Tips Tuesday

Maybe someday soon, or let's just leave it at someday, I will get tips posted at the beginning of the day. At least that way they can actually be read on Tuesday instead of Wednesday!

Money saving tips for today:
  1) If you are a Wal-Mart shopper, look for the All You magazine at the checkouts. This little jewel is put out by Time Inc. (Time Magazine and People) and is chock full of coupons. The May issue has just over $90 worth of savings. Granted, you won't use them all, but the magazine only costs $2.49 and will easily pay for itself. Within the first few pages on the far left, there is a full list of all of the coupons. That way you can even check them out and decide if it's worth the purchase.

  2) Got a favorite scent to wear? Check and see if there is a body spray/mist in your fave smell. Many times a spray will cost up to half of the price of the cologne or perfume.

  3) Like to shop online? Make sure and look for coupon codes before making any purchases. Put those search engines to work and save up to 50%. The most common savings (that I have come across) are 15-20%. Hey, that will help with shipping! You can even find codes for free shipping with some companies.

You may not be a coupon shopper. I wasn't really until about the past 3 years. I struggled with the fact that I didn't want to keep track and it just seemed like too much trouble. Well, I can't say that I have gotten much better since I started (I waiver back and forth) but I am trying. I heard someone say once that not using a coupon is like throwing your money in the trash. Think about it this way... if someone gave you 50 cents, could you throw it away? Could you actually look at those 2 quarters and then put them in the trash? That, in essence, is what we are doing when we don't use coupons. Ugh. I think I will try harder.


Before closing, I feel the need (in case Hubby ever reads this blog) to insert an omission from yesterday's post.  I neglected to add that just after The Beast made its first appearance the other day, Hubby reached into his truck and pulled out a large bouquet of wildflowers. He had stopped to pick them before getting lost and losing his phone. When they first made their appearance they looked quite ragged. They had been riding in a truck for almost 5 hours without water. And now some crazy lady was spouting off at the mouth in their presence... I am happy to report that with a little TLC and proper burial (sink incinerator) of the less fortunate, I now have a beautiful bouquet of yellow and white wildflowers. That remind me of The Beast.

The Beast

Hubby went for a little drive this weekend to meet up with the dad and brother. The plan was to partake in a little R&R on the river somewhere in Arkansas. Hubby was only able to go for one night, so it was going to be a quick, cram-it-all-in-as-fast-as-you-can restful trip.

On his way home from said getaway, I called to check on him. He was halfway home, doing good, would be ready for a nap upon return. 30 minutes after he should have arrived, I called again. No answer. 40 minutes. No answer. 45 minutes after he should have arrived, a call came in.  Hubby's number. Not Hubby's voice. After much confusion and heart racing, I was able to deduce the fact that Hubby had stopped for gas and left his phone. Things are going to be fine.

Check the map to see where the phone is. 30 minutes due north of where my man was when I talked to him last. How could that be since he was supposed to be headed due west for home? Call to the brother. No answer. Text to the brother. No reply. Call to the sister-in-law. Then the realization on both of our parts that we don't even know exactly where our men are in the hills of Arkansas. And there is not good reception there. Wherever THAT is.

Heart begins to beat a little faster. Sister-in-law has her mother in town and they are out shopping. They go back to the car to pray. I receive a text with said prayer just mere seconds after Hubby pulls into the garage.  God was fast with that one!

Relief sets in. For a moment. But then The Beast appears. Do you know the one? The one that comes out and attacks the man? The one that says something like, "Where have you been? What happened? Do you know you lost your phone? Why were you so far off your planned course?". Hubby looks confused. Doesn't understand why sister-in-law is texting me a prayer for him. He just took a wrong turn. Then The Beast appears again after a very brief intermission. "Did you ever think about calling to let me know? I don't even know the name of the closest town to where you were! How would you feel if that had been me? Don't you understand how unsettling it is to get a call from a strange man on YOUR phone?"

When the Hubby can get a word in, he says...


wait for it...


"Wasn't the sermon about worry this morning? This must have been a test. Did you pass or fail?" The Beast retreats with its tail between its legs and goes to take a nap. Ugh.

More than one apology has been issued.

Hubby is now returning from a 5 hour round trip to retrieve that stupid phone.