WIP Wednesday: DIY Clothing?

One of my many goals (fantasies?) is to start making, altering, upcycling my own clothing. I really don't believe that I have great fashion sense, but there is plenty of inspiration out there to help me along the way. Of course I'd like to express my creativity, but this goal of mine is also environmentally and financially motivated.

My first project: Rosa's Sleeveless Cardi (Ravelry link) from Emma Fassio Knitting (there's a pdf link to the pattern on the right sidebar). I did have to make some adjustments since my gauge is different, but hopefully it will work out in the end! I'm using a bamboo/wool blend yarn, so this little top should be a great layering piece this spring. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it before July! :)



Do you have any favorite clothing patterns/tutorials/ideas? I remember seeing diy-clothing challenges before, but can't seem to find them now.

Children Inspire Design

Today's feature on jasmere:


I am super excited about today's jasmere feature. I know that I will be purchasing at least one voucher to Children Inspire Design. I especially like the alphabet wall cards! I am planning on (hopefully!) organizing and decorating the boys' rooms this winter, so this offering is perfect.

So far the price is $18 for a $40 voucher, and the price will continue to drop with the more vouchers people buy. Plus, you're not billed until the sale is over (tomorrow at noon), and you'll always be billed the lowest price. Check out jasmere for more information.

Blessings,
Katie

P.s. I can say from experience that jasmere is a very reputable site featuring great products. I've already purchased seven vouchers in the past three months! :)

La Montanita Co-op

Today I went to Santa Fe for a whirlwind shopping trip. Thankfully, my mother was able to watch one of the boys! In regards to the other one, all I have to say is that bribery does work (when only used once in a while, of course)!

One of my new-to-me favorite stores is La Montanita Co-op. The prices are quite reasonable, especially the specials, and the atmosphere is laid back and pleasant--a welcomed stress-free grocery store! While shopping for produce I usually consult the Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen lists. For me, this helps with prioritizing what organic produce I buy while staying within my budget. If you happen to be in Santa Fe, I highly recommend stopping by La Montanita. Organic apples are on sale for $1.29/pound (beat Smith's $1.89/pound!), and I also picked up two-five pound bags of organic potatoes at $2.49 each. Both potatoes and apples are on the Dirty Dozen list, so this trip was well worth it!

Blessings,
Katie

I Heart CVS

Lately I've been getting some fabulous deals at CVS. It is by far my favorite drugstore, and right now it even tops Target for me (gasp!). If you're not familiar with CVS, there are currently two Santa Fe locations:

195 Paseo de Peralta (next to Sunflower Market in de Vargas Center)

511 West Cordova Road

I honestly have only gone to the CVS at the de Vargas Center since it's in a very easy and central location. All of the employees there have been helpful and friendly, and none have batted an eye when I pulled out my couponizer loaded with coupons. :)

If you're new to CVS, here are some tips to get you started:

1. Before making any purchases, be sure to sign up for an ExtraCare Rewards Card. It's free, and you'll get rewards equal to 2% of your total purchases quarterly. It also enables you to take advantage of sales that reward you with Extra Bucks.

2. Always scan your card at the CVS machine, usually located in the front of the store. Paper coupons will print out, usually for use that day. Today I received a coupon for $10 off my entire purchase, as well as free candy corn! :)

3. Purchase a green tag for $0.99 to attach to a reusable bag. Each time you shop, be sure to have the cashier scan your tag. Each scan gives you a $0.25 credit, which very quickly compensates for the purchase of the tag.

4. Be sure to check out weekly ads. Sometimes they come in the Sunday paper, but sometimes they don't (here in northern New Mexico). I haven't figured out any pattern to this, but sometimes I can't find the ad anywhere. When that happens, though, I just look online at www.cvs.com. There are usually FREE deals (after Extra Bucks) each week! I will try my best to keep my favorite deals for the week updated here.

