And Then We Saved | Saving Where We Can, So We Can Spend Where We Want.

We’ve Got Some Big News, Y’all!

I’ve been bursting with nerves and excitement waiting for the perfect time to make the BIG announcement, and today is finally the day!

We’ll be having a baby in November!

I remember sitting in the bathroom with THE STICK and seeing the result and not believing my eyes. I was thinking I should probably look at Pinterest to find some clever way to tell Aaron but yeah right, there was no way I was going to be able to wait. I was shaking when I walked into the living room to show Aaron what I had just seen. I looked at him with stunned eyes and pushed the stick in his direction. We were both like, “Uhhh… no way!”

I proceeded to take 3 more pregnancy tests and Aaron took one too just to make sure it wasn’t a weird batch we had gotten. Aaron’s not pregnant;) but all of mine said the exact same thing as the first.

The whole thing has felt really surreal and I still don’t even feel like it’s actually me when I hear myself say, “I’m pregnant”. It’s really an out-of-body experience. I’ve been wanting to have a baby for a really long time… it’s always other people who are pregnant… not me. My heart would ache a little when I found out others were pregnant, and not because I wasn’t happy for them, of course I was! But, I was also a little sad for me. For the mamas still waiting for your babies to come, I’m sending you a hug, and please trust that your baby will come when the time is right…

We’re going to go for the big surprise and not find out the sex of the baby and we’re also going to try to do the minimalist baby thing (bare minimum on the baby gear, 2nd hand and used items) so, we’ll see all that how that goes!;)

We’re so happy to share this news with you all, and I’m looking forward to hearing about all the tips you have for me about what stuff we really need and what stuff we totally don’t need…?

With love… feeling happy and blessed, xo, Anna

p.s. isn’t this funny

35 comments
posted on: May 21, 2013
in Personal

tagged // aaron jones, anna newell jones, baby announcement, minimalist baby, november baby, pregancy announcement

51 Things to Spend Your Money on Other Than Gas

There are more exciting places to take your money than the pump!

The current cost of gasoline is averaging around $3.80 in Denver and DC, $3.90 in Portland, $4.00 in LA, and $4.10 in Chicago. That means that you urbanites dwelling in these cities and beyond are spending at least $50 a month in gas. Here at And Then We Saved, we practice “Saving where we can, so we can spend where we want.” So it’s all about utilizing public transportation, hopping on your bike, or commuting – if the distance is less than 10 minutes by car – just walk. Plus, we need at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted exercise per day anyways!

This list is based on the notion of freeing up 50 dollars per month.

51 Things to Spend Your Money on Other Than Gas…

4 comments
posted on: May 20, 2013
in Environment, Just For Fun

tagged // Assouline, Furbish, how to get out of debt, Jimmy Marble, Kinfolk, Kristen Hatgi Sink, Lauren Mikus, Patti Smith, Scout Mob, Shop Goldyn, things to do with your money, why should i not drive

The Key to Happiness…

Contentment is all about being okay with where you’re at and not wanting everything you don’t have. Really, I know there is no way I can be happy if I keep thinking about everything that’s not right or perfect in my life. The key to happiness and contentment for me? Wanting what I have, and being okay with where I’m at in life. For me, I have to accept life for what it is. Easier said than done some days but it’s a process, it’s not about doing it perfectly… xo.

What are you glad you have today? What makes you content right here, right now?

8 comments
posted on: May 19, 2013
in Grateful, Motivation

tagged // being grateful, how to be content, how to change your life, key to happiness, motivation

PARTY DOWN! Have Fun Beach/Pool Days All Summer Long

Summer is coming! Here in LA, the beach is a year-round option, but it’s gotten so hot lately that option has become requirement. Here’s a little round-up for a cheap beach day with some cute new things.

How to Have Fun Beach/Pool Days on the Cheap All Summer Long…

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posted on: May 17, 2013
in Just For Fun, Style, Things To Do

tagged // cheap beach day, cheap beach towel, cheap things to do, fun things to do that don't cost much, party down, swimsuits under $50, under 100

How to Coupon Like a Pro

It’s no secret that I’m both mesmerized and baffled by the world of coupons. That’s why whenever I get the chance to pick someone’s brain about how they coupon I take it. Also, since we have the most basic cable package available (we’re talking the $15 one) whenever I am around a TV that has fancy channels like TLC I take pretty much make my husband sick with Extreme Couponing marathons. Tell me all about coupons! I mean, there is so much money to be saved and if you have the skills to work the couponing system, know the rules, loopholes, etc, well then, you pretty much have it made.

That’s why when I came across these instructional videos by Grocery Coupon Network I was hooked. This is my favorite video: Learn to Coupon in 5 Steps (here’s the link to their whole slew of informative couponing videos). Seriously, I want to be able to coupon like this lady…

Besides offering couponing instructional videos the Grocery Coupon Network has monthly contests for users, reward badges and user rankings. How fun!

So spill the beans… what are your couponing secrets!?

This is a sposored post but as always, my opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the companies that help make this site possible! xo!

5 comments
posted on: May 16, 2013
in Coupons, Sponsors

tagged // clip coupons, coupon tips, coupon website, grocery coupon network, how to be an extreme couponer, how to coupon, how to save money on groceries, secret to couponing, tlc's extreme couponing show

25 Free INSTANT Mood Boosters

This is a post by Chelsea who is currently doing a Spending Fast®.

Being on a year-long Spending Fast is awesome for finances but not always so awesome for the brain. It is easy to get bummed out that we can’t go shopping with our friends or buy the latest nail polish colors.

25 Free INSTANT Mood Boosters…