New Blog

Due to 2009 almost being over, I've decided to change to a new title, which means a new address.  The new address is:

The Most Stressed Woman

This will be the last post on this blog.

Monday Menu Plan and Shopping Savings

Today I hit Walmart and Walgreens for their specials, and a couple of extras I needed for my menu plan for the week.

First my menu plan:

Monday: Meatloaf, Betty Crocker Scalloped Potatoes, Applesauce

Tuesday: Porcupines, Mashed Potatoes, Corn

Wednesday: Hawaiian Smoked Sausage

Thursday: Slow Cooker Chicken

Friday: Shepherd's Pie

Saturday: Chicken Parmesan

With a list in hand and coupons pre-sorted for sale items (I love organization), I went shopping. First I went to Walmart because I knew that trip would take a bit longer.

Honey Bunches of Oats $2.50 (Reg. Price $3.28) - $2 coupon = Total Price: $.50
2 boxes of Cinnamon Chex $4.00 (Reg. Price $3.34 ea) - $1 coupon = Total Price: $3.00
5 boxes of Betty Crocker Potatoes $3.90 (Reg. Price $1.66 ea) - (5) $.25 coupons = Total Price: $2.65
Spaghetti $1.82
Canola Oil $2.28
Spaghetti Sauce $.98
(4) cans of Carnation Evaporated Milk $3.12 (Reg. Price $.98 ea) - (2) $.50 coupons = Total Price: $2.12
(4) boxes of Kraft Mac N Cheese $2.96 - B3G1 coupon = Total Price: $2.22
Canned Carrots $.86
(9) Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup $5.22 (Reg. Price $1.14 ea) - 1.10 coupons = Total Price: 4.12
Hormel Bacon Bits $1.78
Open Pit BBQ Sauce $1.14
Yeast $.92
Quart of Lactaid Milk $3.86 - $1 coupon = Total Price: $2.86
4 pounds of ground beef $5.00 (Reg. Price $2.18 ea)
Sauerkraut $1.64
Green Pepper $.94
Onion $.39
1 doz. Eggs $1.26

Regular Price for Everything: $61.99
Before Coupons: $46.53
After Coupons: $39.69
Bottle Return (Yes, I live in one of those states): $2.10
Total Out the Door: $37.59
Total Savings: $24.40

As I skipped out of Walmart LOL, I made my way to Walgreens.

(2) Maxwell House Coffee $11.98 (Reg. Price $11.99 ea) - $1 Coupon = Total Price: $10.98
(2) Gallons of Milk $3.78 (Reg. Price $2.29 ea)
(3) cans Hunts Tomato Sauce $1.00 (Reg. Price $.99 ea)
(2) Tag Body Spray $8.00 (Reg. Price $4.49 ea) - B1G1 Coupon = Total Price: $4.00
(2) Herbal Essence Conditioner $6.98 - B1G1 Coupon = Total Price: $3.49
(4) cans Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup $2.00 (Reg. Price $.99 ea) - $.40 Coupon = Total Price: $1.60
(4) cans Mandarin Oranges $2.00 (Reg. Price $1.29 ea)

Regular Price for Everything: $56.61
WAG Coupon Savings: $5.13
WAG Advertised Savings: $18.12
Coupon Savings: $10.89
Total Savings: $34.14

YIPPEE!!!

An Actual Menu Plan

Monday	Chicken and Rice Bake
Tuesday	Island Spiced Salmon Baked Potato
Wednesday	Apple Walnut Salad
Thursday	Creamy Baked Potato Soup (Crockpot)
Friday	Baked Cod
Saturday Sunday	Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Turkey & Mashed Potatoes

Sleep

I don't know why, but I really enjoy the peacefulness at night. I like sitting in the dark on my computer playing games or reading the news listening to nothingness. However, my brain has this odd belief that if I sleep later than 9 a.m. than my day is destroyed. As a result, I force myself to wake up early and don't allow myself the proper amount of sleep. I drag my ass around all day and have a hard time concentrating on my homework. I don't feel like going out because I'd have to get moving. This results in my staying home, not running needed errands, avoiding homework and sitting on my butt eating junk food all day. If/When I do take my meds or go to bed early from pure exhaustion from lack of sleep over a period of days and get a decent nights sleep, I feel awesome. My energy level is really high and I have a feeling I can accomplish everything on my to-do list.

Sleep is extremely important.

