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

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!

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!!

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

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.

Sounds like a win/win to me

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”

Can you guess where we went today–tee hee!

AARP & The Great Escape Sweepstakes – Enter for your chance to win a Royal Caribbean cruise to the destination of your choice!  Don’t forget to play the instant win game – they give away Amazon Gift Cards Daily! This sweepstakes is sponsored by AARP; please do NOT enter if you are not in the US and aged 50+

Enter the Cheez-Its The Road Could Be Yours Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of FIVE Grand prizes that include: $4000 to rent an RV, $500 gift card and $500 gas card!!

Enter the Fisher Boy Family Fun Fridays for your chance to win a family vacation at one of Beaches Resorts worth $8,000 in value!

Enter the Frigo Cheese Heads Sweepstakes for your chance to win a Family Cruise Vacation Sweepstakes that includes a 7-night cruise for winner and three guests on one of select Royal Caribbean ships

I don’t know about you guys but I am fairly confident my family could never use 100 bottles of mustard by the time it expired. Although I guess it might come in handy if you plan on doing a little painting–tee hee!

Most of us don’t eat the same things every single day of every single week. Variety is a great thing in life AND in couponing. While it may be fun to get that total down to just a few dollars, if what you have in your cart will not provide a good variety of meals for your family, can you really call it a deal??

Did you know that if you just shop the weekly sales in the Publix ad you can save about 50% without using one single coupon?! Being a smart shopper and learning to combine coupons with the sale is how you can get some incredible deals. But, a deal is only good if you actually use the products you buy.

I admit that I have watched the show twice and both times I had these feeling of extreme embarrassment for the folks on the show. While I may be a little loopy sometimes…overall I think I am one smart mama and certainly would not group myself in the same realm as the “Extreme Couponers”! I am able to save lots of money with only a little bit of effort. I don’t spend hours and hours clipping, sorting and making lists and I still manage to save massive quantities of money. I think I actually spend more time creating my meal plan than I do gathering my coupons!

I really wish they would put out a show titled “Real Life Couponing”. We could show them how only a little bit of effort can save you money and still allow you time to enjoy being with your family.

So spill it…are you guys watching it or boycotting it?  :D

Publix has several clubs and programs you can sign up for and what is great is that they are totally FREE!

Publix Grape magazine – you will get the scoop on various wines, great recipes and sometimes the magazine includes a coupon or two.

Publix FamilyStyle magazine is a quarterly publication. It covers a broad range of topics and includes coupons. The mailed version typically includes a few couposn that are not available in the version available in the store.

Publix GreenWise Market magazine is filled with information, tips and great recipes related to living an organic lifestyle. This one also typically has a few nice coupons and is definitely worth requesting!

Publix Baby Club is one of my favorite programs. You get some fabulous coupons a great newsletter with some great tips and recipes. If you’re a first-time parent, you’ll receive the American Academy of Pediatrics’ complete guide to raising a child, “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child”—a $20 value.

Publix Preschool Pals program is for kids 2 -4. They send out newletters, fun activities, coupons and even little surprises for the kids.

Publix Pet Program is the newest addition. You get great info as well as emails with some great coupons just for your pets.

I would recommend signing up for all of these that apply to you. I have enjoyed my membership to each program. Don’t forget that Publix also participates in the Upromise program. It is also FREE to join. Just request a key card, go online to Upromise and register your card. Each month I let you know the latest eCoupons that you can load and then you shop as your normally would. When you scan your card at checkout and purchase a product that eCoupon amount is deposited into your account. Gotta love free money!

Each month Publix puts out a Yellow and Green Advantage Buy flyer. These list various monthly deals and usually include a few nice Publix coupons. To get a copy, check at your store where they keep the weekly ad or ask at the customer service desk. I always post the deals and coupon matchups for these each month. You can see the current flyers including the full list of coupons and matchups by clicking the Advantage Buy Flyer tab at the top of my site.

Now as far as the booklets that are reported here on the site. Those are often hit or miss. Your best bet is to ask at the customer service desk at your store once you see a report here on I Heart Publix. Sometimes booklets are regional and sometime the booklets tend to disappear very quickly. For those of us who live in an area with lots of other couponers, you can expect the booklets to vanish in no time flat. Many stores are helping to control this by keeping the booklets at the customer service desk. Personally I am all for this! I would rather get one than none at all. So keep your eyes peeled and maybe next time you shop, stop and ask if they happen to have any new booklets available.

Did I miss anything? I love all the perks to being a Publix shopper including all these free programs and publications!

Ok–I am so jealous…I wish I could go! Head over to the I Heart Publix forum for all the details. If I could get my kids taken care of I would fly down and hang out too. Maybe we can look at throwing a little party soon–I would love to hang out and talk “shop” with a bunch of you guys

If you are not hanging out at the forum, you are missing out on lots of fun and great deals!

Ok–Nannette I want to see some pics!! Thanks for the reminder Happy!!