Alli 'n Son » Top Ten Tuesday

Budget Boot Camp Week 4: Coupons

Allison — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:30:37 +0000

So we’re 4 weeks in, and if I do say so myself, I’ve been doing pretty well in the Budget Boot Camp challenges. But I think they are starting to get harder. Or they will be, beginning next week with organizing coupons. Which I need to do. Badly. Maybe I’ll even share a before and after pic.

But I’m getting a little ahead of myself. This week’s challenge was coupons. Not necessarily using them, but finding them.

I didn’t get serious about couponing until the last few weeks. I’ve always had blogs that I’ve followed for freebies and good deals, but I would always just skim through them, looking for the best deals.

OK, I still do that. But now I’m looking a little closer. Because those freebies and great deals are saving me money. And I like that.

So here are my top 10 places for coupons and freebies.

Mummy Deals and In Good Cents (of course!)
Freebies for Mom
$5 Dollar Dinners (coupons and amazing, inexpensive recipes)
The Mother Load (Freebie Friday)
Totally Target (which actually just makes me want to go to Target and shop)
Minnesota Coupon Adventure (for more local deals and freebies)
Target (because they have Target coupons, which are stackable. Which is awesome!)
Coupons.com
RedPlum.com
SmartSource.com

I also use Google to find coupons. Sometimes a products web site will have a coupon. Or there may be another source hidden out there that I didn’t know about.

And did you know that most times you can print a coupon more than once? Just hit the back button. 2, 3 sometimes 4 times.

I also buy the local newspaper on Sundays. I don’t subscribe because there’s isn’t a subscription available for Sunday only, so it’s more cost effective for me to just buy the paper every week. Plus, if I know in advance that there is only going to be one insert, I will sometimes skip that issue.

Phew. Those are my sources for some fantastic coupons. What are your favorite blogs for deals, freebies and coupons?

P.S. I spent almost $70 in groceries. Toilet paper, make-up and sunscreen are to be blamed. Boo. Hoping to stay around the $50 mark. I promise to do better next week.

This post is proudly linked up with Top Ten Tuesday over at Oh Amanda.

Budget Boot Camp Week 4: Coupons is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Top Ten for June

Allison — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 01:00:31 +0000

Somehow it’s July. I have no idea how this happened, and honestly I’m not very happy about it. We’re just one month closer to fall, which although is beautiful, brings us one month closer to winter. BOO.

But I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. Instead, I wanted to share the top ten’s from June. And to say a huge THANK YOU for all of my referrers.

Top Ten Referrers

90-Day Budget Boot Camp

Allison — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:21:26 +0000

Last week I received a surprise email from Clair over at Mummy Deals inviting me to take part of a new challenge she was putting together with Beth from IN Good Cents. I love a good challenge, especially one that promises to help me save money. Who doesn’t want to do that?

I read the proposal, jumped for joy, squealed in delight, and signed on. Introducing the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp.

Each week, for the next 12 weeks, I’ll receive a challenge designed to help me trim my grocery budget. Meal planning, couponing, organizing and planning. And each week, after I’ve completed the challenge, I’ll be sharing my experience with you. Good and bad. Triumphs and failures. I’m baring it all.

So, to start things out on the right foot, here’s our approximate weekly grocery budget, including diapers (which is thankfully dwindling) and toiletries. Ready? It’s $50-$80. Let’s say it averages around $65. Or $260 a month, for our family of three, and two dogs. The majority of our shopping is done at Aldi, and a half-hearted attempt at couponing.I imagine that this is lower than most families, but there’s always room for improvement.

