You Have to Have a Thick Skin to Be Frugal

Let me start this off by saying that a couple of years ago, using a coupon would have mortified me. This isn't because I thought I was above coupons, it's just that I thought saving $ .50 wasn't worth the critical eyes of those in line behind me or behind the cash register. It just wasn't worth it. The thought of using a coupon stressed me out. It seemed pointless. I felt like people behind would be thinking, "I'll give the girl $ .50, if she'll just go!" Maybe I thought people would think that because I felt that way sometimes...waiting behind the couponers.

That all changed a year or so ago when I discovered how much money I could save my family by planning and implementing a coupon system. If I were more organized with saving my receipts, I could tell you exactly how much I've saved since starting this, but I am not and have not been that organized. Just know that I have a saved a lot. My goal in any shopping trip is to save at least as much as I spend. In today's economy, at least for my family, it is super important.

So I take you to last night...my Publix shopping trip. You see, I like to do my grocery shopping primarily at Publix because it's nice, clean, organized, they have a great variety, the workers are helpful (for the most part), and they have great deals. I prefer to shop on Tuesday nights because it's the night before the deals change, and I can often get the items I need and get rainchecks for those things they're out of. It just works for me.

Last night, I made a critical error. I shopped a couple of hours earlier than I normally would shop. I went before 6:00 because Channing needed me back to take care of the boys while he participated in a conference call. Let me tell you, shopping around 6:00 pm is not a good idea because that's when everyone shops. Everybody gets off work and heads to the grocery store...no fun. Not only are the aisles clogged, but you also risk upsetting shoppers in line behind you if you're using coupons. That's what happened to me.

Once I had everything on my list, I searched for a pleasant-looking cashier...one that didn't look like she would want to stab me for using coupons. I found one, but she already had someone in line. The lady beside her, who looked quite ticked off that she had to work at all, had a completely clear aisle. Because I was in a hurry and because I didn't want to tick her off, I went to her line. The lady didn't even acknowledge my existence. She simply started scanning my merchandise. As soon as she was through, I handed her my coupons...with my $5/$30 coupon right on top. First off, I noticed that she didn't scan my $5 off coupon. I didn't say anything, though, because I thought that maybe she was waiting to do that one last.

During this time, a man got in line behind me. I was thinking, "Oh no. He's not going to be happy about her scanning my 50 coupons." He wasn't. He looked right at me and said, "I am terrible at picking lines!" I mean, what do I say to that? I simply said, "I'm sorry." Thing is, the line next to us was almost finished with her customer. He could have gone over there. Did he? No, he stayed in my line so he could insult me further. Next thing he said, which seemed to be a pointed jab, was, "I wish my wife would clip coupons so I could save a few pennies." I italicized "pennies" because he seemed to be insinuating that I was taking up his time to save next to nothing. So I told him, "Well, I've saved $57 already," and the lady was still scanning. He didn't really say too much after that. My cashier, though, seemed to like him better than me and immediately struck up a smiley conversation with him.

Ok, so all this was going on, and she came to the end of my coupons. She then told me my total, and I had to humbly (it was SO hard...I was trying so hard not to be prideful or embarrassed) tell her that I noticed she never scanned my $5 off coupon. I was met with a huge *SIGH*, and she began to search through my coupons to find it. That lasted all of five seconds, and she simply entered in the $5 credit. This was followed by a "There." To add insult to injury, I used a gift card for part of the total. I know the man behind me must have been ready to punch me, the cashier too. It was brutal.

Eventually, I made it out of Publix. I can't say that my dignity was entirely in tact, but I did save my family a lot of money. I think that makes it worth it. I don't know. What I do know is that saving money and living a frugal lifestyle takes time, effort, and a thick skin. Oh, and may I suggest shopping at odd hours? That way, you can get lines to yourself without having to tick off others in line behind you. That's what I prefer, anyway.

The CVS $5.00 Challenge

Alyssa is hosting a $5 CVS challenge each week. Visit her site to check out all the great scenarios people have worked out for $5 or less! It's always cool to see what everyone is getting. I LOVE deals!

Here's what I got on Sunday:I did three transactions. On the first transaction, I got:
Accu-Check Compact Plus Kit Price: $9.99
Used: $9 in ECB, Paid $1.09 Out of Pocket
Earned: $9.99 in ECB!!!
On this transaction, I paid $1.09 out of pocket and saved $75.99!!!

