Clip It

Over the last two years I've spent more time looking for coupons and coupon codes.

I'm not a coupon fanatic, but I enjoy a good deal. 

I mostly look for coupons of items that we use on a regular basis.

Below are some things I use to help me with saving

Coupon Pouch

I use this little coupon binder or pouch to organize my coupons. 

I put in subtitles of items that I use most. 

My subtitles include:
Cleaners-for any cleaning products
Paper Products-paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, etc.
Bathroom-soap, shaving cream, razors, toothpaste, etc.
Medication
Frozen-any frozen items
Cookies/Chips
Breads
Canned Items-all canned goods
Cereal
Box/Bag Meals
Miscellaneous-sugar, batteries, cereal, etc.

I actually could revamp some of them because we no longer buy many box/bag meals; would rather cook everything ourselves.
You can add whatever subtitles would best fit your family.
It's super easy to change them out if you find that you don't need a category like I've mentioned for some of the above ones.

Couponmom.com

Go to couponmom.com and make an account.
They will send you emails daily telling you about recently added coupons or deals.
I get online and "clip" the ones I will use, and then they print.
Cut them out and there you have it.

Local Coupons

 I used to buy a couple papers on Sunday's to get their coupons, but I didn't feel I was getting the return for what I was spending, plus I had to drive 15 minutes to get that select paper.
I gave up buying papers for coupons and since have been getting coupons from my husband's work.
I'm not sure if someone brings them in or if they are leftover from the paper that his work gets each day.
Regardless, I love that he brings them home for me each Monday afternoon.
I only cut the ones that we will use.
On this particular day I was looking at some that would expire soon and seeing if we could really benefit from them or not.

Walmart Savings Catcher

via

Download the Walmart app.

Create an account if you don't already have one. 

Each time you shop at Walmart, scan the barcode or QR code.

It compares what you bought to other close stores, and if there's a cheaper price somewhere else, they refund you the difference on your account. 

This is SO cool and easy. 

Sometimes I don't know that there are cheaper prices elsewhere, and then I get an email saying I got $$ back. 

Receipt Hog

One of my co-workers told me about this app.

She actually won $100 using it!

Download the Receipt Hog app.

Each time you buy something, take a picture of your receipt with the app.

Then, it asks you some easy questions like who bought it and how was your experience. 

Make about 3 clicks and your receipt is submitted!

You earn chances to pull the slot machine. 

Depending on how you do on the slot machine, you earn more chances or coins or $$. 

I haven't won anything yet, but I do have enough coins to trade in for a $5 Amazon card.
Once you collect so many coins it allows you to trade them in for a few different things-Amazon caught my eye first.
I'm actually really bad at actually pulling the slot machine.
I take pictures of my receipts very promptly, and then I let all of the chances for playing the slots add up.
Last time I looked I had about 50 chances...

I'm still determined to win $100!

I'm not a crazy couponer, and there are many more people who could tell you A LOT more than I did. 

These simple steps help us to save, and it's kind have fun to guess which coupons you will find. 

How do you guys save?

I planned this post before I even saw Andrea's Show and Tell for January 24 .

Next Monday you should definitely linkup with her on how your family saves and what you splurge on.

Week of Workouts

I decided to document a week of my workouts.

I'm not a trainer or have any training in working out, but I love a good workout video or a nice relaxing run. 

I try to workout five days a week. 

I'm really a creature of habit, so I like those workouts to be on the same days each week. 

Unfortunately, that doesn't always work. 

This year I'm trying to go with it. 

If I get to workout, awesome, if not, maybe I will be more motivated to workout the next day. 

Here are my workouts from the Week of January 9.

Monday

On this day I had plans to do my Jillian Michael's video because I had run the day before; however, our internet was out. 

So, I did my own little workout full of dumbbells and a Bosu ball.
I usually do three sets of 10 reps.

Bicep Curls

Reverse Fly

Cross Jab

via

Bosu Push-ups

via

Tuesday

On this day I planned to run. 

Well, it had snowed when I got up and the forecast was calling for sleet and freezing rain. 

At this point we were on a two-hour delay. 

I decided to live on the edge and with about a half hour remaining before I would have left for school, I went running. 

It started out with no precipitation, then by one mile a little snow, then some more snow, then some sleet and by the time my three miles were up it was nearly freezing rain. 

I came back and did some crunches.
30 regular crunches
30 side to side crunches
30 in and out crunches

Wednesday

Today I was back at it with my girl Jillian.

