Monday, March 07, 2011

Run, run, as fast as you can

People, I am overwhelmed.  Do you ever feel like your life is running faster than you and you can't keep up?  That's me right now. 

Two things at the top of my list right now are:

  • Homeschool the kids.
  • Learn to coupon.

Occasionally I am reminded that all this could be taken away.  I live in fear that Danny is going to be in the RIF (Reduction in Forces) this year.  Last year we watched several friends and neighbors make the switch from Air Force life to civilian life after being reduced.  Danny's year group is up agan for the cut. 

I am thankful through the last six children and their high-risk pregnancies we had the blessings of an excellent insurance coverage provided to us through the Air Force. 

Suppose that was it and there are no more high-risk pregnancies

Suppose I figure out how to be a Krazy Coupon Lady and can feed these nine mouths for pennies a meal.

Suppose I make bank with Swagbucks and never have to worry about school supplies again.   

Suppose I can move to a temperate climate where they allow us to have baby chicks on our property and a cow grazing on a grassy knoll that will provide fresh milk every morning.

In the meantime I need to learn how to coupon like a queen and save every last penny in case we need to buy a house next year-- and cloth diaper as soon as the size 2's run out for Peach.  (She's a sweet little peachy-haired fuzzball.  Good blog name, no?)

7 comments:

Julie V. said...

Just take it a step at a time. Remember to count your blessings and just BREATHE. Enjoy those awesome crazy kids...snuggle with little Peach (great nickname) and find something to smile about each day!

Mary Ann said...

Baby steps, baby steps! Take each day as it comes and don't worry about what has not yet happened. Our Heavenly Father knows about every need your precious family will have and is already planning to take care of you. Rest in that and trust in Him for strength for each day.

Blessings to you!:-)

Lisa said...

I don't know if you've seen this website before, but here it is anyway:

http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/

You can register and put in your address, and it helps you find coupons and sales in your area. By combining the coupons with the sales, you can get some stupendous deals. They also often have deals that you can buy extra Sunday papers--with the coupon section--or things like that; but it is not required. Before purchasing them, I would recommend asking for the coupon sections from ladies in your ward. Some of them probably don't use them, and might be willing to give it to you.

The next thing I'd recommend is getting a notebook with a bunch of baseball card holders. They're clear plastic and can hold multiple coupons in one sleeve. You can always see your coupons and keep them well organized. Then, organize it best for your brain, whether that's alphabetical, or by section of the store (canned goods, paper goods, baking, snacks, etc). Organization is the only way to keep it all together.

Lastly, give yourself some time each week for couponing. The coupon professionals say they spend up to an hour a week clipping coupons, organizing them, and planning shopping trips to coincide sales with coupons and double coupon days and whatnot. Time is money!

(I'm not a good couponer. But I've done some research into it. hope it helps).

I love Peach! What a cute name!

A. said...

I don't know if we'll ever have any more biological children, but who knows...maybe we'll adopt someday (or be given a surprise child by God ;) ). Point being, if we were ever to have more than these 3 kids, I would sooo need to figure out a better grocery shopping system. I'm terrible with coupons because most are not for organic products, and even when I have them, I forget them.

One thing I will say, I find alot of my itens online for alot cheaper. vitacost.com and other sites sell food too, not just vitamins. Or joining a co-op, like Azure, cuts costs as well and eliminates being in a store and tempted with impulsive buys. There is also Farm Fresh to you which isn't necessarily cheaper, but again cuts down going to the market and ending up with more than you planned. These are things I'm trying to work on for myself. I spend enough to feed YOUR family and I have 4 less people. Eek!

Rach said...

seriously....I have chicks...but I could use a grassy knoll where a cow could offer milk...although most of us are lactose intolerant..so that might not work. maybe I could get a big enough property to have rice patties...that could be interesting.

Couponing is fun, but it was hard for me to stay on top of it. Although it is probably easier on the mainland, than it is here.

Laurie HF said...

Last summer I was wishing for a chicken or two out eating those grasshoppers in the empty fields surrounding our house (yes, that picture on my blog is really where we live). I found that I somehow have to have the coupons with me all the time. I don't remember to bring them to the store and get them out even after I've taken the time to clip and sort. But, if I'm using re-usable bags I can keep the coupons with them. Love Peach, and glad to have seen her real name in the comment you made on Lisa's blog.

Leslie said...

I gotta get back to couponing myself. But ya know, I try not to feel too guilty when I'm not on top of it because that's just life. And you have a lot of life going on over there with 7 kids and homeschooling. Sure, we could all save more and be more organized but if we can't at this time in our lives, we just gotta focus on what we can do.

but if Dan does get let go from the Air Force, you can come camp out with us and help me raise chickens and maybe a sheep or two.