Shoppers:
9x Jergens Lotion @ $4.19 each = $37.71 - 9/$3.00 coupons = $10.71 (saved = approx. $70.20)
3x Lindt Chocolate @ .75 each = $2.25 (saved = $2.22)
1x Hershey Almond Chocolate @ $2.70 (saved = approx. $2.29)
1x Aunt Jemima Syrup @ $2.79
1x Gaviscon @ $12.99 - $1.00 coupon = $11.99 - MIR = +$1.00 (saved = approx. $16.99)
2x Milk @ $3.99 each = $7.98
8x Skintimate Shave Gel @ $2.99 each = $23.92 - 8/$2.00 coupons = $7.92 (saved = $24.00)
4x 12pk. Water @ .99 each = $3.96 (saved = approx. $6.00)
Tax @ $10.66

Total Paid = $47.97
Total Saved = $121.70

Base Points = 940
Bonus Points (Gaviscon) = 500
20x Points = 18,800
Total Points Earned = 20,240

If I redeemed 15,000 of those 20,240 points I would get a $25 reward. Therefore, my grand totals would be:

GRAND TOTAL PAID = $22.97
GRAND TOTAL SAVED = $146.70

They had lots of baby stuff on clearance too, but nothing I need. I guess I could have bought a few things for an upcoming baby shower.. dang. Oh well!

INCOME:
Moi: $693.41
DH: $2859.32
= $3552.73
+ Extra Income = $1005.00 (selling things, etc.)
= $4557.73

EXPENSES:
Rent = $1500/$1500
Groceries = $253.58/$200 (over $53.58)
Entertainment = $0/$25 (under $25)
Bank Fees = $12.95/$12.95
Hosting = $68.73/$80 (under $11.27)
Cable/Phone/Net/Cell = $301.77/$213 (over $88.77) *1 month and a bit, that’s why this is over
Hydro = $85.16/$80 (over $5.16)
House Gas = $49.24/$50 (under .76)
Car Payment = $287.13/$287.13
DH Car Payment = $200/$200
Car Insurance = $153/$153
DH Car Insurance = $118.66/$118.21 (over .45) *not sure what that’s all about!
Misc. = $1004.73/$469.73 (over $535)
Yearly Expenses Accnt. (dentist, haircuts, pet shots, etc.) = $160/$160
Car Gas = $138.03/$100 (over 38.03)
DH Networking = $18.65/$25 (under $6.35)
DH Dry Cleaning = $11.53/$20 (under $8.47)
DH Train Pass = $181/$181
Eating Out = $54.78/$30 (over $24.78)
Allowance = $25/$25
DH Allowance = $15/$25 (under $10)
Clothing = $13.39/$50 (under $36.51)

Total Spent = $4652.33/$4005.02 (over $647.31)

We are -$94.60 this month. This is partly due to DH’s father passing away (we had to drive an hour twice a day for a week, each way, to help with funeral arrangements, so our car gas was up… and we had to eat out a few times as well) and DH getting really sick. There was also 4 unexpected trips to the hospital which resulted in at least $20 in parking fees. Sigh.

July will be better. IT WILL BE BETTER. I’m going to make sure of it.

Alright. Enough is enough. I need to write (errrr.. type) this down or I’m going to forget. I also need you guys to read it and hold me accountable if I don’t do what I say I’m going to do!

Here’s the thing. We don’t make enough money. Well, we make enough to cover our bills… but that’s without any savings. Any “extra” money we get goes to overages (which need to stop!) and whatever is left goes to our emergency fund.

Our main goal is to have 6 months worth of expenses in our emergency fund at the end of the year. We are close, but not close enough. The problem is we go over in alot of categories every month. That really needs to stop! Here is my plan for July:

Groceries:
- ONLY SPEND $200 OR LESS! No matter how good the deal is, I cannot go over this amount.
- Live off the stockpile as much as possible. The only things I should need to buy are perishables and deal stock up items (if budget permits).

Hydro:
- Use the air conditioner only when absolutely necessary.

Car Gas:
- Stop making unnecessary trips! Run errands once or twice a week only.
- Put air in tires, don’t slam on the brakes (not that I do anyway), don’t accelerate while driving, etc. - all that stuff to help with fuel effeciency.
- Only purchase gas from Shell gas stations to receive Air Miles!

There are a few things we really need. The main thing being work clothes for DH (which are really expensive, as he wants to have supreme long lasting quality over cheap things that don’t fit properly and turn to crap quickly).

