Atlanta Folks – Nature’s Garden Delivered Is A Groupon Deal Today!

I just happened to noticed that one of the Groupon deals for Atlanta today is a box from the organic produce delivery company that I use – Nature’s Garden Delivered!

For $19 you will get a small box of produce from Nature’s Garden Delivered ($38 Value). To give you an idea of what is in the small box, here is an example of some things I got last week :

Red Cabbage
Carrots
Red Potatoes
Green Romano Beans
Green Leaf Lettuce
4 Bell Peppers
5 Red Onions
Roma Tomatoes
Green Kale

I actually chose to modify my box and replaced 2 items that I was supposed to get in order to double up on my onions and and bell peppers as I needed them for recipes. I get the small box and it is more than plenty for my family of four.

I know lots of you guys had questions about it when I posted my yearly totals…so if you have wanted to give it a try – this might be the best time to give it a go! Be sure and check that they deliver to your area

Will You Miss Publix Curbside?

I have received a TON of emails about the sad announcement that at the end of the month, Publix will be discontinuing their Curbside service.

While I never used this service as it was intended, I found myself on the Curbside page many times everyday looking up product prices. I have had tons of comments on the site, on my Facebook page and via email. Many of you also use the service to plan your menus and weekly grocery lists.

Coupon Guy made a good point that I think might be beneficial for the folks at Publix to think about:

I think if Publix received hundreds of e-mails regarding a Product/Pricing Database, they may realize that Curbside Service really did have exceptional value for their customers.  It just wasn’t the exact value they had planned.

So, if you are so inclined, consider letting Publix know your feeling about the Curbside service. It may be that they don’t realize what a unique opportunity they have to keep a leg up on the competition!

Share Your 2012 Goals & Budgets

Each year I try to come up with a few goals for the new year. Nothing is set in stone and really my goals are somewhat flexible depending on what I am trying to achieve. I try to set goals high enough so that I am challenged but not so high that they are not obtainable. I also try to pick a few that cover the various aspects of my life. That way if I am not doing great in one area…I have a few other areas to look to if I need a little confidence boost.

Writing them down also helps hold me accountable. Sharing them with you guys is just another way to create accountability. At the end of the year, you guys can bug me to report on my progress–tee hee!

Each year, I look at the previous year’s final numbers to determine my spending for the following year. I like to designate a specific amount for preset categories. I have found this to be the best way to track my spending and stay on budget. Within each large category, I have smaller subcategories and I often “borrow” from one if I happen to go over in another.

• Groceries
• Clothing
• Entertainment (includes restaurant spending)
• Living (mortgage and all utilities)
• Gift Giving/Charity
• Education
• Savings
• Home Improvements
• Vehicles
• Medical
• Mad Money (each person in the family has their own “account”. The boys will begin earning all of their money this year!!)
• Business

For the most part, I am maintaining the numbers that I had for 2011. There are a few exceptions. I am actually increasing my grocery budget. Yep…I have not increased my budget in years – even though I was almost spot on with my budgeted amount last year. In 2011, I decided to take some of the “mad money” and use it for an organic produce delivery service. I will admit that it was not necessarily the most frugal choice I have ever made – but I absolutely loved the service. Getting that big box full of veggies meant I always had fresh fruits and veggies on hand. The variety was wonderful and it forced me to get creative with the more unique items out there. I now know my family loves Kale Chips and I also know how to cook a kabocha squash–tee hee! The produce delivery adds an additional $20 to my grocery budget each week. I have decided that it is worth it. SO–this year I plan on working to maintain an average of $60 per week spent on groceries and household needs.

One of the best things is that I can cancel the produce delivery at anytime. So, if money gets tight or I need to divert the money to another area for a few weeks, I can put the service on hold then start back up when I am ready!

Here is what I have as general goals for 2012:

Financial Goals
Increase my monthly deposit into savings by 10%
Increase educational savings by 10%
Increase monthly mortgage payment by 25% (I am determined to get my house paid off ASAP – I am already paying much more than the minimum)

Personal Goals
Walk on the treadmill 30 minutes 5 days per week
Lose weight
Play a new game with the boys each week
Read at least 1 book each month
Be a friend at least once per week
More date nights

House Goals
Renovate the kitchen
Replace back deck
Stain the backyard fence

Blogging/Business Goals
Spreadsheet for the ad
Better site navigation
More fun content

Some of my goals may seem a little odd but I am looking at the end goal. For example, by creating a goal to play a new game with the boys each week ensures that I spend more fun quality time with them. Making sure I am a “friend” at least once per week means that I connect with someone dear to me or even do something kind for someone I might not even know. I have found that blogging often eats up a good chunk of my time and I need to make sure that I take time for myself. I love to read but never make time for it…so I am going to catch up this year and read a new book each month!

