Can grocery shopping actually be inspiring? I think so.

I used to think that there was nothing worse than having to drag two little boys through the grocery store.  Now, I haven’t gotten to the point where I actually like it, but I can admit that it isn’t as bad as it used to be.  For these reasons:

1. The boys are getting older, so they can walk alongside me and I don’t have to push the huge car cart around anymore.
2. The lady at the bakery has an eagle eye and a sixth sense.  She knows when my child is sitting patiently on the little cart bumper waiting for his free cookie, even if she can’t see him.  Sure, she’s a bit grumpy, but I’m grateful for her, nonetheless.
3. I don’t attempt a HUGE shopping trip once a week or once every two weeks (like I used to).  I take it easy, stock up on things while they are at rock bottom prices, and plan my meals around what we already have in the freezer or pantry.  I used to plan my meals, then grocery shop.  Now, I do just the opposite, and it works great!!  Who knew!?!
4. I can’t help but get a rush when I watch the register total start falling lower . . . and lower . . . and lower.  And when the man behind me says, “You’re gonna put Safeway out of business!!”  I want to respond, “And you’re gonna keep them in business!” (With a sweet smile on my face, of course.)  Because we all know that Safeway has a reputation of being an expensive store to shop at . . . unless you are a crazy coupon lady . . . which I am.
5. AND, you guys leave me such sweet comments about my coupon scores inspiring you, that I can’t help but be excited to show you more!!

So, here ya go:

I didn’t really need anything at home except for the milk, so this whole trip is really sort of an impulse buy.  However, I just couldn’t resist using up some of my coupons before they expire at the end of the month.  And, who can resist free cereal?  Not me!  I totally need to make a trip to the food bank, huh?  I’m up to 36 unopened boxes . . . and about 6 that are opened.

There, you see I did end up buying 5 more boxes of Nabisco crackers.  I actually dug in the trash to pull out the receipt from my previous trip so that I could submit these two trips for the $10 Kraft rebate!  Hee, hee!  And, I might even go back, because the cracker sale doesn’t end until January 5th, and $1 for a box of Wheat Thins (before coupons) is super cheap.  I don’t care who you are.  It’s even better when you have your coupons and then get $10 back!!  FREE crackers!  AND, the “best before” date is in JUNE!!!

So anyway.  Just wanted to share!!  Thanks for putting up with me!