I love saving money.

As you know, we've been preparing for Vanessa-Kates arrival, so we've been stocking up on great deals. I'm a big couponer and money-saver, as any of you who read my other blog Momma Smells a Deal already know. While I have scored lots of deals on other things such as clothes, bottles, binkies, and nursing supplies, here are my diaper and wipes deals.

What you see:

(3) Boxes of Pampers Soft Care Wipes, 720 count each

Retail; 24.99 Each, Paid: 2.19 each

(4) Packs of Pampers Clean N Go, 60 count each

Retail: 1.99 Each, Paid: .50 each

(1) Pack of Huggies Natural Care Small Pack, 40 count

Retail: 1.49, Paid: FREE

(1) Box Huggies Sensitive Wipes, 64 count

Retail: 2.49, Paid: FREE

(1) Box Pampers Sensitive Thick Care Wipes, 60 count

Retail: 2.99, Paid: FREE

(2) Packages Earths Best Size 1 Diapers, 44 count each

Retail: 10.99 each, Paid: 2.50 each

(1) Package Earths Best Size 2 Diapers, 40 count

Retail: 10.99, Paid: 2.50

(1) Package Huggies Pure & Natural Size 1 diapers, 33 count

Retail: 9.99, Paid: 3.99

(1) Package Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers in Newborn Size, 36 count

Retail: 9.99, Paid: 3.99

(2) Boxes Pampers Swaddlers Size Newborn, 84 count each

Retail: 24.99 each, Paid: 4.86 each

(1) Box Huggies Snug N Dry Size 2 Diapers, 100 count

Retail: 29.99, Paid: 2.20

(1) Jumbo Box Size 4 Luvs, 180 count

Retail: 40.00, Paid: 7.00

Total Retail Price: 263.81

Total Paid: 42.97

Total Savings: 220.84

0r... 84% off!

These deals were found through various methods. Lots of them have been through the Amazon Mom deals and 10.00 off coupons, I've also bought a lot of them through coupon stacking. Many of the packages of diapers were bought by using either Target store coupons along with manufacturers coupons, and Kroger Plus Card coupons along with manufacturer coupons. Some of the free small packs of wipes were bought by pairing store sales with doubled coupons at Kroger. The Earths Best diapers were bought by pairing babies r us coupons with manufacturer coupons. You don't have to spend a lot of time to save money, just keep you eyes peeled and your coupons handy when you go out shopping. If you have store coupons for diapers, track down manufacturer coupons (they are much easier to find) and go see how much you will pay if you use both...you might be pleasantly surprised. =)

P.S. Theres an extra pack of diapers in there. A small pack of Pampers Swaddler Size 2-3. I forgot to write about them. Can't remember how many are in there. But they retail for 9.99, I paid 3.99. Oops!

"Splurging"

I remember a time (not so very long ago) when I had no problem whatsoever paying 69.95 for each pair of jeans that I purchased. My idea of couponing was when I was lucky enough to find a coupon stuck to the item that I was already buying. Sometimes I didn't use my fuel rewards discounts because I just didn't feel like it.

Ha. The idea that I was once that person makes me laugh.

Today, I am obsessive about coupons. Last night I battled a horrible snow storm with a fussy baby just to score jumbo packs of diapers for 3.50 each, and I spend hours standing over spreadsheets (you think I'm kidding...I'm not) in order to find the best possible way to stack coupons to find free items at Kroger. It's really a little over the top, it is. But the truth is, that I enjoy it. It's one of the few things that takes my mind of the responsibilities of being a Mom, a wife, a student, and well, a functioning human being.

The funniest part of all of this is how my definition of the world splurge had changed. A splurge used to be a coach bag, or a pair of diamond earrings. Now, not so much. I found myself having this conversation with Toby this week:

Me: You know, I always have different shampoos and conditioners and stuff because I use what I can get for free, or next to free with coupons. I think next time I'm just going to splurge and get the one that I really like.

Toby: What's that?

Me: Herbal Essences.

Toby: Oh okay. Is it expensive or something?

Me: 2.50 a bottle.

Toby: Hun, that's not splurging. It's just not free.

Oh my. I think think that I have created a couponing monster.

I heart deals.

So, you know that we are moving out soon, as in the first of November if we like the places that we look at this week, which I'm thinking that we will.

But here's the problem, our furniture sucks. Everything we own from our first place was handed down to us (after someone handed it down to them, which was handed down to them...). Our couches are, wait, were, white at one point. Now they are tan-ish and they have springs that hurt your butt. If you move you behind across the wrong part of the couch it might rip you a new asshole...literally. I'm pretty sure that the guy who came up with that expression had an old hand-me-down couch.

Our table... it's pressed wood, which isn't horrible. But it's also severely outdated. It's a light maple color, which pairs just beautifully with out grey metal and dark grey cushioned "modern style" chairs gone wrong. Whoever made these chairs was trying to make them look sleek and modern, but in reality they look like a bad prop from a space movie.

