I'm here to help save you money Rebecca Autry Creations

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Ok typically I share from my own experience or from those around me because I am a real person and I have trials and hiccups in life that I know that even just one of you can relate, I have succeeded.

You are probably wondering why am I saying this or whats the point, but I recently got a comment suggesting I should keep something to myself and that coupon bloggers is meant to share ideas.

Yes I agree that sharing ideas is what I am here for and sharing with you how to save is my mission. Have you ever looked at my tag line? It says, “Helping Others Save Money.” That is just what I try to do. I recently wrote a post about something I learned to do and I wrote it to pass it on to others that they may also do the same to help save money.

It’s important to me to help others and if I open my mouth to help others that is what my intentions are. It has taken me over 3 yrs of couponing to be where I am today.

I don’t have to cut every single coupon, I can look at a coupon and realize whether it is a valuable coupon for me, I know the typical sale cycles and I know how much we use and how much we need between sales so our family can save effectively. I did not learn this over night and I am still learning. Whenever I learn something I will pass it on.

I am not most coupon bloggers, I am myself. Many large blogs my size and larger have teams who work on their blog. I can Stand HERE and say I am a ONE person show. I type my own reviews, I do my own posts, I do my own matchups with the help of a Wonderful Company. I taught myself CSS and HTML, I designed my own blog and if you ever asked me how much I put into my blog, my answer is my time. I rather learn to do something than to pay for something for my blog and yes that may show but right now every penny we bring in is vital to our home right now.

I pay monthly for my little corner of the web. I host other blogs under me even though I am not the owner but I have them for no expense to the owners because they have their own stories to share and I can afford to do that its not much but I’m happy to do it.

I have full control of what comes on my site from paid posts, sponsored posts, giveaways, and any other helpful things I feel fits my site.

I don’t tell people they have to come to my site to get the deals or they have to listen to me. I rather have fans who are eager to learn and want to be here than those who feel I am not doing a good job. There are 100’s of frugal bloggers and everyone of them is unique and has their own voices.

So sorry for my rant but this is my blog as long as I have control and I pay for my hosting and domain!

Thanks for reading and I hope you stay with me but if you feel you need to leave don’t worry I understand.

Spirit Week: How did I do? Rebecca Autry Creations

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My Kindergarten son has spirit week this week and unfortunately I was very forgetful on Monday and forgot to send my son with a Mustache for Mustache day.

I made it up with Beach day on Tuesday even sending him with swimming goggles.

Wednesday was Pajama Day which was pretty easy

Then today Thursday is Dress like a Teacher or old person. I dont have a wig or cane or walker so the best I could do was dress him like a teacher. He has a female teacher and since he doesnt always understand when he is being laughed at I wasnt going to let him dress like a girl. So below is what I came up with.

What do you think. The shirt and vest are from my sister. Glasses are the 3-D glasses from the theater that the kids brought home and lenses were taken out.

Topic: Spirit Week: How did I do?

Paying for the Wrong Meter! What's Next? Rebecca Autry Creations

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Ok here is one of the times I will be brutally honest with you all. We are in a financial hardship right now. I’m not going to sugar coat it or anything. I know many of you are struggling just as much as us.

A couple months ago my husband’s job changed making earnings way less than what we were getting. I’m not talking about Obama’s new taxes or anything to that end. Circumstances just changed. We have been filling out applications, going to interviews and I thought I had a job but it did not pan out as what we needed nor did it work out.

The plus side is my hubby has gotten more hours, I’m making a bit more blogging and we do get to spend more time as a family.

So with a financial hardship comes bills and trying to juggle everything is very crazy. When there is no money there is no money.

So why is this entitled Paying for the Wrong Meter? Because we had a electric issue and thought that it has been resolved. If you saw my post back in December on facebook I had asked what the cause for use of 12K KWH in 5 days. Well we have 2 units and it had nothing to do with the well water we just needed Freon and both units were running on auxillary which we did not know that at the time.

