Thrifty Tuesday

This week I couldn't help but brag about my trip to Walgreens on Thanksgiving morning. Yup, you read that right--I got to Walgreens right as they opened and waited in the car as they opened the doors. There were actually people waiting outside, but I'm pretty sure most of them were waiting for some great deals on toys. I, on the other hand, came for toothpaste, deodorant, razors, & body wash!

My trip started out with a bit of drama as I was lead astray by another customer, but my coupon guru friend Megan showed up and we got back on track. I think I ended up checking out about 9 times in my visit...but it was so worth it!

Here's my loot...3 50 ft rolls of Hallmark wrapping paper, 3 tubes of Crest Pro White toothpaste, 3 tubes of Colgate Total toothpaste, 3 bottles of Oil of Olay body wash, 6 Right Guard deodorant, 2 packages Bic Soleil disposable razors, 2 Nivea men's shaving cream, 1 Skintimate shaving cream, 1 Edge Shaving Cream, 1 Vaseline men's lotion, 2 Colgate toothbrushes, 5 Reese's trees, 1 Hershey tree, & 3 red taper candles. All for....a little over $12!!! And, I have $4.50 in Register Rewards that I plan to use this week to start off my spending! Basically, that means that I got over $96 in product for around $8.00!!

That was definitely worth getting up and missing some of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! As I've mentioned before, I'm not normally a Black Friday shopper but I can see how people get into it! I actually had a blast for the hour or so I was in Walgreens---most of which was time spent standing in line with some other crazy couponers! We were all in such good spirits and just hanging out watching as everyone checked out multiple times & got an incredibly amount of stuff for pennies.

Now, I'm sure you're thinking...but she already has 3 deodorant in storage & 5 tubes of toothpaste & multiple bottles of body wash. Well, this trip was more for the fun of it than for actually stocking up for myself. I did keep a few things, the wrapping paper, the candles, some of the shaving cream, & the toothbrushes...but most everything else went in a sack that is now sitting in our office ready to be donated.

Our small group is helping to adopt a family who recently lost everything they have in a fire...most of that stuff will be going to them. I don't say this to toot my own horn, only to say that there are other benefits to couponing. Once I have my stockpile, if I can take a few moments to cut coupons or read weekly ads to get items for free or even for just a few pennies I take advantage of the sales and donate to our local food pantry. Christmas is the perfect time of year as all the food baskets are being distrubuted, but those families receiving the baskets need these items year round, not just at Christmastime.

Look for those opportunties to help others out, it will definitely make your heart soar as you practice generosity! And who knows, you might just change someone's life with a small simple gift showing God's love...