The GR Guide Spring Issue

SPRING 2020 | ISSUE NO. 2

SPRING REFRESH

EASY TIPS FOR SPRING CLEANING AND DECORATING YOUR HOME THIS SEASON

PLUS, LEARN HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES RIGHT NOW, MY FAVORITE SHOWS OR MOVIES TO STREAM, AND THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH EXTRA TIME AT HOME.

YOUR GUIDE TO ISSUE NO.02

8 Blueberry Pancakes The best way to start the day is with these delicious blueberry pancakes. This recipe is easy to make with kids and perfect for the weekend!

10 Shrimp Linguine This recipe for shrimp linguine is our weeknight goto recipe. The bright lemon flavor with a hint of spice pairs great with the linguine and shrimp. Trust me you'll love this!

12 Morning Glory Muffins I'm slightly obsessed with morning glory muffins. I love the way you can customize this recipe, and they are awesome for a quick breakfast or snack.

14 Aperol Spritz Saluti! Cory and I love a refreshing Aperol Spritz when the weather gets warmer. This recipe is easy to make and great for hosting friends.

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16 Our Wedding Get all the details on our wedding at Felt Mansion in Saugatuck. I'm sharing some great tips if you're getting married this year!

24 Wedding Registry Tips If you're getting married soon this article is for you!

I'm sharing some helpful wedding registry tips and gifts I would highly recommend adding to your list.

26 Spring Bucket List Start checking things off this spring bucket list! I rounded up some fun activities to make the most of the spring season in Grand Rapids.

28 Plan a Backyard Dinner Party With the weather getting warmer it's a great excuse to invite your friends over for a backyard party with easy to prep food & cocktails.

32 TV Shows & Movies to Stream Since we're staying indoors right now, here are some of my favorite movies and tv shows to stream. I also included some of your suggestions from Instagram stories!

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35 Refresh Your Home This Spring Spring clean your house this season! I've got some easy ways to transform your home this spring including a helpful cleaning schedule.

40 A Beer With: Deals and Steals GR I'm sitting down with my sister Kelli from Deals and Steals GR to talk all things couponing and how to save money at the grocery store.

44 Best Outdoor Spots in GR If you want to take advantage of the warmer weather outside I've got some great outdoor spots to try in Grand Rapids.Â

46 What To Do Right Now We're all experiencing a little bit of cabin fever. So what can you do to stay busy? I've got a full list of things to do right now.

48 Supporting Local Businesses How can you support local businesses during this time? I'm sharing a few ways you can show your favorite local spots some love.

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HELLO FRIENDS -

Hello spring! With my birthday typically being the first day of spring, I have a special place in my heart for this season. It's a season of new beginnings with flowers popping up, trees blooming and birds chirpping.

I feel like when you live in Michigan you look forward to this season more than any other.

Am I right? This spring issue was so fun to put together with ideas for getting outside, refreshing your home and making new recipes.

I know this season looks a little different right now, but I hope you find some inspiration.

I'm excited to share this content with you, and appreciate all of your support I hope you enjoy flipping through the pages, and become inspired to try something new. Like I said, this is a season of new beginnings. Take some time to enjoy the beauty all around you this spring.

Sara Visser

o5 | Â www.thegrguide.com EDITOR, SAVORY MAG

Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.

JESSICA HARRELSON o6 | Â www.thegrguide.com

My Favorite

Blueberry pancakes are the way to my heart on a Saturday morning. This recipe makes the BEST fluffy pancakes (trust me). Pair these with some maple syrup or even some powdered sugar.

You're sure to have a good morning with these blueberry

DIRECTIONS

pancakes. The best part is they are easy to make and

Whisk together the dry ingredients together in a medium sized

something your whole family will enjoy. Pour some maple

bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together the wet ingredients

syrup on top of these fluffy pancakes and you're good to go.

INGREDIENTS

(egg, buttermilk and melted butter). Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Let the batter rest for at least 10 minutes (when you see it start to bubble a little you're good to go).

3/4 cup buttermilk 1 cup all purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder

Use a griddle or a non-stick pan on medium heat. Melt a little bit of butter on the griddle or pan so your pancakes don't stick.

This butter also helps to create that golden crust that I love on the pancakes.

