photo credit: ninjapoodles

Here is the Sunday Paper coupon insert schedule for 2011. Enjoy!

January
2— (2) Smart Source (2) Red Plum and General Mill
9— Smart Source and Red Plum
16 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Proctor & Gamble
23 — Smart Source and Red Plum
30 — Smart Source and Red Plum

February
6 — Smart Source
13 — No Inserts scheduled (Valentine’s Day)
20 — Smart Source, General Mills and Procter & Gamble
27 — Smart Source and Red Plum

March
6— Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
13 — Smart Source and Red Plum
20 — Smart Source and Red Plum
27 — (2) Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble

April
3— No Inserts scheduled (Easter)
10 — Smart Source and Red Plum
17 — Smart Source and Red Plum
24 — Smart Source and Red Plum

May
1 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
8— Smart Source and Red Plum
15 — (2) Smart Source and Red Plum
22 — Smart Source and Red Plum
29 — No Inserts scheduled (Memorial Day)

June
5 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
12 — Smart Source
19 — Smart Source and Red Plum
26 — Smart Source and Red Plum

July
3 — No Inserts scheduled (Independence Day)
10 — Smart Source and Red Plum
17 — Smart Source
24 — Smart Source and Red Plum
31 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble

August
7 — Smart Source and Red Plum
14 — Smart Source and Red Plum
21 — Smart Source and Red Plum
28 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble

September
4 — No Inserts scheduled (Labor Day)
11 — Smart Source and (2) Red Plum
18 — Smart Source and Red Plum
25 — Smart Source and Red Plum

October
2 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
9 — Smart Source and Red Plum
16 — Smart Source and Red Plum
23 — Smart Source and Red Plum
30 — Smart Source and Red Plum

November
6 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
13 — Smart Source and Red Plum
20 — Smart Source and Red Plum
27 — No Inserts scheduled (Thanksgiving)

December
4 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
11 — Smart Source and Red Plum
18 — No Inserts scheduled (Christmas)
25 — Procter & Gamble

photo credit: Theodore Scott

ok.  I haven’t been great about posting updates, but I have been bogged down with work (and still am; final grades are due for this semester!).  I did want to post though, because we really worked to control holiday spending this season, and I think we did a decent job:

10/15/2010: -$195,311

10/21/2010: -$193,624 (+1687)

12/27/2010: -$191,896 (+1728, +3415 overall)

This includes all of the Christmas gifts that were charged to the credit card.  I know you may be thinking “Charged to the credit card?  Are you nuts?”.  But keep in mind that it will be paid off in full as soon as we get the bill.  We set a budget, stuck to it, and ended up going over by less than $25.  We won’t pay any interest, and we ended up earning cash back through Discover, so all is well.

photo credit: Mr. T in DC

I have to admit that I have not always been a huge fan of Mint. In our particular case, we are not able to track our bank accounts effectively; my husband belongs to a credit union, and it has a captcha after the login, so we can never update the balance. His retirement accounts (401k, pension) are also not accessible despite putting in a couple of requests. I completely understand that Mint can’t obtain permission from every single bank/retirement plan, etc., but it can be a little depressing to see a bottom line that is in the red because not all of our assets are taken into account.

However, I have found Mint to be a wonderful way to track debt. As an added bonus, we are able to monitor our credit cards that are sitting in a drawer gathering dust and have a $0 balance. Thanks to the weekly e-mail showing my account balances, I was able to pick up on a fraudulent charge before my credit card company (apparently, someone was trying to register their thoroughbred horse using my credit card…)

Even if you use another program to track your finances (as we do), I have found Mint to be an effective tool. I am going to start tracking our bottom line in terms of debt only. Including our mortgage, student loans, and credit cards, here’s our total debt for the month of October:

October 2010: -195,311

Given that we recently had a huge financial crisis (which I have not disclosed in the blog, but it has to do with trying to help an immediate relative; he is no longer with us unfortunately, but I would not change what we did financially to try to help), I am actually encouraged by this number. Keep in mind that we have 401k plans, and Roth IRA plans, and savings accounts, and a house (which actually has some equity!) that more than offsets this debt.

I think that sometimes we try to rationalize our debt – as long as it’s student loans, or a mortgage – it’s ok. But ultimately, all debt (for the majority of people) is a burden. I want to be free from debt, and for me, taking a look at the bottom line keeps things simple. Would you agree?

photo credit: ninjapoodles

Here is the Sunday newspaper coupon insert schedule for 2010.  Enjoy!

