First, a little background. I call myself a “casual couponer”. I do use a coupon binder which I fill with coupons from my Sunday newspaper subscription as well as a few internet printables, but in general I don’t spend a lot of time clipping, sorting and planning. I grocery shop weekly (ideally just once per week!) because I like to use fresh produce. I know the coupon policy, abide by it, and I don’t have any special friends at the grocery store who bend the rules for me (as far as I know, nobody there knows about my blog and that’s fine by me!).

My weekly shopping trip begins with menu planning, which is the hardest part for me because I always overthink it. I feel victorious when I have a game plan for the whole week. The meals for this week are:

• Salad with Chicken Cutlets and Honey Mustard Dressing (needed to buy lettuce)
• Spinach and Artichoke Lasagna (needed to buy spinach, artichoke hearts, ricotta, mozzarella and lasagna noodles)
• Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken with Rice (needed to buy honey, chicken thighs and broccoli)
• Toad in the Hole with Peas (needed to buy peas)
• Oven Baked Fajitas (needed to buy bell pepper, diced tomatoes and tortillas)
• Homemade Pizza (needed to buy yeast, mozzarella, bell pepper and mushrooms)

I usually plan my menus based on what sounds good to eat, not what’s on sale. However, since I’m flexible with the brands I buy, I usually find many of the ingredients I need on sale. Once I’ve established my plan, I double check my pantry to see which ingredients I need to buy, and write them on my shopping list. Next, I carefully peruse the weekly Price Chopper circular to find items at stock-up prices to add to my list, especially if I have coupons to bring the prices even lower. By the way, did you know that the weekly ad that you receive in a weekend newspaper or in the mail is slightly different from the one you can pick up at the front of the store? For example, this week the front page featured three “tripler” coupons that the store version does not have. Don’t miss out!

Starting on May 13th, Price Chopper officially rolled out their latest money-saving promotions. I will admit that I wasn’t happy to hear that they increased the threshold for the Fuel Advantage program from $50 to $100 in order to earn 10 cents off per gallon of gas. However, over the past few weeks I have been snagging some fantastic deals that more than make up the difference, and I’m happy they didn’t ditch the program altogether. On Monday I headed to Price Chopper with my shopping list in hand, eager to use my tripler coupons that were in this week’s ad, and see how much I could save! I found examples of Price Chopper’s new price tags throughout the store, and I’ll walk you through each type.

Once I enter the store, my first stop is always the iSave kiosk. I scan my AdvantEdge card and it spits out a sheet of coupons. They recently installed a new machine that gives more coupons than before, providing a good mix of manufacturer coupons and store coupons (which can be combined with manufacturer coupons).

I found a $2 off four boxes of Special K cereal store coupon that I could combine with a $1 off manufacturer’s coupon that I had. I was also pleasantly surprised to find a manufacturer’s coupon for $1 off my favorite shampoo (on sale this week), and a store coupon for $5 off a purchase of $75 or more.

Lower Price

I start with the produce section, and I took advantage of a deal on fresh blueberries this week. There was a “Lower Price” deal that cut $1 off the usual price of $3.99, but with a store “Bonus Coupon” that I printed from Price Chopper’s Facebook page (where they offer different printable coupons each week), I paid $1.50 for a pint of blueberries.

I also picked up a bag of lettuce on sale and a few other produce items that I needed for meals this week. Produce can be a budget-buster when you just plain need it and it’s not on sale, but I knew that the savings on other items on my list would help pay for the veggies that weren’t on sale.

Price Chopped

Next it was over to specialty cheeses where I found one of the new “Price Chopped” signs advertising 8-ounce fresh mozzarella balls for $3. A 16-ounce package of the same cheese sells for $7.99, so I picked up two of the smaller packages for my recipes this week and saved $1.99. Never assume that the larger package is a better deal!

AdvantEdge Savings

We go through a lot of cereal in our house, so I’m always happy to snag a good deal on the particular brands we eat. This week there was an AdvantEdge deal on Special K cereal. At $3 per box, I would already save $1.39 on each one I purchased just by using my AdvantEdge card, but I also had coupons to use. An iSave coupon gave me another $2 off if I purchased four, and I had a manufacturer’s coupon for $1 off with the purchase of three. I picked up four boxes for $9, or $2.25 each.

BOGO and Half Price Sales

Buy One Get One (or Two!) and half price sales are always great opportunities to stock up on items I use often. I particularly love the 1/2 price deals because I can use a manufacturer’s coupon for each item purchased; on the other hand, Price Chopper’s coupon policy currently allows one coupon per BOGO offer, since you’re only paying for one of the items. This week 50-ounce containers of olive oil were on sale 1/2 price. I also happened to have two internet printable coupons for $1.50 off each bottle. I was able to get two 50-ounce bottles for $5.99 each! We go through olive oil quickly in our house, so I’m always thrilled to find a bargain.

