Expired Coupons: Wait! Don't throw them away.

For so many people, expired coupons end up in one place--the trash.  But, wait!  Don't throw them away.  Military families overseas can use coupons that have expired for six months after the stated expired date. 

If you are interested you can visit Overseas Coupon Program to adopt a base.

Some suggestions for preparing your coupons are:

• Separate the coupons into two categories: food and non food
• Clip the coupons removing any edging. (This helps to save on dead space when mailing.)
• Get your community involved
• This is a wonderful commuity service project for churches, schools, or community groups
• Place boxes where people can easily drop off coupons. 

So what do they do with the coupons once they receive them at the base?

Well, volunteers sort through them and place them on tables at the entrances to the exhange and commissary so that shoppers can choose the ones they like before shopping. 

Is the postage tax-deductible?

Mailing the coupons is not tax-deductible, but rather a wonderful way to help other families.

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Just a few resources

When I first began making adjustments to living on one income, I first began using coupons, lists, and sticking to the buget.  Then as time progressed, I started to become more aware off all the assistance that is available to help individuals and families spend frugally. 

So I thought I would share with you just some of the resources that I use to help me with being more frugal minded.

BLOGS

There are several frugal blogs that I follow that provide daily deal updates. The ones that I regularly follow are:

Thrifty Tiff

Frugal Coupon Living

Bargain Briana 

Coupon Cravings

Fiddledeedee! 

Money Saving Mom

The Prudent Patron

Keeping the Kingdom First

A Proverbs Wife

Store Sites

There are several stores that provide coupons if you visit their site such as:

Target--The good thing about Target is that you can combine one of their store coupons with a manufacturer coupon

CVS

Food Lion

Publix--Publix accepts competitor store coupons to use in conjunction with a manufacturer coupon

BABY

If you have a baby, I would also recommend that you sign up for the baby programs at:

Winn Dixie

Publix

Food Lion

They often mail out coupons for items such as formula, baby food, etc.

Printable Coupons

Other printable online sites are

Coupon.com

Red Plum

Discounts

Often stores offer discounts for all sorts of groups such as students, seniors, or military.  If they do not have  a sign posted, ask the cashier.

There are several stores that offer military discounts.

Old Navy--1st of every month 10%

Walgreens--Tuesday of every week 15% off each item 20% off of Walgreen brands

Rack Room Shoes

Foot Locker

Hallmark--10%

I you have any good tips that you would love to share, please leave a message. 

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Living on one income

It has been almost three years since Christ spoke to my husband and I regarding my transition from the workplace to a stay-at-home mom. I will admit that I had several apprehensions at first. One of the largest concerns I had was how were we going to maintain our lifestyle on just one income. Just the thought of how we were going to handle our finances would cause me to begin stressing and I was still working. Even then, Christ reminded me to trust Him. With each passing day, Christ has continued to be our provider. As for me, In addition to allowing my faith in Christ to grow, I have learned to be more frugal with how I shop.

Now, I have never been the big spender type. I have always thought multiple times before I would spend my money, but that does not mean I was still spending wisely. Being on one income, I wanted to move more wisely with what God had given us. That led me in several directions.

There are several techniques that I have been using that have been wonderful not only for our family, but has allowed us to be a bigger blessing to the lives of others. Over the last year, I save more than 50% or more with each shopping trip. This includes food, baby products, clothing, and more. For example, in one trip to CVS I purchased 1 pack of Huggie diapers, 1 pack of Huggie Pull-Ups, 2 Fuze drinks, 1 Avenno lotion, and 1 ROC facial cleanser for only $2.98 after coupons.

Strategies that currently work for me are:

Plan:

Each week, I try to plan out what shopping I plan to do for this week. My shopping usually is revolved around my weekly lunch and dinner meal plan for my family and whatever great deals I may see in the Sunday sales papers. I have a list for each store that plan to visit along with whatever coupons may match the deals.

If you have children, plan to take your snacks with you so that you are less likely to spend money on food based upon their hunger. Plus, it is hard to shop when you have one or more little ones complaining about being hungry.

Coupon:

Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I used coupons here and there. If I had one great, if not oh well. Now, I don't go anywhere without my coupon bag. (Yes, I did say bag). Each Sunday, I purchase at least two newspapers so that I am able to get the weekly coupons. In addition, I visit the printable coupon sites such Coupon.com to see what other great coupons I can find. At first, I thought that couponing could not make that much of a difference until I started seeing the difference at check out.

