Guess What We've Been up to...

Okay, I know it has been a while since you heard from us.  We have been traveling here there and everywhere.  We finally made it to Florida and guess what we did?  We bought a "new-to-us" motorhome.  

We know that everyone will not share our joy so we only sent this email to those we knew would rejoice with us and then some.

My coupon bees will really appreciate the bargain we got.  We waited six years for the RV of our dreams and got it for 1/2 the price of what it was six years ago and we traded in our precious Winnebago motorhome.  Watch the video and we hope you rejoice with us.  Everyone loves a bargain!

https://youtu.be/rOQzaajvoAI

Love,

Hampton & ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Fwd: Strategic Coupon Class

Hey, Everyone!

I have not forgotten about y'all.  I have been concentrating on my YouTube channel.  I have promised myself and my audience to upload at least 3 to 5 videos per week.  All of the videos are related to my life as MiMi to my grandkids.  For now, most of my videos show me in the kitchen cooking.  I am having lots of fun doing the videos but it would be great to have you stop by my channel and take a look-see for yourself.  ShaRon's YouTube Channel Link 

I have not been couponing in nearly four months.  For 6 weeks, I was on a cross-country trek to Seattle and then to Alaska.  We returned in late August to start the school year with our 8 grandkids.  I promised myself that I would try doing meal preparation smarter in order to save my dwindling energy.  So, I dedicated my energy to making weekly meal plans for at least 2 weeks in advance.  Next, I realized that I could save time, energy, and money by preparing two or more meals at a time and freezing the extra meals and/or serving the same meal the very next day.  Not really leftovers but just a second day of a meal that was prepared expressly for the next day.  My grandkids still call it a leftover day despite the fact that most days it is the meal I prepared just for that day.  No matter, they love it anyway.

I have also rediscovered my love for my crockpot.  I started with a 6-quart slow cooker but found it was not large enough for my big family.  The largest slow cooker I could find was 8 qts.  So, I bought one and love it.  Three years ago, that 8 qt slow cooker made enough for my family to eat for two days.  But, the kids have grown and so have their appetites.  So, I am really thinking about purchasing a 10-quart instapot.  I have just begun my research and will let you know when I purchase mine.

On, September 1st, I began a freezer, pantry, fridge challenge.  The challenge means that for as long as possible, my freezer, pantry, and refrigerator will serve as my supermarket.  The only exception will be when I shop for perishables like eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit and veggies, seafood (crabs or clams or oysters), and household items like cleaning products, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.  So far, I have not been grocery shopping in the last 5 weeks except for those items I mentioned.  We are saving money by shopping in our own freezers, coolers, and pantry aisles.  I am on day 39 of our freezer, pantry, fridge challenge.  It may take a while because we have three freezers, two refrigerators, and a big pantry.  But, that is not the reason it will take so long for us to use up all the stored food.  Our community, family, and church family keep on blessing us.  We have been blessed beyond what we thought was possible.  God is Good!

Finally, I have decided (after many, many requests) to do a Coupon Class.  The information is below and I hope as many of you are able to attend as possible.  I encourage you to pre-register because the class has been advertised to the surrounding community and my church.  Space is limited to the first 50 who reply with their name and phone number sent to this email redbeelips@gmail.com. 

Strategic Couponing Class Saturday, October 20, 2018 - 8:30 AM to 10 AM 

At Queen's Chapel United Methodist Church 

7410 Old Muirkirk Road – Beltsville, MD 20705 

 Lomax Fellowship Hall - (Enter at the rear of the church) 

SPACE is LIMITED to the first 50 people who respond to the email address below. 

For more information or to register, send an email to <redbeelips@gmail.com>. 

 Include your name and phone number. (Please, do not call the church office) 

Donation (any size or brand): 3 bottles of hot sauce & 2 cans of veggies Donations benefit Holiday baskets prepared for families in need in the surrounding community Valuable couponing strategies for the everyday shopper. Learn How to Save with or without Clipping Coupons by Couponing Strategically.  

That's it!  Happy Couponing!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Mega Family University

Hey, Y'all!

Yep, I have returned to wish you all a wonderful end of summer and crispy fall.  My husband and I returned to Maryland a week ago from our 6,700-mile (roundtrip) cross-country trek.  We completed the last two state visitations and have now visited all 50 states of our great America.  North Dakota and Alaska were the only states we had yet to visit.  And for all those who told us there was nothing to see in North Dakota, we have news for you.  North Dakota is a beautiful state with wide-open spaces, big sky, and friendly folks.  Alaska took our breath away!  Once I get organized, I will post a link to our month long trip.  