I had made the initial call the power company to see what arrangements we could make on our bill since we could not pay it in full. With the work of getting the rental group to fix our problem of Freon and AEP we made arrangements and thought the whole situation was fixed. Now we did know that on the new bill we would see the extreme high usage because of the problem so when I looked at our bill this morning yes it was high but not nearly as high as we thought. So looked closer.

The usage should have been 12K plus the just about 2K we used in those 31 days between Meter readings but here is where I found the incorrect information.

The meter on our bill said 47036 as read on Jan. 4th Today Jan. 6th it read 57527. No we didn’t use 10K in 2 days. When I read the meter on Dec. 8th our reader said 55587.

So you see from Dec. 8th to Jan. 6th we used 1,960 KWH according to the meter on our house that we have pictures of.

So I called our power company to once again see what re-arrangements we can make and to ask about the Meter.

They had me go outside and read off the Meter Id # and guess what we found. The one they are reading is not the Meter we have connected to the house. So they asked us if we are in a apartment complex or have another home connected to ours which we don’t. So the long short of the story is they are sending a technician to take a picture of the Meter connected to our home and trying to locate the Meter that they have been reading for our home.

So as for arrangements right now they have locked our account until they can locate the misreading and credit us on our actual reading. Thankfully the Meter we do have they have the meter reading each month from when we moved in so the representative said there is a definite credit to be issued to our account.

So I am very thankful that I do not need to make a payment until its resolved because we certainly do not have any to pay right now.

They told us it will take 2-4 weeks before they can resolve the issue. so yeah now we wait but atleast that’s on thing I don’t need to worry about for a few weeks.

Sorry to vent but this season of our lives seem very scary to me. I know we will get passed it.

Car Insurance. Do you have it? – Moms Saving Money

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As I’m laughing I couldn’t help myself but just a moment ago actually 2 hrs ago my hubby called to say he was on his way home early but the bad news is he is stock in a ditch! It’s snowing so they let him go home early. Sometimes we forget about insurance.

Yup he was in a pickle! On October 31st we were in an accident and out of our married life that was the first time we ever had to deal with our insurance.

Our Van was totaled but thankful our insurance paid for the loan and we had left over to put towards a new to us car.

I’m thankful with little to no income coming in we had a car we own but still kept the full coverage on it because just in case we got in another accident it would be taken car of.

So back to my hubby being in a pickle! We tried to think who could we call to help us out. Friends of ours who have a vehicle that could help don’t drive well in snow and they live on hills and not to mention my sister lives the town over so no point to calling them.

Long story short we forget that we have full coverage insurance that includes road side assistance up to $75.

They get paid by the hour so we pay the cost after the first hour from our pockets. So we hope it won’t take longer than an hour to get my hubby out of the ditch and on the road again.

I’m writing this post because sometimes your insurance policy is hard to understand so I didn’t know if towing was included. I thought it should be since that would be a reason why we would want to have it!

Well it did up to $75 so I am thankful. I have to say we have never used our insurance for anything until October 31st of 2012 and now here is our second time. I’m glad we have it because we would be in a pickle!

Do you feel a draft? Rebecca Autry Creations

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Here is something I learned today. Our living room has been a bit chili even though our inside temp says 75.

Well while we were waiting on snow to appear we had the curtains pulled back and I went to shut them a little and noticed the breeze coming from the top of the window. Sure enough it was open.

I then decided to check the other window. Same thing it was open at the top.

About an hour later after dinner we decided to get the kids ready to go play outside in the snow, as I went to the restroom I felt another draft similar to the one before. I checked the window and yup that one too was open.

I then decided to check our bedroom windows and yup those were open too! So guess what I decided to go through out the house and check them all.

Most of the remaining windows were also open at the top.

The odd thing is all of them were unlocked and opened about an inch each.

So do me a favor and go take a look at all your windows and make sure they are open or shut to your liking because you might feel an unwanted draft!

Thanks for reading.

Topic: Do you feel a draft?

