I'm not going to say that no one uses coupons. The evidence is out there. We've all been behind someone in line with a stack of coupons - someone who appears to save piles of dough - someone who makes us wait because they can't find that-extra-special-$2-off-four-boxes-of-lean-cuisine one they came to the store just too use.
So I decided that would be my first bloggable money-saving move - find coupons! As it turns out, it's not so hard to *find* coupons, but it's almost impossible to use them...at least for me. RSS aggregrators put modern coupon technology in our hands...but, really, I would need ritalin to use them on any regular basis. Total savings: $1. Total time used...countless hours.
"really? how much do people spend?"
Two weeks ago, my generous neighbor dropped a off a pile of women's magazines that he gets because his ex-wife signed him up for them. I tore into an article with the title "Cut Your Grocery Bill by 1000's!" There were a few decent ideas inside, like choosing one week per month to live off of your pantry, but the big piece of news was how much MORE we spend on groceries than your average family of four. Yes, we spend about fifty dollars more than the average American family of four - and one of us is still just on breast milk.
I don't have to reflect deeply to know why we spend so much more. My husband and I both have a thing for good cheese and bread - even our two year old refuses to eat processed cheese - and I buy organic food for the little one. Organic food is generally cheaper at Whole Foods than at Giant, but I often end up buying it at Giant so that I can get more standard fare, detergent, and cat food without making two trips. I also lack the time and the inclination to waste gas to visit two stores.
So...my challenge is to spend the same or less than the average American family of four without giving up organics for my little one. I will keep you posted over the next three weeks on my progress and any resources I discover.
Here are a few I came across today...
http://www.organicvalley.coop/coupons/index.html?gclid=CJmpu6Xz2pACFQ8aHgodP1kcPg
Great site. You can print their coupons (a generous $1) for milk and cheese up to four times. Then get your own cheap mama and a few friends to do the same and give them to you.
http://www.stonyfield.com/
Wonderful if your kid/kids are still eating Yo Baby (or if you're hooked on it b/c it's a lot better than the nasty diet stuff you're accustomed to). The problem here is that you can only print the coupons once. Again, get your cheap mama and your neighbors or whomever you can beg from easily to hook you up.
http://www.organiccoupons.org/
Mostly things you don't need, but still worth looking at...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
And so it began...
The thing was, I really kind of needed a present that year. Huge Christmas shopping bills and staring down the throat of what sounded like a luxoriously long maternity leave...a long, unpaid maternity leave. As I tallied up all the things I'd rather have gotten for Christmas, all the things I'd like to spend money on while I was home, it all just seemed a little dire.
And yes, you can hate me for writing this crap. I had two healthy kids, a house a lovely part of the city, a wonderful husband, and a gift for losing baby weight at a celebrity-like speed. So this all just makes me sound inane and materialistic. But, then, weren't all a little inane and materialistic back in '08?
My husband, who had lived through a revolution and a war and rationing of all kinds of things had little tolerance for my suffering. So I went to my brother, the management consultant. Drawing the line at anything that involved throwing a party at which my friends would feel like they needed to buy something useless(someone's crappy homemade jewelry, Arbonne skin care, Tupperware, god-forbid the Pampered Chef)I took up his suggestion to start a blog.
And yes, you can hate me for writing this crap. I had two healthy kids, a house a lovely part of the city, a wonderful husband, and a gift for losing baby weight at a celebrity-like speed. So this all just makes me sound inane and materialistic. But, then, weren't all a little inane and materialistic back in '08?
My husband, who had lived through a revolution and a war and rationing of all kinds of things had little tolerance for my suffering. So I went to my brother, the management consultant. Drawing the line at anything that involved throwing a party at which my friends would feel like they needed to buy something useless(someone's crappy homemade jewelry, Arbonne skin care, Tupperware, god-forbid the Pampered Chef)I took up his suggestion to start a blog.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
What a year for recessionista mama...
The year began simply enough: save money while staying home with my kids. My first act was to return a light blue velour track suit from Talbots so that I could buy a pair of Merrels. An innocent enough beginning. Who knew where it would lead?
Christmas morning on what was perhaps the worst Christmas ever. Christmas has generally not been my favorite holiday. When I was eight my mom gave me what I was lead to believe was a Cabbage Patch doll. It turned out to be, as my private school classmates enjoyed telling me, a fake - what I would later come to thinkof fondly as a cheap knock-off. The rear didn't say "Xavier Roberts." Instead, it was the name of a woman in our parish known for inappropriately high octave singing in the choir and clever crafts at the Christmas Bazaar.
About twenty years later my boyfriend of about a year gave me a small box from Tiffanys. I hadn't even thought of the possibility of a proposal - it had only been a year, after all! As I slowly opened the box, I though about it and decided that yes, I would marry him. I imagined the look of joy on his face when I told him. I pictured surprise on my parents' faces when we shared our good news.
The box contained earrings.