Thankfully, we had only a couple of minor hiccups along the way and the Lord sent us an angel each time to watch over us.  We saw only one wildfire and it was almost out by the time we drove through.  But, we did see lots of scorched land and mountains where the wildfires left their mark.

Now, for the good part.  I started a refrigerator/pantry/freezer challenge on September 1st.  The challenge means that we will eat only from our three freezers, two refrigerators, and pantry for at least the next 6 to 8 weeks.  We will only buy fresh veggies, fruit, eggs, and dairy, as needed.  We cannot justify buying any more food when we have yet to use what we have.  So, I am asking you all to join me on this great quest to save money the old-fashioned way, just stay out of the stores!  I will let you know how we are progressing with the challenge.  My husband loves to grocery shop.  So, I really do not know how that weak link will factor into the challenge.

Next, I have finally figured out how to keep from spending my entire day in the kitchen.  When I prepare a meal, I actually prepare three, four, or more meals at the same time.  I simply freeze the remaining meals and incorporate them into my weekly or monthly meal plan.  I also purchase the large family sized frozen meals from Costco and Sam's Club.  There are days when I want to give myself the day off and all I have to do is tear open the carton and cook the meal in the convection oven.  A quick side of a veggie, rice, salad, and/or garlic bread and dinner is on the table with minimal prep.  Thankfully, the youngest five kids love to cook and are really a great help.  The teenagers...not so much.  They will help when asked but they drain my energy just watching them do it all in slow motion. :o)

Finally, I feel like I have been spending the last three years in Mega Family University.  In fact, I am entering my fourth year this fall and I will be a senior at Mega Family University.  I have studied other large families, interviewed friends who came from large families, and watched videos on youtube, read blogs, and just lived the mega family life every day for the last three years.  I am so very excited to be able to share what I have learned with other mega families.

So, if you are a parent of a mega family with more kids than hands, I invite you to come to "A Mega Family Gathering" at Queen's Chapel United Methodist Church.  The gathering will be on Saturday, September 22nd; 8 AM to 9 AM.  Door prizes, meal prep & planning, exchange ideas and find solutions to our common challenges for meal planning, clutter, and more.  Download the flyer for more information. The gathering is free. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate children. Please, register by sending a reply to this email or send your response to OurMegaFamily@gmail.com.   Oh, by the way, you do not have to have a whole bunch of kids to attend.  All families at one time or another may feel like a mega family even with just one or two kids. This may be a one-shot event depending on the response.  We shall see! 

Love to you all!

ShaRon :o)

John 21:18

Getting Better

Hey, Everyone!

 

First, I must say that I am doing better. Surgery was successful and my hand/thumb should be much, much better in a few months. Full use can take 6 months to a year.  Physical therapy is vital to my recovery.

 

This soft cast stays on for another two weeks and then a hard cast for a week or two followed by a few weeks of rehab. Lots of low grade aching but easily controlled with the meds given to me. Here is the name of the hand surgery I had last week due to osteoarthritis: Right thumb carpometacarpal arthroplasty with flexor carpi adialis tendon transfer. YEP, that's just what I said..."Huh?"  

 

Okay, as a retired biology teacher, I just had to take a look at the surgery video posted online by the University of VA.  Now, I understand what was done and why this sucker hurts so badly. This video is not for the squeamish! Here's the link: Thumb Surgery video 

 

I thank y'all for letting me bend your ears.  Needless to say, there is zero tolerance for whining in our home.  Hamp has one arm for the rest of his life and I am one-armed for only 4 to 6 weeks. So, how am I doing? I am doing just GREAT! My grandkids can't wait for the hard cast to come so they can decorate it. Of course, they have all been really helpful and very eager to help. So very proud of my little people!

 

Thank you for your calls, texts, emails, visits and prayers for my recovery.

 

Four inserts are expected this weekend. Go to couponpreviews.info to see the coupons expected 5.6.18: 3 RedPlum & 1 SmartSource

 

I got a call from one of my bizzy coupon bees (Cassandra) this weekend. She was checking up on me and we discussed trying to find sources for "free money" via surveys. I belong to one "Pine Cone Research" a Nielsen company that does surveys for product ideas.  They rarely open up for new participants. They send me a survey and if I meet their criteria, (age, product interest, etc.), I will be given the survey to complete. I currently make about $12 to $15 per month @ $3 per survey…milk money! Link to Pinecone Research  Here is the faq about accepting new members:

Do you recruit new members through your website or take referrals?