Everyday Low Price

There are many items throughout the store that have an “Everyday Low Price”. It’s nice being able to purchase certain items that I use frequently without worrying about whether they’re on sale or not. Canned mushrooms (which I love on my pizza) were one example, and I also save money by purchasing Price Chopper brand frozen vegetables. Being flexible with brand names is key to saving money. While I’m super picky about some items, many times the store brand is just fine with me.

Stocking Up

I need a fantastic deal in order to buy something like hair products at a grocery store. This week the stars aligned and there were some great sale prices that corresponded with coupons I’ve been hanging onto. Finding an unexpected clearance deal to go with a coupon was icing on the cake!

Larger bottles of Pantene shampoo and conditioner had a “Chopped” price of $5.99 each, and I picked up two. Next, I picked up a smaller bottle of shampoo on clearance for $2.68 and paired it with a small bottle of conditioner on sale for $3.33. I had two great Pantene coupons from the paper–one was a Buy One Get One free, and the other was $3 off two. I made a silly mistake here, because I was thinking the BOGO coupon would be great for the larger Pantene bottles, but forgot that the cash register would choose the lower priced bottles for that deal. Oh well, c’est la vie–it was still a great deal. I also picked up four bottles of Garnier products on sale 2 for $5. I had a $1.50 off 2 coupon and two $1.00 off coupons, which meant I paid $6.50 for the four bottles. It will be nice not running out of shampoo or conditioner for a while!

Whenever I head to checkout with a thick stack of coupons, I know it’s going to be a great transaction. This trip was no exception. I was a little bit nervous when I saw the pre-AdvantEdge card total creep up to $200, but a swipe of my card brought it down by $47.64, and my coupon savings totaled $39.67. I spent a total of $112.94 and saved a total of $87.31, or 44 percent (tax included)!

I bought everything I needed for meals this week, and I also stocked up on cereal, olive oil, canned tomatoes, shampoo and conditioner. Here’s my 53-item haul with details on how I saved:

• Frozen Price Chopper brand peas, broccoli and spinach
• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• 1 bunch “junior bananas”
• 2 boxes Jones sausage patties (saved $1.50 each with card, used internet printable coupon for $1.00 off two, paid $2 for two)
• 2 packages Hormel Natural Choice lunch meat (used $1 manufacturer coupon combined with tripler coupon, paid $5 for two)
• 1 pint blueberries (used Price Chopper “Bonus Coupon” from Facebook, paid $1.50)
• 2 six-packs of single serve Mott’s Medleys applesauce (saved $0.30 on each with card, used $1 manufacturer coupon with tripler, paid $1.38 for two)
• 1 Dole salad blend (on sale $1.99)
• 2 green bell peppers
• Fleischmann’s yeast packets
• 1 container of store brand honey
• 3 8-ounce bricks of Heluva Good cheese (saved $0.99 on each with card, used $0.50 internet printable coupon and $1.00 off 2 coupon from newspaper, paid $4.00 for three)
• 2 gallons store brand white milk
• 1/2 gallon TruMoo chocolate milk (saved $0.80 with card, used $0.55 internet printable coupon, paid $0.89)
• Sorrento ricotta cheese (saved $0.49 with card, used $1 manufacturer’s coupon from newspaper, paid $2)
• 2 8-ounce Belgioiso fresh mozzarella balls (paid $6 for two, $1.99 cheaper than 16-ounce package)
• 1 can store brand mushrooms
• 1 can Campbell’s gravy
• 4 cans Furmano’s tomatoes (saved $1.20 each with card, used manufacturer’s coupon with tripler, paid $1.76 for four)
• 1 bottle Hellmann’s mayonnaise (used $1.00 “peelie” coupon found on chicken, paid $3.89)
• 1 box Barilla lasagna noodles
• 1 bottle Apple & Eve apple juice (saved $0.69 with card)
• 1 carton of Florida’s Natural orange juice (saved $1.11 with card)
• 1.25 liter bottle of Coke (FREE with Catalina coupon from previous purchase)
• 2 50-ounce bottles Filippo Berio olive oil (saved $7.50 each with card, used $1.50 internet printable coupons, paid $11.98 for two)
• 1 jar DeLallo artichoke hearts (saved $0.10 with card)
• 1 package Ortega whole wheat tortillas (saved $0.30 with card)
• 1 box Blue Bunny ice cream sandwiches (saved $2.70 with card, used $1.00 internet printable coupon, paid $1.69)
• 4 boxes Special K cereal (saved $1.39 each with card, combined $2 iSave coupon and $1 manufacturer’s coupon, paid $9 for four)
• 2 large bottles Pantene shampoo and conditioner (saved $1.30 each with card, used $3 manufacturer’s coupon, paid $8.98 for two)
• 2 small bottles Pantene shampoo and conditioner (saved $0.96 on one and  $1.61 on clearance shampoo with card, used BOGO coupon, paid $2.68 for two)
• 4 bottles Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner (saved $0.99 each with card, used one $1.50 off two coupon and two $1.00 off coupons, paid $6.50 for four)
• Used a $5 off $75 purchase coupon from the iSave kiosk

As an added bonus, I earned 10 cents off per gallon of gas, bringing my current discount to 20 cents off.

