WFMW - coupons

I learned a few things this past weekend. My neighbors not only introduced me to the proper way to shop CVS, she also showed me her coupon binder. Everything in my house is going the way of the binder, but I feel more organized and slightly neurotic. I am working hard on bringing our grocery budget down. Hopefully by the time we get to CA, I will have learned a few things to help us get through the next year. Everything is more expensive in CA.

So for your very own coupon binder you will need:

I forgot to turn the picture, forgive me

• a 1/2 to 1 inch binder. Any color will do. You can even get one that zips up from Hobby Lobby (print you a coupon off their website first).


• a set of protective pages for baseball cards. I found mine on the back side of toys at Wal Mart, but I have seen them up front by the registers. If you live in Louisiana that spot is reserved for liquor.

• coupons, coupons, coupons

• in the top right corner cut a piece of paper the size of the opening and label what coupons are on that page.


• a pocket of some type. You want to keep the store fliers with you so that you can compare a deal to the paper. You may even get the store you are shopping at match the price in the sales flier of a competitor.


• scissors. I have the small kid size because my pocket is small.


• optional- paper for your shopping list

I have one final favor to ask you. I have a friend who is overseas and can use expired coupons. They can only be 6 months old. If you feel the need to send these, will you please email me aljstephens at gmail dot com. I would love to send her a pile of coupons to share with the families around her

Check other WFMW posts at Rocks in my Dryer

WFMW - Paying Cash for Gas

Y'all are probably aware that you can save 3 cents a gallon buy using the Wal Mart credit card or buying a prepaid Wal Mart gift card. Did you know that you can save 3 cents a gallon just by paying cash? I have tried it at 3 different Wal Marts in 3 different states and they each gave me the 3 cents off just for paying cash. That is a lot of 3's. So tonight I paid $1.47 a gallon. $1.47! Can you believe that? It has not been that low in so long.

I looked for some type of advertisement that you could pay cash and still get the 3 cents. I only saw advertisement for the credit card and gift card offer. I have no idea if it works at the Sam's Club gas stations as well.

Check it out and let me know if it works for you. Then spend your savings on some of these fun items like this and this for Christmas. I don't get paid for my reviews, but I really liked these.

WFMW, Puzzles in the car.

We just happen to be moving and so there are flat cardboard boxes in my car and the back two seats in my van are out. Now that you know that, what worked for me today was to use the flat cardboard box as a table to work puzzles in the back of my van while waiting on C to get done with dance. Her dance class is 1 hr 15 mins. and I don't like leaving her there for very long. I may run get McD's or Chick Fil A but I am always right back in the parking lot waiting. My little man, J, is usually watching a movie or doing flips over the seats. He is to loud to sit inside. We have some floors puzzles that are fabulous for preschoolers and it would be easy to have a section of cardboard under one of the seats. We did puzzles in the car today and it was fun.
Also, cut a lap size section from a peice of cardboard and give them a few crayons. They love it. It is something different from normal.


Updated: I found this in my posts and I had never published it. So now that both of the kids are in gymnastics at the same time this is not as useful to use but hopefully it will be to somebody else. Notice the old WFMW picture.

Check out Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer for more helpful hints.

Works for me Wednesday - loose change

This is the silliest WFMW post you may ever read. I always have loose change in the bottom of my purse. We have a coin jar at home and the kids have little piggy banks, but I always seem to have several dollars worth of change in my purse.
This week I made a quick stop at Winn Dixie for some things and went through the self check outline. My total came to about $15.00 . I used about $2.60 in change and brought my bill down. It felt like using coupons. Silly, I know, but it was a good use for that loose change.

Check out other great ideas over at Rocks in my Dryer.

Scavenger Hunt

This weeks theme for WFMW over at Rocks in my Dryer is "I'm bored"

• One of my favorite things to do to get kids involved and off the couch is a Scavenger Hunt. There is nothing fancy about our scavenger hunts. Many times during the summer I have extra kids at my house. Most of the kids mom's work at the school and they have a few days here and there that they need someone to watch their kids. I am glad to pitch in. So I think of things around our block that the kids can go looking for. Sometimes they all go together and sometimes they break into teams and make a game out of it. I write everything on a piece of paper and send them on their way. It never fails that they want to make a list of their own and swap them and see who kind find everything the fastest. I always have some cheap-o Popsicles waiting when they get back.

• My other favorite thing is an idea jar. Many ideas written on small pieces of paper. Reach in grab one and off we go. BUT, now I have 2 kids wanting to reach into the idea jar every time the subject is brought up. So I have a solution, my timer. Whoever draws and outside activity gets to go first and the inside activity is second. I set the timer for about 15 minutes and then we switch. We are just not at a stage where they will separate and do separate things, mostly because a 3 year old always follows a 6 year old.

So that is my 2 cents worth and I can't wait to read all the other ideas. Have a great Wednesday.

Make Dill Pickles Sweet!

Updated. Works for Me Wednesday is no longer at Rocks in my Dryer but over at We Are That Family. So head over to We Are That Family to see what some of the all time favorites of WFMW are.

The new thing in the Southern States is to get a quart of dill pickles and make them sweet. So I thought I would tell you all how to do this.

1 Quart jar of dill pickles (I use Mt Olive, Hamburger Dill Chips)

2 cups of sugar

1/2 cup of vinegar

Drain your pickles, rinse, and lay out on a couple of paper towels to dry out some. In a small bowl combine the sugar and the vinegar. It will dissolve some, but does not have to dissolve completely. Put the pickles back in the jar and pour the sugar/vinegar mixture on top. I promise it will all fit. Put the top back on and shake, set the bottle on it lid for a little while and then turn it over. After you do that 3 or 4 times everything is mixed, dissolved and ready for the fridge.

Works For Me Wed. Backwards

I know that this has probably been touched on before, but I need to know. How do you keep lettuce fresh for the longest amount of time as possible? We don't eat salad everyday, but I hate to go back to the lettuce 3 days later and it be ruined. So is there a special bowl or a special technique that I am unaware of. Have a great Wednesday and check out Rocks in My Dryer for more WFMW Backwards questions.