I’m trying my best to do what I can to make extra money but it’s really difficult when you’re 36 weeks pregnant and can barely move without toppling over… and unfortunetely, there’s not too much I can do online that will make a substantial amount. Oh well, all I can do is keep trying! DH is also planning on selling a piece of musical equipment that he no longer uses. That should net about $1,000 give or take a little. Now that would be some sweet extra cash!

Really going to bust our butts trying to fill up that emergency fund so we can move on to other important things (bigger car, our first home, etc.) and be able to purchase things we really need (like clothing).

Anyone have any money making tips for a big fat pregnant lady? I could always sell my mom’s treadmill that she never uses… I bet she wouldn’t even notice! Haha, just kidding, I wouldn’t do that.

We’re really making progress on the baby’s room now. Today we bought a dresser at Ikea. It was only $90 with tax and it’s the perfect size, style, etc. Not to mention we can use it over and over again as the years go by, so I didn’t mind paying full price. I tried looking for used dressers for quite some time, but could never find anything I liked that was a decent price. So, here it is:

The first drawer has diapers (newborn and size 1), wipes, socks and change pad covers.

The second drawer has 0-3 month clothing.

The third drawer has clothing from 3-6 months up to 18 months.

It took ALOT longer than I thought to put the clothing away. I had to sort through what I wanted and didn’t want, then with the stuff I wanted - turn them inside out, wash, dry, turn them right side out, fold, organize by size, organize by style (onesies, sleepers, shirts, pants, etc.), label drawers, put away. There’s also some sweaters that were too thick to fold so I had to hang all of those up in the closet. This all took forever! I really feel accomplished now, though.

So all that’s left to do is buy shelves, hang those, organize the items that are going on them and put them on there, hang prints above the crib, buy toy storage, clean/disinfect toys we were given, put toys away, buy lamp and diaper genie and put in nursery aaaaaaaaaaand I think that’s it. Sheesh we still have alot to do. We don’t really have to do ALL of that before baby arrives though, but I would kind of like to get it out of the way if it’s at all possible. We’ll see!

I also packed my diaper bag today. Ahhhh it’s all becoming so real now! In one month I will be a mommy! YAY!

Ahhhhh, where do I even begin. So much has been going on lately. DH was sick until yesterday morning so I was pretty much taking care of him (avoiding contact.. just bringing him food and water in the bedroom where he stayed) from Friday night until then.

Yesterday Erica came over and she came with me to run a bunch of errands. They were fun errands though… I was getting free stuff! I’ve had a bunch of people offer me free baby stuff when they found out my baby shower was cancelled. Here’s what I got yesterday:

There is: 2 breastfeeding pillows, at least 30 clothing pieces, diaper bag, shopping cart cover, food container stuff, snugli, baby bank (bottle), bottle, etc.

I also bought a crib from someone yesterday for $55! It came with a mattress but it stinks so I’m getting rid of it.

Today DH and I had a million errands to run. We had 3 houses to go to with people giving us more baby stuff (so generous!), pick up dog flea prevention stuff, grocery store for groceries, Zellers for crib mattress, bank to pay a bill and deposit cheques, post office to mail stuff, Petsmart for cheap dog food and I can’t even remember what else. There was alot. We’ve been putting off a ton of things and I was getting fed up (it won’t be long before our baby boy is here and we REALLY won’t have time to do much!) so we got a bunch done today. I’m sore from being on my feet all day, but glad we got so much accomplished. Here’s the free stuff we got today:

Included is: play mat, bathtub, a good 100 pieces or so of clothing!, about 10 blankets, a bunch of baby/toddler toys and a few bibs, socks, and hats.

Of all the free stuff we got, we will be using/keeping everything except about 1/2 of the clothing (it was either stained or I just didn’t like it). I’ll be donating the rest! I’m so appreciative of everything we’ve gotten. I’m so glad we won’t have to buy too much now!

