A Yahoo Article and My Thoughts

I think that most everyone has seen the show on TLC called "Extreme Couponing." I believe it started off as a one time show and then turned into a series they are now doing at TLC. It's almost seemed to lure me in every time that it is on air. I even DVR it. Sad, I know. But as I was watching the show I kept thinking that the executives at these stores will get wind of this show and start changing coupon policies. I mean, after watching this who hasn't thought that to get $500 worth of food for $18.99 would be the best thing ever?! I just don't think I could spend 30 to 40 hours a week to organize a trip to the grocery store for my husband and I. I do have to work.

I will admit that there were at least two people on the show who used the coupons and spent the time to get deals on food and other items so they could donate them. That idea I can agree with. That is one of the best ideas on the show.

I can understand, though, that some of these people do this type of couponing to provide for their family on a budget. I totally agree with that as well. Who wouldn't want to provide for their family as much as possible on as little as possible? But again, I just kept thinking that the store executives weren't going to go for this. Pretty soon, a lot of people would be trying to get items for cheap, free or even "getting paid to shop" as I've heard on the show. The stores would be crazy, in my mind, to continue to do this.

Well, an article I found on Yahoo today seems to have thought so too. It gives examples of how Rite Aid and Target are changing some policies on coupons and how you can use them in their stores. I now wonder what other national stores will be following along on changing policies on how consumers can use the coupons in their stores. Has this show hurt or helped stores? Are people now becoming coupon obsessed in the hopes of buying a lot on a little? Has this extreme couponing gone too far? Who am I to say?

Here's the link to the article: http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-113020-10125-1-how-to-get-the-most-from-coupons?ywaad=ad0035&nc

Lunch at Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter has a salad bar that anyone can come and get what they want from it and purchase at the register. Usually on Wednesdays the one close to where I work has a Tomato and Mozzarella Salad that I rather enjoy for lunch. It has some cherry tomatoes and bite size pieces of mozzarella with a dressing similar to an Italian dressing. I enjoy it as it is light and really tasty. I could probably make it at home but I would most likely be the only one eating it so I only get it a once or twice a month at Harris Teeter.

While at Harris Teeter, I will look at some different aisles for snack ideas to take back to work. Nothing to big and nothing that I have to mix together and I usually get things that can be kept at room temperature. My favorite has been the 100 Calorie Packs of the Lorna Doone cookies. Sometimes the 100 Calorie Packs are on special and that's when I'll buy some to take back to work. Today, they happened to be about 40 cents off and I bought a box to take back to work. There are 6 packets in a box.

Harris Teeter has a loyalty card that anyone can sign up for and use in their store. I try to use my card as often as I can. When you check out, at the end of your purchases on the register tape, you will find how much you saved that day using their card and then your total for the year using their card. It is pretty nice to see how much you can save using their card. Once I got back to my vehicle, I checked out my receipt to see how much I had saved so far this year. I was a little amazed at how much I had saved using this little card!! So far, it has been $84.68 and that is only since January 2011! Whoa!! That is some serious savings for me!! I did not relize by buying things on special with their loyalty card I had saved that much money. I am curious to see how much I will have saved by December of this year.


So, I guess the moral of this story, the loyalty cards at different grocery stores are definitely worth it. Keep track of your savings and you might just be amazed at how much you can save with it!!

Welcome and Hello!!

Hello and welcome to my first blog. I'm new to "blogging" and hope that it goes well.

My main goal for this blog is to explore how a budget fits into my life. I'm not very good with a budget and know that I should be on one so that I can save money and make the most of what I spend. I have been reading some different websites and I am slowly putting into practice things I like and things that make sense to me. I may even try a few wacky things!! The things I do and explore here on my blog may not be right for everyone. So, it may not be right for you but just enjoy reading my blog if you can!

I don't mind comments but I do ask that you please keep them clean. No bad words please or hurtful remarks. I don't mind if you disagree with me as I know some things aren't for everyone.

I would like to keep things light at times. I do like to think I have a good sense of humor but I'm sure others might think it's a bit off.

I will try to post regularly but since this is the beginning, I don't know how often that might be. I am going to aim for once a week. Unless I find something that I think is pretty awesome and just HAVE to share with you.

I hope you enjoy and thanks for reading!!

Jennifer