Couponing 101 Part 4: How Do I Read The Coupons?

Couponing 101 Part 4

How Do I Read The Coupons?
Expiration Date:  All coupons will have an expiration date.  However, you will run across some coupons that have an expiration date that actually says “No expiration date.” Please note that some stores will not accept coupons that do not have expiration dates.  You can use the coupon through the date of the expiration date, for example, if the coupon’s expiration date is 9/6/2012, you can use the coupon until 11:59 pm on 9/6/2012.

Value:  The value is the amount that will be subtracted from your purchase. If it says “Save $1 on 2 boxes of crackers” then you will save $1 total on your purchase (not $1 per box).

Wording:  This is the most important part of the coupon.  It is how you know what the coupon is for!  If the coupon says “save on ANY xyz product” then it truly can be used on any, not just what is pictured.

Picture:  The picture on the coupon can be useful in helping you locate the product.  It also helps build product recognition and is a great form of advertising.  Please note that the picture is NOT what is important.  The manufacturers generally put the newest or most expensive product in the picture, obviously hoping you will buy that product.  As long as you follow what is in the wording of the coupon, you can usually get the lowest priced product which is generally the better deal.

Fine Print:  The fine print is information for the retailers whch includes the coupon redemption address.  There are usually one or two lines that are intended for the consumer though for example:  Limit one coupon per purchase? Coupons usually have some version of that statement.  I would like to explain each of them to you so that you can in turn explain them to your cashiers (which I can guarantee will happen at some point).

• Limit one coupon per purchase.  Each qualifying item(s) is a purchase.  If the coupon is for $1 off 2 boxes of cereal and you buy 2 boxes, that is 1 purchase.  If you bought 2 more, that is another purchase and you can use another $1/2 coupon.  This is on just about every coupon.  It means you can not use 2 coupons on 1 product.
• Limit one coupon per transaction.  This means you can only use one of each coupon per transaction.  Each transaction is concluded with a receipt.
• Limit one coupon per day/visit.  You can only use one of those coupons per store visit.
• Limit one coupon per person/customer/household. You can only use one of these coupons.

Understanding how to read your coupons will come in handy.  There will come a time where you will have to explain the meanings to a cashier.  I suggest that you look them over before you begin your shop. 

Couponing 101 Part 4

How Do I Read The Coupons?
Expiration Date:  All coupons will have an expiration date.  However, you will run across some coupons that have an expiration date that actually says “No expiration date.” Please note that some stores will not accept coupons that do not have expiration dates.  You can use the coupon through the date of the expiration date, for example, if the coupon’s expiration date is 9/6/2012, you can use the coupon until 11:59 pm on 9/6/2012.

Value:  The value is the amount that will be subtracted from your purchase. If it says “Save $1 on 2 boxes of crackers” then you will save $1 total on your purchase (not $1 per box).

Wording:  This is the most important part of the coupon.  It is how you know what the coupon is for!  If the coupon says “save on ANY xyz product” then it truly can be used on any, not just what is pictured.

Picture:  The picture on the coupon can be useful in helping you locate the product.  It also helps build product recognition and is a great form of advertising.  Please note that the picture is NOT what is important.  The manufacturers generally put the newest or most expensive product in the picture, obviously hoping you will buy that product.  As long as you follow what is in the wording of the coupon, you can usually get the lowest priced product which is generally the better deal.

Fine Print:  The fine print is information for the retailers whch includes the coupon redemption address.  There are usually one or two lines that are intended for the consumer though for example:  Limit one coupon per purchase? Coupons usually have some version of that statement.  I would like to explain each of them to you so that you can in turn explain them to your cashiers (which I can guarantee will happen at some point).

