Good with the Bad

Yes, I am really good at saving money.  It's easy to do when you don't have any (or pretend that you don't).  I think of every penny as a resource I'm suppose to steward.  Now that I know I can get free dishwashing soap, I will (hopefully) never pay for it again.  That, to me, is being good steward: doing my best to make every penny go as far as it can.

One of these days, time will be more valuable than money.  Maybe, I'll have streamlined the couponing process so I can save money and not spend hours doing it. 

But, even when I plan my shopping trips, check multiple blogs, and clip every coupon, things don't always go as they are meant to.  I choose to take the good with the bad.

Just this week, I have had several such occasions!

Bad:  Target had a deal on Tostitos.  Buy 2 for $2.50 and get a salsa free.  Then, $.55 coupons came out in Sunday's paper AND Target had a printable coupon for a $1 off too.  In theory, I could get 2 chips and 1 salsa for $2.35 (2.50 x 2 - .55 x 2 - 2.50 - 2.50 - .55 - 1... confusing, I know).   Unfortunately, the Target $1 printable didn't work... suddenly it wasn't a great deal.  Bummer.  I didn't (and won't) take it back because it's a hassle and it was my mistake.  And since they accidentally didn't ring up a package of cheese I bought last week, I figure it makes us even.  Yes, I did ask them if they wanted me to pay for the cheese and they said "no". 



Good:  I found $1/1 coupons for Tostitos today at Albertson's and they're on sale at Safeway on Sunday.  I'll be able to get 3 bags for 44 cents each.  Not too shabby.

Bad:  I was at Safeway today and I bought their 2 lbs of Lucerne cheese for $3.99.  I thought all varieties $3.99.  I thought it was labeled that way.  It wasn't until I checked my receipt in the parking lot after I buckled the kids in that I realized that I paid $6.99... why would I do that?  Tillamook had a coupon for 2 lbs for $4.99, but I refuse to pay more than $2/lb.  (If you knew how much cheese my munchkins ate, you'd understand.)  Also, I picked up two packages of Ranchers Reserve Cube Steak and *tried to* use my $2/1 Safeway coupon.  Alas, they were just under $2 per package.  The cashier wouldn't adjust the coupons down (they can do that, you know).  I had her take the beef off.  So now I have to think of something for dinner... ugh.

Good: I got 4 - 12 packs of soda for $7.50 and two boxes of Wheat Thins for $.98.  And, when I go back to return the cheese (heck yeah, I'm taking it back and if I find that it's mis-labeled, they'll probably give it to me for free), I'll find the super cheap meat that costs more than $2/package and get more Wheat Thins!  Take that!  (I also forgot onions.)

Bad:  Shopping 4 different stores in 1 day with 4, 3, and 2 year olds.

 Good:  The 10 month old stayed home with Daddy doing paperwork.

Bad: Being unable to find Orville Redenbocker with Red Box codes so I could get 2 boxes of popcorn, 2 movie rentals and 2 sodas for less than $2. And they were out of Palmolive Antibacterial that I could've gotten for free.

Good: Free Hawaiian bread and free Zone Bars. And free after rebate Veggie Burgers and Snapple.

Just think, most of (good:) that was because (bad:) I forgot my coupon folder at Target the other day.

I'm sure that there are Couponaires out there that never make mistakes or misunderstand the sale or forget a coupon in their pocket.  Alas, I am not she. 

And... I was able to find the cheap Johnson's Head to Toe Baby Wash and Bubbles for $1.19 that I couldn't find the other day ($2.19 - $1/1)!