The Grocery Game (My New Fad)- Information

My best friend, Cory, has been doing the grocery game for about three months now. She kept going on and on about how much she was saving, so I finally decided to give it a try.

I started two weeks ago and have already saved over $100! Each Sunday, I get the paper and pull out my coupon books and then I look at the grocery list on www.thegrocerygame.com. I'm obsessed.

At first, I wondered why it was called "The Grocery Game," but now I can see why. I spend time on the list figuring out if I buy this much, I save this much, etc. It's fun! I use to spend more money at Walmart for less food. Now, I get more, better quality food for less money. For example, after two weeks, my freezer is filling up with chuck roasts (around $4 total), steak (about $3.50 total) and whole chickens ($4 total). I could never afford to buy that much meat before!

But here is the key to success. You only buy the blue(discounted prices) and green(free) items on the list. This is what really saves you money. If you are one of those people that has to write a list and buy what you want to buy, then this won't work for you. Also, the most important thing is stockpiling- buying lots of the items you use/need the most when they are on sale. As I have only been doing this for two weeks, I am still working on my stockpile.

You also need to subscribe to the Las Vegas Review Journal Sunday paper for at least four weeks before you start. This will give you a base of coupons to begin with. I still don't have all the coupons they refer you to and I've been getting the paper for five weeks.

Unfortunately, we don't get all the coupon books in the Sunday paper, so you'll need to go online to Red Plum's website and request their mailer.

The Grocery Game uses mainly three mailers: SmartSource (Sunday paper), Red Plum (in the mail on Tuesdays) and P&G Brand Saver (in the mail on Tuesdays).

I've really enjoyed doing this and look forward to each week; and I'm still learning. You can sign up for four weeks and it is only $1. After that, it is $10 for eight weeks for the first store and $5 for each additional store. I am signed up for Smiths and am going to start checking out CVS. Cory says you can get TONS of stuff for free by using the extra care bucks you get back from purchases.

I hope this answers any questions for those of you interested in this coupon game. Call or email me if you have any more questions. And if you don't mind, please input my email for your referral. For every three people you refer, you get free weeks! I'm all about saving and free stuff!

Flying with Children?

We will be flying to visit Carlo's mom and step-dad in May. Of course, the planner and worrier that I am, I have already started figuring things out. But I have a few questions I was hoping one of my fellow bloggers might be able to answer.

The last time we flew, Daniel was under two and could sit on our lap. Now, I have two children. Daniel weighs enough, so he can sit in the airplane without a car seat. Coral needs a car seat or a CARES harness.

For convenience, I thought I'd buy the harness. It folds up in your carry on and I'd be able to check the car seat. But . . . they are $75.

I'm mostly concerned with flying back from Arkansas. The kids and I are staying an extra week and I'll be toting everything by myself. I read the guidelines for our airline and you are allowed a car seat or a stroller. I'd really like to take a stroller because I don't want to lose Coral in the airport!

Any suggestions?