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg

Use a laddle to pour some of the pancake batter on the pan.

Take a few blueberries and place them in the batter. When you see bubbles along the sides of the pancakes you know it's ready

2 tablespoons of butter (melted)

to flip. Cook until golden brown and cooked through in the

1 cup of fresh blueberries

middle.

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Serve with maple syrup, butter or powdered sugar.

This shrimp linguine is one of my favoite weeknight dishes. It's easy to make with frozen shrimp and tastes so fresh with lemon. Add some heat with red pepper flakes or Chili Crunch Oil (my latest obsession from Trader Joe's).

This shrimp linguine is our go-to meal on

DIRECTIONS

weeknights. It's quick to make and tastes like I

Use a pan that's large enough to hold the pasta. Fill the pan

spent hours making it. Pair this dish with a glass of

with cold water. Add a few dashes of salt so your water is

Pinot Gris or Chardonnay and it's perfect!

salty like the ocean. Bring the water to a boil.

INGREDIENTS

12 oz linguine pasta (you could also use spaghetti or even bow tie pasta) Salt & pepper

Once the water is boiling add the pasta. Stir occasionally over medium-high heat so the pasta doesn't stick together.

Cook the pasta until it's al dente.

10-15 medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)

In the meantime use a large skillet to melt 2 tablespoons of

3 tablespoons butter

butter and 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add the

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Pinch of red pepper flakes 1 lemon juiced and zested

red pepper flakes. Season your shrimp with salt and pepper and cook until they turn pink (2-3 minutes). Remove the shrimp from the pan and set them aside. Add the wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of butter

1/4 cup dry white wine

and 1 tablespoon of extra vigin olive oil. After the butter

Parsley

has melted put the shrimp back in the pan along with lemon zest and parsley. Serve with a little more olive oil on

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top and lemon zest.

These muffins are inspired by my favorite good morning muffins from Cravings in Vero Beach, Florida.

Trust me these are the best way to start your day.

You're sure to have a glorious morning with these morning glory muffins. They are easy to customize and taste delicous for breakfast or a snack.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup vegetable oil 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 muffin pans with paper muffin cups.

2 cups grated carrots

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, and the

1 apple grated

vanilla extract. Add the carrots, apple, pineapple, pecans,

1 8 oz can of crushed pineapple (drained)

coconut and raisins. Stir just until incorporated. In a

1/4 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup shredded coconut 1/2 cup raisins

medium sized bowl sift together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add these dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined.

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 13 | Â www.thegrguide.com

Scoop your batter with an ice cream scoop into the muffin tin. Bake for around 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the muffins on a baking rack.

This cocktail takes me right back to the streets of Venice, Italy. With the warmer weather ahead you have to try an Aperol Spritz. Cheers!

This recipe for an Aperol Spritz brings me right back to our honeymoon in Italy. It's so refreshing for a warm spring day.

INGREDIENTS

Equal Parts Aperol Equal Parts Prosecco (we love Sandpiper from Mawby here in Michigan)

DIRECTIONS

Fill your wine glass half full with ice .Mix the Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water in the glass.

Splash Soda Water Sliced Orange Ice

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Garnish with an orange slice.

A BEAUTIFUL LAKESHORE WEDDING LIKE NO OTHER Get all the details on our wedding in Saugatuck, Michigan. From the ceremony, to the reception and everything in-between. Plus, Cory and I are sharing our favorite moments from our wedding day.

Photo Credit: Jenna Borst Photography 16 | www.thegrguide.com

I’m thrilled to share some of my favorite moments from our wedding day!

We chose Felt Mansion in Saugatuck, Michigan as our venue for both the ceremony and the reception. Cory and I really wanted to be close to or on the water for our wedding without being too far from Grand Rapids where both of our families are. After touring Felt Mansion we both looked at each other and knew this was it. It was close enough to water where we could take pictures (we drove to Oval Beach), and the style was perfect for what we were going for. It was also a full circle moment for me because the person who set Cory and I up is from Saugatuck. And I adopted Wrigley (our dog) from Saugatuck three days before I met Cory for our first date. It was a beautiful piece to the puzzle to get married in Saugatuck.

