Tuesday, August 24, 2010

being thrifty

I have always prided myself on being a bit of a tightwad.  Having managed my money very well growing up and in my early 20s, I am able to do so much more than many people my age -- without the debt.  Thankfully, Chris also bought into my financial philosophies.  I have also gone through Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" and listen to his broadcast when tooling around in the mornings.  His teachings reinforced my practices.

I hate paying full price for things.  My neighbor gets the Sunday paper, but never uses the ads.  Each week, I jack her ads for weekly plundering.  This week, Walgreens was having coupon days, so I decided to stock up and refurbish our household office supplies.  In addition to the ad coupons, they have a 15% military discount on Tuesdays!  Score!


Item
Original Price
My Price
Savings
Bubble mailers (3)
1.59 x 3 = 4.77
0.39 x 3 = 1.17
-3.60
Scotch tape
1.29
0.39
-0.90
10 Ballpoint pens
1.99
0.39
-1.60
Wooden ruler
0.99
0.39
-0.60
70 Index cards
1.99
0.39
-1.60
Composition book
2.29
0.17
-2.12
50 sheet protectors
4.99
1.99
-3.00
Scissors
2.99
1.49
-1.50
Posterboard (3)
0.89 x 3 = 2.67
0.39 x 3 = 1.17
-1.50
60 Ziplock bags
1.89
0.99
-0.90
200 Kleenex
1.99
1.29
-0.70
Salt
0.99
0.50
-0.49
Plastic wrap
2.79
1.99
-0.80
Candy corn
1.39
0.99
-0.40
2 Pink erasers
0.99
0.39
-0.60
Bleach
1.99
0.99
-1.00
Rubber gloves
2.29
0.99
-1.30
TOTAL
38.29
15.68
-22.61
In-store savings

-1.34

Tax

+1.02

 FINAL TOTAL
 38.29
15.36
-22.93 


While many people may begrudge the "annoyance" of waiting for deals, using coupons, and delaying gratification, but I find it to be a sign of maturity and discipline.  In addition, Chris and I are able to do things like paying cash for our basement finish.  Another example: Instead of buying wall art for the nursery,  I researched DIY projects.  Not only did I save a TON of money, but I satisfied nesting urges.

I have several thrifty blogs on my Google Reader and enjoy finding new ways to repurpose, save, and DIY.

Where do you go for your deals?

1 comment:

Unknown said...

you might like Money Saving Mom and The Thrifty Mama. I have their links on my site. They are pretty insane with the deals but I have heard about some good deals through them. Once I got like 250 address labels for $1 shipped that was pretty awesome.