Couponing

Ok...I deleted my previous post, because I'm a moron. I admit it. Anyway, I wanted to share with you how I have been saving money by using coupons. So, although this will be a condensed version of my previous post, you won't know the difference, because....I DELETED THE OTHER ONE!!! =(

     Ok..here goes. So it's Sunday, and there are coupons to be clipped in the various inserts. I am not as good as those extreme couponers out there who are able to save hundreds and hundreds of dollars on their grocery bills, however, I am learning and I have been able to save some money. The little tricks I have learned so far, is that although we don't have as many options for grocery store shopping here as those in the Continental US do, it can be done. I have found that by registering your Safeway card on line at Safeway.com, you can 'clip' coupons that way--and the discounts are applied directly to your card... then you're able to use paper coupons you have actually clipped on top of those deals. That's one way to get around the 'cannot double or triple' rule that applies to most coupons. Anyway, it does take some research. I go to various websites, such as Coupon Mom, Mysavings.com, etc., where I can find coupons for a wider variety of items. In the Sunday paper, you will find weekly grocery coupons that usually are good for only a week or so. The exception is the insert that has RedPlum coupons in it, that have a longer time before they will expire. Also, I like Walmart's canned stuff. I mean you might care, but I really don't--about name brand kidney beans. A bean is a bean...so if it's 75 cents cheaper per can, it works for me. I draw the line at Mayonnaise though. Best Foods is a must.
Another trick to this whole thing is to keep your coupons with you so that when you are walking through a store and stumble upon an unadvertised deal, you may be having a lucky day by having a matching coupon for that item. Stuff on discount on closeout aren't usually advertised either, so that works too.
     I know this sounds like way too much work, but it isn't really, once you develop a strategy. I decided that I was going to attempt to spend only a certain amount of money on food and household essentials such as detergents and toothpaste. So, I put myself to the test about 5 weeks ago. I spent $300 on a couple of shopping trips, which involved going to several stores. I decided to purchase my bread from the Love's Bakery, and my eggs from KaLei eggs. Other things like fresh fruits and vegetables from farmer's markets or Chinatown. (only vegetables from Chinatown...thank you). Ok. So over the course of the last 5 weeks, I spent the bulk of my budget in the course of a couple of days. By adhering to a weekly menu, and sticking to it, I have been able to feed my household without overspending. By buying my meats at Costco and dividing up portions into Ziplocs, I have found that I am not as wasteful with too much left-over stuff. I have discovered that if I cook a big pot of something..like Pork and Peas, or Chili, it can last us about 2-3 days by eating the leftovers. Of course we pack a home lunch--sandwiches or whatever so we don't get overdosed on Chili. It works. Then I only have to cook about 3-4 times a week max. I refrain from running to the store to pick up last minute items...I have forced myself to be more creative with canned goods or boxed items that have been decorating my cabinets for awhile. What were they there for anyway?
     So If you do the math, I have been able to feed my family for about $60.00 a week...and if I wanted to get technical, which I don't so I won't itemize..it was even less than that, because not all of the items I purchased with that $300 were edible. I got toilet paper, deodorants, soap, toothpaste...and my favorite, I got two Reach toothbrushes from Long's for 49 cents by using a $1.50 off coupon with the purchase of two. I found them on sale for a buck a piece. I was very impressed with myself. So if the whole idea can be implemented for toothbrushes, why not for everything else?
     I know it can seem cumbersome and time consuming, but I had to think about what I wanted to accomplish here. By applying what I have been learning about couponing, I have been able to save money for other things. It's very very nice to be able to do that. As I learn more, I will share. It's a little trickier here in Hawaii, but if can can....if no can....lol. (inside Hilo joke)
Happy Sunday ...have a good one!

i deleted my blog by mistake

Sorry..I deleted my coupon blog...I'm not impressed. I will try to re-write it again later. dang...and it was good too!

The Journey in Hawaii: Work in Hawaii

The Journey in Hawaii: Work in Hawaii: "So as I mentioned in my first post, I arrived here on the island of Oahu in April 2010. I was fortunate enough to land a job with a local mo..."

Work in Hawaii

So as I mentioned in my first post, I arrived here on the island of Oahu in April 2010. I was fortunate enough to land a job with a local mortuary fairly quickly. Why would I want to work with dead people you ask? Well, to be honest, it wasn't exactly my dream job..I did not dream of corpses handing me my paycheck all my life. However, once I arrived there, and was able to leave there on my first day safe and sound, I realized it wasn't all that bad.
Coming from Hilo on the Big Island, for those of you who don't understand, let me explain. Things are done there in a kind of 'old school' fashion. It's refreshing, don't get me wrong--when comparing it to the throngs of people and the traffic here on Oahu.. However, having been there all my life, I realize now by comparison, that we were rather sheltered from new experiences. It was not done purposely by our Mayor or anything like that. It's just that the life on the Big Island personifies family and food, parties and high school football games, long hikes into an active volcano...I think you get it. To be frank, there's really not much to do in the way of festivities or culture. Not often anyway. Ok, which brings me back to the mortuary. I was really surprised and awed when I was exposed to all the variations the different cultures provide when saying goodbye to a loved one. Samoan, Filipino, Tongan, Laotian, Chinese Buddhist, Latter Day Saints, non-denominational, Japanese Buddhist, Korean Christian, 'Regular Christian' (huh? regular? anyway)....I have listened to Kahu and Priests, and Deacons and Reverends, and Pastors..etc...and I have enjoyed them all. I must admit that not understanding a lick of Chinese can get cumbersome, but watching the rituals is truly amazing.
Ok. I will tell you more about this later, because I have to go to work now. But before I leave, I would like to lend you some food for thought:. When we expire from this life, I truly believe that our souls..our very existence goes somewhere. I guess it lies in your beliefs where that 'somewhere' will be. Why do I know this? Because I work with dead people. They aren't dead though. What I am working with is the vessel which carried the person. The person went somewhere else...Where are you going?