My goals for the house are a bit lofty – but, we have done such a good job on our past projects that I really think I can make it happen. To get the kitchen I want will take some work and it may be gradual but I think it is doable! Of course all the goals are what I want to do without borrowing money!

I have lots of goals that I hope to accomplish for the blogs. Believe it or not I have hired three different people to work on a spreadsheet for the site and all of them have totally flaked or not given me what I wanted/needed. So my goal is to find someone who can make my vision a functioning part of the website. I am always working on behind the scenes stuff for all my sites and I hope to find a way to make navigating the site more intuitive. I also just want to have more fun with the sites. I love sharing the deals but I have the most fun with the features. Some of my favorite actually are ones that are inspired by you guys! The Reader Spotlight, Q&A, What’s For Dinner and Happy report are some of my favorites. I’d love to hear what you guys would like to see on the sites. Feel free to email me or leave some feedback. My sites are always a work in progress and getting feedback helps me know the areas to focus on.

I’d love to hear what you guys have planned for this year. It is so much fun to see what others are working towards. Share your goals and budgets in the comments. Maybe you will inspire us to add to our yearly goals!!

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very Happy New Year! Here is hoping your 2012 is filled with happiness and health! Thank you all for a wonderful 2011. I know 2012 will be even better!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy the food and the time with your friends and family!

Happy National Housewife’s Day

As I was running one of the ten thousand errands I had to do this morning I heard an interesting little tidbit…did you guys know that today is National Housewife’s Day?

I raise my cup of hot chocolate in honor of all the other housewives out there who are the first up at the crack of dawn each morning and the last to sink into the bed each night!

Many years ago, I remember thinking how much easier my life would be to be as a stay at home mom/housewife. You know that saying “the grass is always greener” –tee hee!

The day is not even half way over and I am already exhausted. Is it bedtime yet–tee hee

Were You Unable To Print Your $3/$30 Publix Coupon & Why I Heart Publix!!

Another reason why I Heart Publix

Here is the status over on their Facebook page:

We apologize for those of you who are entering the Publix Nutrition & Fitness Challenge and are unable to print the $3 off your purchase of $30 or more coupon. We are sending everyone who registers in the sweepstakes a printed coupon to the mailing address you provided on your registration page. We are mailing your coupon in a few days. Thank you for your patience, understanding and participation.

I had a bunch of emails from folks unable to print. So–looks like you guys are not out of luck after all! How awesome is Publix? I think that deserves a little Facebook love!!

If you have not entered the Publix Nutrition & Fitness Challenge, be sure to enter as they are giving away $650 in Publix gift cards to three grand prize winners.

Happy Halloween From My Super Heroes!

I hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween! My super heroes are out having a blast!

Trick-Or-Treating At Publix Tonight

If you are looking to kill two birds with one stone, you can head over to Publix tonight from 4 – 7 and let the kids do a little trick or treating while you take care of a little shopping.

Sounds like a win/win to me

Higher Prices Coming Soon?

A reader emailed me this little scoop that I thought I would share with you guys. I read a similar article the other day so I fear we are in for some price hikes!! Good thing we are all very smart shoppers!

I have several family members who work in the food purchasing business.  Occasionally they will let me “in” on upcoming changes in food prices.  I have a couple for you.

Flour prices.  Anything that is made from wheat is skyrocketing.  This summer’s scorching heat and storms in the Midwest has greatly effected prices.  Buy now before they get too far out of hand.  Just in time for Holiday baking season so “they” know you will pay the higher prices so stock up now.  Bread prices are already going up.  I noticed the price of frozen pizza this weekend is really jumping.

Some time around the middle of November a leading manufacturer of jams, jellies, and peanut butter is going to raise their peanut products 30%.  Bad weather in south Georgia and peanut growing areas hard hit by summer heat is driving this.  Stock up now.

The Chinese seem to have developed an insatiable appetite for nuts.  Their number one favorite nut is pecans and they are buying all they can which is driving up prices here.  Bulk quantities have doubled and sometimes tripled in price already.  Another one to stock up on now for Holiday baking.

We all “crab” about food prices but look for some big increases over the next few months.

Thanks to “C”

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