Coupon Lingo: Abbreviations and all! Rebecca Autry Creations

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$$/$$ – This means $ off when you spend $ amount. Example: $5/$30 is $5 off your purchase when you spend $30. (Check to see if the amount has to be before or after coupons to apply.) $/# – This means that you get $ off for every # you buy. Example: $5/2 would mean that you get $5 off every 2 that you buy. $1/1 – One dollar off one item $1/2 – One dollar off two items 2/$1 – Two items for one dollar 3/$2 – Three items for two dollars B1G1 – Buy one item get one item free B1G2 – Buy One Get Two Free B2G1 – Buy two items get one item free Beep – Sometimes the register will beep when a coupon is scanned to indicate that the cashier need to take an action, like entering a price. Blinkies – Grocery/drugstore coupon dispensers with blinking lights BOGO – Buy One Get One Free CAT – Catalina. A coupon that prints out at the register that is either $$ off your next purchase or $$ off a certain product. Note: These are sometimes delayed in printing so wait a minute before walking away from the register. If you think you were supposed to get one and didn’t, talk to the cashier/manager and explain. Catalina coupon, prints from a separate machine when your receipt prints. CRT – Cash register tape, usually used when referring to CVS coupons that print with receipt. Closeouts – These are typically greatly reduced items that the store does not plan on re-stocking. Couponing Policy – This is the statement that each individual store abides by, in relation to coupons. What is typically included in their policy is whether they: take competitor’s coupons, take coupons past expiration dates, “double” or “triple” coupons, accept Internet Printables or if they even accept coupons. Coupon Insert – These are “packets” of coupons found in Sunday papers and also sometimes in the ads mailed to you during the week. These are typically sent out by Smart Source (SS or S), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor & Gamble (PG)They are also referred to as inserts, S, SS, RP and PG. Discontinued – This means that a store has depleted their inventory of an item and does not plan on re-stocking it. Double Coupons = This is the term used when stores will double a coupon’s value. Example, if you have a $1 off coupon, they’ll take $2 off. Stores vary on how often they do this ranging from never, always, on occasion or specific days of the week. Some stores may also set a maximum value limit. Example, no coupons over $2 and only 10 per transaction/day. DND – Do not double Ea. – Each ECBs – Extra Care Bucks, CVS loyalty rewards system ES =Easy Saver. This is Walgreens’ monthly rebate program. You can find the books by their ads in the store. ETS – Excludes trial size Exp. – Expires FAR = Free After Rebate FAE = Free after Extra Care Bucks FARR = Free After Register Rewards GC – Gift card Inserts – These are “packets” of coupons found in Sunday papers and also sometimes in the ads mailed to you during the week. These are typically sent out by Smart Source (SS or S), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor & Gamble (PG) They are also referred to as coupon inserts, S, SS, RP and PG. Internet Printable = A coupon that can be printed online. Also referred to as IP or Printable. IP = Internet Printable Coupon. Also referred to as “printable.” IVC – Instant Value Coupon, Walgreens’ store coupons found in ads and monthly booklet MFR = Manufacturer MIR – Mail-in rebate OOP – Out of pocket. This is the amount of money that you have spent after coupons, ECBs, RRs, Catalina’s OOS – Out of stock. This means that the store is temporarily out of an item but plans on getting in more inventory. Sometimes they will offer a rain check in cases like these. OYNO – On your next order, Used when referring to coupons that you can use on your next order at that store. OYNP = On Your Next Purchase. Used when referring to coupons that you can use on your next purchase (order) at that store. Peelie – Peel-off coupon found on product packaging Printables – These are coupons that you can print online. Also referred to as IP or Internet Printables.. PSA – Prices starting at