Not only does your mind regenerate during sleep but the body requires it as well. In regards to health, sleep is a major component of staying healthy. I know all of this. And yet, I punish myself with too few hours of sleep and then drag my ass all day from exhaustion and complain that I cannot workout because I'm too tired and I'm putting my health at risk in multiple ways.

I found a few problems that lack of sleep can cause from the APA (American Psychological Association)

Physiological systems

• Brain and nervous system
• Cardiovascular system
• Metabolic functions
• Immune system

Furthermore, unhealthy conditions, disorders and diseases can also cause sleep problems, including:

• Pathological sleepiness, insomnia and accidents
• Hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risks (MI, stroke)
• Emotional disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
• Obesity; metabolic syndrome and diabetes
• Alcohol and drug abuse
  (Dinges, 2004)
  

So, I'm going to try to get back to my goals of sleep and taking my meds at night (I haven't been taking them at night because they make me tired and then I don't enjoy my quiet time). But if you're having the same problem, here are a few techniques listed on the APA site:

• Keep a regular sleep/wake schedule
• Don’t drink or eat caffeine four to six hours before bed and minimize daytime use
• Don’t smoke, especially near bedtime or if you awake in the night
• Avoid alcohol and heavy meals before sleep
• Get regular exercise
• Minimize noise, light and excessive hot and cold temperatures where you sleep
• Develop a regular bed time and go to bed at the same time each night
• Try and wake up without an alarm clock
• Attempt to go to bed earlier every night for certain period; this will ensure that you’re getting enough sleep

I didn't go to bed until 2:30 a.m. and was up at 8 a.m. Tonight my intention will be to go to bed at 10-10:30 and sleep at least 8 hours!!!

Back Home

One of the worst things to do when coming home from a vacation is attacking the mound of mail that has gathered in your absence. My stack of mail was about 6 inches high. Okay, so there was a book for one of my college classes in there, but still, there is a lot of mail.

Besides the regular magazines, bills and junk mail, I was a bit upset to find an insurance claim form. I've already spoken with the insurance company twice about the car being stolen and now have 4 pages of "Proof of Loss" forms to fill out. Then, I have to have it notarized and mailed back within 10 days. 10 days??? They mailed it out on the 9th - I didn't get home until the 14th - and that was a Saturday so I couldn't get it filled out and notarized that day. In other words, I MUST fill it out, notarized and mailed today so I don't get screwed (again).

Since my husband is the main driver of the car and had his loads of tools in the trunk (in case of emergency), I've given him the task of making a list of items for a homeowners claim (which is just another pain in the ass).

The second worst thing to do when coming home from vacation: LAUNDRY!!!

My goals have fallen off the bandwagon. PCCX (Spring Cleaning) starts today so hopefully I can back on track...

Vacation From Hell

Day One: We picked up my oldest son and continued our drive to Hammond, Indiana. We didn't make any stops except for lunch at Big Boy. We arrived at the hotel at 4pm and unpacked. Then we decided to relax for an hour before deciding to head to dinner. After asking the hotel for suggestions, we chose Johnel's. The price was a bit high but the food was fabulous. When we arrived back at the hotel, we just vegged out, exhausted from the long drive.

Day Two: Eric woke me up stating, "I'm sorry to wake you like this but the car is gone." I could barely register the words as I was opening my eyes. I looked over at the clock, it was only 6:30 (except it wasn't because of daylight savings, it was 7:30). I jumped out of bed and looked out the window but didn't see our car. More later....

Money Matters

We've been planning for this trip since Kris signed up for the National Guard. It's not as if we have a lot of money, so the intention has always been to use our tax refund. But we didn't know we'd have moved in with my father and dh would have a low-paying job either. We really can't pay our monthly bills on his income, but about the same time that we start to get near a third month behind in our bills, my student loans come through and we're able to catch up again until the cycle begins again. We're also able to breathe a little easier in the spring/summer/fall when the gas and electric bills aren't quite so high.

With a decent tax refund this year, I was really hoping to not only cover the trip, but also put some money in savings that would allow us to end the "fall behind" cycle. Then when I did receive my student loans, they could go towards paying off bills instead of playing catch up.
The reason all of this is on my mind as I'm preparing to walk out the door on vacation? I'm afraid of overspending. Not afraid, terrified. As it is we'll be doing our part to help the economy by traveling to 4 different hotels in 3 states. We'll be visiting a couple of tourist attractions. We'll be eating out. I just hope that I budgeted it all okay...