Here’s the deals we got at Petsmart and Walmart:
Petsmart:
6x Purina Dog Food Bags @ $8.49 each = $50.94 - 6/$7.50 coupons = $5.94 (saved = $96.00)
2x Cat Food Tins @ $1.09 each = $2.18 - 2/FREE coupons = FREE! (saved = $2.18)
Tax @ $6.91

Total Paid = $12.85
Total Saved = $98.18

Walmart:
3x Tetley Iced Tea @ $1.00 each = $3.00 - 3/$1.00 coupons = FREE! (saved = $5.91)
1x Pledge Multi Surface @ $3.97 - $1.00 coupon $2.97 - MIR = +$1.00 (saved = $4.97)
Tax @ .12

Total MADE = .88
Total Saved = $10.88

GRAND TOTAL PAID = $11.97
GRAND TOTAL SAVED = $109.06

Finally, here’s the baby bassinet finally put together in the nursery (got this as a gift from DH’s mom):

Thank you for your condolances. Things are going alright. Well… they were. Then last night, DH was complaining that he was having trouble breathing, a splitting headache, constant cough and sneeze, etc. I took him to the emergency room where we were for FOUR HOURS. He got worse as he was there, I believe. I hate our fucked up health system. I would rather pay to see a doctor then to get one for free but have to sit around for hours before someone comes to see you.

Anyway, DH has Influenza. H1N1 - the kind that doesn’t usually affect humans. Yes, it’s bad. Yes, it can be fatal. Yes, I am freaking the hell out. I can’t believe how much horrible stuff has happened to our family in less than a week. I am so drained. I’ve been taking care of DH the best I can, while also making sure to stay away from him (this virus is EXTREMELY contagious, especially to pregnant women) - which is hard. He pretty much stays in the bedroom and every so often I will refill his water, bring him food and remind him to take his pills.

The doctor says his case isn’t severe and he should fully recover within a week with the medication she prescribed him. Until then, I will continue to weep in the corner and wait for the day this nightmare is over.

To end on a positive note, here are some deals I got today. Our fridge and cupboards were empty (if you can believe that, with all the shopping I do), so I went to a few stores today while DH was taking a nap. It was nice to get some fresh air and think about something other than death for a little while.

Shoppers:
3x Everpure Box Sets @ $12.99 each = $38.97 - 3/$10.00 coupons = $8.97 (saved = $30.00)
1x Easter Egg Decorating Kit @ .25 (saved = approx. $2.74)
8x Christie Crackers @ .99 each = $7.92 - 1/.50 coupon = $7.42 (saved = approx. $22.90)
3x Belle Hair Colour @ $3.99 each = $11.97 - 3/$2.00 coupons = $5.97 (saved = approx. $21.00)
Tax @ $6.65

Total Paid = $22.61
Total Saved = $76.64

Zellers:
4x Rice Krispies Squares @ $2.00 each = $8.00 - 4/$2.00 coupons = FREE! (saved = $11.88)
4x Skintimate Shave Gel @ $1.79 each = $7.16 - 4/$2.00 coupons = +.84 (saved = $8.00)
2x Thinsations @ .99 = $1.98 - 1/$1.00 WUB2 coupon = .98 (saved = approx. $6.00)
Tax @ .93 - 10% discount of $1.71 - +.78

Total MADE = .64
Total Saved = $27.59

GRAND TOTAL PAID = $21.97
GRAND TOTAL SAVED = $104.23

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Sunday night I lost my father in law and have spent all of this week comforting my poor DH. He’s a total wreck without his dad and it completely breaks my heart to see him so sad. We’ve had to help with funeral arrangements and even purchasing a plot for FIL to be buried in. It was pretty strange, to be me honest, but DH held up fairly well. Today is the funeral. This is the day that it’s really going to seem real. Until now, denial has been a common emotion for alot of people.

Anyway, I’d better go get dressed and ready to go. I just wanted to pop in and let you all know that I’m still here.. just.. not really.

So today was the big day where we were going to take my maternity photos and I’m so happy with them! They look just how I wanted them to. You can check out my flickr page to see my favourite shots. I even revealed baby E’s name.

After the photos, we went to Zellers to pick up a few things that I couldn’t get last night at Walmart. Here’s what we got:

Zellers:
13x Arm & Hammer Toothpaste @ .97 each = $12.61 - 13/$1.00 coupons = +.39 (saved = $13.00)
4x Satin Care @ $1.99 each = $7.96 - 4/$2.00 coupons = +.04 (saved = $13.88)
4x Nutri-Grain Bars @ $1.99 each = $7.96 - 4/$2.00 coupons = +.04 (saved = $14.00)
1x Right Guard Deodorant @ .25 - .50 coupon (adjusted to .25) = FREE! (saved = $2.77)
Tax @ $2.71 - 10% discount of $2.08 = .63

Total Paid = .16
Total Saved = $43.65

I also bought a bin for all of our toothbrushes/toothpaste/floss, since there is so many of that stuff and it takes up too much space on my shelves! I just need a few more bins (one for razors, one for cottonelle wipes and one for something else I can’t think of) and maybe one more storage shelf and then the basement is done. Once the basement is done, the house is done and I can finally take photos to show you all. I’m very happy with everything (besides the awkward living room).

