My First Article in the Knoxville News Sentinel!

I've been freelance writing for several years now, but today marks the first time one of my articles has made it into the Knoxville News Sentinel. Yeah! The title is: "East Tennessee money-saving momma bloggers share tips." It was my opportunity to highlight the talents and contributions of several of the talented bloggers in our area. Unfortunately, I couldn't include them all, but so is the reality of print media.

Click here to read the article. I do want to clarify that I had asked them their "unique monthly visitor" numbers and what was published was their "monthly traffic" numbers. The numbers should be much higher for everyone (in the thousands to tens of thousands).

It includes profiles on: Living on More for Less (note: she recently changed her website and this is the correct link), Coupon Katie, Frugally Farming Family, Couponing in Critical Times, Knoxville Mamabelle, Frugalissa Finds, Knoxville on a Dime, Adventures in Momville, and Coupons are Money. Though not featured in this article, you should also check out Coupon Mommie, Sharing Savings with You, and Dollar out of a Dime. What impresses me most about all these women is the spirit of collaboration. Some might consider us competitors, but there is truly a sense of camaraderie among us.

I also hope you enjoy my video featuring a few of them below. Feedback appreciated.

Budget totals for Sept. & Oct.

I haven't been posting regularly about my budgeting, but I have been keeping track. For those of you new to my budget posts, this is the first year I've truly kept track of my spending. It's been a struggle, but I'm trying to keep on track.

My monthly budget of $800 includes all groceries, farmer's markets, u-pick farms, clothing, craft stores, dollar stores, office supplies, dining out, pharmacies, and big box stores. I aim for $500 of that to be in groceries and $300 for everything else. At the end of August, I was only over $11.13 and had almost made up for two months of excessive spending.

September was a tough month for me because we had several dinners out with our anniversary and birthdays. Just when I got out of a hole, I dug another one.

Here are my September totals:

• Grocery: $551.00 (saved $319.35)
• Pharmacies: $103.29 (saved $237.37)
• Dining out: $156.19 (saved $33)
• Other: $232.40 (saved $112.36)

Total Spent: $1042.88

Total Saved: $702.08 (40%)

Rebates received: +$13.66

Debt from August: -$11.13

TOTAL: $1040.35

TOTAL OVER BUDGET: $240.35

So did I do any better in October? Here are my October totals:

• Grocery: $622.83 (saved $351.61)
• Pharmacies: $58.71 (saved $245.77--81%!)
• Clothing: $53.00 (son's uniforms on consignment)
• Other: $94.20 (saved $71.67)

Total Spent: $828.74

Total Saved: $669.05 (45%)

Rebates received: +$57.81 (including consignment sale profits)

TOTAL: $770.93

Debt from September: $240.35

TOTAL CURRENTLY OVER BUDGET: $211.28

Though I'm doing better for November so far, I'm not sure I will be able to pull myself out of the hole with the holiday spending on the horizon. I think it's fair to give myself some extra for presents, but I haven't yet set my Christmas budget. I'm totally procrastinating. If you need some tips for setting and staying on budget for Christmas spending, be sure to check out Coupon Katie's posts.

Couponing for Charity 11/14-20 & Update #27

Hi y'all,

I've done a quick scan of the deals online, and I suggest if you're picking only one store, make it CVS. Nothing at Walgreen's thrilled me and I have no RRs to use up.

UPDATE 11/15: Having just come from Kroger and CVS, if there's one week to sit out on getting the freebies, this is it. Only go if you have RRs or ECBS expiring.

CVS:

For Southern Savers match-ups, click here.

For Coupon Katie's picks, click here.

For Coupon Mommie's picks, click here.

Sometimes, it's good to check all three because they can differ at times. I do have a few ECBs expiring; so here is my plan.

• 1 Blistex ointment: $1.59, get $1.50 ECB, use $.55 MC from 11/14 paper=$.46MM (Note: This was priced $2.49 at my store, thus costing $.99, and I didn't see the coupon; so I skipped it).
• 1 box Fiber One bars: $3.99, get $3ECB, use $.50 MC printable=$.49
• 1 box Puffs: $.99, use $.25 MC=$.74
• 1 Align: $29, get $5ECB, use $5 MC=$19 (certainly not a freebie, but I'm going to try it)
• I'll also use ECBs from previous trips: $7.49, $1.00, $2.00, $3.00=$13.49 total.