• Limit one coupon per purchase.  Each qualifying item(s) is a purchase.  If the coupon is for $1 off 2 boxes of cereal and you buy 2 boxes, that is 1 purchase.  If you bought 2 more, that is another purchase and you can use another $1/2 coupon.  This is on just about every coupon.  It means you can not use 2 coupons on 1 product.
• Limit one coupon per transaction.  This means you can only use one of each coupon per transaction.  Each transaction is concluded with a receipt.
• Limit one coupon per day/visit.  You can only use one of those coupons per store visit.
• Limit one coupon per person/customer/household. You can only use one of these coupons.

Understanding how to read your coupons will come in handy.  There will come a time where you will have to explain the meanings to a cashier.  I suggest that you look them over before you begin your shop. 

Couponing 101 Part 3: Where Do I Get My Coupons?

Couponing 101 part 3

"Where do I get my Coupons"? (building a couponbase)

Sunday Paper Inserts From City Papers (either buy a subscription or from local source)

· Smart source (ss)

· Red plum (rp)

· General mills (gm)

· Proctor and Gamble (p&g)

Buy one paper per person in your family.

The Following is a list showing the number of inserts to expect

January

1 — Redplum--2, Smart Source--2, 1 Procter and Gamble
8 — Redplum, Smart Source
15 — Smart Source
22 — Redplum, Smart Source
29 — Redplum, Smart Source

February

5 — Redplum, Smart Source, Procter and Gamble
12 — Redplum, Smart Source-2
19 — Redplum
26 — Smart Source-2

March

4 — Redplum, Smart Source, Procter and Gamble
11 — Redplum & Smart Source
18 — Redplum & Smart Source
25 — Redplum & Smart Source

April

1 — Redplum-2, Smart Source-2, Procter and Gamble
8 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected
15 — Redplum, Smart Source
22 — Smart Source
29 — Redplum, Smart Source

May

6 — Redplum, Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
13 — Redplum & Smart Source
20 — Redplum & Smart Source
27 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected

June

3 — Redplum, Smart Source, Procter and Gamble
10 — Redplum & Smart Source
17 — Redplum & Smart Source
24 — Redplum & Smart Source

July

1 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected
8 — Redplum, Smart Source & Procter and Gamble Inserts
15 — Smart Source
22 — Redplum & Smart Source
29 — Redplum & Smart Source

August

5 — (2) Redplum & Smart Source
12 — Redplum & Smart Source
19 — Redplum & Smart Source
26 — Redplum & Smart Source

September

2 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected
9 — Redplum & (2) Smart Source
16 — Redplum & Smart Source
23 — Smart Source
30 — Redplum & Smart Source

October

7 — Redplum, (2) Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
14 — Redplum & Smart Source Inserts
21 — Redplum & Smart Source Inserts
28 — Redplum & Smart Source Inserts

November

4 — Redplum, Smart Source & Procter and Gamble Inserts
11 — (2) Redplum & Smart Source
18 — Smart Source
25 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected

December

2 — Redplum, Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
9 — Redplum & Smart Source
16 — Smart Source
23 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected
30 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected

Store Coupons

• In the store itself (ex. Walgreens monthly savings book)
• Stores internet site (Target has many, try it!)
• from newspaper ads

Printable Coupons
                  · www.coupons.com

· www.redplum.com

· www.smartsource.com

· www.couponnetwork.com

Email your favorite companies or go to their web-sites

· Companies will often have special going on and are willing to mail you coupons upon request. (Store Coupons that stack with manufacture coupons)

Blinkies

· Watch for these in stores. They are attached to the shelve in front or by a product and blink. These coupons are for the taking. watch for those blinkie machines (the little red machines that "spit" coupons out) in the stores.....usually that product will go on sale within 2-3 weeks after you first see the machine and the store will pull it out right before the sales

Peelie

· A coupon you peal off the package of a product (only do this if you buy the product though, it is meant for that customer) 

Catalinas

· Coupons printed at register after purchased.

1. A Catalina printed on the back of your receipt (ex. Dollar General’s $5 off on saturday purchase.)

2. $ off of your next order (oyno)

Coupons near products

· Sometimes attached to the shelve in front of the product

· Can be on a display near the product

Tear Pads

· A pad of coupons

Buy coupons

· From eBay for upcoming sales, “Buy it Now” are the best. However, the shipping can be costly so you might want to do this with a friend.

