Havin Hope

I’m so happy that my free shopper once again arrived in my driveway during the night last night. I love to peruse those Kroger deals bright and early! Unfortunately, the deals aren’t too hot this week, but here are a few worth checking out.

Don’t forget to check here for your local ad and remember my Kroger doubles all coupons that are .50 or less. I also subscribe to the Chicago Tribune, since they have much better coupons than my local paper.

A few decent deals:

Gatorade 32 oz- .79
use buy 2 get free .99 bag of Frito Lay chips from gas station tear pad
=1.58 for 2 plus a free bag of chips

Hebrew National Beef Franks- 2.50
-1.00 from here
=1.50

Indiana Muskmelon- 1.50

Betty Crocker Helpers- 1.00
Buy 3 and use -1.00/3 from Kroger mailer
add .75/3 from Cellfire.com
=1.25 for 3(.42 each)

Tortilla Chips- .88

Speed Stick-.88
-.75 off of 2 from recent newspaper insert
=1.01 for 2 (.56 each)

Dozen eggs- .88

Ground Beef- 1.68 lb. (sold in a 5 lb roll)

Ball Park Franks- 2.00
-1.00 off of 2 from newspaper insert
=3.00 for 2 (1.50 each)

Peaches- .97/lb

Kroger Cheese, 24 oz-3.99
(this is equal to 1.33 per 8 oz, which is a decent price on cheese)

Wisp Colgate mini brushes-2.00
-.50 from somewhere (newspaper???)
doubles to -1.00
=1.00

Right Guard- 1.00
-$1/2 from newspaper insert
=$1 for 2 (.50 each)

Activa Yogurt-1.88
-1.00 from newspaper insert
=.88

P & G Saver Event- Buy 4 participating items and get $4 off at the register
Go here to check out some coupon match-ups for this event

You can find a link to my post, along with lots of other good deals over at BeCentsable!  Now, I need to get cracking on a grocery list and menu, which I usually make every other week.  For some reason I was thinking that I had one more week before I needed to do that, but it looks like I need to make one this weekend since my menu only runs through Sunday!  Too bad there aren’t too many good deals this weeks, think my husband would complain about Hamburger Helper three days this week???

I have been very slow at adding to this series, and I apologize.  But I appreciate everyone’s comments and well wishes at the prospect of adopting this fall.

One thing that many people have been asking about is cost for a domestic adoption.  We hear a lot about the expense of international adoptions but we don’t often hear too much about domestic.

There are a few different ways to adopt domestically, and the cost is different for each method.  And within each category there is a huge difference as well.  A domestic adoption can be very inexpensive if you are adoption from the state or it can cost as much as any international adoption, depending on fees and complications.

The first way to adopt is through the state.  I know the least about this method, but as with all methods in my state I think it requires a homestudy and a foster care license, which for me cost $1500.  After that, I’m not sure.  I’ve heard from a social worker that if the adoption is not finalized until after the child is over a year then the state pays YOU a monthly stipend until the child is 18.  I also heard from a friend that the state would possible pay for finalization(court date when the baby becomes legally yours) if you adopted a child previously in foster care.  Again, I don’t know too much about this option, but in my research finalization can cost well above $1000, depending on how much the lawyer needs to do.

Another way to adopt is simply through a lawyer.  They find you the baby and then handle the legal fees as well.  This way is also used if you know someone who is giving a baby up for adoption and you just need someone to handle the legal aspect.  This sometimes can be cheaper than the option we chose, which is an agency adoption.  We used an agency to do our homestudy and the same agency showed our profile and “found” us a baby.  We will then use a lawyer for the finalization.  To me, using just a lawyer is like buying a house “for sale by owner”. You could do it, but it could be pain, you could miss something, and it really is a lot more work than if you had a realtor to do the work for you.

For us, our fee schedule looks like this:

Application fee- $ 150

Homestudy fee-$1500

Birthparent counseling and contact (due when you are “picked”)- $950

Placement fee (due when the child is “placed” with you, usually at 72 hours after birth)- $3800
Note that this fee is LOW. This is like the country fee when you adopt internationally, it can vary greatly. Our agency uses a sliding scale based on income. I recently heard of an agency whose placement fee was $20,000! Yikes! And it was out of state. Those adopting from another state should expect to pay a $500 processing fee for the Interstate Compact on top of there placement costs

Finalization fee- ???? I haven’t found a lawyer yet, so I’m not sure. My social worker said the range was between $1000-$2000 but the one lawyer I talked to this week was more like $2000-$3000.