Here are the goals that I’m hoping to accomplish with the 90-Day Budget Challenge:

I want to become a crazy coupon lady. Complete with binder, check list and crazy look in the eyes.
I want to organize my coupons. In a fancy folder or binder specifically for coupons. Hey, if you’re going to do it, do it right.
I want to be good at couponing. I don’t want to buy something just because I have a coupon. I want to buy something because we need it, I have a coupon and it’s on sale. How’s that for specific?
I want to reduce my impulse spending. Especially when something is on sale, but it isn’t necessarily something that I need or would normally buy.
I want to create wriggle room in our budget that allows for more organic produce.
I want to shop smarter. Buying things that we need with they are on sale (hopefully with a coupon!) instead of buying them when we need them (most likely without a sale or coupon).
I want to be more aware of our spending, and not just groceries. That soda when I filled up with gas. That bag of M&M’s at Target. That late night trip to Dairy Queen. I want to know where our money goes, so we can better budget.
I want to be able to save. I’m a saver at heart, and since going down to one income, our ability to save on a monthly basis has dwindled. I want to start again, even if it’s only $10 a month.
I want to try shopping during double coupon times at our local grocery stores, to see how it compares to shopping at Aldi.
What would you like to change in your grocery budget?

Follow along with the other 90-day boot camp challengers, or join in! Please visit Mummy Deals and IN Good Cents for all of the challenger’s weekly challenges and their results. And check out what we are talking about on Twitter with the hashtag #budgetbootcamp.

Of course, make sure that you subscribe so you can follow along with my weekly updates.

This post is linked up with Top Ten Tuesday over at Oh Amanda!

90-Day Budget Boot Camp is a post from: Alli 'n Son

The Terrible Two Files

Allison — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:37:25 +0000

I know, I’ve blogged about this before, the terrible twos. They seem to come and go randomly. But last week they showed up. Full. Force.

So I thought I’d offer a little peak into life with a stubborn, sassy, struggling-to-be-independent two year old boy. Hopefully you get some laughs out of this, which will help ease away my tears. These are indeed the top ten terrible two episodes from last week.

“I DON’T wanna go potty! I WANT my pull up on.” Attempts to pin down to put on pull up. “I DON’T want my pull up on. I HAVE to go potty!” This is an endless loop, often resulting in tears (toddlers) and someone being pinned to the ground in an attempt to cloth him before we leave the house.
“I CAN’T…reach my plate on the dinning table…bring it to the kitchen…set it on the counter…”
“I CAN’T…wash my hands…”
“I CAN’T…crawl into the car myself…”
“I CAN’T…put my toys away…”
“No, NOT nap time, I have to go potty. No, I DON’T have to go potty.” Again, endless loop until I deposit him in his crib, shut the door and don’t look back.
Before leaving the house for errands, play groups, etc: “No, I DON’T have to to go potty. No I DON’T want to try. No I DON’T want my pull up on. I HAVE to go potty.” Followed by a complete and utter melt down, of course including tears, kicking feet, and swats at my face.
Narrowly missing our first every hysterical outburst in the middle of Target. All because the “I try again LATER (going potty at Target, which he requested).” Which was followed by “I WANT to go potty” as I attempted to place him in the cart, which he did not want to be in. Thankfully this was avoided by threatening to leave the store, then flat out ignoring him.
Deep calming breaths, calm, reassuring yet firm voice. Explanations, pleads and threats. All falling on deaf toddler ears.
Short tempers with even longer tantrums. Hormones raging, patience wearing thin. And yes, I’m talking about me this time. I may just be reverting back to MY terrible twos.

If you happen to hear me muttering under my breath over and over, it’s probably: This too will pass. Can anyone tell me just when it will pass?

Does your toddler often melt down over the strangest things? What causes the melt downs? How do you handle them?

This post is linked up with Top Ten Tuesday over at Oh Amanda.

The Terrible Two Files is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Time Alone and Reflection

Allison — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:30:33 +0000

I’m sitting here, staring at the computer screen, waiting for the kiddo and Dad-oo to return home. I’m waiting for my weekend of solitude to end. And for life to resume again.

This weekend I was blessed to have 2.5 entire days to myself. No plans, other than a hair cut/color and massage. No place I had to be. No one I had to see. Nothing that I had to do.

I know, it’s a dream come true. And it’s not the first time that it’s happened.

I spent most of the time by myself. In fact, the only time I saw other people was when I was out shopping. But that doesn’t really count, since I didn’t know these any of these people. I did attempt to make plans with a long-time friend that I hardly see, but I never heard back. I’m guessing that she just has her hands full right now.

I love time alone. I’m not really a people person. Wait, let me explain. I like people, really I do. I just don’t need to be surrounded by them all of the time. In fact, too much people time leaves me stressed and overwhelmed.

