Couponing to Disney

Batten down the hatches. Stock up on the plums. Things are about to get real.

Apparently, last week’s adventures in fasting turned me into a thrill junkie because this week’s shopping trip found me, yet again, in an extreme situation.

This weekend/week we have decided to potty train the Frying Pan.

Dun dun dun duuuuuuuuuh.

We kept telling ourselves that as soon as were back from Disney we would start, but a month came and went, and nothing. Then the Frying Pan turned three and we were running out of excuses. Last week, she looked at me and said, “Mama, when can I learn to do the potty?” My time was up.

Aside from being tired and pregnant, the timing is pretty good. By the time the Baby Bee comes along, he/she will be the only B in diapers. Which works out for the budget, because we can just funnel the money that was budgeted for Frying Pan’s diapers to Baby Bee’s diapers.

The method we use for potty training has been referred to the as the Flexible Method, or the Gradual Method. Here’s how it works. You need to set aside five days that you and the child who is potty training commit not to leave the house. Five days, y’all. See you in a work week. On days 1 and 2, the child sits on the potty every twenty minutes for five minutes. Days 3 and 4, the wait time increases to twenty five minutes and the sitting time decreases to three minutes. By Day 5, you’re looking at thirty minutes, with a one minute sitting time. Depending on how your child progresses, you can add days as needed.

The child only wears underwear, no pull-ups, so they can feel the difference between underwear and diaper textures/absorbency. If you’re guessing that the first day there are a lot of accidents and a lot of laundry, then you are guessing right. We used this method with the Glass Slipper and it was the only thing to work after five other failed methods, so we knew what to expect. The first day or so is messy and by day five you’re definitely going a little stir crazy. But we knew the results would be worth it.

Which led to me grocery shopping like we were spending a month in an underground bunker. I got at least two more of everything we needed, because I knew we would be locking the door and throwing away the key. It also led to some very unique purchases for us (juice! Granola bars!) because potty training calls for lots of liquids and chocolatey rewards. I also tried to get things I knew we liked/would be easy to cook, because after running on a twenty minute schedule, I knew that I might be a little too tired for gourmet meals.

• Annie’s Double Chocolate Granola Bars-$2.49. Buy 5, Save $5!
• Bananas, 1.31 lb-$.77.
• Black Plums, 1.69 lb-$1.66.
• Boar’s Head Maple Glaze Turkey, .5 lb-$5.29.
• Boar’s Head Sandwich Pepperoni, 1 lb-$8.90.
• Center Cut Pork Chops, 3lb-$10.88. Manager’s Special!
• Clementines, 3lbs-$3.77.
• Heritage Farm Chicken Breasts, 5.05 lb-$10.05.
• Kroger Sweet Italian Sausage, 1 lb-$2.89. *Digital Coupon* for $.60 off.
• Mangoes (2)-$1.98.
• Multi Grain Cheerios (2)-$2.98. Buy 5, Save $5 brings each box to $1.99, stack with *Digital Coupon* for $1 off 2 GM Cereals and you’re looking at $1.50 a box!
• London Broil, 2.78 lb-$9.73. In store sale for $3.49 a pound.
• Parrano Gouda-$4.06.
• Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls-$2.29. Expensive pregnancy craving. No regrets!
• Red Gold Canned Tomatoes (2)-$1.78.
• Roma Tomatoes, 1.26 lb-$1.63.
• Romaine Lettuce, .92 lb-$1.37.
• Simply Raspberry Lemonade (2)-$2.98. Down to $1.29 each with B5,S5.
• Yellow Peaches, 3.30 lb-$3.23.
• Apps I’ll submit to: Fetch Rewards, Ibotta (.50 off 2 Red Gold Tomatoes)

                              Total Budget: $91.21

                             Total Spent: $78.94

                             Total Saved: $23.64

                             Rolled Over to Next Week: $12.27

And I head into the last week of the month on a surplus. Aside from the fact that I have literally washed every towel we own twice, I am feeling pretty groovy.

Do you stock up for potty training? What about illnesses? What are the events that make you anxious to have all the food you need on hand? Also, I would gladly take all your potty training tips. ;) Share your encouragement and ideas in the comments!

Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!