Organize

My system has been revamped multiple times as I am learning what works best for me. As a mom of four boys, it is a rare treat if I am able to go shopping alone; therefore, I have learned how to organize my space and time so that I am able to shop and keep the little ones happy. I have created an organize system for my coupons, for my reusable bags, and how I take care of my stockpile of items. In addition, I have a corkboard that I use to help me keep up with the rebates that I have sent in.

Subscribe

There are so many wonderful blogs and websites that are designed to help you save your money while being able to enjoy the items you love to have. Instead of spending my time going to each site, I have subscribed to their site and get their updates in my email. This is great and simple for me. So when I have time, I am able to sit and go through what I need while not taking up too much of my time.

Rebates

If a product offers a rebate mail it off. Just this past week I received a $15 rebate from Olay for purchasing three of their products. I only spent $3.52 out of pocket to purchase the items that I already use but was able to get a $15 rebate making my purchase not only free but a profit of $11.48. Be sure to read the requirements carefully and mail it off as soon as possible.

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Transitions

My little one is growing up. At 6 months, we decided to let him try a sippy cup to begin the transition off of the bottle. I was simply amazed at how well and how quickly he took to it. When I first put it in his hands, I watched him look at it, look at me, put it in his mouth and then take it out. He knew it was different. Then after a few moments, he absolutely loved it. So much so that whenever I would give him the bottle, he would push it to the side. After about a week, he wouldn't even take the bottle at all. Regardless to how hungry he was, if his milk was not in a cup then he wouldn't drink it.

Watching my children grow up, sometimes it is easy to identify the transition they have going from the "baby" to the "big boy" stages. They let you know they don't want their bottle, but instead want a cup. They let you know they don't want a pull-up, they want big boy underwear like daddy. They will eagerly share that they can "do it all by myself".

Yet, sometimes we get in the way of the transitions that we go through as adults to lay aside those things that hinder us from going to the next level . We can miss walking in a new level of faith because we want to hold on when it is time to let go. We can try to hold on to that bottle, which may be fear, rather than graduate to the next step because at least we are familiar with where we are than to go to the unknown. We each have those areas of childish things that hinder us from growing up in Christ. It up to us to decide if we are will to grow up. When we are then Christ is always right there to help guide us through.

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." 1 Corinthians 13: 11 NIV

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No more armadillos

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5: 8-9 NIV

Devotional for March 1-7, 2010

Early this week while driving along, I happen to catch a glimpse of some sort of animal walking along the sidewalk. At first, I wasn’t sure what it was, but then much to my amazement, it was an armadillo. Outside of the zoo, I have never seen an armadillo in person. I was quite excited about my recent sight and even more surprised that it was walking about during the daytime. Actually, I think I was more surprised to see it given where we live.

Armadillos are interesting little creatures with their hard shells, strong claws, and a keen sense of smell. Although they are small animals, they can do quite a bit of damage. These animals are known to use their small claws and legs to dig burrows under all sorts of environments that are dark and preferably next to water. Given the influx of building, many armadillos have resorted to burrowing under sheds, homes, porches, businesses, even driveways. In an effort to find a place to live and to get to food to thrive, armadillos will enter foundation openings or create a space in order to have some place to live. Since these animals are poor climbers, it is quite common for them to fall inside of the borrow under a home, business, etc. causing them to become trapped which eventually leads to their death. This then results in a foul smell that permeates throughout the structure. When a home or business becomes infested with an armadillo, the appreciation value of the home decreases by 5 sometimes 10 %. This does not include the fact that armadillos carry the bacteria that can cause leprosy and salmonella, or contribute to a person or animal contracting rabies or tapeworms.

Unfortunately, we can have armadillos in our lives. We can minimize the impact of relationships that have begun to create a toxic build up in our walk with Christ by being distracters simply hiding those familiar spirits that have caused us to sin in the past. Our armadillos can be pride in which we find ourselves constantly focused on what “I do” and “If it were not for me”. The armadillos in our lives may even be the condition of our hearts in which we have allowed bitterness to creep into our foundation creating a separation between Christ and ourselves. The armadillos in our lives are simply those areas that seek to separate us from our relationship with Christ.