Pregnant and 41.

So I mentioned in my previous blog that I am pregnant. I think this subject deserves its own blog. Or two, or twenty thousand. Where to begin? Ok how about the beginning? It wasn't that long ago, October 2010 to be exact, that I found out that I am expecting a little one in June 2011. I know, it's really not a big deal to the average person... so what? I'm pregnant. Join the other millions of women in the world who have accomplished the same thing, right? True as that may be, it is a unique experience for each and every one of us...I tend to think that my situation is as unique as unique can be, but then again I am biased and have self appointed myself as the Queen of My Universe. hahahaha. (I'm sure those who know me well would vouch for that statement..with an exaggerated eye roll, of course. )
     Anyway. When I went about having my first generation of kiddos, I never really thought much about weight gain, there was no such thing as saving your child's cord blood, and the thought of a 4d  image of my child nestled in my womb was unheard of. I mean you can actually see the features!! HOW BIZARRE!
     Ok so being 40 when you find out you are pregnant in this day and age of advanced medical technology isn't really fun. To be precise, it is downright scary. You are told that you have 'old' eggs. Therefore, you have to go through all kinds of tests to determine whether or not your child has Down Syndrome, or some other type of abnormality due to the old egg thing. After a couple of months of mentally preparing myself for a child with disabilities...which ranged from reading books, scouring the internet, talking at length to friends, my mom, the dog, and the postman, I decided that I had enough. I mean....with all the stress this was causing me for what may or may not be a reality based on percentages....yes, percentages....I decided it wasn't worth it for me. I knew deep down in my heart that I wouldn't terminate this pregnancy even if I were told that something was 'wrong'. I totally understand that there are those who would choose to go the termination route. I'm not judging you. I feel that every woman has the right to choose...This is about me, though, and what I think and feel. So back to that.
     We can give birth to a 'normal' child. We can raise that child and he/she can become the President, Homeless, a Stripper, a Cop...a Bank Robber..I think you get my point...so what exactly is normal anyway?
     Ok so I made the decision to stop the testing, and enjoy this new journey. I had forgotten the feeling of little thumps in my belly. I also forgot that I would not have clothes anymore. I also forgot that I have absolutely nothing when it comes to baby clothes and cribs and diapers and baby wash and swings and playpens and all of the little gadgets REQUIRED for the smallest member of the household who has suddenly taken up so much  space...how is that possible? Baby proofing? Really? Where would I begin? 9 months really isn't that long after all, is it?
     So I have been scouring the internet for coupons and deals. Of course I have this long wish list of beautiful pink things, (yes, it's a she) but in reality, I know I can't go prancing in the nearest Baby's R Us and plop down almost $200 on a car-seat/stroller combo. It's simply not going to happen if we would like to eat this month. So what to do? Well, there's Craig'slist, of course...and I do have my sewing machine. I also know how to pray. So I am confident that I will have everything my child needs by the time she is born.
     In the meantime, I think about how this new addition to our family will enhance our existence. I know there is a reason for her, and I embrace the unknown.
     The journey continues.

My very first official blog!

     So...I've decided to start blogging. Not for any particular reason, other than to be able to share little stories about my everyday life. Life in Hawaii, as i'm sure it is for anyone anywhere, is unique...to me. When I view the world from my little island in the  middle of this vast ocean, I realize that there is a big world out there that I will probably never see. I also realize, that there are people out there in the great big world who will never see Hawaii. So, I figured, why not share a little bit of my Hawaii with the world?
     I hail from the Hamakua Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii. I currently live on the island of Oahu..have been here for almost a year now. Huge changes from the Big Island. The people, the food, the TRAFFIC. I am a 41 year old mother of three children ages 21, 19, and 16. I found out in October that I am expecting my fourth child in June 2011.  WHOA!!! After 17 years, I'm doing it again. Talk about changes.You'll hear more about that in the near future.
     I think I have this urge to share my journey with others, because  I have felt like I've been 'on the verge' of something for a long time. I have no idea what. I have so many ideas..yet implementing them seems to fall to the wayside when life takes precedence. The bills, the rent, the kids. The list goes on, of course. In the midst of what can sometimes be described as chaos, I have a strange calm. A quiet prodding of sorts that is prompting me to take a risk. I'm not talking about suddenly taking up skydiving..no thanks...just some sort of urge to share. The fear of the unknown. The little happy moments that can define my day. The tears I cry when no one is around. The ability to maintain lifelong friendships. the list goes on and on.
     I have had losses. I have had tremendous gains. I have had to bury loved ones. I have had to say no to my children because there wasn't enough money. I have life. The sadness that comes sometimes is necessary. Tears are cleansers for the soul. The ability to get up every day and do it again, and hope that things will be ok. is an accomplishment. Don't get me wrong. I'm not being all dramatic. Let's be real. For those of you who sit there day after day and try to tell everyone that life is full of lollipops and unicorns, you know you're living in your own fake world of cotton candy fluff. There's nothing wrong with having to struggle, with being sad or angry at the world sometimes. The simple truth is that people do steal, and kill, and do harm. There are people starving, and losing their homes. Our economy sucks right now. But you know what? I'm not all about doom and gloom here. The reason I'm sitting here writing this in the first place, is because I have life. I am grateful for that fact. So, as long as I have life and the ability to share my thoughts with you, I will. If you are willing to listen.
....The beginning of my next journey via this blog. How fun. More about Hawaii later.