I loved having our ceremony and reception at the same place. It was so easy for our guests and easy for us to enjoy not traveling from point a to point b. The idea for the reception was to make it as laid back and fun as possible. That sounds sorta silly for a reception, but we wanted to make sure our guests had a good time.

The great thing about Felt Mansion was the ability for us to have the reception outside and inside so people could enjoy both. In case you didn’t know Felt Mansion has an amazing history behind it so many of our guests loved touring the rooms and learning more about the property during the reception.

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We had honey jars as the favors at our wedding.

This idea started when a bee landed on me after choosing my wedding dress. I tried my dress on in November so it was kind-of crazy for a bee to be around. I bought the honey jars on Amazon and filled them with honey (my mom and sister were a huge help with this project). I created a sticker for the top of the jar on Zazzle that said "meant to bee" with our names and wedding date.

Make your wedding day your own. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box,.

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My biggest piece of advice is to make your wedding as personal as you can. There are so many customs/traditions that people think they "have to do" which just isn't true. Make this day your own and do what feels right for the both of you. Since Cory and I love to travel I made these paper passports and food stations that incorporated our favorite travel destinations together. Each table had a corresponding stamp that people could stamp their passport with.

They could also write down their favorite travel destinations.

Take time to soak it all in.

Everyone says your wedding day goes by so fast. IT'S TRUE

Have fun. This will be one of the best days of your life.

Don't get stressed about the little things that didn't go exactly to plan.

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Gilmore Catering

Cass & Jean

Jenna Borst

Since Cory and I both LOVE food this was a big deal deciding what to serve at our wedding.

We heard so many great things about Gilmore Catering so it was a no-brainer for us to choose them.

Honestly one of my favorite things at our wedding were the flowers. Cassie from Cass & Jean is so incredibly talented in floral design. I came to her with some ideas and she completely understood my vision.

I'm so happy with how our wedding photos turned out! I still look through these photos with a smile on my face, and love how Jenna captured our big day.

We did different food stations based on our travels and stuck to mostly a variety of appetizers.

I'm not kidding that people at our wedding still talk about the food. It was that good.

A huge thank you to Charlie for being so amazing to work with!

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Cassie went above and beyond getting me peonies in my bouquet, and creating the most stunning flowers throughout the ceremony and reception.

Cassie has such an eye for flowers and really makes her floral designs fit the vibe of your wedding or event. Thank you Cassie!

When it comes to choosing a wedding photographer I would suggest visiting their website and/or Instagram page to see photos. I knew that Jenna Borst would be a great fit for what Cory and I were looking for based on what I saw on Instagram. I love how she captured the big moments of our day but also the small moments that go by so quickly.

Spring Sweet

Bonobos

Christian Verwys

I felt like finding my "dream" dress was like searching for a needle in a haystack. But, when I tried this dress on at Spring Sweet in Holland, Michigan I knew this was it. I wanted something classic with a twist, and this dress definitely delivered on that. With a classic style and unique fabric this dress was perfect for our big day. It had movement for beach photos, and was actually pretty comfortable (for a wedding dress).

Cory is a huge fan of Bonobos. I swear almost half of his wardrobe is from Bonobos. If you aren't familiar with this store your husband or significant other should be.

Choosing your DJ is a big deal when it comes to your wedding day. Trust me. We couldn't have been happier with Christian Verwys being the DJ at our wedding.Â

What's great is they let you try things on in store, but they ship you everything you want direct to your house. We got Cory fitted for his suit while we were in Chicago and then they shipped it to us when it was ready. They also have the absolute best customer service if you need any adjustments or need to make a return.

I would highly suggest creating a list of your must-play songs, do not play songs and have a game plan for guests requesting songs.

All three of these things really helped us on the day of our wedding. A huge thank you to Christian for being so amazing!

If you're on the hunt for a wedding dress I would highly recoomend Spring Sweet!

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ONLY LOVE BEYOND I WILL ALWAYS BE YOURS ENDS OF THE EARTH MULTIPLIED SO WILL I (100 BILLION X) FALLING FOR YOU THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT BELOVED

BEN HOWARD LEON BRIDGES BEN RECTOR LORD HURON NEEDTOBREATHE HILLSONG UNITED THE LIGHT THE HEAT FRANK SINATRA MUMFORD & SONS

1.An Instant Pot is a must these days for cooking in the kitchen. I’m so glad we registered for one of these to make a quick weeknight meal.