But this many days in a row has left me a little down. There was no one to chat with. No one to tell about the crazy conversations happening on Twitter. No one to cook for (there’s no way I’m making a meal just for myself). No one to share a bottle of wine with. No one to just vegg on the couch with. Or to pull me away from my computer and force me to vegg.

What was there? A lot of silence. Even with music playing or with the TV on, something was missing. The pitter-patter of little feet. Tiny hands pulling on me. Constant requests. Never ending books to read. Meals to prepare, which are hardly touched by a finicky toddler.

Being alone, I started to feel, almost useless. Yes, the dogs need me to feed, water and let them outside. But it’s not the same. They don’t need me. Not like the kiddo does. Not like Dad-oo does. Not like I need the kiddo and Dad-oo.

As Saturday was coming to a close, Grandma called so the kiddo could say good-night. He’s often shy when it comes to talking on the phone, so I wasn’t expecting much. But we chatted, he filled me in on his day with Grandma and Grandpa (with Grandma translating in the background). And then, just before he hung up, he said, “Love you Momma”. That broke me. Melted my heart. It’s nearly impossible to get him to say it any other day. He’s 2 and sassy. But he said it that night. Over the phone.

I need these people. The kiddo. Dad-oo. They make me whole. And as cliche as it is, they make me complete. They make my life complete.

The next time the opportunity for some time alone comes up, I’ll jump at it. The time was refreshing and reminded me of who I am other than a momma. But while I’m going through my hours/days, pieces of me will be missing. I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for these pieces of my life that have changed me, helped me grow and made me into the woman that I am today.

So, what exactly did I do with my time?

Connected with some of my fave tweeps.
Ordered Chinese food. It’s been a while. How I miss you crab rangoon.
Opened a bottle of fine red wine. And by fine I mean the 3 for $9 kind.
Exercised for almost 1.5 hours. Which I know sounds like torture, but for me it was wonderful.
Took a long, slow shower, including shaving my legs.
Indulged in a massage, which was relaxing, left me feeling sticky and oily. I think she may have used too much oil. And she massaged my face and head. Not a fan.
Went shopping! And managed to spend barely money. Why is it that I can never find what I want when I have the time to look?
Scored a salt grinder and Popsicle mold at a discount kitchen store.
Slept late. 10:30 late. That was over 10 hours of sleep. I may never recover.
Did yoga, cleaned house, did yard work, took the dogs on an hour long walk. Waited patiently for everyone to return home. That was just on Sunday.

What did I miss the most?

Snuggles in the morning.
Lazy breakfasts.
Toddler belly laughs at the oddest things.
Giant bear hugs from little arms.
Constant chatter from a tiny voice.

What did I NOT miss?

The whining. Oh the whining.
Daily battles over meals.
The slowest moving toddler on earth getting into the car.
The stubbornness (yes, I know that he gets this from me, OK?).
Constant chatter from a tiny voice.

Have you had an extended period of time away from the kid(s) what did you do? What did you miss most? And what did you not miss at all?

This post is linked to Top Ten Tuesday over at Oh Amanda.

Time Alone and Reflection is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Top Ten from May

Allison — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:00:34 +0000

OK, I’ve really been meaning to do this, for like, months now. And I’m just finally getting around to it. I wanted to say thanks to my bloggy friends who have helped me grow by referring visitors to my site. So, thank you! These are the ten blogs who sent the most visitors my way.

And, because I’m in the mood for top tens today, here are the ten posts (non-giveaway) from last month that received the most hits.

OK, so this link isn’t really part of my top ten lists, but I love it and it deserves another shout out. Here’s to Dad-oos Memorial Day post, about a friend lost.

This post is linked to Oh Amanada’s Top Ten Tuesday.

Top Ten from May is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Growth Spurt Anyone?

Allison — Tue, 25 May 2010 01:00:25 +0000

So, apparently after a child hits two years old, they don’t stop growing.

I know, I was surprised too.

Actually, the opposite seems to happen. Suddenly they are about 6 feet tall and eating you out of house and home.

