I recently decided that I needed to do better at making good use of all the various drugstore sales in my area. I have been a pretty consistent Walgreen's shopper and have done pretty well shopping there. But, CVS runs some great sales too and I need to make my precious dollars work as hard as possible. I am always trying to do better at managing my home and money. I work at this on a daily basis.
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| Even those pennies add up when you save them consistently! |
So, I went to CVS today with vitamin coupons in hand. I stopped at the CVS coupon kiosk as is my custom. I got a coupon that gave me $3 off a $12 vitamin purchase. I decided to buy some acidolphilus as we are out. Sundown vitamins were buy one get one free. I had two $2 off coupons and at CVS shoppers are allowed to use a coupon on each item, even if one is free, and to combine the CVS coupon with the manufacturer's coupons. The acidolphilus was $12.49 and I got two bottles, saved $7 and ended up only paying $5.49! That is $2.25 per bottle! Can you tell I am really excited?
Because one of my main contracts is tied to the school year and my husband's work slows in winter, we don't earn as much during the major holiday season, which is also when three of our five children have birthdays, so I need to do all I can to be prepared. I stock up like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter on everything: non-perishable foods, toiletries, pet needs, gifts, and more.
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I am not one of those Extreme Couponing types-my stock doesn't have a room of its own, nor do I have enough pasta for the next ten years. What I do try to accomplish is to have about 3-6 months worth of goods on hand. I try to get items at the most rock bottom prices possible. This frees up money for items where it is harder to save, like the house payment.
Another way I work my savings into a daily occurrence is by only stopping at stores that are along routes I already travel. Today, I had to pick up one son from the bus stop so I went to the CVS where he would be getting off the bus. Another time I might stop at a store in another area of town. An advantage of going to different stores is that I have access to more stock. My local store might run out of a certain item, but another store could still have it. I don't have to wait for the item to be restocked and hope that I don't lose my rain check while waiting.
An additional motivation I have to stay stocked up is to manage my home the best I can. As a Christian I follow the teachings of the Bible. I have been inspired by this passage in Proverbs 31:10-31.
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I will keep you posted on how I am doing on my restocking and home management and I hope to hear from you readers on what you are doing. I am always interested to learn new ideas!