January
01/03/2010 – 2 SmartSource, 2 RedPlum & General Mills
01/10/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
01/17/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum & Procter & Gamble
01/24/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
01/31/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum

February
02/07/2010 – SmartSource
02/14/2010 – No Inserts This Week
02/21/2010 – SmartSource, General Mills & Procter & Gamble
02/28/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum

March
03/07/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum & Procter & Gamble
03/14/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
03/21/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
03/28/2010 – 2 SmartSource, RedPlum & Procter & Gamble

April
04/04/2010 – No Inserts This Week
04/11/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
04/18/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
04/25/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum

May
05/02/2010 – SmartSource, RedPlum & Procter & Gamble
05/09/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
05/16/2010 – 2 SmartSource & RedPlum
05/23/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
05/30/2010 – No Inserts This Week

June
06/06/2010 – SmartSource, RedPlum & Procter & Gamble
06/13/2010 – SmartSource
06/20/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
06/27/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum

July
07/04/2010 – No Inserts This Week
07/11/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
07/18/2010 – SmartSource
07/25/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum

August
08/01/2010 – SmartSource, RedPlum & Procter & Gamble
08/08/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
08/15/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
08/22/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
08/29/2010 – SmartSource, RedPlum & Procter & Gamble

September
09/05/2010 – No Inserts This Week
09/12/2010 – SmartSource & 2 RedPlum
09/19/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
09/26/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum

October
10/03/2010 – SmartSource, RedPlum & Procter & Gamble
10/10/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
10/17/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
10/24/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
10/31/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum

November
11/07/2010 – SmartSource, RedPlum & Procter & Gamble
11/14/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
11/21/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
11/28/2010 – No Inserts This Week

December
12/05/2010 – SmartSource, RedPlum & Procter & Gamble
12/12/2010 – SmartSource & RedPlum
12/19/2010 – No Inserts This Week
12/26/2010 – No Inserts This Week

photo credit: plindberg

If you are looking for something fun and cheap to entertain the little ones, try making this sidewalk paint.  I found this recipe at Easy Fun School:

¼ cup cornstarch
¼ cup cold water
6 to 8 drops of food coloring

Basically, add the water to the cornstarch until you reach the desired consistency.  Then add the food coloring!

We are going to make ours in some old Cool Whip containers so that we have lids for storage.  According to the website, if the paint dries out, just add more water. Also, since cornstarch is all natural, it won’t harm our plants.

I am going to make red, blue, and yellow so that the kid can mix the colors himself (free art lesson!).  Also, since food coloring can stain, we’re going to be sure to wear old clothes.  Have fun!

photo credit: ninjapoodles

I don’t bother to buy a Sunday paper unless I know that there are grocery coupons in it.  In addition, I can get away with buying a local paper if there are only SmartSource inserts, but need to buy the larger city paper if Red Plum inserts are printed.  So, I am always interested in knowing the coupon insert schedule.

The original link that I found was here on GottaDeal.com.  I also included a cut and paste of the information below:

2009 Coupon Inserts Schedule

January
4 – 2 Smart Source & 2 Red Plum
11 — Smart Source & Red Plum
18 –Smart Source & Red Plum
25 –Smart Source & Red Plum

February
1 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
8 — Smart Source & Red Plum
15 –No Inserts scheduled
22 — Smart Source & Red Plum

March
1 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
8 — Smart Source & Red Plum
15 — Smart Source & Red Plum
22 — Smart Source only
29 — Smart Source & Red Plum

April
5 — 2 Smart Source & 1 Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
12 — No Inserts
19 — Smart Source & Red Plum
26 — Smart Source & Red Plum

May
3 — Smart Source & Red Plum
10 –Smart Source & Red Plum
17 — 2 Smart Source and 1 Red Plum
24 — No Inserts scheduled
31 — Smart Source & Red Plum

June
7 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
14 — Smart Source Only
21 — Smart Source & Red Plum
28 — Smart Source & Red Plum

July
5 — Procter and Gamble only
12 — Smart Source & Red Plum
19 — Smart Source Only
26 — Smart Source & Red Plum