Money-saving tips

It doesn’t take a lot of time and effort to save money at Price Chopper. Follow these tips, and I bet you can save 30 to 50 percent on a regular basis like I do:

• Sign up for an AdvantEdge card and use it every time. You’ll save quite a bit just by swiping your card at the register, and you’ll earn a fuel discount. You might occasionally get great coupons in the mail, too. Don’t forget to stop at the iSave kiosk on your way in get some high value coupons when you scan your card
• Find a free paper in your community that includes the weekly Price Chopper ad, or purchase a weekend newspaper with the ad inside–you’ll get the best store coupons, like doubler or tripler coupons, which usually aren’t in the in-store flyers. Check each page for store coupons that will help you save extra on items you need
• Consider subscribing to a Sunday newspaper to get manufacturer coupon inserts that you can clip and combine with great sale prices at Price Chopper. Remember, you can use a manufacturer’s coupon in combination with a Price Chopper store coupon for the same item
• Join AFullCup.com (it’s free) and use their searchable coupon database to check for internet printable coupons to match items on your list. To cut out some of the legwork, you can also search for deal bloggers who assemble “coupon matchup” lists applicable to your region
• “Like” the Price Chopper Facebook page and check the Price Chopper website for great printable coupons that change weekly. You can also load paperless e-Coupons onto your AdvantEdge card online
• Try store brand products if you can’t get a cheaper deal on a brand name item–you might not be able to tell the difference, except when you see your receipt

Keeping it real

Just in case this blog post gives you the impression that I am super organized and on top of things, I must mention that as I was beginning to write this blog post at 9:30 p.m. on Monday, I realized that I hadn’t seen my phone (with all the pictures on it) in a while. In fact, I hadn’t seen it since I returned from the store early in the afternoon. After a frantic search I realized that I must have left it in my wallet, tethered to the shopping cart by its wristlet strap. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to whoever turned it in! I was able to go right to the store and retrieve it from Customer Service later that night, feeling like a relieved idiot. I’m so grateful that there are honest people in the world.

I boiled about half a pound of pasta in water with 1 teaspoon of salt. I had Barilla Piccolini Carrot and Squash “Mini Pipe” pasta in my stockpile, which worked out really well–the sauce settled into the ridges and holes nicely. I cubed up a package of Johnsonville Italian style chicken sausage (which I bought super-cheap on sale), and heated it in a large saute pan on medium. I poured a cup of heavy cream over the sausage, added a cup of grated parmesan, and three tablespoons of butter. Finally, I added a cup of frozen peas. I stirred the mixture until the parmesan melted. I drained the pasta, then returned it to the pot, poured the sauce over the top, and tossed.

The texture was smooth, the taste was divine, and after a busy day I was relieved to be able to put a homemade meal on the table within a few minutes. You can’t beat that! You can find Amy’s Alfredo recipe along with two other super easy pasta sauce recipes on her website.

My husband and I don’t have a lot of “bad” debt. I learned my lesson about credit cards the hard way before I was married. In addition to our mortgage, we have a student loan each, as well as a used car that we financed out of necessity. But I’ve come to the conclusion that just about all debt is bad. Regardless of the interest rate, regardless of tax credits or deductions, it ties up income that could be put to better use. Here I am in the midst of what should be some of the best years of my life, and I’ve been feeling like I’m treading water, just waiting until I can really start living a couple years from now. That’s just sad.

After reading Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, I knew I wanted to get rid of our debt. I calculated that if I could come up with an extra $500 per month to throw at our loans, everything could be paid off within a year. But how? Though I was fortunate to have some flexible work-at-home opportunities available to me, the reality was that I was completely overextended as it was trying to chase around a preschooler, keep the house in an acceptable condition, planning and cooking meals, etc. etc. I couldn’t meet that $500 monthly goal and maintain my sanity, so I gave up on the idea for a while.

As I worked on my taxes this year and saw the tax refund amount settle into a final number, it occurred to me that our refund was almost identical to the balance on my car loan, our highest interest, highest monthly payment debt! What if I went crazy and paid off the balance in one fell swoop using the tax refund? I realized that if I paid off the car and then used the amount I would normally spend on a car payment to pay extra on my student loan, that too would be paid off by the end of 2012. My husband’s student loan is also due to be paid off this year. We would be looking at being debt-free except for our mortgage by the end of 2012–more than two years early! That would free up hundred’s of dollars each month to spend on accomplishing other important goals, like saving up a real emergency fund and finally traveling to England to introduce our son to the many relatives he was never met.

I explained the idea to my husband, and he was completely supportive. So, last Tuesday I walked into my credit union and asked the teller to pay the balance of my car loan from my checking account. When he pulled up the loan on his screen he looked at me in disbelief, but my mind was made up. No more car loan! Starting in April, what would have been my car payment will go toward my student loan instead. I’m feeling simultaneously triumphant, excited, and scared! We do have money left over in our savings account from the previous year–in fact, a bit more than the $1,000 that Dave Ramsey suggests starting out with. We’ve been able to get by without dipping into our savings at all for several months, and we will need to be careful with our spending to ensure that we continue that way. We are definitely stepping outside our comfort zone into unfamiliar territory, but the rewards will be great.

