Monday, November 9, 2009

Wal-Mart

This may surprise you, but I'm not against Wal-Mart, per se. I just don't like shopping there. I avoid it when I can, but there is one product that I can only get there at the moment, which is Newman's Own Organic canned cat food.

This mania of mine started back when all these pet foods were killing our pets, so I decided to look into higher quality products, to lessen the chances I would poison my lovies. My own research, along with a wonderful article sent to me by my lovely friend Christina, lead me to Newman's Own brand. I buy the dry food, too, but I have to get that at another store across town. Somehow I manage. One more thing about Newman's Own: they donate all their profits to charity. I buy that product whenever I can.

Back to the subject of Wal-Mart. I can't believe the prices there! I get so excited when other stores have cake mixes on sale for $1, or even $0.89. Do you know that right now they have cake mixes AND Stove Top stuffing for $0.78?? No, I didn't buy any. I was duped into purchasing Stove Top for $0.99 this weekend at my favorite grocery store, Wegman's. I thought I was getting a deal, since I had recently bought some for $2.33 when it wasn't on sale. Stove Top is something I only buy when I have a craving, like once a year. I probably wouldn't have bought it again if it wasn't on sale. And I bought like 4, too. I'm still learning about this deal stuff. I've never before even noticed prices, so it's a weird feeling to actually remember that stuff. I don't even look at gas prices, unless it's like $4.

There was something curious I noticed about the Stove Top. There were a few of the chicken variety, and then a ton of the cranberry variety. The cranberry variety you ask?? Yeah, no doubt a weird over-production that didn't sell and ended up on the shelves here.

Then, I noticed almost every can of the Newman's Own cat food was dented. Huh.

I managed to get out of the store with 10 cans of cat food and 4 jars of peanuts, Planter's with sea salt. Those peanuts might last Dave 2 weeks. Might. As I'm waiting to be rung up, I started feeling very strange about loading up on only cat food and peanuts. On top of that, I'm wearing a mis-matched sweatsuit and looking very homely after a rough gym workout. (I justify going shopping like that because I don't know a lot of people here, and the chances of being recognized is nil. Okay, I also think it lessens my chances of being raped. I know I have problems. You don't have to say anything to me about it). So, feeling self-conscious about my crazy spinsteresque purchases and appearance, I start up a conversation about the cat food with the 20-something young man cashier. "Did you know I can't get this brand of cat food anywhere but here? My cats love it!" O.M.G. That so did not help me feel better. I wanted out of there so fast.

I have the worst experiences at Wal-Mart. And I'm on to their Big Lots style reject products.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

I Just Love Getting a Deal!

I don't know if it's this whole economic crisis or what, but lately I have become like a giddy schoolgirl whenever I get a good deal. I've even started clipping, AND USING, coupons! What??? Those things are such a hassle, but they can definitely add up and give me a high that will last at least an evening, maybe even days! In general, the length of the high is proportional to how good a deal I got.

Take today for example. I went to a grocery store called Giant and I loaded up my cart with tons of items. The regular price for everything would've been $130. Now I know that nobody pays regular price. No doubt at least SOMETHING you buy will be on sale. But I walked out of there for about $68. That's almost half price! Even with a few coupons, I would normally expect about a $20 discount, not $62. Here's how I did it:

1. I clipped coupons from the paper on things that I definitely use, or might reasonably use.
2. I buy mostly things that are on sale already at the store
3. I then use a coupon for those already on sale items
4. And then use the store's coupon-doubling policy...which is something worth learning!

Was it a hassle? Most definitely! But to me it was worth it for some reason. True story: I got a little flustered while checking out and had to have the cashier suspend my order because all the coupons had me confused. I must've had about a dozen. And there were a few items I forgot because the coupon necessitated I purchase 2. (I'm a new coupon user and not accustomed to all the rules). So I left to grab my remaining items. When I was ready to re-check out, I noticed that my "$1 coupon doublers" were missing! Why me?? Do you know that I, figuring they blew out of the cart during my speed-shopping, searched every aisle looking for the missing coupons? And can you believe I found them? I was overjoyed. That probably saved me at least $3. I'm easy to please. Alright, I'm also neurotic. Dave gets a kick out of how excited I get while performing my bargain show-and-tell. Course he could care less how much I spend...just as long as the food keeps coming.

The In-laws are Coming!!

HELP!

Okay, the thought of my in-laws coming really excites me. I love my in-laws, and I love having people over in general. There is just an added pressure I place on myself to please my husband's family. Also, this will be my first Thanksgiving dinner in my new home, and the first turkey I've ever cooked. So I am stressed due to the fact that I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm starting early though, so hopefully I won't burn the house down.

What this visit entails is 4 extra adults and 2 children coming to my house, which is still mostly furniture-less and not quite organized from the move. In 3 short weeks, I need to come up with places to sleep for everyone, and hopefully clean and comfortable ones. I also need to make sure the attic and garage are not a complete disaster. Making them clean and well-organized is too lofty a goal for me. Then, I need to come up with about 10 meals which everyone will eat. This is an impossible task for this group, as they don't necessarily encourage the children to eat what is served. (mental note: have hot dogs on hand...and kraft mac-n-cheese-yuck!). Lastly, I need to think of things to keep these people occupied, and perhaps give them a taste of Baltimore.

Wish me luck as my brain works overtime these next few weeks!