Top 5 Things

I found this sticker of the Top 5 things heard by parents with many kids. This list is so true! I hear several of these almost every time we go out, and we even heard #5 once.

I have to add to MY list:
Are they all girls?
Are you trying for a boy?
Oh, your poor husband! (in regards to not having a boy, or having so many girls)

Usually I just smile and say, "Oh, it's so fun. Our house is always busy!", "They're a blessing!" or "No, my husband LOVES all his girls!" I don't usually use a sassy comeback, like "Do you think I should send one back?", but I've been tempted!  

Confessions of a Former Coupon Queen

Once upon a time I was labeled a Coupon Queen.  I was asked to speak at several workshops about couponing over a couple of years, and I was featured in newspaper articles.  People regularly asked me for money-saving advice and I posted coupon matches on my blog weekly.

I have a confession to make:  I barely use coupons these days.

I have a pile of coupon inserts have haven't been touched for months.  I haven't been to a double-coupon day for a long time.  I haven't chased deals at CVS, Walgreens, or Target for quite awhile. 

And I'm okay with that.

You see, life changes and priorities must be rearranged.  We now have six children age 10 and under, and with a busy homeschooling schedule and various other commitments, couponing has largely fallen to the wayside.

I still try to shop wisely, stockpile sale items, and watch our spending, but I have allowed myself some grace in the penny-pinching during this season.  Now I mostly shop the loss-leaders at one store and get the necessities at Aldi.  This method requires less time away from my family, because even with six kids in tow, I can spend less than 30 minutes in each of these stores.  And right now, my time is worth more than saving $4 in coupons.

Yes, if I spent the time to find the deals, clip the coupons, and race to the stores, I could probably save another $150 or more a year (it hurts a bit to add it up like that!), but on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis, this is one thing that can slide for this season.  It won't last forever, but neither will my kids' childhoods.  I'll have more time to coupon when they're older, and even more when they're grown and gone.