Presently, we do not recruit new members through our website or take unsolicited referrals. However, we will be posting recruitment opportunities through banner ads on various unsolicited websites from time to time throughout the year. If you see one of these ads, please feel free to sign up with us.

 

Finally, did you know that WalMart will do your shopping for you and even load up your car…all for free? AND, give you and me $10 off our next order of $50 or more

when you use my WalMart online link

​ ​

http://r.wmt.co/iJB5T.  There is no minimum order for pick up.

    I do not know if you can use coupons.

You can increase your savings by

up to 10% by

adding "Ebates" to your WalMart.com online shopping trip.

​

​

 

 

ShaRon's

WalMart online link: 

​ ​

http://r.wmt.co/iJB5T ​

 

 

​​

Join Ebates via my link ShaRon's Ebates Link or <https://www.ebates.com/r/REDBEE25?eeid=28187> and we will both get a reward. I will get $25 and you will get $10 added to you new account. (New Ebate members only) I have collected $136.31 over the last two years…ice cream & popsicle money! I rarely shop for anything other than groceries in the store. I do a lot of online shopping and use Ebates to collect rebates automatically when I shop.

 

​

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

 

Happy Couponing for the Week of 4.22.18 and beyond...

Hey, Y'all!

Lots of great savings on the horizon this next week.  I will include several links to some of my favorite go-to sites for coupon deals, sales, and matchups.  Don't know if I will feel like sending an email blast next week.  My hand surgery is Wednesday and I doubt if I will do much of anything other than rest and recuperate.

Online Savings - Check out the brand new ShopRite website.  You can now do your shopping list on their website and it will even refer you to coupons that can help you save even more on regular and sale priced items.  Don't forget to download the ShopRite ap upgrade.

 Downtime Dollars - This is a feature on the ShopRite website that allows you to get FREE dollars to use when shopping in the store.  The process is really kind of silly but I will take FREE money any way it comes.  At $3, $6, $9, or $12, your Downtime Dollars savings may be transferred to your Price Plus Club Card.   Apply savings to your ShopRite order by presenting your Price Plus Club Card at checkout.  So far, I have $2.71 on my Downtime Dollars account.  That is not much but it is almost a free gallon of milk or two free loaves of bread or two dozen eggs for free, etc.  

Next...Contact your favorite companies for coupons.  Got a favorite soda, juice, or other beverage?  Write the company an email or give them a call and compliment them or better yet, send a suggestion or two.  Have a problem with a product?  Send the company an email.  I have gotten many, many, many coupons for free products over the last few years just by writing my favorite companies about my favorite products.  I write them about complaints; suggestions for new products or flavors; compliments on new products or old favorites; or whatever gives me an excuse to write them.  I have never contacted a company solely for coupons.  I NEVER ask for coupons and have yet to get a response that did not include coupons.  Here's the link to various companies - Living Rich with Coupons  Company Contact List.

Here's a fantastic go-to site for printable coupons - Living Rich with Coupons Printables  Tons of printable coupons.  Most printables can be printed at least twice.  Just return to the original link and do a second click.  

I like saving time even more than saving money...sometimes.  I use the Scan & Go Sam's Club ap on my smartphone.  I love it!  I scan as I shop and then walk right out the door.  I save so much time by not wasting my time standing in line behind ten or fifteen other people. Just go to the Play Store on your phone and download the ap.  

We have really been trying to save money on groceries by only shopping once a month based on a month menu.  Did not do a great job this month.  Mainly because I only did a menu for one week.  Will try to do better for the month of May.  Remember, the very best way to save the most money on your grocery bill is to stay out of the stores!  So, once we only shop once a month for real, we will save a bunch of money.  That once a month shopping doesn't include a bimonthly shopping haul for fresh fruit and veggies.  We buy enough eggs to keep at least 12 to 15 dozen in the refrigerator and freeze at least 8 loaves of bread and 8 gallons of milk so we rarely shop for those items more than every 4 to 6 weeks.  

New to couponing or feeling a little unsure of your couponing skills?  Limit your couponing to just one supermarket and one pharmacy for at least 6 months to a year.  You will eventually perfect your couponing skills and knowledge of that store's sales cycles.  Once you do that, then add on another store or pharmacy.  

