Everyone likes to save a buck or two, right? While trying to juggle kids, house, blogging, website business and more –I got tired of going to the hairdresser so frequently. I would spend about $100 and end up needing to go back in just a few weeks because the gray hairs were POPPING! So I take matters into my own hands [literally] and decide that no one NEEDS their hair cut and colored every 4-6 weeks, so I will get my hair cut,periodically, at a Quick Cuts and color my own hair. I am terrified at the thought, so I call my sister who I know is a pro at dying her own hair. She clues me into the best brand known to man–Garnier Nutrisse–and I am on my way to the drug store. After several months and a few applications, I finally settle on my color choice. I receive many compliments for the tone and color of my hair and inside I am beaming, knowing it only cost me about $5 [on sale]. Now I can get my hair cut periodically at any local Quick cuts type place. So instead of a $900/year habit I now pay about $100 for the whole year. You gotta love it. I do miss the pampering that the bigger salons give me. I miss the two hour sessions of sipping Perrier while reading People magazine and catching my stylist up on all the latest in my life. But for now I am happy to stick with the $15 cuts and $5 colors because— hair today could be gone tomorrow!
Poop-Mart May 17, 2008
Last year, while preparing my kids for summer camp, we all hopped in the car to run to that big discount store to stock up on essentials. We picked up towels, bug spray, sunscreen, socks and undies and more. We were about finished when my daughter decided to try on some cropped sweats that she desperately needed for summer camp. [I know you're thinking, sweats for summer camp, but we live in the Northwest where even if it's hot during the day-the nights can get chilly] I raise my arms up to yawn and stretch and plop them back down on the cart to await my daughters return. Just as my hand touched the cart, I felt something that didn’t feel right. As my hand neared my face, I hoped with all my might that it was some sort of food or candy concoction that I had gotten on my hand. Upon inspection it was none other than, you guessed it, POOP. Not bird poo, not dog poo, but good old-fashioned human poo. The squishy, but luckily not warm kind. The kind that maybe leaked out the side of a diaper and they child started decorating the edge of the cart with. I was beyond disgusted for obvious reasons, but I also suffer from CHCD [compulsive-hand-cleaning-disorder]. I hate dirty hands. Well, this is about as dirty as they get. The employee manning the dressing room realized I was in distress and brought over her spray bottle of cleaner and cleaned the cart off for me. I also lovingly asked her to spray my hand and forearm down. I was completely wiggin’ out and couldn’t get to the wipe aisle fast enough. I went through half the package cleaning my hands like they’ve never been cleaned before. Although I was completely traumatized by the incident I still needed to check out and get these items for camp. While I waited in line, it was all I could think about and of course had to blurt out and tell the cashier in hopes that no other person would have to suffer through what I just had. The cashier, bless his heart, proceeded to say, [insert total hick accent here] “You think that’s bad? One time I was working this here cash register and someone up and dropped a big ol’ bottle of ammonia. You talk about some stink! It done singed my nose hair.” My response to that was, “I’m sorry sir, but nothing [emphasis on the nothing] is worse then shopping at a store and putting your hand in some human poo.” I’m sure he was just trying to be nice and relate to my circumstances, but I’d taking sniffing chemicals any day over sticking my hand in human waste.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch April 24, 2008
I love shopping at warehouse stores, namely COSTCO. Buying in bulk is blissful [say that ten times fast]. Not everyone needs 48 rolls of toilet paper at once but it’s nice to know that you won’t have to restock for a good 6 months. I prefer to go by myself, only because when accompanied by minors I end up spending way too much. It’s hard to say no when your children are begging for goodies [in stereo]. A great time to take them is on the weekends. Sure you’ll end up spending more money, but lunch is free. I’m not speaking of a traditional haul your family to a restaurant “free lunch”, but rather a sampling of the good stuff. If you play your cards right you can get them filled up on bites of cheese and crackers, sausage, fried rice, and buttered bread before you round the corner towards the Almighty OTIS SPUNKMEYER cookie sample table. Before you know it there’s no more rumbly in their tumbly [yes, I'm quoting Winnie the Pooh] and you are finished with your shopping. So the next time your kids are hungry on a Sunday afternoon, load the car up and head to COSTCO—where everything is sold in bulk and your lunch is free!
Goodwill Hunting April 9, 2008
I’m a bargain shopper, except when it comes to Designer Handbags [namely Coach and Louis Vuitton--there are some things that are just worth it.] I quite fancy a trip to the local Goodwill. On one such occasion, I was looking for books with my kids. There’s nothing like paying $.50 for a book that looks like it’s never been touched. I am standing back-to-back with a lady who was probably in her late 50’s early 60’s. I didn’t so much notice her as I did SMELL her. Seriously, I would admit it, if it had been me—but it so wasn’t. My daughter and I at this point couldn’t resist a giggle [or two]. She emitted what I call a silent, but deadly gas. [We were in shock and awe alright]. It was like a scene out of a war movie. I’m yelling to my daughter “man down, man down” as we jump into the fox hole [a.k.a. kid fiction aisle at Goodwill]. Either she was totally unaware of her gas passage or she simply doesn’t care about global warming and reducing emissions. Either way, next time I go to Goodwill, I’ll be sure and wear protective gear.
Hello my name is…I’m a discount addict January 15, 2008
With the price of groceries lately it’s no wonder I’m excited about the bread outlet nearby. Even before the extreme energy crisis I was quite a fan. Where else can you go and find a store dedicated to the carb cause? There is not a stitch of protein in that store-a carb addicts dream. So instead of paying $3+ for a loaf of bread I can get it for $.89! I’m just ignoring the fact that I drive 10 minutes out of my way to save the $2, and the fact that I’m driving a [paid for] gas guzzler to get to said store. I’m probably breaking even, but I love my [paid for] truck and wouldn’t trade that [paid for] truck for anything. Did I mention it was paid for? I haven’t told you the best thing about this place! Not only do you save around $2 per loaf, but they give you a free loaf for every $5 you spend. I may burn a lot of fuel or run out of milk, eggs and cheese. But I will always have TOAST!
