It's Chic to be Cheap

I read this article on CNN this afternoon and laughed. I laughed at myself not at the article.

I have never been "IN" so to speak.

I am also not exactly known as being "Cheap" but lately I have been trying really hard to pay closer attention to what I spend and saving money when I can.

It didn't necessarily start because of the "recession" but more out of morbid curiosity. I have always had somethings that I just hated paying full price for because the sales prices were so much cheaper.

1. My daughters OJ $5.39 reg and only $1.99 when on sale
2. My husbands Coffee $12.39 reg and only $5.99 on sale
3. Tide Free HE $12.99 reg and $5.99 when on sale.

All of those are LESS than half price when on sale so I would always stock up and wait! Then a couple weeks ago I stumbled on this blog "Saving our Cents" and many more like it where the coupon queens actually do all the work and tell you where and how to get the deals. I was SHOCKED at what they purchase for near pennies and quite frankly saw it as a challenge.

At first it was fun to save money using their deals but I was NO WHERE near the low prices they were paying and that was OK, except I felt compelled to keep trying.

And this morning, before I read the article that made me laugh at myself, I set out to Walgreens armed with coupons and knowledge from Saving our Cents and here is what I got:

2 - packs of 72 paper plates
2 - boxes of 50 zipper bags (not zip lock brand)
2 - bottles of Dawn Dish Soap
1 - Tube Colgate Advantage Toothpaste
3 - 12 packs of Pepsi products

All of these items are things we use A LOT of (especially the soda)

I spent $6.36 but the best part is Walgreens spit out two register rewards from the machine good as cash towards my next visit totalling $6.50

So, depending on how you look at it, I either got my goodies for free or I spent $6.36 and Made $6.50 to spend next time. And you better believe I won't go back without checking the websites first!

So there you have it. I am becoming Cheap and Chic all at the same time!