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. 

Coupon Mishap

The Baby and I saved 90% on Valentine's Day stuff at CVS. I forgot to hand the cashier my stack of coupons during my first transaction! I was so surprised and alarmed at this idiotic move. But I maintained my cool and didn't get difficult. And the cashier was pretty chill (sort of) and gave me cash for my coupons. The first transaction we saved 50%, and that was before the coupons. When I told The Hubs he said,

"That's what I'm talkin' about."

 

I'm gathering shoes, canned goods, and rummage sale stuff for my church. I'm a little overwhelmed. And I am trying not to buy new things, I am trying to repurpose my old stuff. This mindset means a lot of impulse control and craft projects. I hope I'm up to the challenge!

CVS Sickness

We got out of the house later than I intended but I wasn't stressed about it. I feel really bad that I wasn't able to let the kids play at the library. We are all still a little under the weather, so its probably for the best.

I have started keeping a really extensive to-do list and I'm trying to stick with it, but it still seems like stuff isn't getting done. And then I get all OCD and can't do stuff that isn't on the list. Which is a little crazy. I think I'll go back to using my list for stuff I might forget, and remember that most of my day is kid-stuff (pretending, playing, refereeing) and regular house stuff that doesn't need to be on the list.

At CVS, I was able to rock on with my coupons. I got a 5/$25 Extra Care Bucks on my card.
Then I bought:
3 Always Radiant Pads 28ct - $6.99 ea, on sale
1 Monster Rehab- $2 ea, on sale
1 gallon milk- $2.69
I had a $1-off coupon for each of the boxes of pads, from the January P&G coupon insert. And I had a $1-off coupon for the Monster, torn from a multi-pack. And I used an Extra Care Buck from my last transaction. For this purchase I paid, $17.60. And I got $1 back, in Extra Bucks. I think I did ok. Not great.

Time-Stealers

Oh. My. Goodness. I am guilty. I am guilty of allowing minor time-stealer's to effectively run me off course. I decide that I will look at Facebook 'just for a minute', and that 'minute' almost invariably ends up being twenty, or thirty. I think to myself that perhaps I can just read this one chapter of my book. And depending on the book, it might be far more than one chapter. Sometimes I get caught up in my obscure Internet searches, such as the pressing need to find health insurance for the kids, finding preschool activities, and looking a craft sites. But the problem with these searches, as pressing as they may be, is that they have not been scheduled, and they are taking place in the midst of my busy day when I should be doing something else. I am also guilty of watching t.v., which dulls the senses and deadens the mind. Usually. And I am a putterer; I flit around my house moving objects around and not actually accomplishing anything. These habits are annoying and unhelpful, and sometimes I have a lot of trouble resisting the urge to do them. Sometimes I have to consult my to-do list so I know what I should be doing. I make those lists so I can remember what in the hell I should be doing.

On the upside, we made it to the Exploritorium again! And we were able to meet up with my friend and her baby. We were not able to talk much, for logistical reasons. But it was nice to see her, and to chat for a few minutes.

At CVS, the cashier said that all my Extra-Care Bucks were denied because the card and the coupons didn't match. I was very calm. She said she would override the issue, and give me the savings. But she insisted that I typed in the wrong number (she typed it in) and that I have multiple cards in my household (I don't). I was very proud of myself for staying so calm and relaxed, because I recognized that this was a cashier issue. And I was going to get my savings anyway, so it wasn't like she was trifling. The good news is that I can get another milk for the sale price because it didn't get rung up on my CVS card. Bad news is that I need to go back to that CVS because the Extra-Buck I received for purchasing milk needs to be approved by someone who knows that cashier. Or something.

Resolutions Awry

Obviously my resolutions are not going that well, seeing as how I haven't posted in a few days. And, I was late to my meeting. But the lateness wasn't my fault; I asked my husband repeatedly if I could get going and he kept finding things he had to do.

My house is pretty much a wreck and my mother is coming over tomorrow to babysit. I'm already embarrassed and a little stressed.

I got to go to CVS by myself so I was able to browse through the Christmas clearance aisle. I spent more than I anticipated, but only because I didn't give myself a total on my list. And I got a few snacks, (unhealthy), Kleenex, clearance, diapers and milk. I saved 49%, but I'm still bummed because I couldn't locate all my coupons at checkout, and there was a line. I knew I should have organized myself before getting up there! I'm bummed I didn't use my Extra-Care Bucks on this purchase, but I will be able to use them on future purchases, before they expire. I just need to organize them and pay attention.

OMG. We went to the Exploratorium today, and it was awesome! There was so much activity for the boys to be a part of. There was a water section which included nets for fishing. The Boy liked the above-head playground, and The Baby really enjoyed the light table. I bought the 10-visit package, and we used three of those visits today. It was totally worth it. We loved that place!