Walmart:
2x Chapmans Ice Cream @ $2.50 each = $5.00 - 2/$3.00 coupons = +$1.00 (saved = approx. $8.94)
4x Betty Crocker Cake Mix @ .99 each = $3.96 - 4/$1.00 coupons = +.04 (saved = $7.92)
2x Betty Crocker Frosting @ $2.07 each = $4.14 - 2/$1.00 coupons = $2.14 (saved = $2.00)
4x Nestea @ $3.44 each = $13.75 - $25 Gift Card Promo = +$11.24 (saved = $35.12)
4x Toaster Strudels @ $1.99 each = $7.96 - 3/$1.00 coupons = $4.96 (saved = $6.92)
4x Glade Scented Oil Candle @ $1.94 each = $7.76 - 4/$4.00 coupons = +$8.24 (saved = $23.72)
1x Nestle Rolo Bars @ $2.97 - $1.00 coupon = $1.97 (saved = $1.00)
4x Mini Wheats @ $2.99 each = $11.96 - 2/$2 WUB 2 coupons = $7.96 (saved = $18.00)
Tax @ $1.40

TOTAL MADE = $2.09
Total Saved = $103.62

Cake mix, frosting, ice cream, etc. Talk about unhealthy! I might need some ephedrine tablets now!

Sleep is one thing I miss so much about not being pregnant. I will admit that sometimes it is possible for me to get a really good night’s sleep, even now at 33 weeks, but most of the time it is horrible. Like last night for example. I went to bed at midnight and slept until 2 or 3am, woke up, went to the washroom, laid back down and…. nothing. I assume that I did fall back asleep because I woke up again at 4am. Peed. Laid down. 5am… peed. Laid down. This went on ALL NIGHT until I finally gave up at 9am and just got up for good. I mean seriously - EVERY DAMN HOUR?! I can’t get two hours in a row? Three? No, I can only get one apparently, and sometimes not even that much.

To be honest, I think this is mostly due to knowing that someone is coming here at 10am this morning to buy some stockpile stuff from me. Whenever I have an appointment or I know I have to be awake for a certain time, for whatever reason, I have a bad sleep. I always wake up thinking that I slept in and then I can’t get back to sleep (very well, anyway). Sooooo that’s probably all it was, but hey, I can blame it on whatever I want and pregnancy seems like a good enough situation. It’s already RUINED MY LIFE. It has also MADE ME THE HAPPIEST I’VE EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE, so maybe I should cut it some slack. Damn it.

Speaking of pregnancy - I’m a fat cow. I’ve gained 40 pounds already. MOOOOOOOOOOOO! Anyone have an appetite suppressant? Crap.

Well, we finally made our first purchases for the baby, other than diapers and that kind of thing. I have been looking online for used strollers, car seats, rocking chairs, dressers, cribs and all of that fun stuff. It took awhile but I finally found a car seat and stroller combo as well as a rocking chair for the nursery (why is it called a nursery???). The combo set was only $60 (regular $200 or so) and the rocking chair was $30 (not sure what these are worth, but $30 sounded good to me!).

Stroller & Car Seat

Rocking Chair

I’m starting to get excited now!!!

Melissa came to visit today, which was nice. I haven’t seen her for 5 months or so! She was excited to see how big I have gotten and laughed at me when I told her I waddle. Nice friend! Sheesh! Anyway, she wanted to go shopping and use coupons with me (weird, no one other than Erica ever wants to do that!) so we went to Zellers. Here is what I got:

Zellers:
2x Elastoplast Bandages @ $1.59 each = $3.18 - 2/$1.00 coupons = $1.18 (saved = approx. $5.80)
4x Skintimate @ $1.79 each = $7.16 - 4/$2.00 coupons = +.84 (saved = $8.00)
6x Rice Krispies Squares @ $2.00 each = $12.00 - 6/$2.00 coupons = FREE! (saved = $17.88)
1x Jergens @ $2.99 - $3.00 coupon = +.01 (saved = $7.00)
1x Pillsbury Turnovers @ $3.29 - FREE coupon (received from complaint) = FREE! (saved = $3.29)
1x Pillsbury Cookies @ $3.99 - FREE coupon = FREE! (saved = $3.99)
1x Pledge Multi-Surface @ $5.29 - $1.00 coupon = $4.29 - MIR = +$1.00 (saved = $6.29)
Tax @ $2.18 - 10% discount of $3.80 = +$1.62

Total MADE = $2.29
Total Saved = $56.05

I gave Melissa some coupons as well and she got some free shave gel, cheap bandages, cheap gum and even a .01 softlips lip balm (we could only find one that scanned at .01 so I let her have it, I’m such a good pal! HAHA!).