So, no flat screen TV for us yet–this year we used our tax refund to purchase a debt snowball, and we’ll spend 2012 helping it roll down to the bottom of the hill. Can you leverage your tax refund to do something that will change your life for the better?

Mouthwash

Prior to participating in this Oral Care Challenge, mouthwash just wasn’t part of our routine. Both my husband and I had used it in the past, but it was never a must-have for us. I think that’s changed. Even though I have always brushed twice per day, my mouth feels so much cleaner and fresher after rinsing. My husband opted for the traditional Listerine, while I decided to try the alcohol-free Listerine Total Care Zero.

The intense stinging from alcohol-containing mouthwashes had always deterred me from using them regularly. I found that there was still a little bit of a stinging feeling with the Total Care Zero rinse, but it was not too bothersome, and the taste was much milder than others I have tried in the past. It left my mouth with a bit of a “fuzzy” sensation that I needed to get used to, but other than that I really liked the product. Not to venture into “too much information” territory, but it is so much nicer kissing my husband when both of us have nice fresh breath.

Toothbrushes

I was excited to try the fancy-looking toothbrushes, and out of the two I received for testing, I chose based strictly on the colors. I probably should have been a bit more discerning. I found that the head of my Reach Total Care Multi-Action toothbrush was huge for my small mouth. It felt a bit awkward brushing my teeth at first. Although my husband’s toothbrush was a bit smaller, he said that it felt big to him, too. However, having already discarded my old toothbrush, I had no choice but to soldier on, and I’m glad I did. I feel like the shape and unique variety of bristles has cleaned my teeth like nothing else I have tried. My teeth feel smooth and polished, with less buildup.

One of my readers expressed concern about the Reach children’s toothbrushes, which she found to be cheap and flimsy and fell apart shortly after she purchased. While we didn’t experience our toothbrushes falling apart, I should note that a bristle on my toothbrush fell out the first time I used it. I have never had that happen before with any toothbrush, so I was a bit surprised. It was only one bristle, though, and I haven’t had a problem since. I didn’t care for the craftsmanship of the kids toothbrushes (especially the printed plastic wrap that decorates the handles), but I would definitely consider replacing my own Total Care Multi-Action when the time comes–I feel like it really makes the most of my brushing efforts, which is important as a mom who is often in a hurry.

Floss

I won’t lie, I haven’t yet gotten into the habit of flossing daily, but I have flossed much more since starting this challenge. Since the Reach Total Care floss does not shred like a traditional floss, I can’t use my old fears as an excuse. Now it’s just a time thing (and apparently I’m not the only one). I don’t find a lot of time for myself in the morning, and at night I can’t wait to curl up in bed and sleep! I need to work on my routine a bit more.

The Total Care floss really does work well for me, though. I have been able to use it without getting it stuck in my teeth, so I don’t dread flossing the way I used to. I definitely want to make flossing a part of my regular routine, and this floss is the only type I will use. This is a great product if you have struggled with flossing like I have!

The verdict

I’m not sure that I was expecting to feel different after doing this challenge, but my mouth really does feel fabulous. My teeth feel stronger and less sensitive, I feel like they’re a bit whiter, and I really like that extra clean feeling after I’ve used the mouthwash. Although I was fortunate not to have experience with any serious dental problems heading into this challenge, I learned that I could improve my oral care practices and feel even better than before. I know it probably sounds a bit cheesy, but I feel more confident and more inclined to smile with a cleaner, healthier mouth!

If you would like to learn more about proper oral care and the particular products I used, visit this special section about oral hygiene on Walmart’s website.

I used to ogle the cute purebred puppies at pet stores, and I just knew that someday I would spend the money to get a purebred puppy of my dreams. Somewhere along the way, though, I learned about the horror of puppy mills and the problems associated with casual breeders. Puppy mills are essentially dog-producing factories where animals are kept in filthy cages and bred repeatedly until their useful life is over, at which point they are usually euthanized. Puppies produced in these facilities may have serious health problems and lack developmentally due to an absence of socialization. While there are some excellent smaller-scale breeders out there who genuinely care about their animals, others are in it just for the money and the pets they sell may not be healthy or well-adjusted. A good breeder who truly cares about the welfare of their dogs does not sell puppies to pet stores to be stored in a cage until they are purchased.

I never really considered adopting a dog from a shelter. Sadly, I had the impression that they were all wretched looking stray adults, oftentimes pit bulls, rottweilers or other big breeds with a troubled past.  The more I researched, though, the more I discovered how wrong I was! I learned that in addition to city-run animal shelters, there are thousands of non-profits across the country dedicated to rescuing dogs of all types. Dogs aren’t always turned over to rescues because they’re a nuisance, either–in this economy some families simply can’t afford their pets and beautiful purebreds are being turned over to rescues.

It wasn’t long before I decided that adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue was the only way I wanted to acquire my pet.

