Condiments aren't something that I ask for when ordering fast food because I feel that if the fries are good enough they don't need ketchup.  Now if they put them in my bag that's fine they will get used.  The ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc packets get put in a zip top bag and put in one of the drawers in the refrigerator, in a lunch bag or used when we grill outside. My husband complains if we have to many and throws them away when he can so I try not to keep very many at any given time.  

Salt and Pepper packets are different those get opened and put in the salt and pepper shakers. Plus the paper wrappers get put in my compost.

These are everyday items that don't get much thought and get tossed out.  You won't believe how many times we have ran out of ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise in my house and these little packets made it onto a sandwich of some sort.  :)

APS Arizona Public Service Company regularly sends out information on how to save money on electricity which is great because I'm always looking for ways to save money on everything. APS sends a newsletter with all bills and this month it has an article on Shift, Stagger & Save.

​Since our sleep schedule varies so much that we have been able to Shift running the dishwasher and doing laundry after 7 PM at night.  Staggering major appliances has pretty easy too. Saving by unplugging all non essential appliances such as Coffee Pot, Toaster, Small Oven, Blenders, Juicers, etc. Set the Sleep Timer on the TV so it's not playing with no one watching it.  

Here's a good article about Energy Vampires and Fire Monsters. Don't mind the Halloween theme in this article it is still informative.  I'm forever telling my family "Don't leave the cell phone chargers plugged in when your not charging your phone". :)  

​Image Credit APS

This is for information purposes only I am not being paid for this post.

SORRY! I know that statement is blaspheme to some of the loyal couponers out there.  For me it has to do with how much income I/we have coming in for the week or month. If an item is something I need and it's on sale and I have a coupon for it then I try to work it in our budget. Don't get me wrong I still buy the Sunday Paper(s) a few times a month but lately I have focused more on the digital coupons that all stores seem to have now. The only draw back to digital is the coupons can only be used once.  The same goes for printing coupons at home you can only print 2 coupons per computer. 

 My goal when preparing for a shopping trip is to save 50% or more. The most I have ever saved is 90% on just a couple of items not a huge list of stuff. First I look at the store flyer (usually Safeway because that is the closest store to us)  to get an idea of what is on sale, then I get on my phone and pull up the Safeway Just For You app and load all the coupons I would use.  Next is going through my coupon box to see if I have any coupons to use for the sale items. Last is making an actual shopping list, I know it seems backwards but it works for me.  I have a master list of stuff I need. 

I may only shop once in a month for the basics like milk, butter, bread and produce. The rest of the month I use what I have in the cupboards, freezer and refrigerator.  I may not need to shop at all in a month if I have enough milk and butter in the freezer. Bought on sale of course.  Bread I can always make myself using the bread machine or from scratch. In the spring and summer I garden so produce is almost free.  I cook most our meals and don't by a bunch of stuff to sit on a shelf somewhere. I'm blessed to share my talents and "stock pile" (it's not really I am just using that term) with family and friends and  that makes me happy. :)

The picture below are all expired coupons I pulled out of my coupon box. Kind of makes me sad but I didn't have the money to purchase some of these items. Not all is lost, I want to send my expired coupons to those in the military that can still use them in the commissary on base. They get send to a military base then people can use the ones they want. Cool!! and I'm happy to help!  :)