Coupon Nerd

So in the last 6 months I have become a coupon fanatic....yes, I know it sounds silly to some people. I would have thought so too a year ago. Collecting and using coupons on a regular basis seemed like a weird "soccer mom" thing to do. BUT, I am all about good deals so when we started getting the Sunday paper I decided to give it a whirl. And I'm hooked. 

Not that anyone cares, haha, but I thought I would share my experience today. 

K-Mart does "double coupons" every month or so. They will double the value of manufacturers coupons up to and including $2. I am NOT a K-mart shopper usually....in fact, the only time I go is when they have double coupon days, but it is definitely worth it. 

We live on a budget, and couponing helps A LOT. 

Today I went on a K-mart run to take advantage of the double coup. days and this is how I came out.

Everything pictured above, which includes:

Dove Shampoo

Dove Conditioner

Suave Shampoo

Gillette Mens Shampoo

Gillette Mens Body Wash

ReNuZit Odor Eliminator Spray

Natures Source Bathroom Cleaner

Glade Carpet Refresher

Cling Toilet Cleaner

2 Satincare Shave Gels

2 Secret Deodarants

Cascade Rinse Agent

Nyquil

2 Fridge Pack Arm & Hammer Baking Sodas

Crest Toothpaste

Halls Cough Drops

Irish Spring Body Wash

2 Packs of Carefree Liners

4 Pk Soliel Razors

Thats 23 Items. Keep in mind these are all name brand items. The Dove and Gillette shampoos alone cost $4 to $5 each at full price.

Anyway, my original balance was EXACTLY $69.00 before tax.

After Coupons, I paid $20.18 total!! Heck yes! 

:)  I am proud of myself. 

Our K-mart doesn't have much available as far as groceries go, but most grocery stores around here double coupons up to $.60 anyway, so I always take advantage of that too. 

My Friend Susan is a coupon fanatic as well. She blogged about it once and I got inspired on how to best organize my coupons from her. It's frustrating to try to use them if you don't have a good system down, and hers works for me. 

At least I know SHE will appreciate this blog, even if no one else does. Ha!

(I don't think anyone reads this anyway)

Honestly, if anyone is living on a budget, or trying to save where possible, there is no good reason not to start using coupons. They are available, lots of free online ones & they come cheap with the cost of a sunday paper. Just give it a try. 

As much as Chris prefers not to do the shopping with me, he appreciates the effort to save. And in the 6 months or so I have been doing this, I have saved hundreds between groceries, medicines, and hygiene items. 

A Little Help Please....

Yeah, it's been a while, so I will just go ahead and explode on this one...   :)

Ok - I have a question. God has most definitely been teaching me over the past couple of years. I have been stretched in learning to love people who are experiencing real need (in other words, those who have obvious needs that aren't being met for them but that ARE met for most of us)....to the point that my passion has been multiplied for loving them. I have had opportunities to act on that passion through Chris's job in a big way. There are so many children and families that we have gotten to know that just need someone to give them a break or to tell them that we care or to give them a little hope or somewhere to just be a kid and have fun. I love that. 

Unfortunately, I have also seen a lot that I cannot stomach. I have heard comments and seen actions that are so degrading, so judgemental, so hateful, so hurtful....and the problem is - they have all come from professing Christians. 

Now, I know that these things happen. I know that no one is perfect and I know that there will always be mistakes....but I WISH that I was only talking about occasional situations. IT'S ALL THE TIME. (Ok, not constantly, but just too much for me to take). My stomach is literally turning flips right now thinking about how much it disturbs me. It breaks my heart because not only are these fellow Christians, they are often times people I know and have had respect for.

My questions is - what do I do with this???

For a while, it just angered me. It is unexplainable behavior in terms of our purpose on this earth and the call we have from Jesus Christ. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing and it just made me angry. (and obviously still does).

THEN, it made me resolve to do the opposite. I am not perfect by any means, but I want to be sure that I am not writing anyone off with my comments or actions. I want to give grace and opportunity to those in need. 

NOW, I am at a new point. I know that I don't want to be that way. I know that I want to love those in need. But someone PLEASE help me to love blind-sighted Christians! I know that statement may sound horrible, and I don't mean it to sound that way. I just mean it! It is a sincere question. I have been praying about it and asking for my heart to be changed, but it is NOT easy. 

How am I acting any better than the Christians who are judging and writing off the weak and needy if I am judging and writing off them???

I want to know how to love them. Sometimes I feel like I am getting it, sometimes I know I'm not. I don't think I can perfect this, but does anyone have any insight to help me learn?

I don't want to be a jerk and I don't want to be the extreme opposite of the original issue. I want to be like Jesus but I am struggling to learn how to align my heart in this area. 

It's kind of hard for me to write this, but I figured it was worth it if anyone had any good advice or input.