This year has had it's share of ups and downs! From me being sick from January 'till May, to having received an autism diagnosis for Patrick to Patrick starting school and Robert working from home, it's been a little crazy! SO many things have changed. But mostly for the better.
Between the last time I wrote and now, not that much has happened. I went back to work 4 days a week (went up 1 day a week) and that has helped our financial situation greatly. My 1 day a week means an extra 800$ a month clear. That money is the difference between us not being able to eat and pay for our house to living a comfortable (although still modest) life.
Christmas came and went and we got one of the best gifts. My mother is moving back! Robert and I always felt weird having a full apartment going to waste in our basement. This combined with my mother always being tired, exhausted actually and practically killing herself out in Orléans, I was hoping she would move back. At least now, she won't have to work like crazy just to barely scrape by life. She'll be able to enjoy it.
Myself and the boys have also started seeing a naturopathic doctor. She's really nice and has the same beliefs as us - that the body can heal pretty much anything if it stays in good shape. The boys needed a few "boosters" to keep them healthy through the winter months and I needed some too. But I'm mostly going for my psoriasis. She also gave me a few tips on what to eat when to see if it would help my metabolism. She said that by just changing a few little things, the fat might just melt off a bit on it's own! We'll see!
I'm writing today because I have to continue this blog. I like to put my thoughts on "paper" and this is the perfect way.
Since this blog is not only about my life, but also saving money, I have a great tip for you! Usually, people talk about coupons. I have heard a lot of negativity about coupons concerning the fact that they're usually for unhealthy stuff. It's true, that a lot of them are. BUT, I do have a lot of coupons that are for necessities! For example, I have coupons for 1$ off milk (I think they expired though), I have coupons for yogourt (plain, that I can get for free) and every few months, for fresh produce, meat or chicken. This week, I will be able to pick up 2 free tubs of yogourt and 2lbs of beef for FREE! It's not going to save much, but every little bit counts! There's also price matching which helps a lot and doesn't use up much of your time. If you're like me and always read the publi-sac (flyers) just to see the specials, then it's not much work! Just go to a store that price matches (Walmart, Maxi) and bring the flyers with you! They'll give you the advertised prices!
My tip for this time of the year are to watch for deals for things you were going to buy anyways. For us, this mean buying gift certificates. For Christmas this year, we asked for money to the boys to buy them annual passes to Cosmic Adventure. This costs 100$ for the first child and 90$ for the second (I think 10$ less per other children you have). So 190$ plus taxes = 215$. WELL, Cosmic had a promotion: Buy 50$ in gift cards and receive a 10$ gift card for FREE! So we paid 200$ to get 240$ worth of certificates! SO we paid 15$ LESS than we would have PLUS we got an extra 25$! We were able to give the extra money to a good friend as a gift to her and her family! How can you beat that!
I have to go now since Anthony has decided that napping isn't fun half the time. So 'till next time! Hopefully sooner than 4 months from now!!!