Coupon clipping services

• http://www.thecouponclippers.com
• http://www.couponfinders.com
• http://www.couponsandforms.com

                                                           

Birthday “freebies”

· Once you begin your search through the varies sites you will find that you will be asked for your birthday and in return will receive coupons

Recycling centers

· and get them (be sure to ask the attendant if this is allowed before you start "dumpster diving")

Newspaper carriers

· they may be willing to give you inserts from papers that they don't sell

Couponing 101 part 3

"Where do I get my Coupons"? (building a couponbase)

Sunday Paper Inserts From City Papers (either buy a subscription or from local source)

· Smart source (ss)

· Red plum (rp)

· General mills (gm)

· Proctor and Gamble (p&g)

Buy one paper per person in your family.

The Following is a list showing the number of inserts to expect

January

1 — Redplum--2, Smart Source--2, 1 Procter and Gamble
8 — Redplum, Smart Source
15 — Smart Source
22 — Redplum, Smart Source
29 — Redplum, Smart Source

February

5 — Redplum, Smart Source, Procter and Gamble
12 — Redplum, Smart Source-2
19 — Redplum
26 — Smart Source-2

March

4 — Redplum, Smart Source, Procter and Gamble
11 — Redplum & Smart Source
18 — Redplum & Smart Source
25 — Redplum & Smart Source

April

1 — Redplum-2, Smart Source-2, Procter and Gamble
8 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected
15 — Redplum, Smart Source
22 — Smart Source
29 — Redplum, Smart Source

May

6 — Redplum, Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
13 — Redplum & Smart Source
20 — Redplum & Smart Source
27 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected

June

3 — Redplum, Smart Source, Procter and Gamble
10 — Redplum & Smart Source
17 — Redplum & Smart Source
24 — Redplum & Smart Source

July

1 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected
8 — Redplum, Smart Source & Procter and Gamble Inserts
15 — Smart Source
22 — Redplum & Smart Source
29 — Redplum & Smart Source

August

5 — (2) Redplum & Smart Source
12 — Redplum & Smart Source
19 — Redplum & Smart Source
26 — Redplum & Smart Source

September

2 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected
9 — Redplum & (2) Smart Source
16 — Redplum & Smart Source
23 — Smart Source
30 — Redplum & Smart Source

October

7 — Redplum, (2) Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
14 — Redplum & Smart Source Inserts
21 — Redplum & Smart Source Inserts
28 — Redplum & Smart Source Inserts

November

4 — Redplum, Smart Source & Procter and Gamble Inserts
11 — (2) Redplum & Smart Source
18 — Smart Source
25 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected

December

2 — Redplum, Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
9 — Redplum & Smart Source
16 — Smart Source
23 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected
30 — Holiday timing, no inserts expected

Store Coupons

• In the store itself (ex. Walgreens monthly savings book)
• Stores internet site (Target has many, try it!)
• from newspaper ads

Printable Coupons
                  · www.coupons.com

· www.redplum.com

· www.smartsource.com

· www.couponnetwork.com

Email your favorite companies or go to their web-sites

· Companies will often have special going on and are willing to mail you coupons upon request. (Store Coupons that stack with manufacture coupons)

Blinkies

· Watch for these in stores. They are attached to the shelve in front or by a product and blink. These coupons are for the taking. watch for those blinkie machines (the little red machines that "spit" coupons out) in the stores.....usually that product will go on sale within 2-3 weeks after you first see the machine and the store will pull it out right before the sales

Peelie

· A coupon you peal off the package of a product (only do this if you buy the product though, it is meant for that customer) 

Catalinas

· Coupons printed at register after purchased.