Q – Coupon

Rain check = A slip you can ask for in the store when an item’s on sale and out-of-stock. Some sales will specifically say “No rainchecks” and some stores will put an expiration date on their rain checks. RRs – Register Rewards, Walgreens’ Catalina coupons Rolling Catalinas – This means that you can use a catalina (see definition) as payment on another transaction of equal merchandise and another catalina will still print. Example, if you buy 5 “name brand items,” a $5 catalina will print. If you then buy another set of those same 5 “name brand items,” you can use the previous catalina you received as payment towards the order and another $5 catalina will print. SCR – Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid monthly rebates program Stacking – Using both a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon on one item Tearpad – Pad of coupons attached to a display, shelf, or refrigerator door. Triple Coupons = This is the term used when stores will triple a coupon’s value. Example, if you have a $1 off coupon, they’ll take $3 off. Stores vary on how often they do this ranging from never, always, on occasion or specific days of the week. Some stores may also set a maximum value limit. Example, no coupons over $2 and only 10 per transaction/day. UPC = Universal Bar Code. This is the bar code that’s scanned on products for pricing/info at the stores. Several companies will ask you to mail these in on rebates +UP Reward – Rite Aid reward program WAGS = Abbreviation for Walgreens WT = Wine Tag. These are coupons that you’ll find hanging on the wine bottles in the stores. WYB – When you buy YMMV – Your mileage (or manager) may vary, meaning some stores might give you a deal but others might not This is what you’ll see when someone

finds a deal but they want you to know that your store branch may not offer the same deal.

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I'm so poor I made my kids Costumes! Rebecca Autry Creations

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I’m so poor I made my kids Costumes!

Yes you read that right, our family is very poor right now. There is alot going on and I will save you from the details but here is the honest truth. I do not having money to buy my kids costumes this year. Last year I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to review costumes.

This year my son’s and daughter asked to be a Super Mario Character mostly because we just finished a Super Mario Themed Birthday Party just a month ago.

My oldest was set on Being Mario. I has asked for places to find overalls. Well unfortunately I was not able to find him a pair. But with the material my sister gave me and a hat from the photo props I had I made him Toad!

I did however find my middle child a pair of overalls and a green shirt and then I used material I had to make him his hat. He became Luigi!

My daughter on the other had has been given dress up clothes so we have a fairy and while I was adding to her collection awhile ago we had gotten a Sleeping Beauty dress similar to princess peach for $4 shipped. So she went at as Princess Peach in her mind. Don’t try to tell her otherwise!

My husband payed me a compliment and said its official I am make our Comic Con costumes when we decide to go in the future.

I simply made the kids costumes because I do not have the money to buy them costumes.

I do however recommend checking out Thrift Stores the day after Halloween because you might find them at 50% off. Last year I go a brand new Incredibles costume unfortunately it is still too big for my kids.

So did you buy or make your kids costumes this year?

Quick Organizing Tip from a Fan! Rebecca Autry Creations

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For small items that typically get left around the house, on tables, on counters, etc, I have small baskets to keep them from looking messy and falling all over the place.  In fact, I keep baskets of items on top of my cabinets, in drawers and in cabinets.

So if I need spices, I go and pull the basket out of my cabinet and there it is.  I have them organized by spices for cooking meals, like garlic, onion, etc and stuff for baking.  My vitamins and medications are also kept in baskets, so that I can go to the cabinet and find what I need without having to dig through a bunch of unorganized items to find advil. Tupperware lids are in baskets so that they don’t make a mess of the cabinet/drawer that they are in.

I find the inexpensive baskets at either the dollar store or in the dollar bins at various stores and get various sizes for different items.

Thanks for the organization tip Veronica S.

If you have an organization tip and would like to share it please email at momssaving1@gmail.com

Topic: Quick Organizing Tip from a Fan!

How to Save on Wedding Favors

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The easiest way to cut out part of the budget of a wedding is by not having any wedding favors! However it is nice to give those you appreciate coming to your special day a way to remember it by.

There are so many ideas of wedding favor you can make but I would suggest only doing a couple and preferably favors that are simple to make or purchase because chances are your quest will not take them, or they end up trashing them with in the year.

Some of the most thoughtful wedding favors can be handmade. You can put together a CD of pictures, a booklet of family recipes, a CD of songs, be creative. There are many things you can do.

Check out your nearest Dollar Tree there is always fun ideas you can do as well as there are plenty of wedding pre-made favors to choose from.

Start early because yard sales are a great place to find cheap and inexpensive wedding favors.

Google search for ideas on what you can do. Always set a budget for how much you want to spend over all and how much you want to spend per person.

Topic: How to Save on Wedding Favors

FREE Wedding Rehearsal Checklist Printable

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Your Ultimate Guide to a Stress-Free Wedding Rehearsal: Free Checklist Printable Included!