Adopting Ringo

Once my husband gave me the green light, I scoured Petfinder.com (a website that lists adoptable pets from around the country) for dogs that interested me. Because I take dog ownership very seriously and planned to keep my dog for his entire life, I wanted to ensure that the dog would be a good match for our family as far as possible. I knew I wanted a dog that does not shed, he had to be on the smaller side due to our small house, and he needed to be suitable for a family with young kids. I researched various breeds so I knew what to search for, but I kept an open mind as far as possible. My dream dog was a “Yorkiepoo”, a Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle mix.

Petfinder can be a bit frustrating. It is the responsibility of rescue groups to keep their list of available dogs updated, and sometimes they forget or don’t get around to it. I fell in love with a few cute pups who turned out to be already adopted. But finally, a fresh listing for a 4-month-old Yorkiepoo appeared!

I have to admit that it wasn’t love at first sight, from the photo anyway. He was a homely little creature with scraggly fur. He didn’t look like any fluffy Yorkiepoo that I had ever seen, and I wondered about his health. My husband, though, thought he was cute and just “pouting” in the photo. I agreed that we could at least meet him to get a better look and learn what his personality was like, then decide from there whether to move forward with an adoption. I knew that he was exactly the type of dog I wanted, and maybe with proper care and a loving family, he would develop into a handsome, healthy pet. I called the rescue to arrange a meeting and agree to the adoption terms, then spent the next few days in a simultaneous state of excitement and dread that I would perhaps want to turn the adoption down after getting both my own and the rescue’s hopes up.

We drove out to Helping Hounds in Dewitt in a snowstorm to meet this pup. It took me two seconds flat to know that we were not leaving him there. This precious, loving puppy crept toward us and immediately cuddled up against me. Though he was still somewhat of a sight to behold and very smelly, it just felt like he was meant to be a part of our family all along.

I had previously filled out the rescue’s adoption application “just in case”, and they had checked with my reference to ensure we were a suitable family. I finished signing the contract, made a donation, and the puppy was ours to take home right then and there! We headed to the nearest pet store to load up on everything we would need before heading back home in the snowstorm. We had a dog!

Later that day I decided that Ringo was a name that suited our new puppy well. My husband and I both like The Beatles, and I have a soft spot for drummer Ringo Starr and his goofy song “Octopus’ Garden”. I was reminded of a quote I had seen recently from the movie (500) Days of Summer, which sums it up perfectly:

Tom: Nobody loves Ringo Starr. 
Summer: That’s what I love about him.

Ringo’s Background

Although we adopted Ringo from a local rescue group, he actually had a long journey to reach us, originally coming all the way from Indiana! He traveled in on a Friday night and we adopted him at noon on Saturday. Ringo was rescued as a “leftover” from a breeding operation by AdoptALab.org as part of their special Operation Little Dog program. They have successfully shut down dozens of breeding programs and rescued countless puppies. I was told that had Ringo not been rescued he likely would have been taken in by another puppy mill, destined for an awful life in a cage. It’s hard to fathom!

Before arriving at Helping Hounds in New York to be adopted out, AdoptALab took care of all of his medical needs. He received all of his age-appropriate shots, flea preventative, and he was neutered. I was also provided with antibiotics to cure his kennel cough and prevent pneumonia from developing (rescue puppies often have delicate immune systems). When I took Ringo for his first vet checkup after adoption, his new doctor was very impressed by the quality of care he had received! I think both AdoptALab and Helping Hounds are well-organized operations, and I’m happy I was able to get my puppy through them.

Ringo at Home

When I decided to adopt a dog, I was open-minded about the age. In order to avoid expensive medical bills in the near future or the loss of a pet when my son was at a tender age, I did rule out senior dogs and concentrated on young adults or puppies. Depending on the dog’s background, an adult can work out quite well if you would like to give a dog a nice home but don’t have the time for training or the patience for puppy antics. A puppy is much more work, of course, but you have the advantage of being able to train the dog as you wish when it is still at an impressionable age. Finding an adoptable puppy was my best-case scenario–I wanted to enjoy the entire dog experience! Puppies are usually adopted incredibly quickly with multiple applications for each pup, but we were lucky to get Ringo because we acted quickly.

We set his bed in the kitchen and he immediately settled in for a lot of rest. The first two days he was very docile!

Once he started eating properly and felt comfortable with his new family, we started to see his true personality. We have enjoyed watching him pounce on his toys and seeing him figure out how to make certain ones squeak. The first week was truly like having a new baby in the house. We had to work him through separation anxiety at night as he became attached to us, and watch him like a hawk as we worked on housebreaking. Ringo has had a tough time with teething, so we’ve had to be vigilant about making sure he only chews his toys and not people or their belongings.