August
2 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
9 — Smart Source & Red Plum
16 — Smart Source & Red Plum
23 — Smart Source & Red Plum
30 — Smart Source & Red Plum

September
6 — No SS or RP Inserts – Labor Day One Procter and Gamble
13 — 1 Smart Source & 2 Red Plum
20 — Smart Source & Red Plum
27 — Smart Source & Red Plum

October
4 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
11 — Smart Source & Red Plum
18 — Smart Source & Red Plum
25 — Smart Source & Red Plum

November
1 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
8 — Smart Source & Red Plum
15 — Smart Source & Red Plum
22 — Smart Source Only
29 — No Inserts scheduled

December
6 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
13 — Smart Source & Red Plum
20 — No Inserts scheduled
27 — No Inserts scheduled

Happy coupon clipping!

photo credit: milele

In a previous post, I mentioned that we hoped to spend $250 total on Christmas this year.  We had $95 dollars left and quite a bit to still get.  So in the end, how did things turn out?

• We actually ended up with $105 to spend, since my mom wanted to contribute to the gift certificate for my stepfather (we had budgeted $20, but only spent $10).
• We spent $15 on my brother – we redeemed $20 in gift cards from Amazon, and split the cost of a Wii game with my grandmother.
• We didn’t get my sister-in-law anything.  Things have been tough for her this year, and she didn’t want to exchange gifts.
• We spent $48 on the tree, which was $13 more than we expected.
• We spent $20 on a gift card for my sister-in-law’s boyfriend, and $20 on a simple train to put under the tree for the kid.  I also spend $5 for some alphabet foam stickers (the kids only request to Santa).

Overall, that put us at $3 over budget for Christmas.  I can live with that!

I would highly recommend a Christmas budget for everyone.  It really forced us to pick and choose what was most important to us, and as an added bonus, we don’t have a ton of useless crap after Christmas!

Did you follow a budget this year?  If so, how did it go?

photo credit: Stuart Chalmers

This is one instance where I am so glad that I was wrong.  Yesterday, I was wondering if our truck had finally reached the end of the road.  It turns out that the rear brakes had iced up (it’s a pickup, which explains why warming up the truck for 45 minutes had no effect).

In addition to a free tow (thanks AAA!), our auto shop didn’t charge us anything.  Maybe they felt sorry for us, or are full of the holiday spirit, but I am so thankful that we didn’t have to shell out any money.

This did serve as a huge wakeup call, though.  I don’t like the fact that we don’t have a huge down payment saved up right now, especially considering the economy.  I’ve been thinking about our 2009 goals, and am reassessing our priorities based on yesterday’s experience.  I really don’t want any car/truck loan if we can help it!

photo credit: clspeace

I woke up this morning to find that the car was gone, but the truck was still parked in the street.  My husband always takes the truck to work, so I knew that this wasn’t a good sign.

I called the husband.  He thought that the truck just needed some time to warm up, since it was cold this morning.  He said that he couldn’t get it to move.

I went out and let the truck warm up for 45 minutes.  Basically, it will start and shift into gear, but it won’t move.  At all.  I called AAA, and it’s been towed to the repair shop.  According to the tow truck guy, “The transmission’s locked.  That’s never good.”  Hmmm….

My husband is in denial that anything serious is wrong, but I have a feeling that the truck may be at the end of its road.  After dumping $1500 into it earlier this year, ponying up for transmission work on a vehicle with about 200,000 miles on it falls into my “money in the toilet” category.

We’ll see what the auto shop says.  Luckily, we can easily do with one car until at least the end of January.

Anyone got a nice reliable car for sale?

photo credit: inoc

Wow – it’s environmentally friendly, and it’s free!  Treat yourself to a one year digital magazine subscription from The Read Green Initiative. All you need to do is pick your magazine and enter your e-mail address.

Then, sign up for an account with Zinio, which provides sales and distribution of digital content.  When I signed up for my Zinio account, all I had to do was provide an e-mail address and create a password (no physical address or credit card information was required).

Being a personal finance geek, I picked Kiplinger’s for my free magazine, but there is definitely something for almost anyone (US News and World Report was one of the choices, for example).

I also installed the reader so that I can download the digital issues to read at my convenience (sans internet connection).  If you’re really into supporting the green initiative, you can also purchase subscriptions from Zinio.

If you decide to try this out, please drop a line and let me know what you think!