When we do not go to Christ or are obedient to His Word, we allow sin to come into the foundation of our relationship. If we do not repent, then those areas only become worsen and lead to other sort of problems. For bitterness will lead to anger and in some cases lead to hatred. Just like the armadillo not only creates problems but can inflect others, we are able to inflect others with our nasty attitudes, sinful mannerisms, and coldness of heart. It is up to us to decide to allow Christ to be our pest control and purge us of those areas that only will lead to more destruction.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, who is the source of all that I am, I am thankful to be able to call upon your name. Lord, I pray that you may reveal to me those areas in my life that separate me from you. Show me the relationships, the choice, the areas that lie within me that are distracters. I pray for wisdom to know when to move, who to allow in my live, and what decisions you would have me to make. Forgive me Lord for those things that I have done as a result of sin. I pray that you may continue to renew my mind and keep my feet on the path that you have set for me. Lord I pray that I may not be judgmental or condescending toward others, but instead help me to be patient and show compassion. I love you Lord, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Suggested Weekly Reading

Monday 1 Peter 5: 8-9

Tuesday Ephesians 6: 11-14

Wednesday Romans 6: 12-23

Thursday Ephesians 4: 26-27

Friday James 4: 7

Saturday Proverbs 2: 27

Sunday 1 John 1: 7-10

Application

Allow God to remove the armadillos in your life.

If you would like to receive these weekly devotionals, click here.

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Free Photo book for our Troops

As a military wife, I am always thankful for the opportunities that are provided to our troops. This new program is a wonderful way to brighten the day of any deployed loved one. Plus it is free!

According to the website:

"This amazing new program is designed to provide comfort and support for our troops stationed anywhere with an APO/FPO or MPO mailing address. You can make a 20 page soft cover photo book using your own digital pictures and send it to your family and friends far from home. Each free book can contain approximately 50-60 photos. The USO even pays for the shipping! It’s a $17 value, ABSOLUTELY FREE*.


Each book is 5 x 7 and includes 20 pages (additional pages available at extra cost). It's designed to be lightweight and fit neatly into fatigue cargo pockets. It’s a great way to share memories of home with those far away."

Click here to visit the site.

Thanks Thrifty Tiff for sharing.

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So in love

“37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22: 37-40 NIV

Devotional for February 8-14, 2010

In my mind, I can still recall that very first moment my eyes met with his. Oh, how handsome he was standing there smiling at me as if he had waited his whole life for that moment. Yes, I recall the butterflies that tickled my belly with excitement from the first moment we met, to the moment he professed his love for me, even to the moment I became his wife. Even now, that excitement still flutters when I hear him come through our front door. That excitement still flourishes each time I hear him say those three wonderful words, “I love you”.

Before meeting my husband, I really did not quite understand the love that can exist between a husband and a wife. I didn’t understand the connection that grows from that love. When my husband came into my life, I had never had any man love me so unconditionally that he could see my faults but still choose to love me anyway. I was/am amazed at how much love lives in his heart for me. Yet, I understand now that his ability to love me overflows from his ability to love God.

As people are preparing to celebrate or cringe over an upcoming Valentine’s day, I started reflecting what it means to be in love with God. People are going to buy all sorts of items to find that perfect gift that shows their love. Hallmark and American Greetings have hired all sorts of writers to capture those special words that convey just how much others mean to us. But when was the last time we gave Christ a valentine? What do we do to show God and others that we are so in love with Him?

Here in Matthew 22: 37-40, Jesus provides us with very clear ways to show our love for Him. We are to love Christ above everyone and everything else. Our love for Him should come before our love for our spouses, our children, our careers, everything. He guides us to love Him with all our heart or our affections. We are to love Him with all of our soul, or rather life. Out of our love for Him we will give our lives for Him in time, service, and obedience. Simply, we choose to live our life in His will. He guides us to love Him with our mind. Then out of the love we have for Him we are able to love others.

When we are in love with a person, we crave to be near them; to know all we can about them; to tell everyone about that special person. Being in love with Christ is no different. Our love for Him should cause us to crave to be near Him through prayer, devotion, worship, and praise. Our love should drive us to learn all we can about Him. To know more about Him we are to seek Him above all else. When we are in love with Christ, we can’t help but tell others about Him. We will want others to know the joy and the peace we have found in our Heavenly Father.


Prayer
My Heavenly Father, who is my creator, my provider, my healer, my director, my all—there just does not seem a way worthy enough to thank you for being who you are in my life. With each day that passes, I am in more awe over who you are. There is never a moment that you are not in perfect control over every situation. I thank you that you seek to have everything for my good. Lord, I am so thankful to be a receiver of your love and I pray that my love for you may grow with each moment of every day. Show me how to draw closer to you in every area and every relationship in my life. I want to allow my love for you to grow so vast that it touches everything that I touch. Thank you for loving me so much that you sent your son to die on the cross for my sins. Lord, your love overwhelms me. I love you so much, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.


Suggested Weekly Reading
Monday Matthew 22: 37-40
Tuesday John 14: 21-24
Wednesday Deuteronomy 10: 12
Thursday 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13
Friday Mark 12: 32-24
Saturday Deuteronomy 6: 5
Sunday Luke 6: 27-35

Application
Fall more in love with Christ and allow that love to overflow to others.

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