Saving Money by Couponing

Kelli Heys, stay-at-home mom, mother of 3 and joint owner of a construction company with her husband, shared her insights about how to coupon to save money. Kelli reports saving about 60% on average through using coupons and aims to spend $300-$400 each month for groceries & household items (diapers, cleaners, soaps, sundries, etc.) She explained the difference between types of coupons, as well as store deals/savings programs, where to find coupons, and her process for using coupons each week. You'll want to click on the link to the right to hear her talk in full, especially when she outlines specific ways to use each store's reward program and offers a "golden nugget" about Target.

Kelli's Coupon Rules & Guidelines
* Always get a raincheck if the store is out of the product
* Stack coupons - use a manufacturer's coupon + a store coupon for the same item + sale on the item
* Stock up for 3 months for shampoos, soaps, etc., 1 month for canned foods
* Buy produce in season and freeze when you can
* Overage - when the coupon value exceeds the item amount; Wal-mart allows you to apply the amount to your other purchases
* Coupons usually cycle 3 months at a time

Where to Find Coupons
* Buy a Sunday paper on Saturday from the dollar store; if there are good deals on items you buy, buy 3-5 papers so you have extra coupons
* Tuesday circular - Red Plum, Smartsource Ads in the mail
* Online: Smartsource.com, redplum.com, coupons.com, Facebook (like their product/page)
* All You Magazine
* Store booklets/mailings
* Coupons with receipts or on the back of receipts
* Coupons on the products themselves
* Manufacturers - look on their website, contact the company directly to let them know you like their products

Online Blogs/Coupon Resources
* couponconnections.com
* hip2save.com
* thriftynwmom.com
* couponmom.com
* Kraftfirsttaste.com
* couponing101.com
* livingrichlyonabudget.com

Process
* Collect coupons throughout week and buy newspapers on Saturday
* File by date in box/file bin/binder
* Meal plan based on coupons and sales (Saturday/Sunday) 
* Cut out coupons that will be used
* File into coupon clutch by store along with shopping list (specifying item, size, original price, coupons to be used, where to purchase it)
* Shop (Kelli amazingly shops at 6am Sunday morning) - no kids

Marriage & Parenting

Dr. Steve Call's engaging and meaningful talk on marriage and parenting highlighted the similarities between marriage and parenting in terms of attachment, consistency of response, and availability. Drawing from research, personal experience, and experiences of people he's worked with, Steve brings real-life examples and approaches to everyday situations that we might find ourselves in with our children or spouses. He also emphasizes the soothing ability play has in calming anxiety for both children and adults. Check out his talk in the MOPS Speakers box to the right.

Marriage: Stayin' Alive with Shari Gaffney

Full of joy and vitality, Shari Gaffney shared her heartfelt and wise insights into building and maintaining a strong marriage. She urged if you do only one thing for your kids, nurture your marriage; you can give no greater gift then to provide an awesome place for them to thrive as well as a give them a wonderful picture of marriage. A helpful acrostic for remembering her key points:

ALIVE

A - Always date
L - Lighten up & Laugh a lot
I - Invite & Invest
V - Value & Respect
E - Enjoy

Click on the link to the right to listen to her talk for February 5, 2013.

Suggested Resources by Shari Gaffney:

• The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman and Nan Silver
• Fit to Be Tied: Making Marriage Last a Lifetime by Bill Hybels and Lynne Hybels
• The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller
• The Good Girls Guide to Great Sex (And You Thought Bad Girls Have All the Fun) by Sheila Wray Gregoire

Raising Book Lovers with Christina Dudley

Award-winning author and speaker, Christina Dudley, shared her insights on helping nurture the love of reading in our children. Hilarious and self-deprecating, Christina shared personal experiences, as well as tips for raising book lovers and reasons to emphasize reading as your child grows.

Tips for Raising Book Lovers by Christina Dudley
1) Model
2) Believe reading is reading - encourage reading of all kinds
3) Make time to read at least 10-15 minutes/day
4) Make it easy on yourself - get rid of books you don't enjoy
5) Dissociate reading with bedtime
6) Involve other voices - books on tape, relatives reading aloud on tape
7) Books are part of a balanced road trip diet.
8) If you can't beat them, join them. Get books that relate to your kids' interests.
9) It is never too late to become a book lover.

Click on the link to the right to listen to her talk (January 29, 2013).

And if you'd like to check out any of her books or learn more about her, Christina has her own website: http://www.christinadudley.com

  

January 29 - Visitor's Day

January 29th is Visitor's Day. Register ahead of time, especially if you need childcare ($5/child), and join us for delicious food, hear a great speaker, and enjoy some fellowship with other moms. Our guest presenter is Christina Dudley, author and speaker, who will share her insights in developing a love of literacy with our children. 9:30-11:30. Click the "Contact Us" link for more information or the register link on the right of the page. See you there!

Advent

"Christmas is the renewed invitation  to let him -- whose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehend -- be our companion." - Henri Nouwen

source

Simple Ideas for Inviting the Presence of Christ

* Light a candle to remember the presence of Christ in your home and heart

* Take a couple of minutes to really listen to the lyrics of a Christmas hymn or sing one with your child

* Pick a scriptural motto to add to your advent calendar

* Read and /or reflect on Mary's Song found in Luke 1:46-55

* After your kids go to bed spend 5-10 minutes dedicated to silence

* Take responsibility today for one action that you would rather not claim

* Pick out a gift to give Jesus for his birthday from the justice ministry like Compassion International or World Vision; both ministries have gift catalogs.

* Spend five minutes looking at family baby pictures and talk as a family about the joy of welcoming a baby

* Make a birthday cake for Jesus

* Do something generous or kind for your spouse, try not to worry about them noticing

* Forgive someone or ask for forgiveness

* Initiate random act of kindness to a relative, friend, neighbor or stranger

* Have your child draw a picture and include a short note for someone that you know needs some encouragement or is lonely

* Go for a walk or enjoy creating something

Other ideas at:
- Advent reading plan from The Jesus Storybook Bible
http://homewiththeboys.net/jesus-storybook-bible-advent-curriculum-collectors-edition-and-more/

- Service ideas for kids/families
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/25-days-of-service/
http://lillightomine.com/light-em-up-2011.php

- 30 Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas
http://wearethatfamily.com/2012/11/30-ways-to-keep-christ-in-christmas/

- Salt Dough Advent Spiral
http://catholicfamilyvignettes.com/2010/12/01/salt-dough-advent-spiral/

- Free Printable Advent Cards
http://happyhomefairy.com/2010/11/30/bible-verse-advent-cards-free-printables/

Tuesday, December 4th

Mentor Moms Panel - Hear stories, experiences and advice from our Mentor Moms Tuesday, December 4th!