Don't Get Too Excited

Still no success story of monstrous grocery savings via coupons. But...

...remember my last post and the news of the little black dress for $16.99?  Well, here is the pic that I promised to post ...ummm...3 months ago.....(I'm on the right side very end).  Sorry for the delay.

And in keeping with the theme of Fashion for Less, I thought I'd post a pic of my latest steal.

I know.  They're beautiful.  And they're in style since apparently leopard is the new zebra. :) 

(Disclaimer: This does not mean I'm getting rid of my zebra)

How much, you ask?  On sale for $16.00. 

Yep.  Sixteen buckaroos and just my size.

Maybe I really AM a super duper frugal shopper?

(try saying that 3 times...)

I Have No Update

Today I update to let you know that ....well, I have no update.

At least not the update I wanted to have.  You know, the one where I could say I got $185.00 worth of groceries and only spent $35.00!

Truth is, I stink at this.

I gathered my enormously embarrassing binder and all my sale papers and headed out with good intentions and visions of a success story. 

I never even got out of the car.

Laugh, evil ones.  But I'm serious!

I got so anxious about messing up and what if I used the wrong one and what if they told me no and what if I dropped my enormously embarrassing binder and all the coupons fell out and what if someone got mad because I was too slow and etc etc etc.  Yeah, I know....I need serious help.

But I've decided that I am giving myself grace, and a little more grace.

I cannot start out as Super Shopper who saves 75% on her groceries (Although I want to).

For now, I am going to start out slow and use as many coupons as I'm comfortable with.

This is hard work!  And stressful.  (Remember...recovering mental perfectionist here).

At least I'm being honest.  That should count for something, right?

Oh, this site is not just about coupons (thankfully), it's about being frugal and finding good deals universally, so let me just brag about my cute little black dress I got on clearance for $16.99!  Yep.  It's for next weekend, so I'll upload pics after the dinner cruise. :)

Wow....feels good to get all that out.

All you super shoppers who have it all together out there, don't judge me.

After all, I did get a dress for $16.99.

Becoming Frugal

In my pursuit of all things frugal and becoming a better steward over what God places in my hands, I have done a couple of things already.

• Gave myself a pedicure....for free.  (saved $30)
• Colored my own hair.  (saved $80)
• Minimized my home phone bill.  (saved $45)
• Traded Directv for Netflix.  $8.99/month instead of $89.99/month
• Started clipping coupons and comparison shopping.  (I haven't actually used my coupons yet, but I will)

Now, don't get me wrong.  I LOVE a good pedicure. I may reward myself occasionally.

And my hair, ....we'll see.

A couple of friends are trying to get me to make my own laundry detergent.  I'm considering.  But oh, how I love the smell of Gain.  Maybe I'm a laundry detergent snob.

I will leave you tonight with a few inexpensive meal ideas........

15 Cheap Dinner Recipes

What have you done lately to cut costs or make your money go further?

You Can Call Me Frugal

Yes.

You heard me right.

I am on a mission to becoming frugal.

Ever heard the saying, "If you do what you've always done, you'll have what you've always had?"

Well, let me tell you this.....THINGS ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE AROUND THIS HOUSE.

I don't know about you, but our family has been affected by the economy.  Lately, "extra money" is not a term we are able to use. 

What exactly does FRUGAL mean? 

Let's ask one of my favorite places, dictionary.com:

• economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: a frugal manager
• entailing little expense; requiring few resources; meager; scanty: a frugal meal

This doesn't sound fun to me.  I would rather just shop.

Things may get interesting.

Feel free to join me on this adventure.  I'm sure there will be success as well as failure, good times and bad times, funny times and sad times.  I may get frustrated, excited, discouraged or just want to quit. 

Whatever happens, you can read about it here. :)

Let the adventure begin.....