This and That

Well, obviously I didn't make my goal of my new blog by the end of July.  I have lots of reasons.  Most of them just being summer stuff getting in the way.  But I haven't forgotten and I will get there.  Hopefully soon.
Right now, I am exhausted.  Trying to coupon with 3 kids in tow literally makes me want to pull my hair out.  It is torture.  It never fails that someone gets hurt, someone has to go potty, all of them get yelled at, and someone whines b/c I am not buying them something they think they are entitled to. 
But, I managed to accomplish a lot before buying myself a frappucino (with gift card money) to make up for my misery. 
Deals include:
     Albertson's: 2 bottles of prego, package of tortilla, fritos and bean dip for $2.19.  That was my best. 
     Target: 20 pens free, box of crayons free, travel band aids/2 travel first aid kits free, Charmin flushable wipes free, GreenWorks laundry soap for $6 (.10c/load), plus a bunch of school supplies on sale. 
I love getting free stuff!  I have been signing up for free stuff online that they ship to you.  It is like Christmas when I get random boxes in the mail and never know what it is them.  The last one I got was a free dog toy for Zoe.  Fun stuff!
Anyway, in case I haven't sold my case for couponing, let me spell out some of why I am doing this.  My original grocery budget was $600/month.  This was after careful consideration of how much we were spending each month and includes toiletries, groceries, dog food, stamps, etc... When I started getting into couponing I decided to go to $400/month.  But I am still taking out the $600 b/c that is what we budgeted for.  I have been putting that money aside for special things.  With that money we have bought a kennel for the puppy, numerous puppy supplies, paid for all our extra summer activities like swimming, movies, eating out extra, etc..., used if for spending money on our family reunion, paid for our dog sitter while on our family reunion.  Plus there is more than I am forgetting. 
Here is my challenge for next year: pay for Disneyland.  Yes, hubby has decided the kids are old enough to go and he wants Bud to go before he loses that childlike wonder (he's 7). 
But as you can see, I am not enjoying couponing this summer.  Too hard with kids in tow, so starting in September, I am going to work extra hard to drop my budget even more.  I haven't figured out exactly how much money we might need and hopefully I will get a work bonus at Christmas to help fund this but this is my goal.  Pay for it in cash!  I probably have 9 months to do this. I am getting excited just thinking about it!  I love Disneyland and haven't been there in years and have never been there for more than 1 day trying to cram everything in.  Looking forward to the thought of spending a couple of days there and not going crazy with it!