Planning a wedding is an exciting journey, but it can also be overwhelming with the myriad of details to organize. One crucial aspect that often gets overlooked in the midst of wedding preparations is the wedding rehearsal. A well-executed rehearsal ensures that everything runs smoothly on the big day. To make your wedding rehearsal stress-free and organized, we’ve created the perfect solution for you – a free wedding rehearsal checklist printable! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the importance of a rehearsal, the key components of a successful one, and how our checklist can be your go-to resource.

Why a Wedding Rehearsal Matters:

A wedding rehearsal serves as a run-through of the ceremony, allowing everyone involved to familiarize themselves with their roles and responsibilities. It’s a chance to iron out any kinks, ensuring that the actual wedding day unfolds seamlessly. Here’s why a rehearsal is a must:

  1. Smooth Transitions: Practice makes perfect. A rehearsal gives the bridal party, officiant, and vendors the opportunity to practice their entrances, exits, and movements during the ceremony.
  2. Coordination: Ensure that everyone is on the same page by coordinating the timing of each element, from processional to recessional. This ensures a harmonious and well-timed ceremony.
  3. Logistics and Setup: Familiarize everyone with the ceremony space, allowing for adjustments and fine-tuning of the setup. This includes positioning of chairs, altar decorations, and any other logistical considerations.
  4. Vendor Coordination: If you have hired vendors like photographers, videographers, or musicians, the rehearsal is the perfect time to communicate with them and ensure they are aware of the schedule and any specific requirements.
  5. Comfort and Confidence: A rehearsal helps calm nerves and boosts the confidence of everyone involved. Knowing what to expect on the big day contributes to a more relaxed and enjoyable ceremony.

Components of a Successful Wedding Rehearsal:

Now that you understand the importance of a wedding rehearsal, let’s delve into the key components that make it successful:

  1. Gathering Everyone: Start by gathering the entire bridal party, including bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, and anyone else playing a role in the ceremony.
  2. Introduction and Overview: The officiant should introduce themselves and provide an overview of the ceremony. This is also a good time for the couple to express their gratitude and set a positive tone.
  3. Processional and Recessional Practice: Walk through the processional and recessional, ensuring that everyone knows their cue, pace, and positioning.
  4. Vows and Rings: If you’re exchanging personalized vows or have special ring-related elements, practice them during the rehearsal to ensure a heartfelt and flawless delivery.
  5. Logistics Walkthrough: Take a walkthrough of the ceremony space, noting any specific logistics such as seating arrangements, altar setup, and microphones.
  6. Communication with Vendors: Coordinate with vendors present at the rehearsal, confirming their roles and ensuring they are familiar with the venue.
  7. Contingency Planning: Discuss contingency plans for unexpected situations, such as inclement weather for outdoor ceremonies.

Introducing Our Free Wedding Rehearsal Checklist Printable:

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To make your wedding rehearsal even more manageable, we’ve created a detailed checklist that covers all the essential elements. Download and print our free wedding rehearsal checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked. Here’s a sneak peek at what our checklist includes:

  1. Weeks Before the Rehearsal:
    • Confirm attendance of all bridal party members.
    • Coordinate with the officiant and vendors.
  2. Day of the Rehearsal:
    • Gather everyone at the venue.
    • Introduce the officiant and outline the agenda.
  3. Processional and Recessional:
    • Practice walking in and out.
    • Confirm positions and order.
  4. Ceremony Logistics:
    • Walk through the ceremony space.
    • Finalize seating arrangements.
  5. Vows and Rings:
    • Practice exchanging vows and rings.
    • Ensure everyone knows their cues.
  6. Vendor Coordination:
    • Communicate with photographers, videographers, musicians, etc.
    • Confirm timelines and requirements.

A successful wedding rehearsal is the key to a smooth and memorable wedding day. By incorporating our free wedding rehearsal checklist printable into your preparations, you can ensure that every detail is attended to. Download the checklist, gather your bridal party, and enjoy a stress-free rehearsal that sets the stage for a picture-perfect wedding ceremony. Happy planning!