1. A Catalina printed on the back of your receipt (ex. Dollar General’s $5 off on saturday purchase.)

2. $ off of your next order (oyno)

Coupons near products

· Sometimes attached to the shelve in front of the product

· Can be on a display near the product

Tear Pads

· A pad of coupons

Buy coupons

· From eBay for upcoming sales, “Buy it Now” are the best. However, the shipping can be costly so you might want to do this with a friend.

Coupon clipping services

• http://www.thecouponclippers.com
• http://www.couponfinders.com
• http://www.couponsandforms.com

                                                           

Birthday “freebies”

· Once you begin your search through the varies sites you will find that you will be asked for your birthday and in return will receive coupons

Recycling centers

· and get them (be sure to ask the attendant if this is allowed before you start "dumpster diving")

Newspaper carriers

· they may be willing to give you inserts from papers that they don't sell

Couponing 101 Part 2: What Will I Need to Know?

Couponing 101 Part 2

"What will I need to know to be successful?"

Time

    You will spend a lot of time at first setting up and organizing. There is a learning curve, but if you stay with it it will pay off in the end. Literally, pay off.

Healthy Attitude

       Remember…there is nothing wrong about couponing. You don’t have to feel like you are putting a burden on the cashier or the store. Be positive with them and feel good about the fact you are saving your family money. Be diligent about your work, but keep a good balance. You will get from it what you put in it.

A Budget

    Set a reasonable budget for what you will want to spend. Couponers suggest that $20 per person per week is a good place to start.

Store Policies

       Decide what stores you are going to shop at and get a copy of their coupon policy to store in your binder. Many coupon blogs have them or you can go directly to the store or their web-sites.
    Example of a policy-Wal-Mart
1. if an item scan at the wrong price and that item is less than $3.00 you get that item free. If the item is more than $3.00 you get $3 off your total.
2. 200% policy on fresh meat/produce.
If it's bad they refund 200% of the purchase price

A Way to Organize Your Coupons, Inserts, Store Policies, Rebates, and Store Cards

1. Calculator

2. Pencil bag

3. Scissors

4. Coupon Binder Method (example)

1. 4" D Ring Case-It Binder

2. 3 pocket currency storage page (you can use this to organize your pintable coupons, and catalinas)

3. 9-Pocket Pages, trading card supplies (for coupons) 70-80 of them

4. Top loader sheets for store polices

5. Clear binder pockets (for restaurant coupon etc)

6. index cards with categories alphabetized to use when cutting coupons from inserts. This helps in time saved as you put coupons in your binder

5. Inserts File System (examples)

1. Plastic tub

2. file folders

3. accordion file

Couponing 101 Part 2

"What will I need to know to be successful?"

Time

    You will spend a lot of time at first setting up and organizing. There is a learning curve, but if you stay with it it will pay off in the end. Literally, pay off.

Healthy Attitude

       Remember…there is nothing wrong about couponing. You don’t have to feel like you are putting a burden on the cashier or the store. Be positive with them and feel good about the fact you are saving your family money. Be diligent about your work, but keep a good balance. You will get from it what you put in it.

A Budget

    Set a reasonable budget for what you will want to spend. Couponers suggest that $20 per person per week is a good place to start.

Store Policies

       Decide what stores you are going to shop at and get a copy of their coupon policy to store in your binder. Many coupon blogs have them or you can go directly to the store or their web-sites.
    Example of a policy-Wal-Mart
1. if an item scan at the wrong price and that item is less than $3.00 you get that item free. If the item is more than $3.00 you get $3 off your total.
2. 200% policy on fresh meat/produce.
If it's bad they refund 200% of the purchase price

A Way to Organize Your Coupons, Inserts, Store Policies, Rebates, and Store Cards

1. Calculator

2. Pencil bag

3. Scissors

4. Coupon Binder Method (example)

1. 4" D Ring Case-It Binder

2. 3 pocket currency storage page (you can use this to organize your pintable coupons, and catalinas)

3. 9-Pocket Pages, trading card supplies (for coupons) 70-80 of them

4. Top loader sheets for store polices

5. Clear binder pockets (for restaurant coupon etc)

6. index cards with categories alphabetized to use when cutting coupons from inserts. This helps in time saved as you put coupons in your binder

5. Inserts File System (examples)

1. Plastic tub

2. file folders

3. accordion file

Couponing 101 Part 1: Where Do I Start?