2. You can’t go wrong registering for kitchen towels. They are always a necessity and something you can really use.

3. A KitchenAid mixer is another one of those kitchen essentials. For the couple who loves to cook this is such a great gift. We also have the pasta attachment for the mixer and love it.

4. These wine glasses are a must for your wedding registry. Cheers!

5. This french style rolling pin is perfect for the couple who enjoys baking. I’ve used mine a few times and its perfect for rolling out cookie dough.

6. Cory and I have an Amazon Show for our bedroom and kitchen. We use the one in our bedroom for an alarm clock and the one in the kitchen to read recipes. We really enjoy them!

7. I love anything monogrammed for a wedding gift. This monogrammed wooden spoon has come in so handy for cooking in the kitchen.

8. I would highly recommend registering for new sheets. The Brooklinen sheet set is my favorite.

9. We’ve used this monogrammed board from Williams Sonoma so many times. It’s perfect for nights we do happy hour with friends.

10. You guys know how much I love my Nespresso coffee and espresso maker. I’ll never go back to a regular coffee maker.

11. We love these OXO storage containers for organizing our new kitchen. They are great for storage in your pantry.

12. A Le Cruset dutch oven is such a wonderful wedding gift. It’s something you’ll have forever.

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Spring Bucket List 2020 Spring has sprung! Who's ready to tackle this spring bucket list? There are so many fun things to try this season in West Michigan with the weather getting warmer. Enjoy!

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PACK A PICNIC

GO FOR A BIKE RIDE

SEE THE BUTTERFLIES

BACKYARD PARTY

SHOP A FARMERS MARKET

TRY A SPRING RECIPE

GO TO TULIP TIME

CINCO DE MAYO

CELEBRATE OBERON DAY

RUN A RACE

GO GOLFING

TRY A NATURE WALK

EASTER EGG HUNT

DO SOMETHING KIND

SPRING CLEANING

PICK UP TRASH

GO TO JERSEY JUNCTION

TRY A NEW WORKOUT

START A GARDEN

EARTH DAY

GO TO THE ZOO

HAVE A STAYCATION

DECORATE EASTER EGGS

TAKE A ROADTRIP

HAVE A GARAGE SALE

PLAY IN THE RAIN

HOW TO HOST A

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HOW TO HOST A FUN BACKYARD DINNER PARTY WITH FRIENDS As many of you know Cory and I visited Italy on our honeymoon last September. It was such a wonderful experience that we wanted to share some of favorite cocktails and meals that we enjoyed throughout Italy.

An Italian dinner party sounded like so much fun to close out the summer weather. So I stalked the weather forecast and picked a beautiful night to set up a table in our backyard and invite some family and friends over. Here are the details on our Italian dinner party including the menu, cocktails and tips & tricks.

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I kept the table setting on trend with what we would have seen in Italy.

A simple tablecloth, white dinner plates, neutral napkins and of course some Italian decor items. I had these mini vases from our wedding that I used to put fresh rosemary in for the dinner party. We saw this trick multiple times in Italy and its a fun way to use something fresh. Lemons were everywhere in Capri so those were a must have for the table. We also always had a bread basket with our meals (bring on all the carbs) so we bought our favorite baguette bread from Nantucket Baking Co. A DIY pizza station is an easy way to get your guests (and kids) involved at a dinner party. To make this simple pizza bar I used mini naan bread (you can find these at Aldi in a pack of 8) that work really well on the grill.

We also served a salad, cheese board, and little snacks.

