The snow has been beautiful and plentiful so it's okay with me if we don't have anymore this year :) How about you? The kids were even looking forward to getting back to school!
The savings though ended last year kinda slow and haven't picked up much speed YET! There have been a few at each store and so you take what you can get. I would have to say the store (that is on my normal stop list) I have been in the least is Bi-Lo and the store I have been in the most would be RiteAid. I don't think I have done a complete shopping trip in months mainly due to finances but also I do the deals and thats my stock so after 2 years of doing coupons I was pretty well stocked to survive the winter without much shopping. Also, we had a very kind friend who shared part of a deer, so that stocked the freezer with meat.
RiteAid, is about where CVS was 1 - 2 yrs ago. Slamming the deals every week and adding a savings card, printing UP rewards (like ECB). They are still working out the kinks and figuring out how all this couponing is affecting what they sell and how much they want to give away, but all in all it has been fun.
Some things I've pondered and learned over the last couple of years has changed the way I am going to try to coupon the year also. Before, if it was on sale and near free with coupon it went in the cart. Now, if it's a good food item, it still goes in the cart, and gets donated if our family won't use it. If it's meds, I only buy if my family or someone I know can use it, I haven't found an outlet to donate much of that. Bathroom items make great gift baskets, so I do stock all those that are near free, free, or money maker (rebates). I used to make sure I had 10 papers (buy in Atlanta - they are cheaper) because I used too much variety to order (I only order if I want more of a paticular item). Now I have cut that back to 6 or 8. And yes, it's well worth the $1.50 I pay for the AJC (AJC double stacks are $3).
Also, last year I joined just about every site that offered something free, points for use, or had info. So far, I see that excitement slowing too. You can spread yourself so thin that you can't decide where you want to go today. Does that make sense? Now, don't get me wrong. I would love to jump on great deals offered on Eversave.com or mamapedia.com or nomorerack.com or groupon.com not counting all the photo deals that were offered through kodak.com shutterfly.com etc etc etc but finances only allow for so much and you have to sit on your hands alot when all these are sitting in your inbox enticing you. HA HA! Okay Okay, I love to save - you should love to save - lesson here is just don't get overwhelmed because then you might drop it all and that would not be good on the budget either! :)
Okay - I'm stopping here because I did not intend to write a book just wanted to show where my journey has taken me and where I hope to be this year while SAVING tons! See you there!
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