Plus, there are always possible living and medical expenses. We knew up front that we were going to need to pay some living expenses. Living expenses are not demands that birth parents can make on potential adoptive parents. Our social worker strives to find out needs prior to showing profiles. She made us aware of possible living expenses before we ever agreed to have our profile shown.

Medical expenses often occur when the birthmom is not on a medical card and has insurance of her own. Any co-pays or deductibles are often picked up by the adoptive parents. Also, most insurances do not pick up the baby until placement, which is 72 hours after birth which means that adoptive parents for 3 days of hospitalization for a newborn. Not a big deal if the baby is healthy, could be a very big deal if the baby spends some time in the NICU. Our insurance falls into that category, so we are trying to plan ahead for a doctor’s bill.

All of that to say, domestic adoption can cost under $3000 if you simply paying for a homestudy and finalization or well over $20,000 if you go with a high priced agency. We are hoping we can do our for under $10,000 for the sake of not taking out a loan.  And, again, I’m not an expert in adoptions costs.  Like anything else, its a good idea to “shop around” for the agency and lawyer that you “click” with as well as can afford!

Wow, its a Mega Ten Week again!

Don’t forget to check here for your local ad and remember my Kroger doubles all coupons that are .50 or less. I also subscribe to the Chicago Tribune, since they have much better coupons than my local paper.

First, a few non-Mega Ten deals worth picking up:

Kroger Cheese- 1.66 each

Yoplait Kids, YoPlus or Go-Gurt Multi Pack yogurt-2.49
-.35 Yoplait kids from recent newspaper insert or .40 from here (doubles to -.70 or -.80)
-.80/2 Yoplait Kids from Cellfire.com (expires 7/27, must have already added to Kroger card)
or -1.00 YoPlus from recent newspaper insert and -1.00 from Shortcuts.com
=.49-2.78 for 2(when you use 2 .35/1 or .40/1coupons and have added the cellfire Q) (1.39 each)

Crest Toothpaste- 1.00
-.50 or -.75 from recent P & G inserts
doubles to -1.00 (my Kroger will NOT double the .75 coupon)
= FREE-.25

Gatorade 32 oz- .79
use buy 2 get free .99 bag of Frito Lay chips from gas station tear pad
=1.58 for 2 plus a free bag of chips

Huggies Jumbo Pack- 8.99 (since we’re adopting, I must start working the diaper deals!)
-2.00 on Overnights from here
and -1.50 from Shortcuts.com
=5.49

Bic Wite-Out- .99
-1.00/2 from here or a Whit Out coupon that I’m not sure is available anymore from BicWorld
=.98 for 2 (.49 each)

Mega Ten Deal- You must buy 10 items that are included in this deal. You may mix and match. When you buy 10, $5 is taken off your total at the register (.50 per item). The prices below assume that 10 items have been purchased (I have already subtracted the 50 cents that will taken off at the register).

Kellogg’s Cereal, Nutri Grain or Special K Bars- 1.99
-1/2 Special K bars from 7/12 Red Plum or
-1 off variety of cereals from 6/7 newspaper insert (expires 7/19) or
-1 off of Special K blueberry from here
=.99-2.98 for 2 (1.49 each)

This could be a great time to take advantage of the Kellogg’s Fuel for School Rebate. If you buy 10 qualifying items in one transaction then you will receive $10 back by mail! Go here for your rebate form.
DEAL- If you had 10 cereal coupons your total after Mega 10 Promo and coupons would be 9.90. Then send in your rebate and receive $10 back in a rebate check. That is 10 boxes of cereal for the cost of a stamp!

Sunny D Juice and Smoothies- .79
-.25 from July All You (I’ve seen this in other magazines too) or recent newspaper insert
doubles to -.50
=.29

Daisy Sour Cream- 1.49
-.50 from 5/31 newspaper insert
doubles to -.100
=.49

Kraft Cheese- 1.49

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars-1.49
-.75/2 from newspaper insert
=2.23 for 2 (1.12 each)

Kraft Dressing- 1.49
-1.00 from newspaper insert
=.49

Chex Mix, looks like the 8.75 oz size bag- 1.49
-.50 from Shortcuts (add to your Kroger Card)
and -.50/2 (doubles to -1.00) or
-.50 (doubles to -1.00) off of Chex Mix Chocolate varieties from here (if they are included in the sale)
=.48-1.48 for 2 (.74 each)

Betty Crocker Brownie Mix -.88
(all coupons I can find seem to be for Supreme, but this is still a good deal for brownies, ok, I admit, I am willing to pay FULL price for brownies…)