The next year he gave me a gold necklace in a ring-sized box.
The next year we didn't exchange presents because we were saving for our wedding.
Then we broke up.
Two years later, my Grandma died on Christmas morning.
I'd spent the past three years with my Muslim husband. People often asked how we spent the holidays. After all, how should a lapsed Catholic and a beer-drinking agnostic Muslim celebrate the birth of Christ? One year, we fled the country and spent a dreary day walking around in the rain. The other years we pretended we would do nothing, only to get caught up in a holiday whirlwind most characterized by me barking orders about how to hang stockings.
This year was, however, extraordinarily bad. My father died on Thanksgiving. Three weeks later, I was told my second baby would have to be delivered almost a month earlier. Christmas perhaps would have been best skipped, but we sat as we always did, on the floor of the house where we grew up opening presents.
Only this year, my only present was a light blue velour track suit from Talbots. Something the saleslady (probably 90) assured my mother that her daughter who just had a baby would absolutely. love.
Christmas morning on what was perhaps the worst Christmas ever. Christmas has generally not been my favorite holiday. When I was eight my mom gave me what I was lead to believe was a Cabbage Patch doll. It turned out to be, as my private school classmates enjoyed telling me, a fake - what I would later come to thinkof fondly as a cheap knock-off. The rear didn't say "Xavier Roberts." Instead, it was the name of a woman in our parish known for inappropriately high octave singing in the choir and clever crafts at the Christmas Bazaar.
About twenty years later my boyfriend of about a year gave me a small box from Tiffanys. I hadn't even thought of the possibility of a proposal - it had only been a year, after all! As I slowly opened the box, I though about it and decided that yes, I would marry him. I imagined the look of joy on his face when I told him. I pictured surprise on my parents' faces when we shared our good news.
The box contained earrings.
The next year he gave me a gold necklace in a ring-sized box.
The next year we didn't exchange presents because we were saving for our wedding.
Then we broke up.
Two years later, my Grandma died on Christmas morning.
I'd spent the past three years with my Muslim husband. People often asked how we spent the holidays. After all, how should a lapsed Catholic and a beer-drinking agnostic Muslim celebrate the birth of Christ? One year, we fled the country and spent a dreary day walking around in the rain. The other years we pretended we would do nothing, only to get caught up in a holiday whirlwind most characterized by me barking orders about how to hang stockings.
This year was, however, extraordinarily bad. My father died on Thanksgiving. Three weeks later, I was told my second baby would have to be delivered almost a month earlier. Christmas perhaps would have been best skipped, but we sat as we always did, on the floor of the house where we grew up opening presents.
Only this year, my only present was a light blue velour track suit from Talbots. Something the saleslady (probably 90) assured my mother that her daughter who just had a baby would absolutely. love.
Monday, November 17, 2008
New York on the not-so-cheap
Posts about New York have not gone well for me in the past, but I'm willing to hazard it again.
As everyone knows, it is impossible to go to NY and not spend a pile of dough. Well, actually it is possible, but's it's really not as much fun. Still, here are a few tips.
1. Stay at the Library Hotel. The rooms begin at about $300, but include twenty-four hour a day access to a fantastic roof terrace. The rate also includes a proper New York breakfast, an evening coffee hour, and round-the-clock snacks and cappucino. Breakfast, cocktails, and coffee in the city can easily run $100/day for two.
2. Dine at Balthazaar. Really. This trendy (well, not as trendy as it once was) eatery has Philly prices! Cocktails, wine, and dinner for under $150!
3. Shop for men's clothes. It seems that while we women have a hard time staying out of the stores even during bad economic times, men have stopped shopping. My husband picked up six great items for our upcoming move for about $100.
4. Window shop at Tiffany's, but purchase items from estate dealers in the diamond district.
As everyone knows, it is impossible to go to NY and not spend a pile of dough. Well, actually it is possible, but's it's really not as much fun. Still, here are a few tips.
1. Stay at the Library Hotel. The rooms begin at about $300, but include twenty-four hour a day access to a fantastic roof terrace. The rate also includes a proper New York breakfast, an evening coffee hour, and round-the-clock snacks and cappucino. Breakfast, cocktails, and coffee in the city can easily run $100/day for two.
2. Dine at Balthazaar. Really. This trendy (well, not as trendy as it once was) eatery has Philly prices! Cocktails, wine, and dinner for under $150!
3. Shop for men's clothes. It seems that while we women have a hard time staying out of the stores even during bad economic times, men have stopped shopping. My husband picked up six great items for our upcoming move for about $100.
4. Window shop at Tiffany's, but purchase items from estate dealers in the diamond district.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The bandwagon
I just love seeing everyone go frugal as well. Seems like every day there's a new tip on yahoo or the like.
Right now we're selling our stuff like crazy trying to get ready for the move. A pair of maternity jeans I bought on ebay for $50 just sold for $58. Kind of warms my heart!