Couponing 101 Part 1

"Where do I start?"

I have been couponing for two months now and I am already convinced that it works. If you are wondering where do I start here are some tips I rounded up before I started. WARNING! You will be changing the way that you shop.  You will stop shopping towards a menu which you will pay any price to complete and start shopping towards sales. You will become an expert at reading weekly store ads and flyers realizing that sales cycles rotate about every 6 weeks.  You will be saving money on your grocery bill with the first coupon you use.

Youtube Video Series that are so helpful to me

                              www.southernsavers.com 

                              www.iamthatlady.com

                      www.youtube.com/user/SAHMMilitaryWife

                         

Find Your Coupon Blogger, these are my favorites

                     www.southernsavers.com

                             www.couponmom.com

                 www.savingatthelake.com 

                      http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com

Buy Price List – a list complied of product sale pricing (try and find one for your area, these coupon bloggers will have them, or start keeping track of prices and putting them on an excel spreadsheet yourself)

                      www.southernsavers.com

                              www.couponmom.com

                            www.thekrazycouponlady.com  

                             

Stock-up Price List (this is my preferred options)

             A list showing the prices of items at a rock bottom price which would be an excellant price for stocking-up.  I copied http://thekrazycouponlady.com/stock-up-price-list.pdf stock up price list into excel and then tweak it to match my coupon categories in my coupon binder. I left enough space on each sheet to enter items that she didn't list that I used. I shrunk the pages down to fit into a little 3 x 5 notebook.  I use mine when looking through the weekly store ads and I also carry it with me while I shop. I often look up a price of a sale item to see if it is truely a good price.

Coupon Terms and Abbreviations

BLINKIES = in store smart source coupons

BOGO/B1G1/B1G1F = buy one get one

CATALINA = coupon printed at register after purchased

CNP = coupon near product (similar to BLINKIES)

CRT = customer receipt tape (CVS receipt coupons)

DND = do not double) some coupons have this language)

DOUBLE COUPON = coupon that grocery store doubles in value

eCoupon= found on the internet, it is uploaded to a card

EB/ECB = extracare bucks (CVS store language)

ES = easy saver (Walgreens store language)

FAR = free after rebate

FIC = fresh idea card (Marshalls)

GM = General Mills

IP=internet printable

IVC= instant value coupon (Walgreens store coupon)

K = Kellogg’s (newspaper insert)

MFG or MQ= manufacture coupon

MIR = mail in rebate

NED= no expiration date

OOP = out of pocket

PG, P & G = Proctor & Gamble (newspaper insert)

PEELIE = coupon you peel off package

ROLLING CATALINAS =to pay for another item that will give you another coupon

RP = Red Plum (newspaper insert)

RR = Register Rewards (these are catalinas that print at Walgreens)

SS = Smart Source (newspaper insert)

STACKING = using stores allow multiple use of coupons – manufacture’s and store coupons or rebates.

STACKING THE SAVINGS = The basic concept behind Strategic Shopping is combining sale prices with coupons, which we call

TEAR PAD = a pad of coupons or MIR near a product or on display

UPC= universal product code, bar code on a product

WSL= while supplies last

WYB = when you buy

YMMV = your mileage may vary (depends on certain store policies/factors whether the deal will work)

Weekly Store Ad Schedule

Each store advertises their ad on a certain day of the week.  The schedule below will tell you when to expect a new ad.  For a more extensive schedule go to www.southernsavers.com

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Target	Wal-Mart			CVS	Walgreens

  

Couponing 101 Part 1http://www.foxfirehands.com/p/couponing.html

Couponing 101 Part 1

"Where do I start?"

