Ready, Set, Cut

We said goodbye to cable TV two weeks ago, and we have not looked back.  

I was happy to cut the cord (so to speak) and just tell our cable company to go and pound sand. 

We had a plan, as we had already installed our Roku that we scored on Black Friday for $25 and we are already subscribers to Amazon Prime and Netflix.  So, there was obviously some thought put into the breakup. 

I personally was fed up with the poor customer service, endless promo pricing gimmicks and incessant nickle and diming. 

It was also more of a decision for my well being.  I began to observe my viewing habits and quickly realized it was similar to being in an unfulfilling relationship that I had grown accustomed to. Did I even particularly like the television shows I was watching? Most often not, I had simply grown accustomed to binge watching what was on my DVR. There was very little thought and entertainment value when it came to what I was watching, it was more of a routine that I had grown comfortable with.

The first week was weird, so to say. I had grown accustomed to coming home from work, immediately turning on the TV to one of my many DVR'd television shows and cooking dinner. Mindless television watching with very little educational or entertainment value. I do not miss it, which means it wasn't very important to me. I instead relish in the mindfulness and quiet as I decompress from the workday.  

Don't get me wrong, we still watch TV. We have Showtime for our Shameless obsession and have developed a Downton Abbey obsession.  In addition, we still watch way too much news. However, we are much more mindful of what we are watching. I find in streaming TV you are able to pinpoint more of exactly what you would like to watch rather than mindless thumbing through channels or running your DVR on autopilot.  

The cost savings is an added bonus. I do realize our internet promotional pricing will not be this inexpensive forever, but with our cable and internet bill coming to a whopping $148 per month there is still quite a bit of a cost savings. 

Please send any documentary or streaming suggested television series my way!

Frugal(ish) Friday - Natural Couponing?

Well, kind of.

My "couponing" habit slowed its roll when my husband began changing his personal care routine. I then began realizing that receiving three newspapers a week and driving myself crazy was just too much for me to keep up with. 

However, I do "coupon" so to say for a very limited amount of products including:

• laundry detergent
• paper towels
• toilet paper
• hand soap
• garbage bags  
• ziplock bags

I love Target for more reasons than one.  I swear Target is my sanctuary. I am unsure if its the convenience of Starbucks, the wide selection of natural skin care products or the fact that you never have to worry about getting a cart that squeaks. I love Target - now and forever.

Back to saving money at Target...

STACKABLE SAVINGS!  Target offers both mobile coupons delivered right to your phone (text OFFERS to 827438), occasional in circular coupons and online coupons.   In addition, you can stack offers from their Cartwheel App for additional savings! If you happen to have a manufacturer coupon, you can use those too! Then you can use your Red Card for an additional 5%!

Here's a quick guide on stacking at Target:

You can use a mobile Target coupon, cartwheel, and manufacturer coupon
You CANNOT use both a mobile Target coupon and a printable Target coupon together

The jist is you cannot use a Target mobile coupon or printable coupon together

Got it? Questions? Ask. 

Here is a fabulous scenario on ALL Free and Clear laundry detergent happening now through tomorrow:

Buy 4 of the 114 load bottles ($45.96) - Use $10 off $40 Target circular coupon ($35.96) - Load and scan 20% off All Free and Clear Cartwheel ($28.96) - Use Red Card to save 5%

You pay $27 for 456 loads of laundry with a final per load cost of  six cents!

All Free and Clear is not the best laundry detergent out there but its all about small improvements and what you feel comfortable with!  All Free and Clear rates a 3.6 on the Good Guide.  There are other detergent brands such as Method and Seventh Generation who rate higher.