When you are selling something on ebay, it is helpful to have two user names so that you can drive bids up a little. I was somewhat disheartened to see two cashmere sweaters going for $1, so I drove it up to $10 - nothing unethical, considering that I spent close to $100 on them. Sigh.
Right now we're selling our stuff like crazy trying to get ready for the move. A pair of maternity jeans I bought on ebay for $50 just sold for $58. Kind of warms my heart!
When you are selling something on ebay, it is helpful to have two user names so that you can drive bids up a little. I was somewhat disheartened to see two cashmere sweaters going for $1, so I drove it up to $10 - nothing unethical, considering that I spent close to $100 on them. Sigh.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Fun in the Fall Sun
Ah...Fall...hayrides, ponyrides, apple picking. We just came back from our annual fall apple run. We had a great time and I actually think the $120 ($6 pony ride, $18 hay ride, $60 in apples and pie, $10 on gas, and $30 on lunch!) we spent was fully worth it, BUT the rest of our fall fun will need to be much cheaper.
Here are a few ideas...
- Neighborhood fall festivals (pack lunch!)
- Trick-or-treating (homemade costumes are ideal, but the JLP thrift shop and Old Navy have plenty of cheapos)
- BBQing with friends in the yard
- Collecting leaves
- Enjoying the late afternoon sun in the park
- Any of the many great activities in Dancing Meatballs (www.dancingmeatballs.com)
- Going to the local farmers market
- Baking for our friends
And speaking of cheap...
Persian chicken
-2 lbs of chicken breasts cut in half
-the juice of 4 lemons
-1 half cup of olive oil
-a generous pinch of saffron, salt, and pepper (mashed together with a mortar and pestel)
-a grated onion
Mix it all up, marinate it for an hour or more, throw it on the grill. Grill a few tomatoes (fabulous to mix a few different colors/kinds of tomatoes). Serve with rice - Persian, if you can make it - http://www.recipezaar.com/124898. Will easily serve 6-8 at a cost of about $2 per person!
Here are a few ideas...
- Neighborhood fall festivals (pack lunch!)
- Trick-or-treating (homemade costumes are ideal, but the JLP thrift shop and Old Navy have plenty of cheapos)
- BBQing with friends in the yard
- Collecting leaves
- Enjoying the late afternoon sun in the park
- Any of the many great activities in Dancing Meatballs (www.dancingmeatballs.com)
- Going to the local farmers market
- Baking for our friends
And speaking of cheap...
Persian chicken
-2 lbs of chicken breasts cut in half
-the juice of 4 lemons
-1 half cup of olive oil
-a generous pinch of saffron, salt, and pepper (mashed together with a mortar and pestel)
-a grated onion
Mix it all up, marinate it for an hour or more, throw it on the grill. Grill a few tomatoes (fabulous to mix a few different colors/kinds of tomatoes). Serve with rice - Persian, if you can make it - http://www.recipezaar.com/124898. Will easily serve 6-8 at a cost of about $2 per person!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Perhaps everything is becoming cheaper
As you all know, I've sworn off shopping. Well, sort of. Except in case of emergencies. And as you also know, I've been in the midst of a jeans emergency.
Before I became I Recessionista Mama, I was a Cheap Mama. But before I was a Cheap Mama, I was a single girl. And, as a single girl, I though $175 for jeans was about right. I had a formula about cost per wearing, and it did come out to be cheaper than some other items that were far less expensive, given the formula. But, I just can't do that anymore. Actually, I'm defiant: I just won't do that anymore. Yesterday, I went to the Gap Outlet and found two perfect pairs of jeans (the right length - one for flats and one for heels, the right wash, the right material, the right leg - straight, not skinny or flared!) for under $70 total.
I also noticed that the Ann Taylor outlet had an extra 30% off of EVERYTHING, Benetton was offering 75% off of every (going out of business), and other stores had similar "one day" specials.
It's enough to make a girl start shopping again. And, I suppose that's the point. Which is why it's a little scary. Must resist the urge - I've come too far!!!
Before I became I Recessionista Mama, I was a Cheap Mama. But before I was a Cheap Mama, I was a single girl. And, as a single girl, I though $175 for jeans was about right. I had a formula about cost per wearing, and it did come out to be cheaper than some other items that were far less expensive, given the formula. But, I just can't do that anymore. Actually, I'm defiant: I just won't do that anymore. Yesterday, I went to the Gap Outlet and found two perfect pairs of jeans (the right length - one for flats and one for heels, the right wash, the right material, the right leg - straight, not skinny or flared!) for under $70 total.
I also noticed that the Ann Taylor outlet had an extra 30% off of EVERYTHING, Benetton was offering 75% off of every (going out of business), and other stores had similar "one day" specials.
It's enough to make a girl start shopping again. And, I suppose that's the point. Which is why it's a little scary. Must resist the urge - I've come too far!!!
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