I found this DVD at home a couple of years ago and started partaking in it randomly.
I seem to get really into it during winter and spring and then take a break from it.
When I moved I was so glad to find it online.
The workouts are in levels.
Start at Level 1 and work up to 3.

You can find Level 2 here.

For some reason I just enjoy Jillian.
She's hard core and determined, and I love that.
She always was my favorite trainer on Biggest Loser.

If you have 30 minutes, try this out!
It includes a warm-up and cool-down and you just need a pair of dumbbells.

Thursday

Outdoor run
Now, two days ago it was snowing and then freezing rain and we had a snow day.
On this day I walked outside in the morning to find it 60 degrees.
It poured and was super windy and by the time I was ready to run, it was done.
I pulled on shorts... in January... in Ohio and went for it.

3 miles later I was back home.

Friday

Fitness Blender Workout

I had heard of Fitness Blender a while back, but it seems to be popping up with a vengeance this week.
Our health nurse at school sent us some HIIT workouts, and Al and Shay have linked some that they've tried recently.
I thought about taking a break on this day, but I wanted to try out a video.
It's good to get out of your routine, and we didn't have any place to be on a Friday night, so I indulged in getting my sweat on after work.

Find the video I did here.

What I loved about this video was I didn't know what was coming next since it was my first time doing it.
I think our bodies get used to some videos since we anticipate the next moves.
This was a good change-up for me.
I liked the count down and some new moves.
Like many people have said, I do wish it had music!

Saturday

Outdoor run

Here I am stretching and getting ready for my mid-morning run. 

I typically like to go running pretty early on Saturday's, but on this day I had a few things to do inside before heading out. 

I have my leggings, socks, coldgear top, sweatshirt, headband and gloves ready to go. 

I always stretch inside in the winter. 

I do all of my stretching, pop on my headband and gloves and head outside. 

This helps me keep warm until my run actually starts. 

When I come back, I stretch a little outside to cool down and then head inside to cool down some more. 

Sunday

This is super rare...

I typically don't workout every single day. 

I don't think it's healthy for your body and usually there's something going on that requires me to skip a day. 

This week didn't turn out that way. 

With snow days and such, I've had more time to workout. 

I'm the type of person who just likes to move. 

I don't like watching TV. 

And I don't like lying on the couch. 

I feel like we don't move as much in the cold winter months, so to get in some more activity I went for a nice relaxed run. 

I came back and stretched a lot and then did some crunches.

30 regular crunches

30 side to side crunches

30 in and out crunches

A few winters ago I was training for a marathon and was following a training plan to a tee. 

I haven't signed up for a race since that marathon, and I'm not sure I will sign up for any anytime soon.

I simply love exercise. 

My body can't tolerate the greasy, yucky foods and I attest that to running for so many years.

In addition, I just don't feel right if I don't run. 

It clears my head and refreshes me. 

I'm one of those people who just runs. 

I don't listen to music or watch TV.

Like I said before, I really detest TV and hate the dreadmill.

I'd opt for layers and the outdoors any day over the treadmill. 

Enjoy your day!

I hope you get a little more movement in your day!

Friday Favorites: Random Winter Faves

Happy Friday!

This week has seemed off all week. 

I'm so glad the weekend is here, even though I feel like I get one every couple days with snow days.

Today I'm linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea for some Friday Favorites. 

Wedding Dress-All Cleaned and Preserved

After much prompting I sent my wedding dress away to get cleaned and preserved. 

It sat on our spare bedroom all sprawled out for a good 6 months. 

I loved it so much that I didn't want to put it away.

I tried it on one final time, boxed it up and sent it off. 

I used Memories Gown Preservations through Bed, Bath and Beyond.

It was super simple.
The only problem that I had was they put my wrong zipcode, so they shipped the dress from Texas back home only to call and tell me they couldn't deliver it because it had the wrong zipcode and because it was a package that must be signed for, they wouldn't change it. 

So, back to Texas it went. 

Luckily, last Friday I had a snow day and was able to sign for it!! 

I'm really not sure if I needed to have it cleaned and preserved.
It definitely needed cleaned.
We opted for no shoes at our beach wedding, so my dress spent a lot of time in sand and walking across the parking lot and sidewalks to get pictures.
I adore this dress as much today as the day I picked it out!
I wanted to keep it and see it all of the time, but I don't want it to deteriorate, so I opted for the preservation.
Did you guys have your dress cleaned and preserved? Do you think it was necessary?

