2011

I'm welcoming 2011 with open arms.  I always get excited at fresh starts and the prospect of getting things organized and accomplished in my life.  I even spent more than 2 hours, an early birthday date with Kevin, going over our goals and thoughts for the new year instead of going to a movie or eating our at a fancy restaurant.  Things we want to do on an individual basis and as a family.  Thankfully, my White Chocolate Mocha was there by my side to nurse me through the tough decisions.  Two pages of notes and scribbles later, I feel as if we have a good handle on 2011 and some very attainable goals.

One area that I'm determined to do better in is saving at the grocery store.  *sigh* It really does take a LOT of time and effort to stay on top of this area.  So, my goal is to take our grocery bill down to $125 a week (or less).  I know I can do it.  I'm just going to have to put in the effort.  

My first step is to make out a meal plan.  I haven't decided if I should do it weekly, biweekly or monthly.  What do you all do?

Next step will be to set aside the time to look at the sales and get coupons together.  Very grateful for Savings Angel!

Finally, I'm going to have to make sure I have the coupons on hand to use.  This shouldn't be difficult, but they will still need to be purchased.  Related to this step is knowing when and what coupons are going to be in the papers.  So, to help me, and maybe some of you too, I've copied and pasted an insert schedule below.  This will be printed off and in the top of my coupon file so I have no excuses.  Plus, now that you all know, there will be some accountability for me. :)  (I'll try to post every so often to let you see how I'm doing.)

2011 Sunday Coupon Insert Schedule

Date: December 13th, 2010

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2011 Sunday Coupon Insert Schedule (Smartsource Coupon Preview 2011, Redplum Coupon Preview 2011, Proctor & Gamble Coupon Preview 2011, General Mills Coupon Preview 2011)

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