Experiments Galore

So, last year I started this blog as a means of documenting my new year's resolution to try at least one new recipe every week. When deciding on a name for my blog, I purposely didn't make it something about food because I thought I may want to experiment with something other than food one day. Good thing I'm always one step ahead of myself (insert laughter here, especially if you know me).

This year may not hold experiments in the truest sense of the word, but I plan to do a couple things I've done in the past. Only this time it's gonna be hard-core. Two words: Couponing. Etsy.

COUPONS: I've cut coupons for a long time. I did it pretty hard-core for about a year. And then... there was pregnancy. I felt so sick and tired all day long for about 20 weeks. Then it was just morning sickness. Now I have some energy and I have a pretty big goal in mind: BUY A HOUSE. You see, come April there will be 5 of us in a 2 bedroom condo. Most of you out there are gasping. Those of you who are urbanites or have larger families are saying, "So what?" As with anyone, there are a lot of factors to where you live and why you live there. But here's our bottom line: we can and we want to so we will. How long it takes us to get what we want (in this case) is mostly in our hands.

To me, coupons are free money. If someone handed you a wad of $1 bills, would you take it? I know, I know... you have to buy certain things and whatnot, but I'm ok with that (as long as we will actually use it or can give it away). I just went through some old coupons from months ago and probably saw at least $50 in coupons that had expired that I actually purchased in the last couple of months. Blurg! So frustrating! But we move on and do better.

Along with the clipping of the coupons is the deal hunting. There are many, many, many women out there with blogs posting the coupon match-ups and hot deals for the week. This makes couponing much easier, faster and now totally worth the money saved. I'm not going to be one of those women. I plan to share super awesome shopping trips with you, and maybe a deal or two I know is too good to pass up. I'll share the websites I visit to help me with my deal hunting and match-ups. Maybe it will encourage you to try it out. Maybe you'll just be excited for me. Maybe you'll encourage me to continue in my craziness :). Whatever the case, that's my plan. Hard-core couponing.

ETSY: Did you know I have an Etsy shop? www.beadonastring.etsy.com I've re-opened my shop and every tiny bit of profit from the shop goes toward that down payment for our future home. I've had the shop since 2009. Closed down for a year or so and now it's back up and running. I plan to do a little bit every day or two to make new items, photograph them, get them in the shop and (fingers crossed) send them out to customers. This is really where I need encouragement! Most of my success with my jewelry business has been at home parties and craft shows, but 3 kids and a husband who works midnights and is doing Grad school full time make it difficult to do much of that.

I'll share some of my new creations with you. Provide photos. Maybe even a tutorial or two for the extra crafty. I'll probably even share some non-jewelry related things I make (let's just say Pinterest has taken a hold of me and I've found so many things I'd like to try).

There it is, folks. All the things I'd like to experiment with this year and what I'll be sharing. Of course, I'll still share recipes. Hope you enjoy and are encouraged to experiment with something, too!