Thrifty Thursday: Brown paper packages...

..tied up with string...

Try not to hum (or loudly belt) and channel your inner Julie Andrews today.  It can't be done - she is just infectious!

Speaking of brown paper packages, I have really enjoyed my take on christmas wrapping this year.  I've saved money, and our gifts have a classic, simple flair that really puts me in the spirit.

Enter standard packing paper from Target.  I think my roll was around $5.

Enter cheap ribbons: You can stock up with Michael's weekly coupons or at the Dollar Store.

Enter Gloss Finish Scotch tape: Gives it a nice, clean finish.  I found regular scotch tape didn't have enough stick power to hold the heavy paper.

The paper lasts -forever- and even after all my wrapping, I still have a huge roll left.  My only complaint is that it does curl up and I have to weight it down to get it cut and folded the way I want.  But, hey, no biggie.

I had some fun Christmas stamps I got on clearance last year, so I jazzed some of them up a bit.

Now, I did want something pretty that the kids on my shopping list could really rip into.  I don't think the brown paper will have that satisfying riiiiiiip that I was going for.  But, I managed to get all kiddie gifts wrapped with a small roll of colored paper.  When usually, I'm going back for several rolls each year.  And honestly, the more trips I make out this time of year, the more tempted I am to overspend.

What style did you go with for Christmas wrapping this year?  Sunday comics DO count.  In case you were wondering. :)

"It was once..... ALIVE!"

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!  I hope you've got a feast of plenty in your future and lots of time with friends and family.

This is the first year I will be hosting Thanksgiving, and the FIRST time roasting a turkey.  Needless to say I am afraid.  Very afraid.

I bought the turkey last week and have been mildly obsessing about it since.

I shoved him to the back of the fridge in hopes he wouldn't ask me for a drink or a snack.

(Don't judge me by the copious amounts of beer in my fridge.  We just celebrated my husband's 30th birthday, more on that later!)

Am I the only person afraid of 18 pounds of dead bird just sitting in my fridge?!?  Maybe I'll be okay once he's roasting.  But, we're about to get pretty personal... and let's just say... I'm on edge.

Thankfully, my husband and mother-in-law will be available to wrestle the "thing" into the oven.  I'm just more of a baker and sides individual.  No harm in that, right?

Here is the recipe I'll be following for the turkey.  I was smart to assign everyone a dish, so I'm only doing stuffing and cranberry sauce.  Don't want to bite off more than I can... ahem.... chew.

It's also helped to keep us on somewhat of a budget, although it's challenging whenever a holiday meal presents itself.  I was thankful for my binder of coupons this week as I stocked our cabinets.  It's a really smart time of year to stock up on baking goods, chicken stock, canned fruits and veggies, and delicious in season produce.  You know you'll use it (or donate it) so shop smart and strategically now.

What are your turkey day plans?

Motherhood Monday: 'Tis the Season

...to be snotty??

Ugh.

The most wonderful time of the year.  The time of year where it will take an act of God to keep your family well.  With Amelia's asthma it's stressful anytime she gets a bit of a runny nose or cough.  We break out the nebulizer as soon as we hear her wheeze.  She's a good sport most of the time, so I'm thankful for that.

See the purple canister in the background?  That's my giant, mother-load, canister of Boogie Wipes.  I love those things!  Saline wipes for runny, raw noses.  Check here to get a coupon and give them a try :)

I'm just hoping to get us through the holidays without any more illness.  Santa, all I want is to be healthy this year!

P.S. - Be sure to like She Lives on Less on Facebook and Twitter to get more deals, coupons, and frugal living link-ups!  I only post what I love and use. Promise.

Coupon "fix"

There is a method to my madness.  Usually.  Even after working (and re-working) my technique for maximizing my time and money with coupons, I still have plenty of mind-numbing moments.

Moments where I look up from my papery wonderland and think, "Is it really worth it?"

If a coupon falls in the wood and nobody is around .... okay, sorry, a bit melodramatic.

But, really.  Sometimes I let it fall to the wayside, and then I am cutting and organizing and twirling like a couponing dervish.

Please tell me you've been there.

I needed the win tonight at the Harris Teeter super double event to get my coupon "fix".  I won't bore you with a picture of my haul, but I did come home with plenty of organic meats and produce.  Stocked our toiletries and baking shelf.  Have enough actual meals and go-to items to last us till payday.  I'll make a run for milk later in the week, but I'm happy with how my cabinet is looking.  This was one of my best savings trips overall!

Total spent:  $185.38
Coupons:  $89.41
Vic Savings:  $48.11


How did you do this week?  Do you ever suffer from coupon burn out?

Get a Candy Fix for your Wallet!

Have a sweet tooth?

It's okay.  I do too.

(Source)

I have indulged in candy corn this season already, but I have held back buying candy for trick-or-treaters yet.  Let's just be honest, the candy would not survive a week in my house.  The children would come with their pleading faces and sweet costumes, and I would hand them a pack of floss.

SO. I haven't bought candy yet.

Here are some sweet coupons floating around, just in case you'd like to save your pennies this Halloween!

Coupons.com
$1.40 off one large bag of WONKA or NESTLE candy

Target
$1.50 off Select Bagged snack-size candies
$1 off purchase of 2 select 17.1-oz. or larger bagged snack-size candies
$1 off purchase of 3 select 11-oz. or larger bagged snack-size candies
$2 off purchase of 3 26-oz. or larger Mars bagged snack-size candies
$1 off purchase of any (10 Skittles 13.3 oz. - 14 oz laydown bag (any flavor)


I love Swedish Fish.  I know, I'm worse than a ten-year-old.

What's your favorite candy?

Happy Fall Weekend!