To give an example of why CVS is my current favorite, I'd like to share today's trip:

Jergens Overnight Repair lotion: $6 (reg $6.99)
Purchased two, then used two $2/1 coupons from 10/10 Smartsource insert. Received $3 Extra Bucks.
Final price: $2.50/each

Colgate Total Advance White: $2.99 (reg $3.69)
Purchased two, used two $1/1 coupons, received $5.98 Extra Bucks
Final price: $2 money-maker!

Softsoap Body wash: $4.49, B1G1 free
Puchased two, used one $1/1 and one 0.75/1 coupons
Final price: $1.37/each

Brach's candy corn: $0.99
Purchased two, used two $0.99 coupons printed from CVS
Final price: FREE!

Batteries: $6.49, B1G1 Free
Puchased two
Final price: $3.25/each (pack of 10 AA)

After using my free and effortless $10 coupon, my grand total (including tax) was $12.71, with $8.95 Extra Cash. This essentially makes my total $3.93! I HEART CVS!

The Beginning of my Coupon Adventures

As I've mentioned before, the town I live in is quite small. There is only one grocery store, the nearest Walmart and Walgreens are 35 minutes away, CVS is 45 minutes, and Target is about an hour. Well, why does this matter? Lately, while I've been looking at coupon/frugal blogs, I am often envious of all the great "deals" others in larger towns can get by frequenting the sales at various stores. Then I remember that:

1. I often get stressed out while shopping on my own
2. I always get stressed out while shopping with my one year old and three year old
3. I'm not particular fond of driving 45 minutes to Santa Fe in order to get in and out of the car numerous times

I am, however, always looking for a great deal! :)

One of my solutions has been to focus of what is nearby, and that is Smith's. Like all stores, most products are overpriced, but since I've been paying closer attention to the weekly ads, clipping my coupons, and keeping a price book, I've been able to stock up on the bargains and forgo the rest (most of it, at least). For my local readers, I'd like to start posting weekly about my top finds in order to help out my fellow homemakers, as well as anyone who would just like to save some of their hard-earned money! :)

So, I'll be focusing on Smith's as well as CVS (the closest is located at the de Vargas Mall), my favorite drugstore. I'll occasionally be listing deals at Walgreens and Target. I haven't been to Walmart since I almost stepped on a dead kitten in the parking lot...I'd just rather not go there!

I currently have quite a stockpile of coupons, and it did take time to build it up. Here in northern New Mexico we may get coupons the following ways:

1. Sunday papers. The Monitor always has Smartsource, but for the P&G and General Mills inserts, you'll need to purchase (or borrow from a friend who doesn't coupon!) the Santa Fe New Mexican or Albuquerque Journal.
2. Red Plum: these are delivered in the mail each Tuesday or Wednesday. Most people throw these away as "junk," but there are some great coupons in them!
3. Online: try coupons.com, smartsource.com, redplum.com
4. You may also load digital coupons onto your Smith's rewards card--just fill out your card info, then select the coupons you would like.

I'll try to keep this little space updated as much as my life allows, so stay tuned... :)

Blessings,
Katie

Frugal Blogs

Typically, when I find myself having a little free time (ha!) I enjoy surfing around the 'net checking out all the great crafting blogs out there. Lately, however, I've found myself in new territory: frugal/thrifty/coupon blogs! I've been introduced to some fun sites and great ideas, although I do get a bit tired of the same ol' advertisements...

One of my favorite "discoveries" has been to this site: www.jasmere.com

Directly from the site:
"Jasmere seeks out lesser-known specialty retailers that deserve national attention. Our team of New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC- based shopaholics personally tests every product we feature, using jasmere's negotiating power to offer you an exclusive discount. But don't let the low prices fool you. Every merchant we feature on jasmere meets our highest standards of quality. You may not have heard of these websites, but you can be sure their products and services are the best around. We guarantee it."

