If I could.....

If I could try anything new, I would choose.......traveling because I have not left the country (well I have been to Canada but it is so close it dosn't really count). I would love to experience new cultures, understand native customs and foods. I would be forced to be out of my comfort zone at times in order to speak and relate to others in another country. I have only been to 15 of the 50 states and want to see them all! Jason and I have a goal of taking a cruise but I also would love for our family to take a road trip one year and see how many states and sites we can see, together! There is nothing like experiencing the world (or so I have been told) LOL!

Saving the big bucks!

I am so excited about my goal this month: Saving Money! I am determined to save as much as I can on my grocery bills and was inspired by this video: http://www.wbir.com/money/story.aspx?storyid=76748&catid=92

I decided to cut coupons and check out all the local ads that come in my mailbox every week. I usually go to Winco foods and Costco once a month and then have random shopping trips throughout the rest of the month (mostly for snacks, dairy and fruit). Last month we spent more than normal at $500 + and I would like to have it be under $300 for most all the grocery needs we have until March 10th.
I saw that Albertsons was having double the manufactor coupon and went through the other store ads as well. I pasted the name of the store and the specials along with the coupons on each sheet of a lined notebook. Then I got our my monthly calendar that I keep on the fridge and wrote down meals I can make with the items on sale. We have a trip coming up to Leavenworth and so I need more snacks than I normally by.

I went to Safeway, Albertsons, Top foods and Summit to get some of their best deals:
At safeway I spent $17.99 and saved $30 on everything. I got 2 packages of Ground turkey for $4.99! And yogos for the kids 2 boxes for $1 to name a few of the sales there.
At top foods I spent $49 and saved $50 including 10 yoplait yogurts for $3.60 and 8 progressive soups for $9!

At Summit foods I got $40 worth of groceries and got kraft mac n cheese for $0.69 each and tomato sauce for $0.19!
At Albertsons I got $77 worth of groceries and saved $85! I got 2 bags of gold fish crackers for $1 and a box of pizza rolls for $.3o! I also got a free galon of milk after buying 3 bags of cereal.
I spent $185 and saved $170 for all the groceries I got. I was very happy to get so many good deals and hope it will be benefial this next month.

I want to be able to be a good stewart of the money that God has given our family and use my time and energy wisely to bless our home!