She is such a good friend that she is actually on her way, in rush hour traffic, to go to our old city and pick up a stroller/carseat set that I am buying used from someone. It’s a really good deal and I didn’t want to miss out on it, but this lady advertised it in my current city and actually lives in our old one and I didn’t notice until I’d already seen the ad and wanted the set (only $60, regular $200 or so brand new - with taxes). I couldn’t go myself because I don’t like to drive in rush hour traffic, I get really nervous. Also, it’d be difficult for me to lug those heavy things into my car at almost 8 months pregnant. DH couldn’t go because he won’t be home until about 8 or so tonight and this lady had someone who was going to pick it up from her at 8 and I really wanted it so I had to get there before them.

So to make a long story short, we’re getting a stroller and carseat, thanks to Melissa offering to go pick it up for us.

Walmart:
6x Straws @ $1.00 each = $6.00 - 6/$2.00 coupons = +$6.00 (saved = $23.82)

Total MADE = $6.00
Total Saved = $23.82

Zellers:
4x Skintimate @ $1.79 each = $7.16 - 4/$2.00 coupons = +.84 (saved = $8.00)
4x Garnier Hairspray @ $1.79 each = $7.16 - 4/$2.00 coupons = +.84 (saved = $8.00)
3x Electrasol 15ct. @ $3.49 each = $10.47 - 3/$3.50 coupons = +.03 (saved = approx. $12.90)
1x XL Bottle Softsoap @ $5.77 - $5.00 coupon = .77 (saved = $5.00)
1x XL Bottle Windex @ $6.49 - $6.00 coupon = .49 (saved = $6.00)
1x White Swan Paper Towels 2ct. @ $1.19 - $1.50 coupon = +.29 (saved = $1.50)
1x Pampers Swaddlers @ $13.99 - $10.00 coupon = $3.99 (saved = approx. $12.98)
1x Pampers Baby Dry @ $14.97 - $10.00 coupon = $4.97 (saved = approx. $12.98)
6x Nutri Grain Bars @ $2.00 each = $12.00 - 6/$2.00 coupons = FREE! (saved = $17.82)
Tax @ $8.74 - 10% discount of $6.72 = $2.02

Total Paid = $10.24 - $10 Gift Card for spending more than $25 on Pampers = .24
Total Saved = $101.90

GRAND TOTAL MADE = $5.76
GRAND TOTAL SAVED = $125.72

Price Chopper:
8x Nestea @ $1.50 each = $12.00 - $25 GC Offer = +$13 (saved = $36.92)
6x Kelloggs Cereal @ $3.00 each = $18.00 (saved = approx. $23.94)
2x Ruffles Chips @ $2.00 each = $4.00 (saved = approx. $1.98)
1x Chip Dip @ $4.29 - FREE WUB 2 Ruffles = FREE! (saved = $4.29)
Tax @ $1.08

Total Paid = $10.08
Total Saved = $67.13

WalMart:
3x Rice Cakes @ $1.25 each = $3.75 - 3/.75 coupons = $1.50 (saved = approx. $4.44)
4x Scented Oil Candle @ $1.94 each = $7.76 - 4/$4.00 coupons = +$8.24 (saved = approx. $23.68)
3x Colgate Sensitive @ .94 each = $2.82 - 3/$2.00 coupons = +$3.18 (saved = $6.00)
1x Bandaids @ $2.34 - $2.00 coupon = .34 (saved = approx. $3.13)
Tax @ $1.68

Total MADE = $7.90
Total Saved = $37.25

GRAND TOTAL PAID = $2.18
GRAND TOTAL SAVED = $104.38

Petsmart:
6x Purina Pro Plan Cat Tins @ $1.09 each = $6.54 - 6/FREE coupons = FREE! (saved = $6.54)
6x Purina Pro Plan Selects Dog Food 2.7kg @ $8.49 each = $50.94 - 6/$7.50 coupons = $5.94 (saved = $96.00)
Tax @ $7.36 - 15% coupon discount of only .89 (booo!) = $6.47

Total Paid = $12.41
Total Saved = $103.43