I have been couponing for two months now and I am already convinced that it works. If you are wondering where do I start here are some tips I rounded up before I started. WARNING! You will be changing the way that you shop.  You will stop shopping towards a menu which you will pay any price to complete and start shopping towards sales. You will become an expert at reading weekly store ads and flyers realizing that sales cycles rotate about every 6 weeks.  You will be saving money on your grocery bill with the first coupon you use.

Youtube Video Series that are so helpful to me

                              www.southernsavers.com 

                              www.iamthatlady.com

                      www.youtube.com/user/SAHMMilitaryWife

                         

Find Your Coupon Blogger, these are my favorites

                     www.southernsavers.com

                             www.couponmom.com

                 www.savingatthelake.com 

                      http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com

Buy Price List – a list complied of product sale pricing (try and find one for your area, these coupon bloggers will have them, or start keeping track of prices and putting them on an excel spreadsheet yourself)

                      www.southernsavers.com

                              www.couponmom.com

                            www.thekrazycouponlady.com  

                             

Stock-up Price List (this is my preferred options)

             A list showing the prices of items at a rock bottom price which would be an excellant price for stocking-up.  I copied http://thekrazycouponlady.com/stock-up-price-list.pdf stock up price list into excel and then tweak it to match my coupon categories in my coupon binder. I left enough space on each sheet to enter items that she didn't list that I used. I shrunk the pages down to fit into a little 3 x 5 notebook.  I use mine when looking through the weekly store ads and I also carry it with me while I shop. I often look up a price of a sale item to see if it is truely a good price.

Coupon Terms and Abbreviations

BLINKIES = in store smart source coupons

BOGO/B1G1/B1G1F = buy one get one

CATALINA = coupon printed at register after purchased

CNP = coupon near product (similar to BLINKIES)

CRT = customer receipt tape (CVS receipt coupons)

DND = do not double) some coupons have this language)

DOUBLE COUPON = coupon that grocery store doubles in value

eCoupon= found on the internet, it is uploaded to a card

EB/ECB = extracare bucks (CVS store language)

ES = easy saver (Walgreens store language)

FAR = free after rebate

FIC = fresh idea card (Marshalls)

GM = General Mills

IP=internet printable

IVC= instant value coupon (Walgreens store coupon)

K = Kellogg’s (newspaper insert)

MFG or MQ= manufacture coupon

MIR = mail in rebate

NED= no expiration date

OOP = out of pocket

PG, P & G = Proctor & Gamble (newspaper insert)

PEELIE = coupon you peel off package

ROLLING CATALINAS =to pay for another item that will give you another coupon

RP = Red Plum (newspaper insert)

RR = Register Rewards (these are catalinas that print at Walgreens)

SS = Smart Source (newspaper insert)

STACKING = using stores allow multiple use of coupons – manufacture’s and store coupons or rebates.

STACKING THE SAVINGS = The basic concept behind Strategic Shopping is combining sale prices with coupons, which we call

TEAR PAD = a pad of coupons or MIR near a product or on display

UPC= universal product code, bar code on a product

WSL= while supplies last

WYB = when you buy

YMMV = your mileage may vary (depends on certain store policies/factors whether the deal will work)

Weekly Store Ad Schedule

Each store advertises their ad on a certain day of the week.  The schedule below will tell you when to expect a new ad.  For a more extensive schedule go to www.southernsavers.com

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Target	Wal-Mart			CVS	Walgreens

  

Couponing 101 Part 1http://www.foxfirehands.com/p/couponing.html

Vegetable Soup on a Snowy Winter's Day

What is it about those snowy winters’ days that seem to yell out to me “You need to have a pot of soup on and bake up something?”  So yes, I have a pot of vegetable soup on and the oven is heating up for some delicious pineapple muffins.  The aroma in my kitchen sends me back to the 60s, the time in history when I grew up.  But more than that, it reminds me of my Great Aunt Golden who was the creator of my soup recipe.  We often went down home to visit her and Uncle Dewey, usually on the weekends.  Down home is Lockwood, Missouri the area in which my folks grew up.   Aunt Golden never failed to have something on the stove for us to eat.  Now you might ask, “So what’s the big deal”?   The answer to that question would be what was cooking in her pot.  Her recipe for vegetable soup went as follow:
 

Aunt Golden’s Vegetable Soup

1 quart jar of canned Big Boy Tomatoes (from the garden)

1 yellow onion (from the garden)

6 potatoes (from the garden)
Bacon Grease for flavoring

Salt and Pepper to taste (from her mother’s shakers)

Add all ingredients into a soup pot and simmer until the potatoes are tender. 

