One Small Step for a Bargainer

At what point do you cross the line from being a girl who loves a bargain, to just plain CHEAP? I am not quite sure what constitutes this crossover, but I feel I may have taken the giant, or rather small, step. 

I have yet to mention that I tutor 5 hours a week at the elementary school directly across the street from my house. When I say across the street, I mean across the street!  My short walk and few hours of work have proven to be very beneficial to my family and me. It's been a bit of extra income (and who can't use that),yet it doesn't really take any time from my kids. With the way the schedule works, most days I am gone during nap time and return home just in time for the after-nap snack. Plus I've really enjoyed putting my degree to use again, it's really great! One of the 4th graders I work with told me on my first day of meeting him that he was too good for coupons.  

Although I had never thought of it in that light, I'm sure I know many people who are too good for coupons.  I know other who just don't want to go to the trouble of coupons, however I would fall into neither category. I am NOT too good, nor too lazy for a good deal. Well, in all honesty, I am sometimes too lazy, but never too good.

My husband often rolls his eyes at my attempts to save a few dollars, but the fruit does not fall far from the tree. Those few dollars add up quickly!

With that said, I may have taken this whole 'save a penny' hope too far. 

For Christmas my mom gave me several really cute articles of clothing.  She knows me so well and of course chose things that I just loved. But at Christmas I was just 2 months post-baby. The pants fit great during the holidays, yet I was sure hopeful I still had a few pounds to shed in the weeks that followed. Rather than return the clothes immediately, I waited a little over a month to re-try them on. Just as I suspected, the pants fell right down to the floor.  

Last week Kayt and I ventured out to the store to return the clothes. After getting a fairly large sum of money, I was off to find better-fitting replacements. They were having a great sale on children's clothes and as you moms know, it's impossible to pass up great deals on cute, cute clothes for the tots.  So after several tiny outfits for the upcoming season (and a season or two down the road), I was off to the big girl section. **Side note: I got Kayt the sweetest bathing suit for her first pool adventures. It just makes me giddy!**

I found many items that would have felt right at home in my closet, but after the dressing room adventures I decided on a select few. How is it that whatever you really want seems to be missing your size? I just always take it as the Lord's way of telling me NO! I guess I don't take subtle hints well, He has to really spell things out for me!

Today I ventured back to the store to get one last shirt that I had really liked, but didn't have the refund money for. I also had a gift card to the store from my birthday. 

Okay, so I'm not only thrifty but a saver. I will save anything for just the right time. But sometimes the right time never comes and I end up being a waster. Just like all of the Dr. Pepper Smackers chapstick I got when I was younger...oh brother, I have issues.

So instead of pay for the shirt, I went in today to buy it with my gift card. And, lo and behold, EVERYTHING I had purchased only 3 days before was on SALE! Holy cow! Upon seeing this, the Thrifty Monster in me went nuts. 

So, you guessed right. I re-bought everything I had previously purchased and I fully intent to return the originals for the full price. 

There. 

I said it.

That's what I did.

I'm a little ashamed, and I'm definitely too embarrassed to tell my husband face to face (here is to happy reading Brad). I think I know his reaction. But now I'm telling the world.  I'm shedding light on my little 'issue'. 

Who knows what I'll do with the $30 I get back. 

Buy another shirt?

Give it to people with bigger 'issues' than mine?

Mail it to YOU?

Doesn't seem so bad in that case, hugh?

You draw the line, I'll take the plunge over. Just be sure and draw it front of a store with a good sale! :)