Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Living Well On Less: Emma's Dilemma With Coupons

Coupons...Oh, Coupons
Why I don't use them often. And other days, I do:


1) Rock on to the Shelf Clearing Coupon Queens (or Kings): I promise that I will never clear a shelf. There have been countless times when I am grocery shopping, see a killer bargain (with or without a coupon), and immediately grab 10 products and throw them into my cart as though there's a stampede behind me waiting to get in on the action. If you see me do this, take the time to watch me for the next five minutes (if you have the time). I can guarantee you that I will loop back into the aisle with the bargain and sheepishly replace the product. Probably because I've realized that I really don't need whatever it is. Most of the things I would want to clear the shelves over *like dried beans* rarely advertise coupons.  If you see one, send it to me. I'll send you some soaked beans in return.

2) I lose those flimsy things.


3) If I look at a coupon long enough, there's a good chance I'll begin to think that I need that product. Nine times out of ten, I don't. 


4) I don't get the newspaper. There are a few regular coupons out there that I like. The two that I ALWAYS see are for olivia's organics (however, olivia is getting sneaky)  and truvia. And I love both products, so I will use these coupons. But I print them out. From swagbucks:
A)

B)



C)
I like swagbucks. Each time you use a coupon that you print out, you get 10 swagbucks. Right now, I have enough for $25 to Amazon. That's pretty darn cool. Click the above link to sign up, it's free!

Like I've said before in different posts, my 'secret' to saving is cooking. That's really it. Sometimes it's a pain in the butt, and sometimes I really don't feel like it, but it really is worth it. And so when I do find coupons for yeast, truvia, or olivia's, I will use them. Other than that, I just watch for sales on canned diced tomatoes/tofu/nuts/coffee like a hawk. Ehh...hawk might not be the best description. Like a lucky hawk, rather.

So if I'm using a coupon, I probably printed it out. These sites are good, and I give them two thumbs up...so give 'em a try if you haven't already:

www.stonyfield.com
www.organicvalley.com
www.mambosprouts.com
www.swagbucks.com

Do you coupon? Or do you find that there's not a lot of coupon action out there for yourself? Raise your hand if you want a 50 cents off per pound of organic apples....those bad boys are pricey.

Any advice for a coupon novice like myself? I'd appreciate any and all help!


Sunday, September 25, 2011

Eating Well v1: Rinse and Reuse

I could easily spend an entire paycheck at the store each week. Sometimes I make excuses to go to Whole Foods when I really don't need to. Luckily, Brett is quite good at knowing when we really do need to, and when I'm just having WF hallucinations. (That alone probably saves us close to $1000 each year).But now that new school bills are looming in the very near future But now that we're living on one income-and we're living in our first HOME, it's time to get serious. And since I couldn't find many $60 meal plans that were healthy, delicious and vegetarian, I decided that I would create my own. Armed with three $20 bills, we will eat. And we will eat well.

Can I just say...this whole school and eating right thing is a lot harder than it looks. This past week was particularly rough for other reasons, but I need to get back on track because hint o' lime chips aren't doing much for me...nutritionally speaking, that is.

Also, I'm restyling Eating Well. Rather than dates, it's versions. I have no solid reasoning other than I think that I like 'versions' better. Y'know, v1, v2. It just looks more technical and savvy, and that's really what I'm all about. Technical and savvy. That's me.

You know.

Anyway, like I said...this eating right/living at school/inthecar thing is difficult. It's definitely doable, but it's tricky. There's plenty of this:

''This'' is a lid to a pot that I used more than once. For rice...and..for...pasta? So, at least they're similar. It's not like I'm cooking raw meat one day and alfredo sauce the next. I did rinse the pot...I just...well. I'll be honest. I didn't want to wash it. So I didn't. And I'm still here, and I'm fine. So. I'll probably do it again.




Did I just gross anyone out? It sounds like I'm more worried about justifying it to myself. But  I think I'm cool with it.


Anyway, this is what we spent: 58.97


And this is what we're eating:


breakfasts: peanut butter toast and fruit or berry smoothies


lunches: leftovers or salads with tofurkey and fruit


suppers:
-pizza on homemade dough
-seitan cutlets, mashed potatoes, veggies and salad
-two bean chili with rustic bread
-tofu and broccoli over brown rice
-pasta with salad
-tomato basil burgers on rustic bread with veggies




Am I alone on this dish washing reduction method? Speak up!


Share your link if you post what you eat! I love new ideas!


Eat well! 


xoxo



Saturday, September 24, 2011

whattaweek!

How do you jump back into blogging after a long, long, break?

Should I just jump back in? Y'think?

Eating Well will be back tomorrow, but in the meantime, I need to share a picture of my new kitchen. I am so lucky to have such a beautiful space, but even more blessed to have such an amazing guy who can create such a beautiful space.

Brett, I love you. Even without this kitchen:


This kitchen was a budget remodel, and I mean that. I don't mean, 5k. I mean...like...minus the new fridge that we needed to buy, this flip-a-roo was about/around/ less than $600. So. 


I dunno, but that makes me pretty flippin' excited.


Anyone else have before/after pictures? I wanna see if y'do!

xoxo
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