It’s been exhausting, and a little bit overwhelming being a “parent” to a puppy! A dog’s instincts and needs are very different to a human baby’s. My family owned a beagle when I was growing up, but Ringo is the first dog I have been entirely responsible for. I have been poring over Cesar Millan’s website, books and YouTube videos learning how to be a “pack leader” and raise the perfect pet. Fortunately Ringo is a very quick study, courtesy of the two intelligent breeds that make up his genetics. As we near the end of week two with Ringo he is almost completely house trained and walks very well on a leash. He can be a troublemaker (we had to install an extra tall baby gate because he started leaping over the old one), but we love our dog and I’m determined to teach him to be an enjoyable part of our family even on his naughtiest days when he tests my patience to the max!

After two weeks of good food, nice baths and plenty of TLC, Ringo is growing rapidly, and that scraggly fur is starting to blossom into the luxurious curly coat I would expect a Yorkshire Terrier/Poodle mix to have.

Ringo became part of the family immediately. My son was so excited and said “I love you” to our puppy like he was a person. Having a young child is beneficial to Ringo because it helps with his socialization, and it is beneficial to my son because he is learning about patience, leadership, responsibility and even sharing. I’m happy to have another companion during the day, and looking forward to lots of nice long walks together. I think Ringo is going to help us as much as we’re helping him!

Why adopt?

- By refusing to use your money to patronize puppy mills and other reckless, abusive breeders, you will help make dog breeding less lucrative for the people who do it for the wrong reasons

- Animal shelters and rescue groups are made up of dedicated volunteers who are motivated by a love for animals, not profit. They spend time caring for and nurturing dogs to prepare them for adoption

- It can be a frugal way to obtain a nice pet! Adoption fees are a few hundred dollars, max. The dog will likely have all appropriate shots and preventative medications. Most rescues will spay or neuter pets prior to adoption, and many also include micro-chipping to help locate the pet if he gets lost. Of course you must be sure you can afford to feed and care for your dog for its entire lifespan before you make the decision to adopt, but isn’t it wonderful that you can lower your initial “start up” costs and help an animal in need?

- They’re not all mutts. Dogs are surrendered for a variety of reasons, and you will find many beautiful purebreds in shelters. There are even rescue groups that are dedicated to rescuing and re-homing specific breeds. But who says being a mutt is a bad thing? Did you know that mixed breed dogs are often much healthier than purebreds because they are less likely to inherit breed-specific health problems? Give mutts a chance!

I am so grateful to all of the volunteers at both AdoptALab and Helping Hounds for their hard work in rescuing animals in need and preparing them to enjoy a happy life in a forever home! Ringo is a sweet, affectionate puppy, and I know it’s because he was rescued before bad people could hurt him further and he was shown compassion instead. I hope that if you ever want to bring a dog into your home you will check out a local rescue or shelter first.

I didn’t have the time or the money to completely redecorate. Instead, I edited my previous decorating scheme by changing up bed coverings and window treatments to tone down the color scheme, and rearranging decor items that I already owned. Even though it’s probably not something I would have come up with if I could have started completely from scratch and with a higher budget, my husband and I both love the end result.

When we first moved in almost six years ago, the walls were a very dingy white.

The built-in vanity was a cute idea, but not very functional or pretty. The orangey-brown closet doors (three of them along one wall) really chopped up the room.

Of course the master bedroom was one of the first design projects I wanted to tackle after we moved in. My budget didn’t really match my lofty goals inspired by the beautiful bed and breakfasts we stayed in during our honeymoon, or the pictures from Architectural Digest mansions that I cut out. Our bedroom furniture was a thrift shop find. It was a good high quality cherry set made by Heywood-Wakefield, but in a 1970′s colonial style rather than their cool art deco stuff  that they are famous for. I’m not crazy about faux colonial, but it could be worse. I selected a paint color to pick up a color in the bedding set we had registered for and received as a wedding gift. I created a canopy effect with semi-matching curtains. It was nice for a little while, but eventually I realized that the contrasting colors, patterns and textures were way too busy for the small room (I don’t have a photo of the striped curtains that hung from the windows). It seemed chaotic rather than relaxing. It just wasn’t my taste.

As time went on, I realized I preferred more soothing, neutral palettes. I particularly love gray and yellow together. Repainting our bedroom was a chore I didn’t want to undertake, so I decided to work with what I had. The wall color (the decidedly unromantic sounding “Grandma’s Linen” from Valspar) is a very grayish green. I could definitely bring in some yellow accents. I love my Waverly Garden Rose bedding, but the red against the green was just too much. Rather than getting rid of the high quality comforter, I purchased a duvet cover on sale. It had a French provincial design that I loved, and although the toffee color wasn’t exactly what I would have liked, it worked okay with the other colors in the room. I soon had a soothing, natural color scheme for my room: green, black, browns and pops of gold and yellow. Let’s take a look!

I removed the mirror from my dresser and placed the dresser at the foot of the bed. It looks and functions very well and creates a small entryway of sorts. A floral runner that I had bought on clearance a while ago fit the space perfectly (it had been too dark in the hallway where I had originally placed it–even though it was cheap, I had rather regretted the purchase until now).

