My Couponing Start

I discovered the concept of Extreme Couponing a little while ago. I started working on gathering coupons in Mid April and since then I've been making great strides in saving money at the grocery store. It's changed the way that I shop probably forever. Here are a few things I've pulled off so far.




$6.42 down from $28.67



$1.42 down from $21.87



$24.41 down from $106.30

As I work on this, I'll be sure to update my progress here. My goal is to get my grocery bill down as low as possible, while we are a one income family every little will help. I'd also like to get up to a 75% saving on my groceries for the month. I started in mid april and in April I saved 24% on my groceries. So far in May I'm up to an average saving of 55%.
I'm working on building up a stockpile of things that we use a lot of and things that are easily stored... like cereal and body wash.

I don't want to be a crazy hoarder person, so I'll be trying to not get too carried away. But I have to say, it is pretty fun. It's like a hobby and a video game.

I'm Baaack

So I thought this blog would end when I moved to Las Vegas. It's always been primarily a personal finance blog so I figured I wouldn't need it anymore.
Guess who was wrong? Me!
Moving was really expensive and getting our lives set up in Las Vegas has been very challenging. So, we're back to penny pinching. We're in a whole bunch of debt and it's time I made myself accountable.
Since I can't really increase my income that much with my full time job and all, I'm working on saving as much money as I can.
I've recently discovered couponing, so expect many posts on that. I've also started a new project that I've had in the works for some time called Daily Amazon Finds, where I find you the neatest things on Amazon all in one easy to reference place so if you're bored and want to see some good stuff, or you're stuck for a last minute gift idea, you can check it out there.

It's good to be back.

End of an Era

Well, thats it for this blog.

I've been offered my dream job with Cirque du Soleil. My Stunt Guy and I are moving to Las Vegas. I'm moving to this new blog to tell our story.

Thanks all. It's been swell!

John and Redd in Las Vegas

Swallowed

I did post before this but my posts seemed to have been swallowed. Ah well!

Merry Christmas everyone! It's been a wonderful day and, even though there have been rough spots, it's been a really fantastic year.

This year I built my career, I fell in love, I got myself to a better place mentally. It's been wonderful and I am very very lucky to have everything that I have.

And today, for the first time on December 25th since the 1820's, it's snowing in Atlanta.

Today is a good day.

Thankful

I'm thankful for my health and that of the ones I love.
I'm thankful to those who have created tiny humans for me to love and play with.
I'm thankful for inexpensive wine, organic chocolate, and mashed potatoes.
I'm thankful for my partner, John, who makes my world balanced and beautiful.
I'm thankful for ambition, drive and energy.
I'm thankful that I have so much.

Back to Life

And here we go. I'm done being so dormant with this blog I believe! I have a fixed laptop, a car that is running better, a fair amount of work booked, but enough free time to finally get down to business with some other projects that I've been meaning to work on.

I'm so happy that things are getting together. Yes, I'm still in debt, but I'm happy and hopeful.

Right now, I'm working at the lovely Georgia Ensemble Theatre on a play called the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I've got a great cast of energetic and fun people, and I'm really liking Assistant Stage Managing this show. I've got a fair chunk of free time right now because I don't have to be at the theatre until after 6 most nights, and I actually have Monday and Tuesday off. I'm doing well with extra overhire work, looking forward to helping load in A Christmas Carol this coming Monday. I also have a production meeting for a play I am Stage Managing in the spring on Tuesday.

I'm on track to meet my minimum expenses this month, and will definitely have some left over. Though I have nothing booked for January yet, December is looking insane and I'm pretty sure I'll be in good shape.

This blog is going to change a little bit. I'm going to broaden it to more than just personal finance, though that will continue to be a big focus, as well as frugality. I'll have a new banner soon I hope. And much more regularity with posting.

Hopefully I'll stick to this. I know sometimes I don't, but hey.... lets try again!