OK, OK, I may have exaggerated that a little. But only the 6 feet part. The kiddo is growing at an alarming speed. It seems like just last week he was barely able to reach the dinning table. Now, he can reach to the middle of it, grabbing whatever object we put there, thinking that it was safe and out of harms way.

So, in case you were wondering how I knew that the kiddo was going through yet another growth spurt, here’s an example of his meals lately.

1 Cinnamon-topped oatmeal muffin
1 Cup of milk (6 oz)
1.5 handfuls of Honey Nut Cheerios
1 Handful of raisins
Another cup of milk (6 more oz)
1.5 more handfuls of Honey Nut Cheerios
Another handful of raisins
This is just for breakfast.
2 hours later, he’s hungry.
AGAIN.

For lunch and snacks, the amount of food that he consumes is insane. I think it’s more that I eat in a single day.

And this morning, when I got him up in the morning, I swear he was 2 inches taller.

Can someone tell me, how do I stop him from growing so quickly? He’s not my baby anymore, hasn’t been for a while, but that doesn’t mean that I want him to grow up so quickly.

Thursday is coming up fast. I hope you will join me in this week’s Thank You Journal. What are you thankful for this week?

This post is linked up to Oh Amanda.

Growth Spurt Anyone? is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Totally Random Thoughts

Allison — Tue, 11 May 2010 03:25:19 +0000

I’m much too unorganized today to come up with a well thought out Top Ten List. Instead, here are some thoughts bouncing around my brain.

Did you know that we got snow this weekend. Yes, SNOW. In May. It was like over an inch. Sure, it melted the next day, but STILL. It’s May.
Watch out, shameless self promotion: I have a new blog carnival starting THIS THURSDAY. The Thank You Journal. I hope you’ll link up.
I’m participating in Five for Ten this year, over at Momalom. I lov this post by Motherese, talking about random acts of courage.
I like chocolate, in case you hadn’t already figured that out. My fave chocolate in the entire world comes from Seattle, Theo Chocolate. And I can’t get it here. That makes me enormously sad. Although, I did just find out that a store near my in-laws carries it. Thinking I need to make a trip soon. Very soon.
I love Mother’s Day, but have a hard time asking for what I want need. I think that next year, I’m going to take a cue from Mama Kat. Although my Mother’s Day ended up being pretty close to this. Plus chocolate.
I’m thinking about sharing my infertility story. But I’m scared. It’s SO personal and it’s an on going battle. What do you think?
I miss strappy summer sandles. But somehow they just don’t go together with a 2 year boy, doing what 2 year old boys do best. Running.
The kiddo had the stomach flu this weekend. We only got 4 hours of sleep Friday night. Plus we had the church directory photos on Saturday. Me + 4 hours of sleep = bags under my eyes. This should be a FANTASTIC photo.
Let’s see, did I mention my new blog carnival? I don’t oh, well, here it is: Thank You Journal. I hope you’ll link up.
That’s everything on my mind. What’s been bouncing through your mind lately?

This blog is linked up with Oh Amanda. Stop by for more Top Ten Tuesday lists.

Totally Random Thoughts is a post from: Alli 'n Son

A Child or a Puppy?

Allison — Tue, 04 May 2010 03:23:25 +0000

Way before the kiddo entered the picture, or was even really thought of, we had dogs. First one lovable, snorty, flat-faced pug. He was shortly followed by a second pug. Pugs are, after all, kind of collectors items. Once you have one, you have to get another.

One of the first things that people with kids tell you about having a dog, is that they are great practice for having kids. Because, you know, they both drool, need to be potty trained, and bark uncontrollably. No? Is that only my house then?

This got me thinking. Is raising a dog really similar to raising a child? Um, no, not really. For one thing, you can put a dog/puppy in a crate when they are getting on your nerves. I’m pretty sure that it’s frowned up to put a kiddo in a cage of any kind (playpens not included).

I now have the experience of raising two dogs, and I’m 2 years into raising a human being. Being the expert that I am, I have decided once and for all that in no way, shape or form is it easier to raise either a dog or a child. Here’s why.