Here are a few helpful tips and tricks if you’re planning a dinner party: Don’t forget about the kids: Have some fun projects or toys available for the kids. I provided paper lunch bags and markers for the kids to decorate for Kids’ Food Basket along with this fun tent to play in. Add some toys and corn hole and they were all set. Keep it simple: I think the less you mess with the menu, the table setting, the cocktails etc. the better. Make it easy for people to grab food, make themselves a drink and have a good time. Make a playlist for the evening: I’m a big music person and really think it can set the tone for the evening. You can find my Italy Backyard Party playlist on Spotify. HAVE FUN

DINNER MENU

Appetizer Chartuterie Board a mix of Italian cheeses and meats, fruit and baguette bread

Caprese Salad fresh mozzarella, tomatos, basil and balsamic vinegar

Arugula Salad arugula, parmesan cheese, sliced tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette

Main Courses DIY Pizza Bar served on naan bread with a variety of toppings

Dessert Gelato

a variety of gelato flavors served with biscotti

BAR MENU

Spritz Bar Aperol Spritz Aperol, prosecco, splash of sparkling water, ice, and an orange slice

Lemoncello Spriz lemoncello, prosecco, splash of sparkling water, ice and lemon slice

Non-Alcoholic Blood Orange Spritz blood orange juice, sparkling water ice and an orange slice

Beer Peroni A classic Italian beer

Wine Prosecco Red Wine - Rosso or Chianti White Wine - Pinot GrigioÂ

WHAT TO WATCH RIGHT NOW

Social distancing the new norm right now. So, watching tv or a movie at home is the thing to do. If you're struggling to find something to watch I've got you covered. Thanks to your recommendations (and some of my own) here is a complete guide for things to watch on your favorite streaming service.

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TV Shows: The Chef Show Schitt's Creek Gossip Girl Love is Blind The Crown Cheer Grace & Frankie The Office Breaking Bad Gilmore Girls The Stranger Outlander The Good Place The Witcher Stranger Things

Movies: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Marriage Story The Two Popes The Secret Life of Pets 2 To All The Boys I've Loved Before Life As We Know It Space Jam About Time My Girl The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

TV Shows: The Mandalorian Doug Boy Meets World Lizzie McGuire Recess Encore!

Movies: Frozen 2 Brink!

Lady & The Trap Star Wars The Lion King Guardians of the Galaxy The Little Mermaid The Rookie Saving Mr. Banks Coco Ratatouille The Parent Trap

TV Shows: This is Us Hillary The Handmaid's Tale Lost Brooklyn Nine-Nine Veronica Mars

TV Shows: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Fleabag Friday Night Lights Jack Ryan The Sopranos Curb Your Enthusiasm The Good Wife Mr. Robot

Movies: A Quiet Place Rain Man Pretty in Pink Mision: Impossible - Fallout

TV Shows: The Morning Show For All Mankind Dickinson Oprah's Book Club

Wild Geese You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees For a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

MARY OLIVER

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This spring season is the perfect time to give your home a little refresh. Paint your walls a new color or keep it simple and move a few pieces of furniture. It's easy to make big changes with a small amount of time or money. Do a deep clean, then decide what changes you want to make to a specific room. Focus on one room and start there!

One Room at a Time

Add New Artwork

 Bring the Outside In

This is rule number one when it comes to spring cleaning. Take it one room at a time! It's easy to get sidetracked and move from one space back to another. Take your time starting in one room before tackling the next room.

One of the easiest ways to freshen up a room is by adding new artwork.

Switch up your photos or art throughout your home to give your space a new look and feel. I love a mix of personal photos and artwork throughout my home.

If your home is lacking anything green, now is the time to bring some plants into your home. Purchase a planter for larger plants or stick to something small like succulents.

Either way, having plants in your home is key.

Start a Donate Box

Get Outside

Organize

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to go through items in your home that you no longer need or use. Start a donate box where you can add items you no longer want while you're spring cleaning.

I'm sure the inside of your house needs some love, but the outside does as well. Don't forget to clean your windows or power-wash your siding. Also, this is a great time to refresh your front door/porch area.

Try a new doormat, chair, planter or mailbox to update this area.

If your drawers, pantry or closets are a mess you aren't alone. But, it's time to start organizing your space so it can function better. Search for organizational products that can help organize your shoes, spices, kitchen utensils, or bathroom products. Trust me you'll be so much happier with the end result.

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MONDAY

TUESDAY

BEDROOM

BATHROOM

change sheets

clean shower & toilet

dust furniture

clean counters & mirrors

quick vacuum

change towels

Laundry: sheets

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

KITCHEN

LIVING & DINING

clean out refrigerator

dust furniture

clean counters & appliances

freshen fabrics (pillows)

organize pantry

quick vacuum

Laundry: towels/rags

Laundry: clothes

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

FUNDAMENTALS

OUTSIDE

vacuum & mop all floors

take out trash

clean mirrors & windows

clean out car

Laundry: clothes

Spring:Â A lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be.

