Grocery Savings

OK, I'm really excited.  I discovered a blog, via a friend of mine, that is all about getting the most bang for your buck while grocery shopping.  Fiddledeedee.blogspot.com.  Now, I have been pretty good at clipping coupons, and working with a list based on a menu plan, but I always new I could do better.  We'll today I was really excited.  So here, was my bill, mind you I have not been able to get our grocery bill under $180+.

Total Grocery Bill = $145.42

Vendor Coupons = $3.10

Store Coupons = $3.00

Advertised Special Savings = $5.46

Advantage Buy Savings = $5.11

Total Savings = $16.67

Now, this bill didn't include meat or cleaning supplies but did include a rectal thermometer (we have a sick kitty and have to monitor it's temp, I know TMI), and Huggies Wipes.   I usually get cleaning supplies at Target because it is cheaper and they carry the green cleaning products that I use.  Yes, I am cleaning with all green cleaning products with the exception of laundry detergent, softener and dish washing detergent.  I haven't found one that I like, but I'm working on it.  I also have some bleach in the house in our hurricane kit.  Which came in very handy since 2 1/2 rooms in our house flooded with Fay.   But, that story is for another post.  Anyways, I know that I can do even better but knowing that I cut the bill by $40 which included all the organic stuff that I like for us, was pretty exciting and I just wanted to share!

New Start

It has been forever since I have written on my personal blog.  Our summer was so incredibly busy.  I had such hopes for a lazy days summer but that wasn't to be the case.  So, since our summer is quickly coming to an end, I decided to give myself a new start and give the blog a fresh new face along with this new start.  

Life is just too busy right now.  I keep trying to somehow streamline our schedule, get things so organized that the house basically runs itself, and just make things simple, but life just marches on and the merry go round continues.  I don't see life getting quieter since the world is not quiet right now but if our home could be a haven, a soft place to land for everyone, then maybe just maybe life won't seem so nuts.  So, since the summer is coming to a close, since the fall school term begins in a week I have decided to give this simple life at home another go.  How am I going to do this?  We'll that is what I'm working on.  Going back to some of the principles that I learned by reading Flylady info., and things that I wanted to accomplish in my 1,001 days list I'm creating a rough draft of things that I would love to see happen for us.  Then have a family meeting to get everyone's input and come up with a plan that we can all strive toward.  Now, I know it takes 21+ days to create a habit, I'm not so naive that I think this will happen overnight, but I really think if the whole family is on the same page we can truly make a difference in the way we live.  It's not just a want but a necessity.  I will keep you posted on our progress.  If you have any suggestions or thoughts on things that work or have worked for your family please send them my way.  I'm all ears! :-)