I pride myself in my recent adventures of the COUPON MOM. I have saved dollars and dollars on my grocery shopping, which I do almost every week, thus adding up to tens of dollars, perhaps hundreds.
I find myself saying NO NO NO to things like School Portraits for Colson. I mean, I have a freaking awesome camera why would I spend the twenty buckaroos, on the smallest package of portraits that may or may not turn out, just to be offered them again come spring. I mean why do we do this?? Can any of you recall a GOOD school picture?? All I remember is the lame plastic comb we got, and that I never got to stand on the bleachers for the class picture because I was always TOO short. Not to mention six years from now when I have FOUR children coming home with book orders, school picture requests, yearbooks, and fundraisers from the various schools. Enough, I must cut spending.
I am the lone American WITHOUT a cell phone.
Basic Cable.
Christmas lights, nope. No need to spend the money on that.
Preschool, forget it. Way too much money. And please do not even discuss with me the "need for socialization". Do you talk to your children? Do your children talk to other children, ta da! Socialization.
So here I am saving, scrimping, and trying to keep spending in our family under control. When I discover THE CUTEST GIRLY CLOTHES. Yes, I bought 2 dresses. Yes, we're technically unemployed. No I won't tell you which two, because then I know you would add it up, and realize that indeed all that money I've been "saving" is gone in 3.2 minutes of online shopping.
Figures.
13 comments:
If they can twirl in the dress then it was totally worth it!
I can relate to the school pictures, yearbooks, fundraisers, etc. In our house we don't do fundraisers, period. (OK, yes, we sell the required candybars when signing up for a sport, but I'm the one who buys most of those!) School pictures? I might buy the spring picture every other year if it's good and if I didn't already buy a picture packet from their sport (if they're in one, most are not.) Yearbook? I'll buy the yearbook for them when it's the last year they are in that school building. Each of my children will end up with four yearbooks once they graduate. If they want one beyond that, THEY pay for it.
First of all, SUPER cute clothes! I'll bet I am the first one to recognize the two dresses when you dress the girls in them...so long as you do that to church, and I'm there ;)
Second...for the record, I don't purchase school portraits either. Never have. OH wait, last year I did and only to find out they post their pictures on the Sapphire Parent Portal and I could have just Right Click and SAved each one...for FREE!!! Never again...
I could live without my cell phone, but since Barry NEEDS one, I feel entitled to one too :)
Only two of my kids went to preschool and it was for a very limited time. Waste of money in my opinion. My non-preschool kids are just as smart and social!
My boys rarely have done sports. It's just too expensive. THey get plenty of activity and sport playing with each other and friends.
I MAKE my kids play the low brass in band because the school lets the kids rent/use them for FREE! I won't let them choose an instrument where I actually have to rent or buy one!
My point is I have no shame when trying to save money. Clothes are hard to resist though...
That site is pretty fun. Anything you bought there was probably well worth the savings!
As for being frugal...a lesson I could probably learn a little better :) I am because I have to be...but someday...oh someday...
No shame in being frugal. It only justifies when your not:) Those clothes are REALLY cute. I was turned off when I realized they cost more then I would spend on myself. I always just play the "you deserve this" card. Wisdom is not high on my list. I saw the Oprah with the coupon lady. I had huge admiration. I just don't do coupons, whenever I try they are always expired when I want or think to use them. I am the suckor mom that just bought 2 school picture packets. One per kid. I hope they turn out for the money!!
Lucy, you're not the only lone American without a cell phone! We've been free since the Spring and we LOVE it!
Sydney was the only child in her class that did not get a school portrait order - so I am told. I have felt like a rotten parent this past week - until now! This makes me feel a lot better. BTW I also do not have cable, do not do fundraisers - they go in the trash, or christmas lights :)
Brad is not going to be very happy with you giving me a link to this site with totally cute boy stuff. I'm totally telling him it was you. haha
I miss this side of you, Lucy!!!!!!!! You make me laugh. Hang in there, and wear that dress with your head held high...hahahaha
oh no you di-en't!!!
I am impressed that you are still holding out on the cell phone. For most of us that is something we can't live without. But we have never paid for cable. This has meant that we have basically had PBS and maybe one or two other channels. But recently we got the digital converter box (with $40 coupon) and a roof antenna and now we get all the networks, multiple PBS channels and Qubo (24 hr kids programming). The antenna was expensive ($100) but it was a one time purchase.
The only reason i have a cell phone is because cj has a work one and his is mine till we leave here. I have no purpose for it and it just annoys me when it rings. I'm not used to it so i have to dump my whole purse before i find it. Then, it's usually someone asking for Cj.
All my kids went to pre-k, each of them for free.
I buy school pictures, about once every three years.
We didn't have cable for YEARS until this year when i was going to be laid up this summer, and i am actually glad that we got it. Now that school is in, we could do without it but we have a three year contract..oh well.
Clothes, i have to be in a mood for and realistic about it. The girls get a NICE dress about as often as i buy pictures, and Chris a suit just the same.
But, when i do splurge, like Des, it feels ok since i try real hard to pinch pennies in other ways.
No more links! I just spent a little myself on the most adorable birthday outfit for Annabel and the most ridiculous pink unicorn costume for Rachel. Good times!
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