Kleenex-.99
-.50/3 from recent newspaper insert
1.97 for 3 (.65 each) (how many boxes do you have to send to school this year??? Great time to stock up)

Oscar Meyer Lunchmeats-2.49
-1/2 from recent newspaper insert
=3.98 for 2 (1.99 each)

Haagen-Dazs ice cream-2.49
-1.00 from gas station tearpad
=1.49

Wisp Colgate mini brushes-1.50
-.50 from somewhere (newspaper???)
doubles to -1.00
=.50

Wrigley’s Multi Packs-1.50
-1.00 from newspaper insert
=.50

Centrum Vitamins- 7.50
-2.00 from newspaper insert (4/26???)
=5.50
Send in for 5.00 mail-in rebate, found in recent newspaper insert
Total after coupon, promotion and rebate=.50 plus tax and stamp

You can find a link to my post, along with lots of other good deals over at BeCentsable!

I have been asked a lot over the last 2 weeks about risks involved with domestic adoptions. The immediate risk that we face is possibility that the birthmom could change her mind. The second risk that many people are concerned about is the court cases concerning custody rights, such as if one of the birthparents change their minds after the adoption has become final.

Here are the laws, in the state of Illinois, as I understand them:
Birthmoms change their minds, they just do. But the law is that they have 72 hours after birth to do so. Once the papers are signed and the baby is placed (placement is what happens at 72 hours, this refers to the adoptive parents getting custody of the child), then the birthmom has terminated her parental rights and the baby becomes legally ours.

The State of Illinois now has the Putative Father Registry. We are required to post our baby on this registry. The birthfather then has 30 days to come forward.  Once those 30 days are up he no longer has a case in court.

I think we’re up for it, despite the risks.  Honestly, we aren’t new to disappointment in this area of our lives. We’ve been trying since 2004 for #2 and after  4 surgery’s,  months of injections, a miscarriage and a funeral we’ve met risks and disappointment face to face.

And to be honest again, I don’t think she will change her mind and I don’t think the birthfather will contest.  The birthmother has said that she feels like a surrogate and that she is carrying the baby for us.  Our social worker encouraged us by saying that she has never had anyone say that and in fact change their mind.

But she could, and that is just a fact and a risk I’m willing to take.  I still plan on making my hubby find all of the pieces to the crib and put it together before Halloween rolls around.

Wow, its a Mega Ten Week, which is always fun!

Don’t forget to check here for your local ad and remember my Kroger doubles all coupons that are .50 or less. I also subscribe to the Chicago Tribune, since they have much better coupons than my local paper.

First, a few non-Mega Ten deals worth picking up:
Tyson Boneless Skinless- 1.87/lb

Bing Cherries- 1.47/lb

Grapes- .97/lb

Mega Ten Deal- You must buy 10 items that are included in this deal. You may mix and match. When you buy 10, $5 is taken off your total at the register (.50 per item). The prices below assume that 10 items have been purchased (I have already subtracted the 50 cents that will taken off at the register).

Kellogg’s Cereal, Nutri Grain or Special K Bars- 1.99
-1/2 Special K bars from 7/12 Red Plum or
-1 off variety of cereals from 6/7 newspaper insert (expires 7/19) or
-1 off of Special K blueberry from here
=.99-2.98 for 2 (1.49 each)

This could be a great time to take advantage of the Kellogg’s Fuel for School Rebate. If you buy 10 qualifying items in one transaction then you will receive $10 back by mail! Go here for your rebate form.
DEAL- If you had 10 cereal coupons your total after Mega 10 Promo and coupons would be 9.90. Then send in your rebate and receive $10 back in a rebate check. That is 10 boxes of cereal for the cost of a stamp!

Sunny D Juice and Smoothies- .79
-.25 from July All You (I’ve seen this in other magazines too) or recent newspaper insert
doubles to -.50
=.29

Daisy Sour Cream- 1.49
-.50 from 5/31 newspaper insert
doubles to -.100
=.49

Kraft Cheese- 1.49

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars-1.49
-.75/2 from newspaper insert
=2.23 for 2 (1.12 each)

Kraft Dressing- 1.49
-1.00 from newspaper insert
=.49

Chex Mix, looks like the 8.75 oz size bag- 1.49
-.50 from Shortcuts (add to your Kroger Card)
and -.50/2 (doubles to -1.00) or
-.50 (doubles to -1.00) off of Chex Mix Chocolate varieties from here (if they are included in the sale)
=.48-1.48 for 2 (.74 each)