 Now my Aunt Golden knew that she couldn't feed seven people on a pot of soup so she added to the menu Fried Crappie (yes, it is spelled right) that Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle Dewey caught the previous fall, and cornbread made in a cast iron skillet.  What I hope you are getting from this rendition is what created the meal.  Yes, you’re right, some of that “old way determination”. 

 

Ok, I will admit that she didn’t grind her own cornmeal, or gather salt from Utah, but the greatest portion of the meal was created from pure determination.  Aunt Golden and Uncle Dewey’s garden was truly a sight to behold.  Their tomato plants grew taller than my Dad who is 6’5” tall and as for the onions and potatoes they stored them for the winter in a bin built in their shed.

 

Her lifestyle was simple.  She used an outdoor john until the 80s, washed clothes in an old ringer washer that drained out into the yard, heated with coal from a pot belly stove, and entertained on a pump organ given to her by her father.  She loved to laugh, be around family, and never showed any hardships she had endured in her attitudes or actions.  My Aunt Golden and Uncle Dewey where apart of that “old way determination” that is buried deep into my psychic and will continue to be an inspiration that will trickle down from me to whoever will listen. 

 

What is it about those snowy winters’ days that seem to yell out to me “You need to have a pot of soup on and bake up something?”  So yes, I have a pot of vegetable soup on and the oven is heating up for some delicious pineapple muffins.  The aroma in my kitchen sends me back to the 60s, the time in history when I grew up.  But more than that, it reminds me of my Great Aunt Golden who was the creator of my soup recipe.  We often went down home to visit her and Uncle Dewey, usually on the weekends.  Down home is Lockwood, Missouri the area in which my folks grew up.   Aunt Golden never failed to have something on the stove for us to eat.  Now you might ask, “So what’s the big deal”?   The answer to that question would be what was cooking in her pot.  Her recipe for vegetable soup went as follow:
 

Aunt Golden’s Vegetable Soup

1 quart jar of canned Big Boy Tomatoes (from the garden)

1 yellow onion (from the garden)

6 potatoes (from the garden)
Bacon Grease for flavoring

Salt and Pepper to taste (from her mother’s shakers)

Add all ingredients into a soup pot and simmer until the potatoes are tender. 

 Now my Aunt Golden knew that she couldn't feed seven people on a pot of soup so she added to the menu Fried Crappie (yes, it is spelled right) that Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle Dewey caught the previous fall, and cornbread made in a cast iron skillet.  What I hope you are getting from this rendition is what created the meal.  Yes, you’re right, some of that “old way determination”. 

 

Ok, I will admit that she didn’t grind her own cornmeal, or gather salt from Utah, but the greatest portion of the meal was created from pure determination.  Aunt Golden and Uncle Dewey’s garden was truly a sight to behold.  Their tomato plants grew taller than my Dad who is 6’5” tall and as for the onions and potatoes they stored them for the winter in a bin built in their shed.

 

Her lifestyle was simple.  She used an outdoor john until the 80s, washed clothes in an old ringer washer that drained out into the yard, heated with coal from a pot belly stove, and entertained on a pump organ given to her by her father.  She loved to laugh, be around family, and never showed any hardships she had endured in her attitudes or actions.  My Aunt Golden and Uncle Dewey where apart of that “old way determination” that is buried deep into my psychic and will continue to be an inspiration that will trickle down from me to whoever will listen.