“I’m sorry, you don’t get this back…”

So I FINALLY made it to the grocery store. I wasn’t nearly as organized as I normally am because I just kept putting it off and putting it off and the motivation to get my backside in gear to get to the store just wasn’t coming. I finally decided that I was going to the store TONIGHT after I dropped the kids off at home after karate. I did just that.

I didn’t have my usual “spreadsheet” because I hadn’t printed it out and I didn’t find some of the coupons when I was pulling coupons…so I was winging it!

I didn’t do too bad – REALLY!

I totally ROCKED at Randall’s. I had 3 transactions, as usual. I had my big one, then 2 smaller ones to maximize coupon savings.

I GOT MY FIRST NEGATIVE BALANCE DUE EVER!!! I owed a -$0.09 for several items. I was so stoked! Of course the usual cashier is the one that rings me up and he reluctantly told me, “I’m sorry, you don’t get this back…” Dang it! I immediately turned around and handed him a candy bar (Twix). I then paid my 97¢. It was a shame to have to use my debit card for that. If I had had my purse, I probably would have had the change, but I didn’t have my purse with me.

The lady behind me in line was a joy too. I was in the “Express Lane” because that is ALL they have open at that time of night (9:30-10pm). The cashier told her that I had a lot of coupons and 2 more transactions. He had called someone else up to check out other people and was going to send her over to that person as well. She PATIENTLY stood there and watched. She was impressed. She was cheering me on when she saw the total drop down below zero. She had her own coupons though only for a couple of items. She made the comment, “I think more people should consider using coupons it really is crazy if you don’t especially if you have a family with kids.” I explained that I had 3 boys and she just smiled and said “you’ve got to know how to save on groceries with 3 growing boys.” I truly wish that more people were as patient and understanding as this lady was.

I had a FULL cart (top and bottom) and I spent under $90 in Randall’s. This included 6 gallons of milk, 3 cartons of ice cream, and about 8 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (among lots of other things).

I returned home to a quiet, sleeping house to drop off the 6 gallons of milk and 3 cartons of ice cream and other cold stuff. I knew that Kroger would take me longer as they are undergoing major remodeling right now and they keep moving things around and you have to work around everything…so I didn’t want to worry about anything melting in the car.

I ran into my friend Marissa on the way in the door. We seriously need to get together sometime soon. It has been too long since we have spent any time together. It was so nice to see her and her husband even if it was only for a few seconds and to compare deals. *laugh*

Kroger took me about 1.5 hours tonight (without kids). That is how torn up the store was. UGH! I can’t wait until they are done. It is going to be really nice when they are done, but they won’t be done until sometime in June (they say).

No surprise they are all of out the frozen vegetables that are on sale. I am not going to cry over this. I’ll just get them at Wal-mart. I’ll spend a tad more, but I’ll get vegetables. Why did they have none left? Well because they were FREE with the one particular coupon. *sigh* I’ll wander to Wal-mart with my coupon and get them there for a bit more than free and be satisfied.