So a couple of weeks ago, my sister-in-law briefly mentioned that friend of hers as a hobby of couponing. It inspired me to save some money and ever since I have been clipping away, from the paper and from the Internet. I admit that I think I've gone overboard. Coupons are organized in a binder with labels for every category in baseball sleeves. It includes a section for receipts, for my shopping list, for WIC checks, and for a weekly meal planner. Searching through the web I found store sales with matching coupons. Work? Oh yeah. But I saved money. In the last month I have bought $225 worth of groceries and other items at 4 different stores. I have spent only $99.
Today we ventured out to the Farmers Market, then onto CVS, then onto Publix, then Winn Dixie. Last stop: Sonic. Normally shopping with all four little ones is quite smooth. And when I say smooth, I mean the level of "I wants," complaints, tantrums and so on, is tolerable. The many, "Are they all yours?" are usually accompanied by "They are all behaving so well." Today- not so much.
Please! Please! Donuts! Can I have a toy? (Scream from Ella.) Can we get a movie? Ice Cream!!!!! Mommy, she pinched me! Well he hit me! Move over there's no room! (Scream from Ella). He tugs. She pulls. Can I push the cart? (More screams.) Can I push? Can I push? (Screams from Cailin.) Goldfish dumped everywhere! Looks, looks, and more looks from people. (Screams from Ella and Cailin.) Mommy, I have to go potty! NOW! Stop hitting her. Its not funny! Can we get a movie? We never get a toy!
We get into the car. I SCREAM! We still weren't finished and I couldn't take it anymore. I admit bad thoughts were running through my mind. I also admit not very nice things were rolling off my tongue. With one store left, they older two redeemed themselves. The younger two- not so much.
Riding home, I had a fresh cheesy greasy burger in my hand and three kids in the back with syrup dripping down their faces and all over their car seats from their French Toast sticks and one baby screaming her lungs out. I already have a list of all the things I forgot to buy. And I already have kids telling me they are hungry.
I am thankful for the receipts that I have. Its the proof I that saved bunches of money even if I traded in my sanity for it.
