts saving! :)

Copeland Savings: Part One

I am a girl on a mission!! Watch out...here I come! haha

Our finances have taken a beating this year with me getting laid off and losing our great insurance coverage (WHEN I WAS ON MATERNITY LEAVE!!), the pay cuts from Lee's company and the addition of little man. Lee is working extra side jobs and I have taken on a couple extra side jobs...but I still thought we could do more to help with our budget. I have read some blogs and done some (mini) research on cutting coupons...but was terrified! I was scared of not doing it right and then getting to the register and having the cashier glare at me for wasting her time. One of my friends from high school, Leigh Ann, is a pro at this and started a blog giving all of us "first timers" tips and advice. You should check out her blog Half Baked - it really tells you what to do step by step.

I followed her directions and got my Sunday paper early on Saturday afternoon. I thought it would take me forever but it wasn't that bad. I don't have a 3 ring binder yet and clear sleeves to put all my coupons in so I just took 2 ziplock bags and labeled them "FOOD" and "HOUSEHOLD" - coupons are fine in there for the time being. I knew it would be best for me to start small and focus on 2 stores - Kroger (where I normally shop) and Publix. I planned my menu for the week based on what I already have here and what was on sale at the two stores. I tried to find things that were on sale and then had a coupon for - double savings! I was so excited and boy did I do GREAT on my first trip!

Here is what I got at Publix:

They have select items each week for BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) and alot of those items this week were things that we eat. **NOTE: I refuse to buy things we don't normally eat or like just b/c they are on sale or I have a coupon for. I feel like I will get discouraged and not get the satisfaction I need to continue this process each week.**

BOGO Items: Cheese Its, Honey Nut Cheerios, Lays Chips, Barilla Spaghetti, Bertolli Pasta Sauce, Kraft Dressings/Marinades, Thomas English Muffins

SALE Items: Eggo Waffles, Tomato Soup (4 pack), Viva Papertowels (8 rolls)

COUPON Items: Energeizer Batteries (for Eli's swing!), Gum (FREE!!), Baby Food (8 packs of 2), Ziplock bags

Publix $.01 item of the week: Tortilla Chips

All this for $47.01!!!! I saved $36.21!!!

Also - the great thing is that most of these items will last us a couple weeks so divide that value over two or three weeks and it is even better. Take a look!

Check back for my post on Kroger and my consignment sale finds!

Where Have I Been?

I know...I know...I have been a really bad blogger lately. Things have been tough around here the past month or so. I am basically working 3 part time jobs and raising Eli full time...plus all the normal stuff like cleaning, laundry, grocery runs, cooking, etc. It has gotten harder to work now that Eli is awake more and wanting to play. He still takes 2 really good naps (2 hours each sometimes 3 - 4 hours on a GREAT day!) but I have WAY too much to do in those couple hours. I have felt overwhelmed. Between training classes, data entry, quotes, client visits, conference calls, wedding planning, taking care of Eli...little else gets done. (maybe that's why I am behind on my laundry?? haha)

We have found a church that we love...Eastridge Community Church. It is about 10 minutes from our house and just what we were looking for. We have been going to the 9am service because that is Eli's nap time and he just sleeps in my arms during the service. We are going to start going to the Wednesday night service this week now that Lee's indoor soccer season is over. Another thing I am excited about is my new Ladies Bible Study group. We meet on Tuesday nights (my GIRL NIGHT!!) and are finishing up the Priscilla Shirer study "He Speaks to Me". We are starting Beth's Moore "Esther" next and I can't wait!

Our 1st Sunday at Church as a family (thanks Jill for taking pictures!!)

Things are still the same with Lee's job....he is the last superintendent left and has been really busy with handling it all. It is slow for them but it is steady and that is all you can hope for in this market. His boss speaks very highly of him and his work...that is the reason he is the last one there. I am so proud of him and how he handles the stress and responsibility. I married a great man. Period. :)

Eli has also been sick for a couple weeks....that is another post. An entire post. Ha!

That is where I have been the past couple weeks. I am going to update a couple more times tonight if I get the chance. I have exciting coupon/savings stories and Eli turned 6 months old on Friday. Check back!