Total OOP: $15.78 plus tax

ECBs for next time: $9.50

Hopefully the kiosk will have even more deals for me; you never know! I'll keep all the deals but the Blistex. No good coupons printed. I'll be donating nothing this week. :-(

As for Kroger, I don't see any freebies this week, and I don't plan to head to Target either. Since I haven't updated my totals in a couple weeks, here's where I stand:

TOTAL PRODUCTS TO DONATE TWO WEEKS AGO:

• 1 Olay body wash (normally $8.29, on sale for $7, get $3ECB, used $5 MC when you buy Olay and Secret),
• 1 travel Secret deodorant ($1.00; with coupons and ECBs, both were FREE),
• 4 boxes Ronzoni pasta (normally $1.99 each, on sale for $.79, used $1 coupons on each = $.84MM on 4),
• 3 Campbells cream of mushroom soup (normally $1 each, on sale for $.49 each, used $1.50 esaver = $.03MM),
• 2 Campbell's chunky soups (normally $1.59, on sale for $.99 each, used 2 $1 coupons = $.02MM),
• 2 Colgate toothbrushes (normally $2.29 each, on sale for $1, used 2 $1 coupons=FREE)
• 3 Johnson & Johnson travel first aid kits ($.97 each, used $3/3 coupon=FREE; exact amount keyed in)

TOTAL VALUE OF PRODUCTS TO DONATE THIS WEEK: $30.92

TOTAL SPENT THIS WEEK: -$.89

TOTAL PRODUCTS TO DONATE TO DATE: 1 lotion, 8 toothpaste, 2 toothbrushes, 2 heat wraps, 7 lip balms, 3 body wash, 1 shaving gel, 2 razors, 1 lipstick, 1 multi-purpose solution, 1 candle, 9 first aid kits, 3 deodorants, 2 travel wash detergent packs, 1 cough drops, 2 pantyhose, 1 gum, 8 soups, 2 hand soaps, 2 tuna, 4 boxes pasta, 1 cold & flu medicine

TOTAL VALUE OF PRODUCTS: $175.14

TOTAL SPENT: -$7.79 (that's negative nearly 8 bucks)

What great deals am I missing?

Our Voyage on the Titanic

Last night my family and I were graciously invited as mommy blogging guests to enjoy the kick-off of Titanic's Christmas Winter Wonderland in Pigeon Forge. Every Friday and Saturday at 7pm through January 1, they will have real snow outside the Titanic. And my son Bobby, who ran after the snowflakes, can attest it is real snow that melts on your tongue.

Having never toured the new museum, I was very excited about the opportunity. Unfortunately, traffic was much heavier than expected, and our time to tour the ship was limited. I would recommend allowing 1.5 hours to go through the exhibit to really immerse yourself in the experience. I was impressed by the staff dressed in period costume and playing their parts as captain, stewards, and hostesses very well.

My favorite part was the grand staircase. It's a gorgeous replica with intricate woodwork. I've seen the movie several times and have fantasized about descending those stairs myself. Even though I had to take the elevator with the stroller, I did do a quick Kate Winslet descent on my own.

The kids loved touching the sheet of ice representing the iceberg and feeling the 28 degree water. "Cold!" Devin exclaimed. "Imagine trying to swim in that!" "No way!" he declared. Definitely the kid favorite was the "Tot-Tanic" display where they could experience the different inclines as the ship sank, sit in a life-size row-boat replica, and try to steer the ship away from the iceberg. Bobby spun and spun the wheel but still grazed it. Devin swears he missed it and was very proud of himself for doing so. I was running after Brooke at the time and couldn't confirm his conquest over big brother, but he can't stop talking about it. This is also where you can take a green screen picture that puts you on the grand staircase. I wish we'd had time to view it, but the big show was starting.

Out in the parking lot, the grand festivities began with choral singers, majestic camels and kings, snow from a snow machine, and fireworks. Brooke was starting to lose it since it was nearly her bed-time, but we rallied.

I would highly recommend checking out the museum when the traffic isn't at its peak or allowing extra time. Kids might do better during the day for the tour but then you could come back later for the snow if you're in the area. It's suggested you buy your tickets in advance since they do sell out quickly.

