Tightening the belt

Like many people we are trying to cut our expenses down. My current project is my grocery bill. I've been surprised at how high it is since I'm a fairly careful shopper. I hardly buy any convenience foods, I shop around, etc.

So, here's what I've been doing:

1. Making a price book. This is kind of time-consuming but essential for figuring out which store to shop at and whether or not something is a good deal. The concept is explained here. If I can figure out how to share mine (done in Excel) I'll do that.

2. Cutting coupons. Ugg. I don't like doing this but I'm talking myself into it. It requires organization which isn't my strong point. Did you know that if you live in the Seattle area, Red Plum coupons (which used to only come in the Sunday papers) are now delivered to your mail box? This takes away the excuse of "I don't want to buy the paper just to get coupons."

3. Joining the frugal community. There are lots of websites/blogs to help you save money on groceries/meals and find coupons and freebies. A couple I've found are:
- Grocery Smarts - this site helps you find the best weekly deals at your grocery store plus links to printable coupons.
- Money Saving Mom
- Five Dollar Dinners
- Thrifty Northwest Mom
- Northwest Coupon Lady
- Centsible in Seattle
- Seattle Mom Deal Finder

4. Follow fellow frugal folks on Twitter. @frugalgirls @MomAdvice @Freebies4Mom are just a few.

5. Actually go through the grocery fliers. I'm embarrassed to admit this but I used to just toss the fliers, just to eliminate the clutter. Now, I'm reading them and figuring out what bargain shopping is worth my time.

What are your tips/tricks for saving money on groceries?

Workout music

Well, I joined a local gym. My physical therapist has been bugging me to get moving and I just wasn't doing anything at home, even though I have a bunch of exercise DVDs and a simple treadmill (which I can't set up myself) which is gathering dust. Anyone want it? $25 bucks and its yours!

I've been obsessively researching music and BPMs. What are BPMs you ask? Beats per minute - very important for working out. The right BPM will match your pace. I do a fairly brisk walk so I look for a BPM between 119 and 125. This website helps you determine the BPM and I've found some by just doing a Google search of the song title and BPM.

The right music makes *such* a difference. I get to a good pace and I can easily do 40 minutes on the treadmill.

Here's my current favourites:

1. Waterfront - Simple Minds - 119.4 BPM
2. Beautiful Stranger - Madonna - 124 BPM
3. Because the Night (MTV Unplugged version) - 10,000 Maniacs - 123.75
4. Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac - 123.27
5. Fields of Fire (400 Miles) - Big Country - 123.1
6. Praises - Newsboys - 121
7. Spirit Thing - Newsboys - 124
8. Even Better Than the Real Thing - U2 - 124
9. New Gold Dream (81, 82, 83, 84) - Simple Minds - 123.16

My playlist is much bigger but it is in flux - I'm adding and dropping songs all the time.

I'll post some more songs after I give them a trial walk. Get it? ;)

School boys

Both of my boys are settling into their schools and both of them love their schools and their teachers. My youngest, C, goes to preschool 3 mornings a week and his teacher was the "helper teacher" for A's teacher two years ago. A attends a Christian school (which is a 20 minute's drive away) and is in Grade 1. I'm doing a lot of driving!

A received the Student of the Week award today at the weekly chapel. I was so proud! It is given to one student in each class who exhibits a particular character quality. This week's character quality was gentleness. He was the only boy among about 13!

And to continue the bragging, A received his progress report last week and it was extremely positive! His reading was tested and he reads at a Grade 3 level - he is in his second month of grade 1.

I love my boys and I love being their Mommy.

Craft I made + links time again!

So, on Labour Day we were supposed to go the Fair but we found ourselves in a downpour that included thunder so we took cover in a craft store. How did that happen? :) One of the fun things we found was this, only bigger:I painted it and put a treasure map inside with pirate stickers - voila! a treasure box for my youngest.

C loves it! He put his favourite treasure inside - his stuffed guinea pig, hamster and mouse that he calls "The Guys!"

So, as usual, I have too many tabs open. Yada yada. Time for some link sharing.

Want to better organize your child's closet and help them pick out outfits, quicker? Here are some cool day of the week printables to help!

How to save money at Starbucks. I follow some of these tips already. Make sure to register your SB card - you save on syrup and refills of drip coffee.

Simple Mom has written this amazing article about finding motivation at home, something I struggle with. She also wrote this great series called "How to Be Disorganized and Unproductive at Home" - part 1 is called Don't Enjoy Your Job.

A fun mosaic craft to make, especially if your family eats a lot of cereal.

Now that the weather has turned (at least in my part of the world), I'm looking for indoor activities. Here are 20 good ones (none of which involve a TV).

Feeling overwhelmed? This post from Like a Warm Cup of Coffee was an encouragement to me.

Menu plan Monday (with links to recipes)

I haven't participated in this carnival in ages but since I'm starting some new routines now that school has started (and today is a holiday!), I actually have my menu list done on a Monday as opposed to some other day of the week.

Here are the main dishes we'll be having this week, in no particular order.

- Quinoa Chili

- Fusilli, Squash and Bacon

- Beef Stroganoff

- Chicken and Brocolli Pie

- Beef, Spinach and Rice

I saw Julie and Julia this weekend and in honour of Julia Child, I think I'm going to attempt her Beef Bourguignon NEXT week!

First day of school!

Well, we survived. I think it went very well. Daddy and I dropped him off this morning while little brother stayed home with Grand Dad (who has been visiting for the last week).Daddy walking him in.A in his classroom. He's probably thinking, "Mom, when are you going to leave?"

I think he's going to LOVE school - he thrives in a structured environment. My only concern is whether or not he will be challenged adequately. Time will tell.

And little brother? He had the best day ever - he got to play with his GrandDad all day - games galore and they built this incredible Lego tower together. I was amazed at all that I was able to accomplish today, uninterrupted!

Six years ago today.....

Alexander was born! It was a difficult birth - water broke 3 1/2 weeks early, it was Labour Day weekend but labour didn't progress, had pitocin, had to start and stop pushing since the OB had to leave (twice)for emergencies, epidural wore off, suction birth, he had jaundice, etc. Wow, I'd actually forgotten some of those details.
Birthday#1 - cowboy theme
Birthday #2 - ElmoBirthday #3 - Thomas the Tank Engine themeBirthday #4 - farm themeBirthday #5 - zoo/safari themeI can't believe my little guy is going to school on Tuesday! For the whole day, every day! I don't think it has really hit me yet.
Yes, he loves his water. :) No big party this week. We're postponing it until September and people are back from vacation. He will however, be receiving a present that he's been asking for since oh, 2006. We're such sucker parents that way. :)