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I'm so excited to bring A Beer With back! Today I'm sitting down with my sister from Deals and Steals GR for a fun interview with Oberon.

How did you come up with the idea for Deals and Steals GR? There was a week back in October where I had three different and unrelated friends and family members say that I should start a couponing blog or Instagram page to teach people how to coupon and save money at the grocery store. I hate to sound cliche, but I think God was trying to tell me to just start. For a long time, I thought that no one would care about saving money or would think that couponing was silly to do but it turns out that I've made so many great friendships through Deals and Steals GR and I'm having so much fun posting deals.

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It's been a great creative outlet for me as a stay at home mom.

How long have you been couponing?

I've been couponing since 2011. I was in grad school full time for Speech Language Pathology and my husband was working full time as a civil engineer when we first got married so we decided it would be helpful for our finances to try and save as much money as we could on our groceries.

My mom always used coupons at the store when I was growing up so it was a fairly natural choice for us to make.

My budget back then was $150 a month for groceries and it was that way all the way until this year. We've now added two boys to our family and they are currently eating us out of the house so we've up the budget to $200 a month.

"If you could save a simple quarter on every item you bought on your weekly grocery trip (assuming you buy around 75 items) and do that every week for the whole year, you'd have an extra $975 in your pocket."

KELLI EVANS

What's the biggest misconception people have about couponing?

I think people assume that the only thing coupons are good on is "processed junk". And while I would agree that there are many coupons for processed foods, I would also argue that it is just as easy to find coupons for produce, grass fed beef, plant-based meat options, plant-based milk alternatives, vitamins etc. If you have dietary restrictions or choose to feed your family all organic, I think that's wonderful and would encourage you to find the things that are important to you and spend the majority of your budget on that. Then find the areas of the store that you don't feel so strongly about or that you aren't brand loyal to and save your money there. For example, I personally have no brand loyalty when it comes to my toothpaste so I stock up on it when I can get it for free or cheap. This gives me the room in my budget to feed my family with the foods I value.

What advice would you give someone who's looking to start couponing?

As terribly cliche as this sounds, it's so true that a penny saved is a penny earned. Since 2011, I've saved $27,300 at the grocery store and I've literally done that one quarter at a time. I think it's so easy to get in the mindset of "it's just a $0.25 off coupon" and toss the savings aside instead of using that coupon to build your savings. If you could save a simple quarter on every item you bought on your weekly grocery trip (assuming you buy around 75 items) and do that every week for the whole year, you'd have an extra $975 in your pocket. So I guess my advice would be to just start small and focus on saving every penny that you can.

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You don't need to become an "extreme couponer" overnight and you certainly don't need to walk into the store with a binder full of coupons. Ain't nobody got time for that. Instead, be conscious of what you're buying and when you're buying it (i.e. stacking store sales with coupons and cash back offers).

Speaking of coupons, if you don't get coupons in the mail or in the newspaper you can start an mPerks account with Meijer or a Yes card account with Spartan Nash Stores if you don't already have one and clip digital coupons to use when you're checking out. Also start using cashback apps like Fetch, Ibotta, and Checkout 51 to save even more after shopping. Lastly, familiarize yourself with store coupon policies to be sure that you are saving money per their guidelines.

What app do you use most often for saving money?

Oooh this is a hard one. Can I have two? I love the Fetch app because all you have to do is take a picture of your receipt, any receipt, and you'll earn points that you can then turn into gift cards. It's so easy to use! But I think the Ibotta app will always be my favorite. I've been using Ibotta since 2012 and have saved $1,720 on groceries I was already buying. They definitely have the most brands participating on their platform and their customer service is top notch.

Is couponing time consuming?

I don't think it is once you get the hang of it and find a system that works for you. It takes me about an hour to get a grocery list together personally. I use the help of couponing blogs and I'm a member of a couponing Facebook group that helps me find deals and I appreciate all of their help in getting my grocery list together every week.

Where do you shop the most in Grand Rapids?