Oh, and thanks, Gabe, for the picture. Still can't find my camera....

Veteran's Day Parade: our experience

I'll admit I wasn't downtown today for the veteran's parade. I actually had a shoot in Market Square that I was trying to get done before it began. I even saw Cindi there with her kiddos; good to put a face with the name.

As I was heading back to the car with my youngest (not quite two), I stopped, turned around, and decided to check out the parade. She's not really at an age where she can appreciate this, but she took it all in with wide eyes and a furrowed brow. At times she was startled by the loud sirens wailing, motorcycles rumbling, guns saluting, drums pounding, and helicopter whirring but she didn't let out a peep. One of the nice qualities of kids at this age is that they often do just watch and absorb their world. My older two are so busy running around that they miss a lot. She's a virtual sponge.

I'll admit I did get choked up a few times, between the giant flag, the national anthem and taps. Probably what touched me most was seeing all those in uniform (active and retired) marching past. We talk about "the troops" but often the individuals serving our country are lost. Kudos to all the men and women who have made sacrifices for our freedom. And if we need a parade to remind us that they're all sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers, then that's money well spent.

Did you go today? What did you think? Sorry there are no pictures; still looking for our camera!

Couponing for Charity 11/7-13

My apologies for the delay. I'll keep it brief.

If you haven't made it to Kroger's mega sale (the same deals last week carried over to this week), go now. I'm skipping this week because I got the deals I wanted last week. I saved 51% and got lots of soup and pasta for free. I'll update my totals soon.

I'm also skipping CVS this week; nothing inspired me. I did make it to Walgreen's with all three kids in tow today because I had $12 in RR expiring today. Go here for all the match-ups. I'm thrilled with my deals.

• 2 Huggies Pull-ups (normally $10.49, on sale for $7.99, used 2 $2/1 printable coupons=$5.99 each; not the best deal, but we were totally out!)
• 2 Nestle semi-sweet morsels (normally $3.29, $1.79 with WC, $1/2 printable=$1.29 each)
• 1 Betty Crocker cake mix, 1 Betty Crocker brownie mix, 2 Betty Crocker icings ($.89 and $1.50 with WC, used $1/2 and $.75/2 coupons=$3.03 total; normally $10.36 total)
• 1 Similasin cough syrup ($5.99, get $5.99 rebate, used $1/1 coupons=$1MM)
• 4 Encore spices (normally $.99, $.50 with WC)
• Was also able to use 4 RRs worth $24 total from previous weeks.

Total spent including tax: $3.41

Total saved: $49.29

Plus I earned a $6 rebate.

Sorry, none of these are going to charity. Every once in awhile, I need to focus on the deals I need. What were your favorite deals at Wags this week?

Couponing for Charity 10/31-11/6

It's shaping up to be a decent week for deals. Once again Jenny at Southern Savers and Coupon Katie came through with detailing the best freebies for yourself or to donate. Here's my plan.

WALGREENS:

For Southern Saver's match-ups, go here. For Coupon Katie's picks, go here.

Transaction #1:

• 1 Zarbees children's cough syrup ($6, get $6RR, $3 printable=$3MM)
• 2 cans Hunts 8oz tomato sauce ($.34 each with in-ad coupon)
• $3.50RR from last week

Total: $.18 plus tax

Leave with $6RR

Transaction #2: SAME

CVS:

For Southern Saver's match-ups, go here. For Coupon Katie's picks, go here.

My Transaction:

• 1 Oral B stages battery toothbrush ($5, get $2ECB, $3MC=FREE)
• 1 Olay body wash ($7, get $3ECB)
• 1 Secret deodorant (travel--$.99; use $5 off body wash when you buy Secret MC=both FREE)
• 1 Ocean Spray cranberry sauce ($.77)
• Use $5ECB from previous trip.

Total: $.74 plus tax

ECBs for next time: $2, $3

KROGER:

For Southern Saver's match-ups, go here. For Coupon Katie's picks, go here.

I plan to pick up free or nearly free Honest Tea, Colgate toothbrushes, Campbells cream, chunky and select harvest soups, Ronzoni pasta, and Quaker instant oatmeal. Not sure how much of it I will donate yet.

So what's your plan for freebies?