The closet doors are one of the aspects of the original design that I got right. I laid out the design for faux panels created from molding, and my patient and loving husband cut the pieces and assembled them for me. He glued the “panels” onto the original doors, then painted them the same color as the trim. We did the same in my son’s room later. Note that this is not always cheaper than simply replacing a door, but in our case the closet doors are custom sized and would be very expensive to replace with something fancier. This added a lot of character to our room! I placed framed photos from our wedding proof album in the space between the doors and the ceiling.

To the right is the nook left after we removed the old vanity. My husband’s dresser just happened to fit perfectly! I won the decorative French apothecary sign that hangs on the wall. A painting by my husband and a picture of us in Paris stand on the dresser. As you will see as you read on, our bedroom has a subtle international flair, inspired by our backgrounds and travels.

Although the new arrangement does provide room to place the bedside table beside the bed, I decided to keep it tucked away in the dormer. My sister purchased a pair of darling Eiffel Tower lamps for me as an engagement gift. My husband and I took a brief trip to Paris when I was studying abroad in England, and the lamps serve as a nice reminder of our very fun and frugal trip. We stayed in a youth hostel in Montmartre and subsisted on baguettes and pain au chocolat seated on park benches or steps of famous buildings. We became completely covered in dust walking around the Eiffel Tower (we climbed the stairs to the second level because we couldn’t afford the elevator) and the Louvre, then saw snooty sales ladies look down their noses in the kinds of stores that have one of each clothing item on the rack. I would love to go back to Paris, the most beautiful city I have visited so far!

You might remember from my previous post that I was trying to decide how to address the asymmetrical wall behind the bed. There was one window off to the side, which is partially behind the headboard. I was trying to choose between a picture frame grouping to balance out the window, or covering the whole wall with drapes. My commenters recommended the picture frame idea, but I decided to go the other way. A wall of drapery behind the bed creates the illusion of symmetry. It also works to shield us from cold winter drafts coming through the old window, and simplifies the architecture, making the room seem larger.

It’s very difficult to photograph this small room, but I love being inside it. I reused the curtain rod that I already owned from my previous design. The ivory curtains in the center are actually full-size sheets from Walmart, about $9 each. I only needed to snip the thread from the edges, then slip the curtain rod through the existing hem–so easy! I made the drapes on either side from upholstery fabric that I purchased quite a while ago on clearance. You can’t see it in the photo, but the pattern is almost identical to my duvet cover. I lined the drapes with a twin size sheet–a very inexpensive way to get large amounts of fabric! The sunburst mirror is from Walmart. It started out black, but that proved too stark a contrast, so I primed it and then painted with two different golds and silver. The round pillows on the bed were a bargain at $4 each on clearance at Walmart (I purchased them quite some time ago).

The small space to the left of the bed was just large enough for a small side table, a luxury I have not had until now! I adore the chinoiserie style, so I was thrilled when I found a small faux bamboo table on eBay for about $27 shipped. I added a new round table top to replace the weathered and dented brass plate that had been there before (I think the table was actually a plant stand). After much indecision, I decided to paint the whole thing in my yellow accent color. I’m glad I did–it’s a nice little surprise in the otherwise neutral room.

I used a cute Scotland themed silk handkerchief given to me by my mother-in-law (it belonged to her mother), as a quirky little tablecloth. It reminds me of my son, our wonderful wedding reception held at the Brae Loch Inn, our trip to Scotland in 2007 and of course my husband’s grandmother who was a one-of-a-kind character. I love it when decor has special meaning.

Moving the bed to a different wall meant that I had a lot of blank space where it used to be. I once again used my gallery wall idea to create a grouping of pictures, most of which had already been in my room before. It includes favorite photos from my wedding, some vintage images of Paris, a painting of the church we were married in that was done by my grandfather as a wedding gift, and my own pencil drawing of the Rievaulx Abbey ruins (I enjoy visiting ruined cathedrals, and wish I could have been married in one!). I love the mix of black, gold and cream against the green wall.

So, there you have it! It may not be exactly what I would have done had I not been limited in funds and choice, but I absolutely love my new room. It has been a soothing retreat for my husband and me, and thanks to my hours spent organizing, it is very easy to keep neat and tidy. It finally feels like a master bedroom that we deserve.

What can you do to keep your entire mouth healthy between visits to the dentist? I recently participated in a live chat with a panel of experts sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood where I learned some important facts and great advice.

Did you know?

- Your mouth can harbor more germs than there are people on earth. Brushing your teeth is a great start, but it misses 75% of your mouth

- Using an antiseptic mouthwash for 30 seconds twice per day can provide 24-hour protection from the bacteria that cause plaque and gingivitis

- More than 50 percent of kids between the ages of 5 and 9 have had a cavity or filling

- Approximately 75 percent of American adults have a form of gum disease without even realizing it

Even though I brush twice per day, I’m not great about flossing or using mouthwash, and (as many busy moms can probably relate), even my brushing is often rushed. I take pretty good care of my teeth, but I can do even better. I agreed to team up with Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood to participate in an Oral Care Challenge along with my family. We will be trying out some new products that we haven’t used before in order to improve our oral health and build healthier habits. I received a great selection of Listerine and Reach products to get us started.

