Okay, back into the pattern here - I have done this before. I get into a coupon/deal craze. I scour the ads every week lest I miss that one great deal. And then I end up spending more money than I did before!
Today I stopped at Rite Aid for their FAR on kashi cereal, but they were all out of the kind I like (GoLean Crunch - some of the other kinds taste like cardboard to me). So instead of walking out, I buy Celestial Seasonings Tea (free after rebate, or FAR) and three Hershey's bars ($.29 each, buy two get one free coupon). I should not be eating candy bars (seeing as how I still have these few pounds that crept back on) and would never buy then normally, but at that price? I had to! I also must tell you that I don't even drink tea. I rationalized it by saying it would be good to have around when by brother and SIL stop over, as they drink tea. Or maybe I could combine it with a mug for a Christmas gift. I do not need to be spending money right now, even if it is only $2!
But....I did get some good deals yesterday. Pampers - $4 store coupon at Eckerds plus $1.50 manufacturers coupon. Even then, though, it was still only slightly cheaper than Wal-Mart brand. Ray-O-Vac batteries - FAR. My mom's cereal for $1.88. I ended up spending too much money on things I shouldn't be buying, even though they were good prices.
I've got to reach an in-between point here, or else I will get frustrated and give up the deal search altogether. I can do this...and I will.
Ack! What was I thinking?
October 11th, 2006 at 12:58 am
October 11th, 2006 at 02:21 am 1160533305
That said, when I pay for the stuff up front, it comes out of my "groceries" budget. When I get the rebate check 4-6 weeks later, it goes into my "challenge" account. Therefore, my grocery bill looks like it's through the roof, and the money never gets back into my checking account.
I've vowed to get better and only transfer the coupon savings over to my challenge account, and make sure that my out-of-pocket costs go back into the checking account. Meanwhile, I have enough deoderant, toothpaste, toothbrushes and maxi pads to last about 4 years!