Leahs Cafe

The holiday season was a busy one. We had a couple of gatherings with different family members and spent time with T’s brother who came home for Christmas.

We didn’t put up a Christmas tree at our apartment, would probably do that next year. On Christmas eve, we had a family gathering at T’s aunt and uncle – Carol and Ray’s house. About 30 family members showed up. This is my first time celebrating Christmas as a family, as my own family are not Christians and do not celebrate Christmas. We had a gift exchange. We spent some wonderful time together, and for me meeting some of them for the first time. We went for midnight service at parents in law’s church before we called it a day.

On Christmas morning, we went to the in laws’ place earlier in the morning, had breakfast and opened all the gifts in the stockings and under the tree. We had a blast opening all the gifts. My in laws are spoiling us with all the gifts!!

By the time we are done opening all the gifts in the stockings, it’s almost time to go for lunch, we have to continue the gift opening after lunch. We had a buffet lunch at the dining hall of the retirement center. It was a holiday special meal and boy, we all ate too much!

Christmas is approaching and the new year is around the corner. Though it has been crazy time shopping for gifts and panicked at the thought of not being able to mail out gifts on time, I  am so thankful for the year as I reflect on some of the events and encounters throughout 2008.

I have been adjusted to the cold weather in IL better than I thought. Surprise, I have not felt much of home sickness after almost three months since I arrived. Life in a small town in the Midwest is as close to home as it gets with inexpensive VOIP calls and web cam. A suitcase of spices and pre-packed sauces, plus having access to an Asian grocery store 45 minutes drive away do help. :-)

My health problems seem to be under control. Though I complained about the expensive medical cost in America, the health care system here is good. The health issues (IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome) that bothered me for years are under control right now. At first the doctor told me I might have to take that medication for the rest of my life. We went on to purchase 10 bottles of the medication when they were on sale and we had some coupons. However, we returned five bottles last week because after taking 4 bottles of the medications, there is no need to take them anymore! I don’t know whether the doctors back home are aware of the seriouness of IBS and how it affects a person’s daily routine and emotions, they never gave me medications, they just gave me laxatives!

Though it was quite an eventful year, I sold the tutoring business, started work from home, had a surgery, went through a cancer scare, marriage was going through rough patches, dealed with physical illness and ailments, migrated to America, but they turned out all fine at this point in time! I am thankful there is reason for everything that happened though I might not know why. I am also thankful that there is a season for everything.

In this season of Love and Hope, may the spirit of Christmas bring you God’s richest blessings that will continue throughout the coming 2009!

I am a skeptic of FREE stuffs advertised and usually are able to stay away from all the marketing gimmicks.  Few weeks ago, I read a feature story on the local newspaper, a woman talked about how she was able to save money and got great bargains using all the coupons. I went on the websites/forum given at the end of that story and started my research for two weeks. :-)

It’s a game you play against the retailers and the manufacturers. As a math person, I find it really fun to find the best way to stretch the dollars or even get stuffs for free. At  first, I clipped the coupons that I thought I might use and threw away the rest. Then, I learned about “coupon trains” and you can trade coupons that you don’t want for coupons that you can use with fellow couponers.

The strategy is to use the coupons combine with store sales and you would be amazed what you can buy for FREE. :-)

Selection of  stuffs that I bought for FREE or almost FREE using the coupons during store sales.

Organic tomato sauce

Organic pinto, garbanzo and black beans

The tomato sauce and beans were on sale “5 for $5″. With the $1 coupon, they are all FREE. Did not even have to pay sale tax! I don’t even know what to do with the beans, but they are FREE, I am sure I will figure out a way to use them. ;-)

Colgate toothpaste

The toothpaste was on sale for $2.99, with $1.50 coupon, and the $2 store voucher, a profit of $0.55 each!

Elastics and hair bands

Some elastics were on sale for $2.xx and $1.xx. The hair band was $3.99. A mix of them and use $2 manufacturer’s coupon for each, there are FREE !

Raynoc Batteries

On sale for $1 for a pack of two AA and AAA. With the $1 manufacturer’s coupon, they are …FREE! T said they may not last as long as other name brands, but who cares when they are free. :-)

Organic Whole Wheat Pasta

They are normally $3+ per box, last week it was on sale for $2.50 with buy one get one Free, with the two $1 coupons, it’s $0.25 per box! This pastas don’t get bad and I bought enough to last us for a long time. : -)

Couponing 101 is to stockpile things when they are on sale and you have coupons that match up with the sale. Our pantry is stock up with this whole pile for less than $10!

Aluminium Foil and Deodorant

They were on sale and were all FREE after coupons.

Scented oil candle holders and refills

These scented oil candle holders usually are $9.99 to $11.99 a piece! I bought them when the candle holder were on sale for $4.99 each and the refills were on sale $5 for two. I got them FREE with coupons! All I have to pay was taxes due at store that calculated taxes before coupons. At the drug store that calculated taxes after coupons, didn’t even have to pay a cent. They are going to be some of the Christmas gifts we plan to give to family and friends.

Scotch tape and gift wrap

These tapes were on sale $2 for two packs, with the $1 coupons, they were free. The store also gives $2 rebate for the tapes. So, I got 6 packs for FREE and will receive $2 in rebate. Not a bad idea to go to the store to get six packs of tapes and earned $2!

I like my new hobby! Which hobby helps you to save money? All my other hobbies caused a hole in my pocket!!