I find most of my best deals, like things that are free and cheap, come from Meijer. I shop at Aldi for all of my pantry staples like canned foods, flour, and sugar. I also go to Trader Joe's for all of the things I can't live without, like their Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips with a touch of lime that are only $1.99. That's cheaper than a lot of other store brand chips you'll find out there and they are so stinking delicious!

What do you love most about Grand Rapids?

The people. Hands down. In fact at Trader Joe's just this week, my son threw his pacifier in the parking lot and of course it bounced under the car next to us. A woman who was walking into the store saw it, knelt down into the slush, brushed the pacifier off on her coat, and handed it back to me with the kindest smile on her face before I could even turn around to look for it. I'm in tears just thinking about it right now. That doesn't happen anywhere else except for in Grand Rapids. Kindness is contagious. Pass it on.

You can follow Deals and Steals GR on Facebook and Instagram: @dealsandstealsgr

Choose courage over comfort.

Choose whole hearts over armor.

And choose the great adventure of being brave and afraid.

At the exact same time.

BRENÉ BROWN

You asked, so I'm answering: My favorite outdoor spots in Grand Rapids. Bookmark these spots once the weather gets warmer and we're able to out.

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Butcher's Union

The Sovengard

 New Hotel Mertens

You guys know how much I love Butcher's Union. I feel like it brings be back to living in Chicago with the amazing food and the "big city vibe." Let's not forget about their back patio that I love for enjoying happy hour with friends.

You just can't go wrong with the biergarten at The Sovengard when the warm weather arrives in Grand Rapids. Enjoy some delicious food with a beer or cocktail and you're all set. Cheers friends!

Haute at New Hotel Mertens is the best place to be for a late night cocktail or brunch on the weekend.

The views from this rooftop are probably the best in Grand Rapids.

Don't forget to make a reservation!

I Don't Care Bar

Reserve

Rose's

If you haven't been to the I Don't Care Bar yet you're missing out.

This bar is perfect for some city views downtown Grand Rapids, and a great cocktail in hand.

One of my favorite patios can be found at Reserve downtown. I love the upstairs patio for happy hour with Cory to enjoy the wonderful weather and views.

If you're looking for a patio by the water Rose's is the perfect spot.

Enjoy the patio for lunch or dinner or happy hour with friends. Don't forget to order their famous root chips and enjoy some caramel corn after your meal.

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LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO WHILE YOU'RE STUCK INSIDE? HERE ARE SOME IDEAS TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS TIME AT HOME. CALL A FRIEND

HAVE A MOVIE NIGHT

RE-DECORATE A ROOM

CLEAN A CLOSET

ORGANIZE A DRAWER

INDOOR WORKOUT

TRY A NEW RECIPE

VIRTUAL MUSEUM

HAVE A THEME NIGHT

GO FOR A WALK

CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN

PLAY A GAME

DOWNLOAD DUOLINGO

HAVE A SPA NIGHT

READ A BOOK

WATCH A TED TALK

DELETE OLD EMAILS

START A JOURNAL

TRY SOMETHING NEW

WASH THE WINDOWS

ORGANIZE PHONE PICS

LISTEN TO A PODCAST

SHOP LOCALLY ONLINE

MAKE A NEW PLAYLIST

CALL A GRANDPARENT

MAKE ICE CREAM

In the midst of all that's happening right now, here are some ways you can support local businesses.

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Buy Gift Cards

Get Take-OutÂ

Shop Online

One way you can support your favorite local restaurant or local boutique is to buy gift cards. Call the business or check online to purchase gift cards for later use when the business re-opens.

Many local restaurants are offering take-out or delivery options right now. Check out this website from Experience Grand Rapids for updates on restaurants offering these options.

So many local boutiques also have an online shop. Shop online or call the store to see what options are available for you to update your spring wardrobe right now.

Schedule a Service

Social Media

Leave a Review

If you have a salon or spa that you love this is a great time to schedule your service for a future date. This helps the business prep for when they can open.

Don't forget to show some love on social media to your favorite businesses. In times like this you can reach out, share content or comment to show some support.

If you have a favorite salon, restaurant or boutique you can leave them a review letting them know how much you love their store or services. This is a great way to show some support.

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