For Kids

Listerine is probably the first brand that comes to mind when you think mouthwash. Did you know they make a fun line of rinses especially for children ages 6 and up called Smart Rinse? This fluoride rinse protects teeth against cavities and strengthens teeth 99 percent better than brushing alone.

Smart Rinse (which contains no stinging alcohol) comes in a variety of flavors that kids will love, like Berry Shield, Bubble Blast, Fab Bubble Gum and Mint Shield. Favorite characters are a tried and true way of getting kids on board with healthier habits, and to that end you can find Smart Rinse bottles featuring Phineas and Ferb, Barbie and Batman. Unlike adult rinse products, Smart Rinse comes in a pump bottle (something gimmick-loving kids are sure to enjoy) to help ensure proper dosage. The rinse tints food particles so that your child can see the yuck that was in his or her mouth even after brushing.

Reach takes care of kids’ brushing needs with character-themed toothbrushes that you can match up with their chosen Smart Rinse.

Designed for ages three and up, the brushes feature a wide handle designed for little hands, an angled neck, bi-level bristles and a cleaning tip.

For Adults

For the grown-ups, Listerine has provided their tried and true Listerine Antiseptic mouthwash and a new Listerine Total Care Zero mouthwash, which does not contain alcohol. I have to admit that I am a wimp, and that stinging feeling from regular mouthwash has kept me from making it a habit. I am really looking forward to trying the Total Care Zero wash, which I expect to be a lot gentler on my mouth.

Listerine Antiseptic has been clinically proven to kill bacteria and prevent and reduce plaque and gingivitis. Of course people have also relied on it for years to control bad breath. Listerine Total Care Zero is a fluoride mouthwash designed to protect teeth against cavities. It also works to restore enamel, kill bad breath-causing germs and cleans the whole mouth.

One thing I do want to note about all of the mouthwash products is that they include artificial coloring. Unfortunately the Total Care Zero contains Red 40, but their other rinse products come in a variety of colors, so if a particular artificial coloring is a problem for you hopefully you can find something that will meet your needs.

I received two very fancy Reach toothbrushes that my husband and I will use: Total Care + Whitening and Total Care Multi-Action.

The Total Care + Whitening brush features “Calcium Carbonate Micrawhitening Technology” to whiten teeth and remove stains. I had never heard of a whitening toothbrush, so it will be interesting to see how it works (I’m letting my husband use it). I’ll admit that I chose the Total Care Multi-Action for myself mainly because I loved the colors, but I’m also looking forward to experiencing the “multi-directional cleaning and polishing elements”.

And then we have floss. I will start by saying that I am not a fan of floss. In fact, I would say I’m borderline floss-phobic, if that’s a thing. I cannot handle floss getting stuck under teeth, the bleeding, and worst of all shredding floss. When floss splits apart it gives me the heebie jeebies. Though I think it’s physically impossible, I imagine the floss cutting through my tooth like a block of cheese. Gross, I know. Sorry. I think we’ve thoroughly established that I don’t like to floss. But I know I need to. Reach sent two different kinds, and I think one of them will work even for me!

First we have the standard woven floss in Icy Mint infused with Cleanpaste formula. It has a nice smell and flavor, but one look at the fluffy string tells me it’s the stuff my nightmares are made of. Sorry, Reach. My husband can use it. However, the Reach Total Care Mint Floss with Micro-Grooves Technology is a product I am glad to wrap around my teeth. It promises to “slide like Glide” (a shred-proof plastic floss also from Reach) while removing more plaque. I’ve already tested it, and it’s definitely something I can tolerate. I like it when companies find solutions for everyone.

What about young kids?

At three years old, my son is still too young to use a lot of fluoride products, and he can’t be relied upon to spit out toothpaste or mouthwash (especially when it’s tasty). Since Smart Rinse is designed for ages 6 and up, that’s out of the question for him.

During the live chat, many moms like myself were wondering how we can keep our younger kids’ mouths healthy. Here are a few things I learned:

- Dental care needs to start young. Pediatric dentists can start seeing children as young as one year old, and they can help provide important education to parents about healthy habits. Starting at age three, children should visit the dentist every six months. My son just had his second dental exam recently, and he did great!

- Make oral hygiene a game to help kids learn while also making it fun for them. If they’re old enough to use a rinse, see who can swish the longest without spitting (if they’re too young, try practicing with water). Use rewards like a sticker chart to help build and maintain good habits.

- I thought my son was too young for a fluoride toothpaste, but at age three he is old enough to use a pediatric toothpaste containing fluoride. The pediatric dentist recommended a pea-sized amount, or a “smear layer” (wiping the toothpaste from the end of the tube without squeezing). Even if my son doesn’t do a great job spitting it out, he won’t swallow enough fluoride to hurt him.

- Avoid using adult toothpaste for kids. It may contain ingredients in concentrations that aren’t safe, and the biting taste of minty pastes can make brushing an unpleasant experience for kids. There are a variety of toothpastes designed specifically for kids of different ages.

Learn more

I will be writing more about my personal experience with these products at the end of the challenge, so stay tuned!