Basically, vouchers are given at a huge discount, and the more people who purchase the vouchers, the steeper the discount. Credit cards are not charged until the sale has ended. I've already seen the price for today's sale go down within the past couple hours. So, check out this fun site, and if you're so inclined, purchase some vouchers for Maple Landmark Woodcraft. I've already bought a couple!

$50 Maple Landmark Woodcraft Gift Certificate for only $19 (and price may still drop)! Deal ends at noon tomorrow!


Here are some of the blogs I especially like:
Savings and Stewardship
Just Frugalicious
Two Frugal Friends

Many blessings,
Katie

Coupon Madness

During the past two days I have done things that I never thought I'd do. I'm not ashamed, but I would have never pictured myself being that woman at the check-out with forty coupons in hand. I never would have imagined myself dumpster diving either...Here is what transpired:

Lately I've been doing some modest couponing, but nothing too extravagant. I would check the Sunday paper (if we got it), as well as the Red Plum pamphlet that came during the week. If there was a coupon for something I would regularly purchase anyway, I would cut it out and save it in a drawer. After I started seeing savings, I started cutting out more coupons. I'm still limiting these to items I would actually use, but in terms of "more," I mean duplicates. I've started raiding my parents' newspapers, checking the local library's "free" bin on Sundays, and having my husband ask my father-in-law for the coupon inserts from his papers.

Then came the dumpster diving incident. This week I didn't make it to the library until Tuesday. When I looked at the "free" basket, it was completely empty. I asked the librarian about it, and she told me that it was just taken to the recycling bin and everything should be on top. So, it really was more like clean recycling-bin diving as opposed to dumpster, but I know I received looks from the patrons walking by while I sorted through the coupons in the library parking lot. I'm happy to report that I found what I was looking for! :)

Our local Smith's grocery store had a promotion today that all coupons under $1 would equal $1 at check-out. I gathered up my stash, looked through the store's flyer, then wrote out a detailed list of what I wanted to purchase. I couldn't believe it; here's what I got for FREE (the discount was higher than the sale price on these items):

Regular price: $20.29 My price: FREE!!!!!!

I also purchased the following substantially discounted when sales were combined with coupons:

I'm don't want to be selfish or greedy. I also don't want to become that hoarder on 20/20 with 500 bars of deodorant stashed in the garage. Here are some steps I'm taking to ensure that my couponing doesn't spiral out-of-control:

1.) Keep a price book! This way I know if a deal is really a deal, or if I can get the same item for less somewhere else (or make a substitution, use a generic, etc).
2.) Only clip the coupons for products we already use or for products that I could easily donate
3.) Clean out my coupon folder (I have one of those accordion pocket folders) weekly to eliminate build-up and expired coupons
4.) Have fun--there is no need to stress about coupons!
5.) Try to have a little more dignity--no more pulling out the papers from the recycling bin in front of the library (but I'll still check inside the library...)


I believe that I was pushed over the couponing edge today due to reading the following book earlier in the week: Retail Anarchy by Sam Pocker. This book is filled with conspiracy theories, colorful language, opinions and tips--about coupons and retail in the United States. Despite the colorful language, I really enjoyed the points made and fun had. I do recommend this book as much for entertainment as for ideas about how to use coupons.

Today I was that woman--the woman with one child crying and another eating a chocolate donut he was bribed with in the shopping cart. The woman who pulled out forty coupons. The woman who held up the line while a manager was paged to make sure everything was correct on the receipt. The woman who came back two hours later to challenge a discount not given on the receipt (and was rewarded $8 for it). The woman whose children grabbed shampoo off the shelf and squirted it all over the floor by the meat aisle (of course I apologized and cleaned it up).

Even though I was that woman today, I am proud of myself for being assertive. This is something that is often difficult for me and I have to work hard to do. I was polite and courteous, and the sales associates were helpful in return. It worked out well. I know that I have an important role in my family as wife and mother, but I don't get the validation of a physical paycheck for my stay-at-home profession. Today I enjoyed the feeling of adding economically to my household instead of blindly spending the funds entrusted to me.

Happy couponing!
Katie