Finally, this weekend's coupon inserts:  SmartSource 4.22.18    RedPlum 4.22.18

Much love to you all and Happy Couponing!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

​

$170 in Real $$ for Federal Employees and Retirees, too!

Hey, Y'all!

If you are not a federal employee or retiree, just go back to watching the cherry blossoms on tv.  On the other hand, if you are a federal employee or a retired federal employee, this deal is just for you.  

Hopefully, you have already received a similar email (see mine below) from the Federal Employee Program: Blue Cross/Blue Shield (FEP Blue).  If not, this could be because you have not registered online and joined the Wellness Rewards Program.  There is $290 waiting for you and your spouse (or partner).  All you have to do is answer some wellness questions and set up a few health goals.  That's it!  I have done this in the past and used the money (issued on a VISA card) to pay that annoying extra few copay dollars for medication or for meds not covered by insurance; copays at the doctor's office; even some non-prescription medication and supplies.  

Two years ago, I got $225 for me and $225 for my husband.  He is the federal retiree and I am on his insurance.  As far as I know, there is no wellness incentive for other Blue Cross-Blue Shield  insurance programs...just for federal employees and retirees.  Call your employee health advisor to see if your insurance offers similar programs.

So, go to this link <Wellness Incentive Program> and get working on that FREE money card for $170!!! Once you do the health assessment, you can get an additional $120 by completing three health goals @ $40 each. That's $290 per person for doing the healthy stuff you should be doing anyway!  You have until the end of 2018 to complete the program and goals and then do it all over again the very next year.

My goals:

• Start walking at least a mile everyday...as soon as the temps warm up.  Old joints don't do well in cold temps.
  
• Lose 15 pounds by my anniversary July 26, 2018...about 3 pounds per month or 3/4 pound per week.
  
• Sleep 8 to 9 hours per day.
  
• In bed...under the covers by midnight each night.
  
• Drink 64 ounces of water daily.
  
• Eat three meals daily + three pcs of fruit
  
• No food after 8 PM
• Get my annual wellness check up

Those are my health goals.  Write back and share some of yours with me.  I promise not to share your name or your goals with anyone else...unless you say it is okay.  Only then will I share the goal but I will never share your name...even with your permission.

Enjoy the rest of your evening!

ShaRon :o)❤❤
John 21:18 

 

Coupon Inserts and more...April 8th, 2018

Hey, Y'all!

I know...it has been a few minutes since I last said, "Hey!"
Been sooo busy with my family but this week the kiddos are all on spring break visiting with family in PA. 

I have been using this time to do some spring decluttering.  My office/playroom was a big ol' nasty mess!!!  As fast as I cleaned it up, the kids would invade my space and it would be worse than before.  I have four who make it their mission to clutter any space that has none.

Anyway, I am setting out on a mission over the next three weeks (21 days) to declutter my spaces (office, desk & drawers, closet, dresser drawers, and freezers).  I am scheduled for surgery on April 25th.  Nothing serious...I have a thumb that should have been fixed 5 years ago but I waited.  Actually, if I did not have my big family, I probably would not do it all.  But, the huge mountain of daily tasks has made it a necessity.  I cannot be the best grandma when I am in pain just trying to stir a cup of hot coco for the kids.  

I will have a soft cast for two weeks and then a hard cast for two weeks followed by physical therapy for another 6 to 8 wks.  Needless to say, I will not be able to carry on my usual duties for several weeks.  But, the upside is that I will have perfected my advance meal preparation techniques and share them with you.

You can follow my journey via my email updates until I am no longer able to type.  At that point, I will do my updates via my Instagram and YouTube posts.  This should be very interesting.  I will keep you in the loop!

New Month...New Printable Coupons
New Printable Coupon List - Over $450 in printable coupons

More Printables from CouponNetwork

Some Printables from Betty Crocker

Next week (April 8th) will be a coupon insert bonanza!  We are expecting 5 inserts!!!  I hope we get them all.  

Here are the links to check out the coupons you can expect.

April 8th Coupon Insert Links

• SmartSource #1 - 4/8
• SmartSource #2 - 4/8
• SmartSource #3 - 4/8
• RedPlum #1 - 4/8
• RedPlum #2 - 4/8

Remember, you may get some coupons not listed and you may also miss out on some that are listed.

Happy Couponing!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18