Puma Socks

My mother-in-law got me these socks for Christmas.

The interesting thing about me and socks is that I never buy socks. 

When I was younger I swear my mom would buy socks all of the time and put them in other drawers in my dresser that I didn't use. 

Randomly, I would stumble upon new packs of socks. 

I wear the same socks over and over and over. 

For instance, in high school there were a select few pairs of socks that I ran in for cross country or track meets. 

I HAD to have those socks. 

I loved those socks so much. 

This sounds ridiculous, but they were cushiony, and the best! 

I don't know where they came from, but I only have a few pairs left. 

They are starting to stretch out and thus more pairs are making their way to the trash. 

I was hesitant on these puma ones, but I love the cushion, and they have the band that's a bit thicker and hits perfect on my ankle. 

I couldn't find my exact ones, but here are some similar ones. 

Try It Thursday Linkup

This week I linked up for the first time with A Gal Named Al. 

On Thursday's she hosts a recipe linkup. 

I've been trying to make a menu each week and stick to it, so her linkup is working out perfect for me.

Last week she posted a chicken tortilla soup, and it made our menu this week!

Yum!

So, I shared some chili and banana bread that I made last Friday when we had a snow day. 

You can find my recipes here.

Also, check out Al's and think about linking up next week!

Lots of Reading Time

Recently I've been enjoying some great reading time.

This past week I finished

 Love Your Life Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze

and

Trapped by Michael Northrop.

I get a great mix of reading between nonfiction and young adult. 

My students and I are working on a 40 Book Challenge, and we're about halfway through. 

I'm always reading numerous books at once. 

Right now we're doing literature circles in class, so I'm staying caught up with three Holocaust books there. 

Then, I'm rereading Girl, Stolen to create questions for our next class book. 

Now, I started Shaken by Tim Tebow a few days ago but should be finished by the end of the day. Great book!

Workin' It Wednesdays

If you missed Shay and Erika's first linkup, check out the schedule below for the next edition of Workin' It.

Check out how I'm trying to keep my New Year's goals here.

In addition, Andrea posted the schedule for her Show and Tell linkup. 

It's start on the 24 with How your family saves and what you splurge on!

Have the best weekend!

It's another long weekend for me, as we have off school on Monday for MLK JR. Day!

Enjoy!

Try It Thursday: Chili and Banana Bread

Today I'm linking up with Al for her Try It Thursday recipes!

I'm being more intentional about setting a menu for the week and making sure that I have the ingredients for those recipes before the week begins. 

I was so excited to see this linkup so that I could get amazing recipes from everyone else. 

Last Friday we had a snow day. 

It had snowed a little, but the temperature was ranging from 0-10 for quite a few days. 

I knew it was the perfect time for some warm chili and banana bread. 

Chili

Confession: I've actually never made chili on my own before. 

When looking through my cupboards I found I didn't have many of the ingredients to make it super homemade, so I used a chili packet.
Nonetheless, it was still edible and perfect for a cold night.

What you'll need:

2 Pounds Hamburg

1 Can Kidney Beans

1 Can Pinto Beans

I Can Diced Tomatoes and Chilies or Onions

1 Can Tomato Sauce

1 Packet Chili Mix

 Brown the hamburg. 

Drain the grease.

Add in Kidney Beans

Chili Mix

Diced Tomatoes

 Bring to a boil in skillet.

In a soup pot add

Tomato Sauce

Pinto Beans

Add the Hamburger mixture to the soup pot.

Simmer on low for 1 hour.

I always enjoy a yummy treat with any meal. 

On this particular day I had three bananas that were super ripe, so I made banana bread.

Banana Bread

You Need:

3 Ripe Bananas

1/3 Cup Melted Butter

3/4 Cup Sugar

1 Egg, Beaten

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 Dash Salt

1 1/3 Cups Flour

 You can mash up the bananas or just throw them into your bowl if you plan to use a mixer.

 Melt the butter.

 Add the sugar. 

 Beat one egg.

 Add the vanilla.

Mix.

 Sprinkle the baking soda and salt on top.

 Add the flour. 

 Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake 40-60 minutes.

I honestly didn't even time mine.
 I checked on it every so often and pulled it out when it looked ready and the toothpick came out clean.

These are two super simple yet scrumptious meals for winter. 

Plus, they make for more than one meal!