saving some mula

I've been hearing about this whole couponing thing for a while now and I decided to try my hand at it. It seemed like a lot of work. To be honest I thought I was going to spend hours hunched over with my fingers stuffed into a pair of scissors cutting out every coupon I could find. The truth is it wasn't like that at all. I decided to take a trial run and it worked out fabulously! I got $70 worth of groceries for $38.70! Nice!

The Loot:

2x NY Texas Toast
2x Ruffles Chips
2x Oral B Toothbrush
2x Dove Deodorant
1 Colgate Toothpaste
1 Publix Whipped Butter
1 Lays Dip
2x Kraft Dressing
2x Orville Popcorn
2x Johnsanville Brats
2x Redbaron Singles Pizza
2x Barilla Pasta

Vendor Coupon Savings: $5.60
Advertised Special Savings: $24.23
Advantage Buy Savings: $1.98

I saved $31.81!!!!!

Total price paid: $38.70 (including tax)

I shop at Publix...I heart Publix! Basically the rule is: take advantage of Buy One Get One and then use two coupons, technically you are buying two. For example, the NY Texas Toast. They were buy one get one (BOGO) plus I had two .50 cents off coupons. So, they started at $3.29 a piece. I got two at buy one get one so two were $3.29. Minus my two coupons ($1.00), that means that two boxes of NY Texas Toast was $2.29!! How exciting!!

I got my training at Frugal Fun and Fortune.

It sounds daunting when you first read her instructions but it's not. The main idea is you take advantage of the sales and stack coupons on top of them. You then stock up your pantry and fridge so you don't have to buy any more for a while. Each week you buy less and less groceries because you stockpiled when things were on sale. The moral of the story is this: buy it now when it's on sale rather than having to buy it later when it's not.

Happy couponing!

Spoke too soon

I heard back from the insurance office assistant job. It's a no go. He hired someone that had more experience in the insurance industry. But, not to worry faithful readers, I have some other plans moving along. Substitute teaching, more office assistant interviews, etc. If all else fails I can always fall back on a life of crime.

Now for something completely different.

The Golden Globes were on last night. Can I just say that Ricky Gervais is my favorite! He is hilarious! But let's talk about what really matters, the fashion! Almost everybody looked great. I didn't see any dress that screamed, "I'm firing my stylist when this is over!".

Here are some of my favorites.

Cameron Diaz, red is definitely her color!

I love Tina Fey. Her style definitely matches her personality. This dress is so fun, especially with the red peeking out from underneath!

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski are such a cute couple. I'm loving the pink and blue combo!

Of course, Lauren Graham is one of my favorite actresses and she didn't disappoint!

Did you have a favorite?

Happy Monday!

the hunt

I am on the hunt. A hunt for a job! I graduated almost exactly a month ago and I've sent out over 50 resumes. I'm mostly using Craigslist, hidden gem on the job search front by the way. I think it's finally coming to a close. Hopefully!

I got an interview earlier in the week and today was the day. I think it went pretty well. Me and the owner ended up talking about his industry, insurance, for about 45 minutes. Pretty good I would say. I think he was impressed that I had some sort of idea about the business and business practices in general. [Thanks mom for owning your own business.] I should know something by Monday. Fingers crossed! I know you'll all be waiting with baited breath.

I would have told you all earlier but I was too busy last night to blog. By busy I mean I was too busy flipping back and forth between American Idol and Dirty Jobs. But you're saying to yourself, those shows end at 10p. Yes, but after that was Paranormal State and Celebrity Rehab. I know I know, reality television rules my life. And to prove it I'm blogging right now during American Idol. I just can't look away!

In more fun and amazing news...I might be working in London come August! For those of you who are not my family or Sarah, I studied abroad in the fall of 2007 in London, England through my university. I would say ya'll could all read my blog posts from the amazing 3 months I spent there but I accidentally deleted my blog a while ago. We don't talk about that.

Well....they posted on their website that they are going to have three positions opening up at the study center in London for August. Of course I am applying! I love London and it truly feels like a home away from home. I am super excited and I wish it was closer. So keep some happy thoughts in your head for me. I would appreciate it lovelies!

Happy Thursday!

sticking with it

I am not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions. I don't like giving myself an opportunity to fail. This year I decided to bite the bullet ad come up with a resolution. But, I made it super general so that I had lots of room to succeed.  So, this year's resolution is to simply be healthier.

This could be anything. I plan to eat better, no more McDonald's for me, and workout whenever I get the chance. You'll be happy to know that I am well on my way to accomplishing my goal. The Monday after New Year's I went to the gym and joined! And then the next day I actually went to the gym, and the day after that! Two days in a row is quite a feat for me. Today me and my mom went to Zumba. Has anyone else out there ever tried it? It's almost like a cross between a latin dancing class and aerobics. There is some great music and you really don't feel like you are exercising. Now that doesn't mean you don't sweat up a storm because believe me you do! But, if you just get it in your head that you're just dancing you don't start counting down the minutes until the class is over. We know we've all done it. I'm convinced that the only reason to have a towel at the gym is to cover the timer on the elliptical.

On the eating healthier front I'm doing pretty good. I have an app on my iPod that keeps track of my calories and exercise. You can program it with your weight, height, birthdate, and how many pounds you want to lose a week and it will tell you how many calories you can eat a day. It's super handy. It's also a little scary. I looked at some of the food I usually eat and was appalled. I'm surprised I haven't keeled over yet from a clogged artery. So basically this app scares you into eating better. Nothing like fear as a motivator!

How are ya'll's resolutions going? Everybody still on the wagon?

the final product

So...remember me talking about a desk my dad was making me. If you need to refresh your memory or just joined us you can read up here.

Drum roll please....

It's done!! And look how cute and pretty it is! Complete with chair and my baby (macbook). If you've been around long enough you've probably seen that all my "children" are electronics. I'm pretty sure I'm a closet technology geek.

Please disregard the open receptacle. I broke it when I was taking them off to paint and I keep forgetting to replace it.

But I have one questions dear internets. Should I put fabric around the edge to make like a desk skirt or leave it be? Decisions, decisions.