Shopping In The AM

We went shopping again. I had to go to the post office to drop off one of my eBay packages, then to CVS to get my photos, milk, juice and diapers. Then to the bank, and finally, to the thrift store. The kids are troopers, and they are good kids.
First at the post office. I had packaged my product in a used First Priority USPS bubble envelope. So I had to ship it using Priority shipping. Note to self. The item was headed to Addison, IL, and I thought about driving down there to just drop the package off. But I'm not sure how eBay feels about that, and its a 42 minute trip with no traffic or mishaps. So, I opted to pay and ship. Maybe next time I won't.
Then we headed over to CVS, not the one by the house, but to the one that I accidently sent my photo order to. While we were choosing juice, The Boy pulls out a bottle of Starbucks Frappuccino and drops it. It shatters all over the floor, and it took me a moment to reign myself in. I put him in the cart and said it was ok, that I was just surprised. I know that it was accident. My diaper choice was because of the rebates I could get on Checkout 51, as well an in-store coupon. The cashier rudely throws my $20 back on the counter and asks for another one. I say,
"Uh no. Why? What's wrong with this one?"
and she says, like its' totally obvious,
"I can feel the difference. This one is not real."
I told her to call the manager, because I know that it is real. And it was. I was expecting an apology, but I didn't get one. I did fill out my online survey and noted what had happened. On the upside, we saved 43%.
We went to the bank next, and as soon as we pull into the drive-thru, The Boy asks for a lollipop. I dutifully asked the teller for two and we got four. Right on. Unfourtuantly, my transaction was unable to be completed because my husband's name is also on the check and he needs to be present. Dang.
At the thrift store, Savers, we received 30% off from the cashier. I think she might have mishandled our transaction, but I wasn't complaining. I also think that I waited on her when I worked at Walgreens. It was a successful trip. 

Cartwheel

I have finally started using Cartwheel, the coupon app for Target. And it was easier than I thought. During my transaction today, I was able to save about $2. Not great, but not bad either.
We went in there because I had gotten a mailer coupon for $5 off $10 or more of household essentials or grocery items. Apparently, hand soap is not a household essential. I decided not to fuss about the coupon because I needed the items anyway (for a gift) and I was buying them on sale.
In the newspaper yesterday, I got a $10-off-$50 coupon for groceries from Target, and I cobbled together a list from their promotional mailer. I was unable to locate two items from my list, so I got a few items in their place after doing some math. I had clipped a few Cartwheel coupons and was picking up a few items for the 'Mitten Tree' at church and was feeling pretty good. However, I noticed that Target grocery prices are actually pretty high. A few of them items I got were a good deal, but mostly the prices were at the top of my range. The only way to work around that is to be vigilant about sticking with my list/price point, clipping my paper coupons, and working with my money-saving apps, such as ibotta, checkout 51, and Cartwheel. Luckily, I am very good about being vigilant with all those things.

Unique

The Boy is growing fast! Many of his clothes are just a touch too small, so today we went shopping. We headed off to Unique Thrift Store in the strip mall at Howard and Western, in Chicago. On Mondays, everything is 50% off! (Besides the Red Tag new items). With the kids, I have to do grab-and-go shopping, so I grabbed seven pairs of pants, and five sweatshirts, and a coat. Some of the sweatshirts are zip-ups, one is a regular pullover, and a few are hoodies. I got him a few warm (with the fleece layer inside) khakis and two jeans, and one camo. I even scored a waterproof coat that might be warm enough for winter, for $2.50. I spent $31.01. Normally I have some buyer's remorse, but not this time. We got a great deal, and he'll wear all those clothes. And then his brother will.

Doctor's Appointments

Both The Boy and I need to go into the city for our appointments. The mileage is not the problem, it is the amount of time it takes to get from our house to the office. We have to travel through Chicago, which takes about an hour. I think it's worth it for him, because he is my son and he deserves every advantage I can give him. But is my appointment worth it? Maybe. Right now it seems ok, but let me ask The Hubs and my babysitter and see what they think.

I Love The Way We Agree

At my church service today, the minister suggested we reply to people with different political/social views in the following way:
"I cannot possibly agree with you on that point, but I love the way we both agree on..."
'loving our families?'
'support watering our lawn?'
'utilizing a budget for household needs?'
'love coupons?'
The point is to know that it is unlikely to change someone's political and/or social viewpoint with a single argument or conversation. Our viewpoints are based on a lifetime of experiences, and how we perceive the world. Letting someone know you disagree with them, without resorting to mind-changing tactics, defensive drama, and harsh words is not 'allowing' them to continue in bigotry or liberal brainwashing (depending on what side of the political spectrum you're in). It is 'allowing' them, and you, to recognize similarities, humanism, and a chance for connection. Responding with the recommended response is a way to remind ourselves that despite all this us vs. them mindset, we all want to be heard and we all want connection.
I plan on using this tactic when visiting my in-laws later this week.

Unseasonably Warm With A Cold Front

It is unseasonably warm, but not record-breaking, outside today. Sunny and beautiful and I want the kids to play outside. But they are sick! And I just don't know if they need that kind of non-relaxing activity.
I had a few plans today, including voting early, going to Target with a mailer coupon for Halloween clearance (among other things), and going to the library to get the books I requested. The only thing we did was get the books because if you don't pick them up within three days, they reshelf them. And I requested a 'cozy mystery' from another library. (Who knew that was even a genre?) We went in, my kid was coughing, there was a minor meltdown because I told The Boy that there was a dinosaur book for him but it was actually a bug book. And we returned a few items, and checked out our reserved items and got the heck out of there.
When we got home, we watched Scooby Doo, ate some popcorn and a few kid-friendly cough drops, and went to bed.
Luckily, I plan my schedule far enough ahead so that pushing my voting and shopping trip back shouldn't be a huge problem. If the kids get better quick.
Tomorrow they are scheduled to get their flu shots, which obviously won't happen if they are still sick. Perhaps the doctor will see them? I hope it is nothing serious.

Tea Treatments

During my kid's rest/naptime, I try to get some stuff done for me. I attempt to sell things on eBay, I work on this blog, I workout, and I do a beauty treatment. Oftentimes, one or many of these do not get done, but today I was able to do a tea treatment.
First, I washed my hair in cool water. Yes, it was my kid's bathwater from yesterday. A little gross, but it saves water.
Then, I sprayed my hair with old suntea I put in a salon spray bottle. I've heard this treatment works best with black tea, but I used Tension Tamer.
I wrapped my hair up in a plastic bag, and will leave it in for a half hour.
After the tea does it's hopeful magic, I will condition my hair.
The Hubs thinks these at-home beauty treatments are crazy and yucky, but I always feel better after doing them.
The tea is supposed to stop breakage and hair loss, and make my hair shiny and smooth. It is a lot to hope for, but I've read a few other blogs whose authors swear by this treatment.
Try it and let me know.