Adventures in Couponing

If you're like (the old) me, the word "couponing" leaves you terrified. I don't even have cable, but I've gotten the picture of how Extreme Couponing has made coupons seem like paper madness.

Well, I too, was afraid. But I've started reading Money Smart Fashion this year, and I have been inspired by the way Grace tackles saving without making clothes out of burlap sacks or eating nothing but Ramen noodles. Plus, she coupons and doesn't seem like a lunatic!

So I started focusing on saving dough. 

And then, my new Kindle (with special offers) offered me How to Shop for Free for $1. Great savings on a book about savings? It was obviously a sign.

So I took to working the coupon world. I got a subscription to the Sunday paper (with a coupon code, of course). I became a BzzAgent (it's amazing - it's how I got the food below for free). I've printed stacks of coupons. I've nabbed any available coupons in my path. I've added a bunch of couponing blogs to my Google reader. 

I'm certainly not "extreme", but I have saved a good deal of money. And donated to the food/toiletries pantry at work. This couponing thing is pretty fantastic.

Everything in the picture (except Elvis) set me back $6.50. It's not free, but it will do!

Clothing (Re)Construction

I made an amazing score at a local thrift store this weekend!

A dress form! That's my size! And in nearly perfect condition! And for amazingly cheap! Oops likes it, too.

I also scored a great skirt that doesn't fit well, but the fabric is certainly sweet enough to salvage.

Luckily, I also had Amazon credit that allowed me to get a book that will help with this and a lot of other sewing projects: Little Green Dresses by Tina Sparkles.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you are like me and can sew, but are far from mastering clothing construction (or if you're like me and have a hard time finding clothes that fit). I haven't read every word yet, but its instructions are clear and it has a lot of cute patterns. It even has a wedding dress made out of tablecloths - you can bet I'll consider that! It's going to make searching for thrifted clothes (and fabric) quite an adventure. I can't wait!

I'll be sure to post pictures of whatever I do with my new skirt and of my future experiments in clothing (re)construction. Share your experiences with me, too!