Pink Polka Dot Thoughts

K-K-K-K-Karma

I totally believe in karma. I think the things you do can came back around to you. I also think that karma can be shown in the smallest of ways.

For instance, last week, I had two bad shopping experiences at the same grocery store. I was trying to stock up with my coupons--yes, I'm a bit of a coupon freak--and both times, I ran into problems. The first time, I didn't have time to argue and just had the cashier void the item and give me back my coupon. The second time was different.

I argued.

I nicely pointed out the wording on the coupons. I asked her to call a manager if there was an issue because I use internet coupons all the time in their store and as a matter of fact, their store even has a link to coupons.com on their website, so why would it not be ok for me to use coupons from that site?

Still, I felt the stares of the people behind me because I was holding up their line. I heard my son nagging at me to hurry up so he could look for a movie in the Redbox outside. Yet, I refused to give up my fight.

I won, but I didn't enjoy having to battle.

Using coupons shouldn't take any longer than not using coupons. If the cashier is trained properly, it shouldn't take any more time than a normal check out!

I also wound up saving 51% on my grocery bill(a total of $42) so until Mr. Whiney-butt behind me starts paying for my groceries, he doesn't have a right to sigh loudly because he has to wait an extra 30 seconds.

Anyway, back to the part about karma. On this receipt was a link to fill out a customer satisfaction survey, so I did it. I said basically what I've said in this post and that made me feel a little better.

I felt a ton better, however, when I went back to the same store yesterday. I found myself in the same line with the same cashier and wasn't happy with the idea, but this time, I didn't have any coupons. There was a line, and as it turned out, the cashiers changed just before my turn was up. It turned out to be the guy that I like because he gets excited when I save and never gives me a bit of flack about anything.

He checked me out as normal, but the karma of it all was when he handed me my receipt. He looked down and noticed the cashier hadn't been handing out the Catalina coupons(you know, those  coupons that print at the register.) He handed me a stack of them and said "enjoy."

And guess what I found in there? 2 fabulous coupons! One for $4 off my next order and one for $2 off. So now I'm $6 ahead next time I need to shop.

That's my little bit of grocery store karma.

What's your dream car?

 
So, I guess this would just about be my dream car. It's a DREAM though. For now, anyway!

I'm ready for something new though. I've been driving a mom-mobile(aka MINIVAN) for almost 14 years now, so I'd like something a little different. We're looking at SUVs but it's hard to choose and Mr. Polka Dot is not good with change. He wants another Mom-Mobile. Ugh.

There really isn't anything wrong with my  minivan. It's not that I don't like it. I'm just tired of driving it.

I'm not sure I want a car though, either! Yeah, I'm picky. What kind of car do you drive? Or what is your dream car? 

That Chicken Costs HOW Much?

I've been on a coupon kick lately. I know from through the years that this comes in spurts with me and right now, I'm really into couponing. In 6 months, I may say screw it and go back to paying full price, but for now, the coupons are saving me a bundle.

I've also been trying to economize by cooking more. With Mr. Polka Dot's work schedule, it's sometimes hard to cook a decent meal. When it's just the kids and me for dinner, I'm inclined to do something super easy or just go out.

Last week, I decided that we were just spending too much money eating out and that food wasn't good for us anyway. I went to the store to stock up on food that I could make quickly or put in the Nesco or Crock Pot to cook all day. See, even though I work from home, it's still not easy to get a healthy dinner on the table. I'm home, but I'm working. It seems the line  between work and HOME is totally burred when you work in the same space where you live.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand, while I was shopping, I decided to get a chicken to roast. That way, there's usually enough for leftovers the next day, so that's two meals with one shot! As I was perusing the poultry case at Kroger, I noticed they had some "organic" chickens. Then I noticed the price! $11! This $11 chicken was the same size as a Tyson one next to it for under $5! WHAT the heck?

I don't care if that chicken eats at a table from fine china and is only fed gourmet food before they chop its head off. It's not worth $11!

As you can surmise, I did not buy the $11 ORGANIC chicken. I bought the Tyson.

That said, I am concerned about growth hormones in our food. I am concerned about pesticides in our vegetables and fruits. I do worry about things like that. However, I don't have the luxury of being able to spend all that extra money to feed my family--not even with the money I save with coupons.

You may have it, but I don't.

And that's a fact of life for some people. It isn't about priorities or anything else. It's just reality--especially in our economy.

Let's Go Krogering

I've been on a quest to save money lately and one of the ways I've done that is by boycotting the grocery store. No, that doesn't mean we don't eat. It means that I try to go once a week to pick up things I think we really need. I use my coupons and try to save. Then, throughout the week, if I see we need something or we run out of something, I send Mr. Polka Dot.

I know some of you don't believe that this can save me money, but it's absolutely true. See, Mr. Polka Dot never varies from my list. He never throws in a little something extra "just because." He buys only from the list, the whole list and nothing but the list. So, if I send him after 3 things, he only buys 3 things, not the other 12 I would buy if I wound up at the store. He also doesn't buy cookies, chips or assorted snack foods because they "look yummy."  If it's not on the list, forget it!

The only problem with this arrangement is that he isn't very good at shopping. That means unless I write a full description--including brand name and store aisle--he'll call me from the store. Usually, I can expect one call per item on the list.

Mr. Polka Dot: "What KIND of spaghetti sauce?"

Me: "Ragu if it's on sale."

Mr. Polka Dot: "How do I know if it's on sale?"

Me: "There's a little tag on the shelf that says sale price."

Mr. Polka Dot: "Oh. Well, there aren't any tags. Do you still want it?"

Me: "Is another brand cheaper?"

L O N G pause and sounds of clanking jars in the background...

Me: "Just bring me a jar of whatever they have."

Mr. Polka Dot: "Well, do you want Traditional, Garlic and Onion..."

Me: "Just bring me whatever!"

Of course, that's just one phone call. Luckily we have unlimited minutes between our cell phones. Otherwise, the savings from Mr. Polka Dot doing the shopping would be negated by phone charges!

He really does try though. However, I've learned to not send him after toilet paper or trash bags because for some reason, he never has a question about brand or size. It's always the biggest package of the most expensive brand! We really don't need a million trash bags and we don't have a place to store 500 rolls of toilet paper!