A new challenge

So for me, it’s kind of been about climbing mountains lately. After weeks of preparing for the half-marathon, I climbed that mountain and then after weeks of preparing to speak at the women’s retreat, I climbed that mountain the following week. Feeling slightly taxed from the nerves and time and endurance not to mention the physical and mental and spiritual commitment necessary to complete these tasks I purposely decided I was going to sit this week out. I wasn’t going to run – much. I wasn’t going to study the Bible – much. I fully intended to waste nap times and early bedtimes reading a cheap novel and eating ice cream. Now isn’t that a goal to be proud of? Not so much, but I may as well be honest.

While I have enjoyed the more relaxed pace of this week I also know that I am genetically wired to love a good challenge. I get bored with the seemingly mundane tasks of life pretty quickly if I don’t have an underlying project or goal to plan or work on. And really, who doesn’t like having something to be excited about, right? So, let me introduce you to my newest challenge……drum roll please…….coupons!

Yup, that’s it coupons! Fun, fun, fun! For the first time in our married lives Ross and I have decided to set up a budget. And, thankfully, since we both have always viewed money pretty similarly that doesn’t mean too many changes to our spending habits but I have noticed one huge area that I could rein in – groceries. I am too embarrassed to even state the sum we arrived at when adding up last month’s debits for groceries, but the bright side – very, very bright side – is that anything I do to cut corners this month is going to look just wonderful! Yea for that!

So besides a small trip to Wal-mart last week today was my first-ever serious coupon clipping day. Look what I got for less than $39! Total savings $85.36!!! And I even missed $3 in coupons that I could have used.



So far I am just loving this challenge! I have a long way to go to catch up with my coupon hero over at fistfulofcoupons.com but it’s a new way of thinking for me. It takes a little more planning and I am still feeling the learning curve but saving that much money is plain fun too me. I just can’t wait until next week so I can do it again!