On the second transaction, I got:
1 Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color, $5.99; I had a coupon for $4 off
1 O.B. tampons$4.49; I had a coupon for $1.50 off
1 Rightguard Professional Strength Deodorant and Antiperspirant $6.99; I had a coupon for $1 off
1 pkg of Gummi Savers $2.19, on sale B1G1 FREE, I had a coupon for B1G1 Free; thus FREE
1 pkg Lifesavers Mints (see above); FREE
I used my $9.99 ECB from the first transaction; paid $1.85 out of pocket, and earned $7.50 in ECB!!!
I spent $1.85 out of pocket and saved $30.17!!!

For my third transaction, I had to go to another store. My CVS was out of what I was looking for...MASCARA!
1 Physicians Formula Mineral Mascara $7.99
I used $7.50 in ECB and paid $.53 out of pocket.
I spent $.53, saved $7.50, and earned $7.99 in ECB

So for this challenge, I spent a total of $3.47 cash and saved $113.66!!!

My next visit to CVS is NOT part of the challenge, but I want to share anyway. I read online that since the Lifesavers packages were on sale B1G1 Free at CVS, and I had coupons for B1G1 free from the newspaper, the packages would be totally free. It seemed a little too good to be true, so I tested it on the challenge. Guess what?! It worked! So I went back on Monday and loaded up on Lifesavers. Check out what I got:

I got:
1 24 pack of CVS waters (reverse osmosis, our favorite) for $2.99
2 Softsoap Shower Gels $4.49 and B1G1 Free; I had 2 $.75 off coupons
6 packs of Lifesavers B1G1 Free, plus 3 coupons for B1G1 free

For this trip, I opted not to use any ECBs because none of these products earned ECBs. So I spent $9.63 out of pocket and saved $18.94!!!

My total actually should have been $2.25 lower because I was charged for one of the packs of Lifesavers. I didn't complain, though, because in a course of two days, I got 8 packs for $2.25. Still great in my book. :)

Saving the Bucks

A few months back, I decided to start trying to save my family money...by learning how to use coupons and store sales effectively. I had hoped to learn from a master at our church, but due to several setbacks, I was unable to do so. Even though I was unable to learn via the route I had planned, I was blessed even more when I prayed to God to lead me to places where I could learn how to provide for my family by reducing our food and personal need items budget. I prayed, and He provided.

I was led to THE MOST FABULOUS MONEY-SAVING BLOG OUT THERE...becentsable. It is truly amazing. Through this blog, I have learned how to save money using coupons, sales, hidden deals, everything! They have so many awesome links to sites that offer freebies, tips, coupons, and more education! AMAZING! Before finding this site, I thought coupons were kind of a waste of time (kind of like the people who impatiently wait behind me in the CVS lines). Now I know they are a FANTASTIC way to save LOTS of money. And who doesn't like having extra money???

Proverbs 31:15 says, "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." Then verse 20 says, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."

If any of you are like me, you have wanted to help people but never have the extra money to do it. By learning the tricks of saving money for grocery and household items, you'll have that extra money/stuff to give to those in need.

A couple of you have asked about the CVS deals. I found this super great post from Money Saving Mom (via a link of a link off of becentsable). Check it out, and you too could be getting stuff for free at CVS. I, myself, have become a CVS stalker. I've been every day this week waiting for them to restock their shelves and to continue to pick up FREE items...and even to get paid to take a couple of items out of the store!!! YEA! If I can learn, you can too!!!

CVS 101

After I first read this, I could have kicked myself for telling the CVS employee that "No, I don't have a CVS card, and that's ok. I don't need one." I was giving away FREE stuff!!! Oh well. At least I know now. Who knew? Me...someone who uses no medication (99.9% of the time) is an avid CVS shopper. Kind of ironic, huh?

One more thing...another SUPER GREAT blog is Taylor Town Preview. Check 'em out! This site has links to TONS of FREE stuff and has lists from every week's coupon books (SUPER GREAT if you set up the coupon filing system that becentsable explains. It is the only way I could do coupons and have any sanity. I'm not a coupon clipper).