Dog’s generally don’t throw food on the floor, like kid’s do. In fact, in our house, the dogs are usually the ones cleaning up the thrown food.
Kids don’t usually poop on the floor. I said usually. It has been known to happen. Dogs on the other hand, this is a weekly occurrence in our house (and yes, they are potty trained).
Speaking of potty training. Dogs = a few weeks or months. Kids = months or even years (cringe).
Dog eat whatever you put in front of them. They really aren’t very picky. Kids have very strict rules about what they will eat. Only they don’t tell you what those rules are, you have to guess. And sometimes those rules change mid-meal. It’s a constant guessing game.
Kids grow out of clothes, shoes and diapers every 3.46098 months. Sometimes overnight. Dogs only require two things. A leash and a collar. Both of which can last for years and years.
Dogs shed. A lot. So much so that this time of year our house often looks like we have 4 dogs instead of just 2. It’s that bad. Seriously. Kid, generally don’t shed. Or if they do, we haven’t gotten to that stage yet.
You can reason with a child. Or at least you can try, and hope that at least some small piece of information makes it to their brain. With dogs, there’s no such luck. They usually know about 10 words, their favorite of course being treat.
Toddler’s will repeat everything that you say. There’s no filter. There’s no such thing as a secret. Dogs on the other hand, can’t really talk. Bark yes. Talking, no.
Dogs can run, usually faster than their owners. But they can’t climb. Toddler’s climb. Everything. And if they fall down, they get right back up and do it again.
I’m out of ideas. What do you think? Is it easier to raise a puppy or a dog?

This blog was inspired by Oh Amanda’s Top 10 Tuesday’s Blog Carnival (hosted by It’s Come to This this week). Head on over for more Top 10 Lists.

A Child or a Puppy? is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Honest Scrap Award

Allison — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:00:20 +0000

Wahoo! I received my first bloggy award. Thank you, thank you very much.

Actually, this does mean a lot to me. It came from Mommy Drinks Because You Cry. I just recently found her blog and love, LOVE it. She’s not afraid to say what she’s thinking, and every little bit of it is true. You just gotta love that kind of honesty.

The rules of this award are that I have to share 10 honest things about myself, and then pass it on to 10 other bloggers. Here it goes.

I’m slightly OCD. As in, if I’m eating M&M’s, I have to eat an even number of the same color, or I feel off balance. If that’s not possible,then I must eat the individual color, but chew it an even amount on each side.
I’m terribly, terribly shy. So much so that I sometimes feel awkward around people that I’ve known for years.
I hate the drive through. It took me years to actually use one. In fact, Starbucks was the first time. This was after college. After I had been in the working world. I was well into my 20′s by the time I actually tried it. Now, I’ll only use them for Starbucks and the bank. Otherwise they still freak me out.
I hate talking on the phone. I’ll email whenever it’s possible. Especially when it’s to someone that I don’t know. I also hate returning phone calls (crap, that reminds me…) I think that has something to do with #2.
I’m an exercise nut. I’m one of those people who gets up before it’s even light outside to exercise. I’ve been like this since college, although I’ve had to cut back some since having the kiddo. It keeps me sane, keeps me fitting in my jeans, and lets me indulge on chocolate.
I’m my toughest critic. I want so badly to be perfect, that when I mess up or let someone down, I take it really bad. Like it will depress me for days, or weeks. And just when I think I’m over it, it will sneak up and knock me down again.
I recently gave up coffee, and it was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in a long time. I LOVE coffee. Not in a healthy way either. I NEED it. It wakes me, warms me up, and makes me feel all warm and snugly inside. But we want to have another kiddo sometime, so I gotta do what I gotta do. But look out, when I pop out that second kid, I’m going back to coffee full force. (No, I’m not expecting, but thanks for asking)
I’ve never been the popular girl. But I have been a band geek. In high school I played flute. I was in solo ensemble, marching band and we played for most of the sporting events. I loved every second of it. All of my friends were band geeks too, so I’m pretty sure that makes us cool. Or something.
Because I’ve never been the cool girl, I’ve always had a small group of really close friends. And I like it that way. But I don’t spend nearly enough time with them, which actually makes me pretty sad.
I’m actually jealous that my two younger sisters live so close to each other. They see each other all the time, are big parts of each others lives and have a very close relationship. I’ve never admitted this to either one of them, but I’m pretty sure that they both read my blog, so now they know.