Several people I'm connected to on Facebook have joined in with the extreme couponers and like to post the results of their shopping trips - 125 boxes of pasta for $2, a package of hair dye for $.99! - they proclaim, posting pictures of their haul.
I'm struggling to understand the value of shopping this way. I wonder if these are products they use or if they're purchasing them because they are on sale and then also need to go out and buy the things they actually need?
I've read articles where people have cleared the shelves of a Walgreens of all toilet paper just because they can get it for a penny (or something like that). Why? It seems like this concept can just create another obsessive disorder where people buy huge quantities of shit and don't know what to do with it. I guarantee none of these people are urban dwellers who live in small spaces.
There's also this thing called "greed" that keeps popping into my mind. If you are clearing shelves of items aren't you denying someone else the chance to get something that they need. Does anyone need THAT much toilet paper in their house?
It also seems like most of the grocery coupons that they brag about are for processed, crappy food. So, great, you have 900 cans of spaghettios, but you are none the healthier for it.
I dunno, the whole thing is just a bit beyond me.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Month Two Roundup
We are 5 days into May and I haven't had a chance to sit down and reflect on April's "Put your own oxygen mask on first". Did I make it to not feeling quilty about doing things? Sort of
1. Have lunch with a friend once a week
Done and done. Except for that week that I lay on the couch ridiculously ill with strep throat and conjunctivitis. But I saw people and talked and it was good.
2.Engage in activities that give me joy.
I did try some yoga OnDemand and except for the time I was sick (ok so that really stretched over almost 3 weeks) I did sing every week. I took 2 voice lessons which was also great. I went the gym when I could which was, frankly, not often enough, but we were also outside more being active which totally counts as exercise in my book.
3. Schedule girly time.
Done. got my eyebrows done and set up another appointment. My hair is being cut next week - first time since December 4 I realized earlier this week...
4. Try something totally new
Did it. I tried a few new recipes. I didn't get out and have an adventure like I'd hoped and I've realized in the past few weeks how much I miss that about my current life, but there's still time for that.
5. Have a date night once a month.
Done. We went to hear a concert and out to dinner. We also scheduled a few adult only dinners after the Shorty was in bed and that was nice to just have conversation instead of having a toddler shout 'cheers' and try to clink her sippy cup against your wine glass. We also have a date night scheduled for this coming weekend and another in the middle of the month.
So, did I do these things without feeling guilty. Sort of. I think it is far more ingrained in my nature than can be undone in one month. But, I did speak up, ask for more things I wanted and go for it a bit more. I will probably always have to be mindful of this as I move through life. It is too easy to end up doing for everyone else and not for you.
The one place I didn't succeed was setting up a time to do something fun with Kat. Our lives are just too busy and that takes way more advance planning.
1. Have lunch with a friend once a week
Done and done. Except for that week that I lay on the couch ridiculously ill with strep throat and conjunctivitis. But I saw people and talked and it was good.
2.Engage in activities that give me joy.
I did try some yoga OnDemand and except for the time I was sick (ok so that really stretched over almost 3 weeks) I did sing every week. I took 2 voice lessons which was also great. I went the gym when I could which was, frankly, not often enough, but we were also outside more being active which totally counts as exercise in my book.
3. Schedule girly time.
Done. got my eyebrows done and set up another appointment. My hair is being cut next week - first time since December 4 I realized earlier this week...
4. Try something totally new
Did it. I tried a few new recipes. I didn't get out and have an adventure like I'd hoped and I've realized in the past few weeks how much I miss that about my current life, but there's still time for that.
5. Have a date night once a month.
Done. We went to hear a concert and out to dinner. We also scheduled a few adult only dinners after the Shorty was in bed and that was nice to just have conversation instead of having a toddler shout 'cheers' and try to clink her sippy cup against your wine glass. We also have a date night scheduled for this coming weekend and another in the middle of the month.
So, did I do these things without feeling guilty. Sort of. I think it is far more ingrained in my nature than can be undone in one month. But, I did speak up, ask for more things I wanted and go for it a bit more. I will probably always have to be mindful of this as I move through life. It is too easy to end up doing for everyone else and not for you.
The one place I didn't succeed was setting up a time to do something fun with Kat. Our lives are just too busy and that takes way more advance planning.
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