Coupons

Coupons. This will be my new project. Honestly, I'm scared. I have tried couponing several times before. In fact, I have tried several times. Basically, I hear some crazy successful coupon story (like someone being paid by the store because of their masterful use of coupons). I get motivated, clip coupons, then shop only to find that my coupons have no value to me. They either require you to buy five of a particular item in order to get 10 cents off, or I find the generic to be cheaper than buying with a coupon. I give up, throw away all my (by then expired) coupons, only to hear another super coupon story.

There has to be a secret I am missing. So, I am going to find that secret . . . and share it with you.

Work in Progress

I know my self-imposed deadline is up. Believe it or not, I have made a lot of progress on my notebook. I have been working diligently on budgets, investments, schedules, to do list, and goals. Throughout, I realized that this topic is not the best blogging topic. The information is so specific to my family that I'm not sure it does much good to post it for public viewing. (yes, I realize my mom is still my only follower) Plus, the information that someone else may find useful (aka menus and schedules) is information that I am finding to be a work in progress.

So . . . I will progress on my work by testing out recipes and menus until I have a monthly menu filled with healthy foods that I only have to shop for once a month. (like professional homemaker). I will also be happy with a monthly menu with semi-balanced foods, allowances for a pizza, and bi-weekly shopping lists. (like an amateur homemaker).

Since this will take some time, I will shift gears as I work on this and pick a new topic too. Stay tuned.

Home Planning Notebook Resources

I'm hoping that we are at the tail end of the sicknesses that have plagued us the last few weeks. Thankfully, its been nothing major, but having one child who is sick (even if its just a cold) is difficult. Having three children (two who have just turned one) is debilitating . . . at least when it comes to blogging.

However, a home planning notebook won't make itself. I'm currently trying to decide what categories are most important to me. So far, I have been focusing on: Goals, Budget, Traditions, Menu Planning, Vacation Check List, Weekly Schedule, and Emergency Contacts.

Here are some good resources if you are thinking about starting your own:

Organized Home Planning Hints
Home Planning Info from Passionate Homemaking
Basic Home Planning Notebook with Useful Section Ideas
General Information Found Here

A Slow Start to the Notebook

Motivation: check
Supplies: check
Ideas: check
Time: ummmmmm.....mostly spent at the doctor's office with 2 sick kiddos. As a result, my progress has been slower than I expected. Good thing I gave myself 3 weeks. However, I have found a lot of good information about home planning notebook. I will be sharing as soon as health is restored to my household. Maybe I'll include a tab about how to deal with two, sick, screaming babies . . . when you are on your own. :)