Betty Crocker Brownie Mix -.88
(all coupons I can find seem to be for Supreme, but this is still a good deal for brownies, ok, I admit, I am willing to pay FULL price for brownies…)

Kleenex-.99
-.50/3 from recent newspaper insert
1.97 for 3 (.65 each) (how many boxes do you have to send to school this year??? Great time to stock up)

Oscar Meyer Lunchmeats-2.49
-1/2 from recent newspaper insert
=3.98 for 2 (1.99 each)

Wisp Colgate mini brushes-1.50
-.50 from somewhere (newspaper???)
doubles to -1.00
=.50

Wrigley’s Multi Packs-1.50
-1.00 from newspaper insert
=.50

You can find a link to my post, along with lots of other good deals over at BeCentsable!

To be honest we had yet to sit down with Jonah and explain to him what adoption meant and that it was a possibility for our family. But we have seen Kung Fu Panda and The Furious Five where adoption was addressed in each. We had also told him that the doctor has said that I couldn’t have any more babies in my belly but that maybe God would give us a baby another way. Surprisingly, he hadn’t asked any more questions but made it clear that he wanted a little sister (and a big brother).

We could not believe how excited he was when we told him that we might be getting a baby around Halloween. He wants her to be here “right this minute”. He has told everyone that we run into. I was making a photo book at CVS today and was really surprised that he didn’t tell the lady that was helping us. But, except for the CVS cashier, he has told everyone else! He says, “I am going to adopt a baby sister, she is going to be African American, that means her skin is black, and she is coming around Halloween.” He also explains adoption like this: there is another mom who has too many kids to take care of us so she is giving us her baby.

We are so glad that he is excited but a little overwhelmed about how much he is announcing it. We have tried to make it clear that the birthmom could change her mind. But I think, in light of last year, that he understands disappointment and that there is always a chance that plans could change. But on the other hand, its refreshing that he has hope that it could happen. He is even making a list of what we need for her.

I wonder where he got that from?

Domestic adoptions work like this: you make a little scrapbook of yourself, called a profile, and you “market” your family to potential birthparents. Social workers show the right profiles (based on some preferences that each side requests) to each birthparent and they pick which family they would like to “have” their child.

Last week, we were picked.

Over the last few days we have told our families and a few people at church yesterday and we have been met with tons of questions. For now, I will blog just the facts but I plan to answer a lot of questions concerning risks, costs, and procedures involved with a domestic adoptions through a private agency over the next week or so.

For now, the facts:
The birthmother who chose us is expecting a girl the beginning of November. The baby will be full African American. We hope to meet the birthmom sometime soon and I plan on being in the delivery room when the baby is born. When the baby is 72 hours old the adoptions papers can be signed and she will be placed with us. At that time, she becomes legally ours.

Our social worker says that she does not feel like this mom will change her mind, her plan is solid and she feels like she is carrying this baby for US. There is a chance that she could change her mind or that something else could go wrong, but for now, we are very hopeful!

Maybe the feverish fog that I’ve been in because of the 102.6 degree fever that I had yesterday, in the middle of summer, but I’m just not seeing too many deals this week.  There are a few coupon match-ups but even after the sale and coupon, the deal isn’t really that hot.  But here they are anyway, maybe you really need something!

Don’t forget to check here for your local ad and remember my Kroger doubles all coupons that are .50 or less. I also subscribe to the Chicago Tribune, since they have much better coupons than my local paper.

Here are some things that are worth picking up:

Easy Mac- 1.00
-B1G1 from Parade magazine
=1.00 for 2 (.50 each)

Ground Beef- 1.68/lb (sold in a 5 lb roll for 8.40)

Peaches- .77/lb

General Mills Cereal- 2.77
-1/2 from recent newspaper insert or from Kroger mailer
=4.98 for 2 (2.49 each)

Gorton’s Shrimp Temptations- 5.99
-1 from recent newspaper insert
=4.99

Kroger Tortilla chips or Salsa- 1.00

Activa Yogurt- 2.00
-1.00 from newspaper insert
=1.00

Kraft 2% milk cheddar or american slices- 1.47

Herbal Essence or Aussie Hair products- 2.99
-1.00 off Herbal Essence from 7/5 P & G and -1.00 from here or -2.00 off Aussie from here
=.99

Crest Pro Health Toothpaste- 2.50
-.75 from recent newspaper insert and -.75 from here
=1.00

Secret Deodorant or Old Spice- 2.33
-1.00 from 7/5 P & G (there is one coupon for each product) and -1.00 off of 2 Old Spice from here
=1.33 for Secret or 1.66 for 2 Old Spice if you have two coupons and add the P & G to your Kroger card (.83 each)

Gillette Body Wash-3.49
-1.00 from Kroger mailer and -1.00 from here
=1.49

You can find a link to my post, along with lots of other good deals over at BeCentsable!

