"Extreme Couponing" Update

Hello Blogville,

Well I figured it was time to check in with you all and let you know how my summer experiment with "couponing" has been going. Ok, you may have noticed that I left out the word "extreme", and I did that for a reason. I now know that I am not cracked up to be an "extreme coupon" person. Actually, I don't think I should use the word "extreme" for anything I choose do in life... My bent is toward obsession, so I should never be extreme :) Ok, I got off on a little rabbit trail there...refocus girl...

Below are things I will take away from my experiment with couponing and I will continue to do these things in my daily life...

- I will clip coupons from the Sunday Paper, but I will try not to keep the coupons I will really never use (IE: contact lens wash-I don't wear glasses :)

-I will look at Sale Circulars, and try to get the best deals on the things my family will use

-I will keep a small stockpile of things that my family uses a lot of (IE: Toiletries) and make sure to purchase those items when they are on sale. Buying in bulk is not a bad thing, and it pays off in the end.

-I will go to more than 1 store in order to get the best deals. I have 1 main store that I get 75% of my items at, but there are 3 other stores that have awesome deals that I will go to when there is a sale on.

-I will make it a habit to not blindly pick up something and buy it without comparison shopping for the best deal and price.

-I will keep visiting the websites that do a lot of the coupon work for me... This pays off big time :)

Well that is all for now... I would love to hear about your coupon experiences too...let me know.

If you missed it the first time...

Hey Friends...

I am writing over at the "A Martha Heart" website today. If you missed my mini run of "The 21 Day Husband Project" make sure to click here and join the AMH website community.

The 21 Day Husband Project (A Trial Run) Day 5

Ok Wives...this is the last day of our mini "Husband Project". I hope you have had a little fun with the projects, and that you may have been challenged to love your husband in a variety of different ways. I know I have.

Ok, I will let you know that I am still working on number 4's project :) We have had so much going on in our household that I barely have been able to get family meals on the table, much less a special treat for my hubby. I will work on it though. Alright, onto Day 5's project :)

Remember you can keep it going by purchasing Kathi Lipp's book "The 21 Day Husband Project"...Let me know if you do :)

Project #5
E-flirt.com
Text or E-mail Some Sweet Nothings


“I turn on my computer. I wait patiently as it connects. I go online. My breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words, “You’ve got Mail.” I hear nothing, not a sound on the streets of New York. Just the beat of my own heart… I have mail, from you.”
Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kennedy in “You’ve Got Mail”



Your Project
Send a flirty text or e-mail to your husband.


Getting Creative
 Use an e-card service (hallmark.com or americangreetings.com) to send a cute and flirty note.
 Don’t know how to text? Ask any teenager in the general vicinity.
 Most phones have a camera feature where you can send a photo message. Be sure to keep it G rated so that he doesn’t get in trouble at work.

The 21 Day Husband Project (A Trial Run) Day 4

Hey Wives... We are almost done with our mini trial of the 21 Day Husband Project. Even though I have not seen many comments, I know that many of you are loving your husbands through these "acts of service" and loving attitudes. Please feel free to jump in here at the blog and let me know how you are doing with the project. After today's project, we will have one more.

So how did I do with Project 3? Actually the idea behind Project 3 has kind of become a way of life for me when it comes to encouraging and affirming my husband... Not because I have always been good at affirming my husband, but actually because I was so bad at it for so many years. Even though I fall short in this area, I have learned how important it is to "lift" up my husband with affirming and encouraging words. I try to say those words to him, but also to others.

So have FUN with Project 4 :)


Project #4

Heart vs. Stomach
A Treat Just for Him


“You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”
Ronald Reagan


Your Project:
Get a food treat for your husband that he’s not required to share with you or any other family member.


Getting Creative

Stumped for ideas? Here are some thoughts:

Get his favorite pint of Ben & Jerry’s and hide it behind the frozen chicken. Even if you buy it on Tuesday, you’ll have it ready and waiting for his special night later in the week.

Is there a certain cut of meat that your husband loves? How about having the butcher cut something just for him? Most supermarkets will even do the marinade for you – one less thing to think about.

Is there a certain candy that your husband loves from his childhood? Check out www.candywarehouse.com. They have all the nostalgic candy you could want (Black Jack Gum, anyone?) while also carrying any modern favorite you could be looking for.


My husband’s family loves something called “noodles and mashed potatoes” (we lovingly refer to it as “The Starch Fest”). I learned how to make this special dish just for him.


My guy loves the smell of baking almost as much as he enjoys eating the treat. Have some brownies in the oven when he gets home from work or working out. (I know, it negates the workout, but isn’t chocolate always worth it?)


Our friend Scott mentioned that he loves cranberry sauce, but eats it only at Thanksgiving. His wife intentionally made the holiday treat for him this past July.


Are you a wife who is an expert at low-cal salads and other forms of chick-food? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Man Food at www.kathilipp.com for ideas

The 21 Day Husband Project (A Trial Run) Day 3

Hey Wives...
I sort of completed Project 2... I know that my hubby loves football, and his dream would be for me to go to a game with him...so officially I can't complete the project now, but I will be able to when Football season comes (if it comes :) Hold me accountable Ladies... Here is Project 3...



Project #3

You da’ Man
Spreading Great Gossip About Your Guy

Your Project:
Say something nice about your husband to someone else. Make sure you tell him what you said, and to whom.


Getting Creative
Who are the important people in your husband’s life? Your kids, his parents, his friends? Be intentional about who you chat with when you brag on him – it’s almost as important as actually doing it.


Having a hard time coming up with something? I still brag on my guy for things he did years ago. He loves when I tell the story of how brilliantly he proposed (there were waterfalls and stuffed portabella mushrooms involved…).


Here are some other areas to think about when crafting your brag:

His parenting skills
His patience level
The way he treats your mom
His culinary ability
His job

This is me speaking again...It would also be great if you can say it in front of him to another person...double points...

Let me know how you do...