Our end tables are falling apart badly, our hand-me-down dresser fell apart when we were trying to take it apart for the move and it found its way into the dumpster. Sadly, it was the only dresser that we had. We were lucky enough to have wonderfully large walk-in closets in our last place. I don't think that's going to happen again. Our lamps will do, they work. But they are ugly. But... like I said, at least they function properly.

At least our bed works. It's a little outdated, but it's sturdy and strong. I don't mind it at all actually. Though at this point since we need new dressers, we may just buy a whole set on craigslist if we find it for cheap.

We've basically been buying all of the furniture we need from craigslist.

But, I've had my eye on a dining room set from Target for some time now. I loved it, but the table was priced at 99.99, and the chairs we 79.99 for a set of two. Since we need four it would have been 159.98. For a grand total of 259.97. Not happening. We're still budgeting here, we just really need some new stuff.

Well, I was walking through Target the other day and I thought to myself "I should go look at the table set again". And behold...the 75% off sign. The table was only 24.00! I was stoked! But the chairs were no where to be found, so I asked about the floor model chairs. They had a few little scuffs here and there, but nothing I couldn't fix.

Guess what?! They sold them to me for only 6.00 a chair! 24.00 for the whole set of chairs. I don't think you understand how happy this made me. I mean, I really wanted this set, a lot a lot. So, me and my 50.00 dining set are now in love.

Just thought I'd share. =)

I've been busy.

I hate that I haven't updated much over the last week or so. It feels like I have been super busy, but I don't know what with. I have had the last couple of weeks off of school, so maybe I was just getting the most out of my time off.

Anyway, so we have good news. Toby finally got a promotion, which will be able to help us out significantly. We should be able to be completely debt free (and in a comfortable financial position) within two months. That is such a relief. It also means that we are getting super close to having our own place.

Thank. God. We really need this. I figure that we will find very modest place to rent, and try to stay someplace cheap. We really only need a one bedroom right now, since Ian's crib is in our room and as of now, thats the easiest way to deal with his waking up in the middle of the night. That way, because we will still not be spending much money, we can still continue to save to buy our own house while still having our own space.

I am just so proud of my husband. Since Ian was born, Toby has done nothing but work his butt off to get us to where we are. And yet, he still comes home with a good attitude and always helps Ian and I out when he gets home. He is absolutely amazing. I'm proud of all that he has been able to accomplish at work. He has moved up so quickly in the company due to his hard work and good attitude alone.

The stress is finally melting away.

Money.

The older that I grow, the more I learn to hate money. It just complicates everything. It causes stress, and tension. And it seems so often that there are so many good, loving people who don't have any at all. I know that money isn't everything... but lots of it would sure make things easier.

Money complicates my living situation. Money complicates my hopes, my dreams, my future plans...and I don't even want a fancy lifestyle. I want a modest house, where I can raise my children, and not have to worry about putting food on the table. Someplace where we can focus on loving each other, and enjoying life. Maybe take an occasional vacation, or take the family out to dinner, order in pizza, rent a movie. In fact, an average middle class lifestyle is exactly what I want.

Things have been so tight lately. We really needed another car since our old one finally crapped out on us. So we found an amazing deal on a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, which was exactly what we wanted. It was a steal at one 4000 dollars. So, we applied for a loan. The bank turned us down, stating that we had great credit, but that they didn't give loans on anything over 100,000 miles (our car had 120,000). So, my wonderful grandmother gave us 3000, we put in the 1000 cash we had, and we have been paying her 300 a week for 10 weeks. We still owe her 150.00 because I had to cut a payment in half once when Toby had called off work twice in one week for being sick. So that, on top of getting royally screwed by ITT Tech, whom we owe over 5000 which we were never informed about...it's been a little rough. We almost dug out of it, and back to saving again...but it feels like a never ending cycle sometimes.

Then, tonight I had to go buy some last minute things for the boys birthday party, which has been another temporary extra expense.

I also found out today that some good friends of ours are having some very hard times. They have 9 children...yes, that's right, 9 children. 4 are his, 3 are hers, and 2 are theirs. So things are generally tight for them. Well, he has been injured and put on "light duty" at work. When he got his paycheck it was for less that 1/3 of what he usually makes. They are afraid that they can't even afford to make the 20 minute drive to the boys party, which they and their kids have really been looking forward to. We are going to drive out and pick them up. I just feel so horrible. They are good people, who work hard, and take care of their children. It's just not fair.

I'm doing what I can for them, but I'm broke too. I bought them 2 loafs of bread, a pack of cheese slices, a giant bag of animal crackers, and 4 cans of tuna tonight at the store. It breaks my heart to know that they may not be able to eat this week. I wholeheartedly wish there was more that I could do. I feel absolutely helpless when I can't help the people that I love.

Money sucks. It really really does.