I'm learning.....

It's been a tough time for us...
Money is short and I've been trying to learn whatever I can to make ends meet.
I've been reading a bunch of blogs and sites about how to do couponing. It's been said a lot that couponing saves a whole lot of money and it's a good way to save some money.
I've tried a couple of times and failed ugly! One purchase at Rite Aid yanked $45 off my wallet..... And I had $26.00 off coupons! I followed the list the girls had on their site....
Another one killed me for $80! Whatta hell??!! I'm doing something wrong! I know I'm doing something wrong!
I started looking into all the sites and blogs I subscribed for, and I noticed one thing I hadn't realized before: All the purchases the girls do, they do it LITTLE. As in; use as many coupons you can for that trip and do not overdo it, therefore, spending as less as possible each trip.

Last week I went to Albertsons and had about $60 in coupons, and my bill was about $12.
Yesterday I went to Target and spent $3.02 on a $24 bill. Just because I did not realize that the cashier forgot, or skipped 2 GM coupons...
Today I went to Target again and I scored! The bill was $32.38 and i spent $1.00!!!!!!! OMG!!! I was super super happy and proud of myself! Actually it was $0.44 plus $0.56 tax. Tax was more than the products!

The 2 ladies behind me were staggered! And the cashier looked at the screen 3 times to make sure! She said she was new, and couponing was something she never believed to work. Guess I proved her wrong today!

The coupons I used:
10 $1.00 GM printed from organicgrocerydeals.com - I printed 20 - Got the single serving.
2 $3.50 Purina coupons from giveabowl.com - I donated to zip 90504 - Purrfect Partners
2 $2.00 kotex coupons from target (dnt remember when they're from... sorry) + 2 $1.00 kotex manufacturer coupons they sent me after requesting it online.
3 $1.00 head and shoulders coupons from the sunday paper (sorry i really dnt remember from when...)
I got the trial size shampoo.
1 aquafresh coupon from coupons.com for 1 free size trial extreme clean.
2 $1.00 degree coupons from sunday's paper. Got the trial size.
1 Irish Spring coupon from coupons.com for $2.00 + 1 target coupon for $1.00

I was going to get Archer Farms artisan bread, (coupon for $1.00) but they did not have it anymore.....

I'll go back again tomorrow morning and see what else can I score!

I have to thank KCL, Deal Seeking Mom and everybody that submits their blogs to Deal Seeking Mom! I always go everywhere!

Parent of a Teen Parent

It was another ordinary day.
I woke up, went downstairs, made myself a nice pot of fresh coffee. Served myself, and went to the living room, where my daughter was watching tv. I was going to watch it with her, but remembered I had to finish something in the computer. So there I went to the office.

When I sat down, I notice a folded paper that said "MOM" tucked under my laptop.
When I saw it, I almost knew what I was going to be reading.....
So I picked it up, and started to read it.
".......I'm sorry I can't tell you in person..... I know you will be disappointed...... Mom, I'm pregnant."

My heart dropped. I felt betrayed. We have always talked about how much I wanted her to be enjoy her teen years, because I did not have them.

I picked the letter up and went back to the living room. For a split second that felt like 100 years, I did not know exactly what was going to come out of my mouth.
I told her I wanted her to not have it. It was not fair to her to have to go through this because of a mistake. A couple months back I took her to the doctor to start her on birth control.
Guess it did not help.....
I was angry....
"It's not right!" I yelled at her.
"Why are you going to put yourself through something that is not necessary?!"
Tears rolling through her eyes she said: " You're my Mom! You're supposed to support me! Of all people you should understand WHY I want to keep it!"

I was a teen mom myself.
15 years ago I was in the same situation. Not really the SAME, but, yes. I was pregnant.
For a whole lot different reason I wanted a daughter. I always knew I was going to have a baby girl. And I did. But I did not have the support I expected I would from my mom.

Now, my baby girl is expecting a baby herself.
We argued a little about the whole situation and I still had it in my head that I did not want her to go through with it.
I did not want her to loose her teen years! I wanted her to have a childhood, teen years, become a young adult, travel, discover her passion in life and THEN think about having kids.

I still insisted on the idea of not having it, but she was decided, and very convicted of her decision, so I had to give up and let her go through with it.

I cried a lot in my little dark corner.

But I had to pick myself up and start thinking about everything that needed to be arranged and taken care of to ensure my baby girl was going to be healthy, assisted and cared for in this new journey.

I sat up on the computer and researched all our options. For starters, we do not have health insurance. I had to find a way to have my girl covered. We applied for Medi-cal and WIC.
Then I found a support group for teen parents. I took her there and we spoke to a councelor. She was really nice and said we were not alone, and anything they could help with, they would.
They have a library with specialized material, a whole lot of donated baby items, maternity clothes, baby clothes. If she feels she needs to talk to somebody besides me, she can call them.

I enrolled her on online Home Schooling. We both agreed that it would be easier on her to study from home. This way she wouldn't have to deal with the everyday pointing, talking, picking, gossip, drama and psychological inferno that high school is.
Her hormones will go crazy, she'll get emotional, her body will drastically change. She will feel sick (is already!), she will need to use the restroom often..... Studying from home is the best way for her to go through this phase. It will be much more psychologically sane and safe.

The Home Schooling if free from the government. They give a desktop computer just for that. All the softwares, and online materials that she will need. Teacher support online, and she can meet in person with a local teacher if she needs more support.
I love this idea.

She will have a consultation with an OBG in 2 weeks and start the care plan for her and her baby.

I have to admit I did not want to be a grandma now..... I'm only 31! A lot of people don't even have kids themselves when they're 31! Much less become grandparents....

But you know what? All I have to do is be supportive, the way I had hoped my parents would have been with me. I have to be there for her no matter what. She is my life. She is my everything! I gave up my teen years for her. Against my whole family's will, and her father's. I gave up everything to have her.
I have to be here for her. It's my obligation. She is my daughter and I love her more than anything and anyone in this world.

Let the diapers take over the closet! Because this time, I'm not washing cloth diapers!