Kroger has a great deal on blueberries again this week!  They are priced at 4 for $5, or 1.25 each!  The best thing is that that price is for a PINT not a half pint.

I did a little math.  If there are 2 pints in a quart and 4 quarts in a gallon then there are 8 pints in a gallon.  That means at Kroger this week blueberries are only $10 bucks a gallon.  That my friends is comparable to U-PICK prices at a blueberry farm.  And I don’t know about you, but I’ve been unhappy with both the quantity and the quality of berries at my closest farms (I miss my Arkansas blueberries!), I like these better!

I simply wash them in a colander an let them sit for a few minutes to get some of the water off.  Then I dump them all in a freezer bag and take them out as I need them.  I put them frozen into pancake and muffin batter and smoothies and rinse them under warm water to eat with yogurt.

Happy Almost 4th of July! I notice Kroger are featuring some cook-our friendly foods this week, but not so much in the deal department, but there are a few worth checking out!

Don’t forget to check here for your local ad and remember my Kroger doubles all coupons that are .50 or less. I also subscribe to the Chicago Tribune, since they have much better coupons than my local paper.

Here are some things that are worth picking up:

Blueberries-1.25 a PINT (see details here)

Kroger Cheese- 1.67/8 oz

Ground Chuck- 1.77/lb

Seedless Watermelon-2.97 each

Bing Cherries- 1.97/lb

Ball Park Meat Hot Dogs- 1.25
-1/2 from newspaper insert (expires 7/5/09)
=1.50 for 2 (.75 each)

Kroger Toaster Treats-1.00
-.45 from Kroger Mailer
=.55

French’s Mustard- 1.49
-.50 from recent newspaper insert
doubles to -1.00
=.49

Bushes Baked Beans-1.67
-.55/2 from Kroger My Magazine
=2.79 for 2 (1.40 each)

McCormick Grill Mates or Grinders-1.25
-.50 for one Grill Mate or -.75 for one Black Pepper
.50 coupon will double to-1.00
=.25-.50

Kraft Mayonnaise- 2.39
-.75 from newspaper insert
=1.64

10 for 10 (all items are 1.00, you do not have to buy 10)

Kroger Tortilla chips- 1.00

Kroger Salsa- 1.00

Kroger Half gallon Orange Juice- 1.00

Haagan Daaz 4 oz cup icecream-1.00
-1/3 from here
=2 for 3 (.66 each)

Here are the few good deals I saw in the Daytona 500 deals, especially if you had multiples of a few coupons. Remember that you must buy 10 items and the prices below reflects 10 items being purchased.

Grands Biscuits- 1.19
-.50 from Shortcuts.com
=.69

General Mills Cereal, Ritz, or Poptarts- 2.19
-.55 off Cheerios from here or here or 1.00/2 from recent insert or Buy 1 Ritz get 1 free Wheat Thins
=1.64-3.38 for 2 (1.69 each)

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks- 1.69
-.50/2 from 6/14 Smart Source newspaper insert
multiplies to -1.00
add .75/2 (if Roll-ups are included in the deal)or .50/2 to your card from Shortcuts.com or .50/2 from Cellfire.com
=1.63-1.88 for 2 (.86-.94 each)
If you buy 3 or more General Mills Fruit Snacks between 6/19-7/12, the following catalina will print out at the register:
- $1.50 when you buy 3
- $2.50 when you buy 4
- $3.50 when you buy 5
Only one Catalina will print out per transaction.
Buy 4, use 2 .50/2 coupons and add e-coupons from both Shortcuts and Cellfire and your total for 4 boxes should be 3.51, after the catalina your total will be 1.01 for 4 boxes or .26 each (assuming you bought 6 other participating items).

Kraft BBQ Sauce- .69
-.50 from recent newspaper insert
doubles to -1.00
=FREE plus possible overage

Ragu Pasta Sauce- 1.39
-1/2 or .60/1 (if Margherita or Sweet Tomato Basil is included in deal)
=.79 each-1.78 for 2 (.89 each)

Oscar Meyer Franks- 1.29
-1.00/2 from Smartsource machine at Kroger or from 6/21 Smartsource Newspaper insert
=1.58 for 2 (.79 each)

You can find a link to my post, along with lots of other good deals over at BeCentsable!