Bowling for Frugality

I feel like I’m still having PTSD from the June Food Stamp Challenge. Not doing the challenge, mind you, but from writing about it. I sit down at the computer and my first reaction is ARGHH! I took the excuse yesterday of my computer being at death’s door to take a break from blogging, but the computer seems to have taken a turn for the better, and is allowing me to write again. Granted, half the screen is covered in digitalized bits of flotsam, but I think I can get through a quick column.

I’ve had a very nice week, with two really rewarding work days, which were made all the better by one of the women naming her son the same as my 12 year old. His name is somewhat out of the realm of ordinary, and I can only think of maybe one other namesake in my 15 years as a labor and delivery nurse. AND they even spelled it right! Cool.

I’ve been a bit of a couponista this week, using an online bowling coupon I bought for $8 that included four games of bowling for up to four people and even included the shoe rental! This was a screaming deal, as we would have had to pay around $50 had we gone the retail route. Being the type to squeeze the very last drop of goodness from every penny, I met up with my friend Sasha and her two sons and let the boys all bowl together while we chatted and gossiped up a storm. We ordered a single pitcher of root beers, which not only set us back an additional $8, but appeared to be at least half-full of ice. And when the waitress returned to ask if we wanted a refill or or perhaps to order some mommy cocktails, we declined.

I stopped on my way home to pick up bagels, as I not only a had gift card, but had also squirreled away a 15% off coupon from a booklet I received in the mail from the electric company as a thank you for choosing clean energy. Unfortunately, this bagel joint and I do not have a positive history, as the staff there is bizarrely rude and is often befuddled by the slightest change off the norm.

Yesterday was no exception.

The clerk made a big point in telling me that there was no way she could tell me how much was left on my gift card, (I hadn’t actually asked) and then informed me that the 15% off coupon was only good for the amount I was paying in cash. I patiently explained that the 15% should be good for the entire amount, as the gift card was not considered a discount, and had been paid for at full value. We dickered back and forth, brought in her supervisor and finally finished the transaction. And yeah, she forgot to put the bagel in the bag that my younger son had chosen. But there was no way I was going to turn the car around at that point. This is like the third time that I’ve had odd transactions at this bagel place, and I really don’t understand why. I’m the Sally Field of retail transactions!

“You like me, you really, really like me!”

Oh well . . . the gift card is fully spent now, so I won’t be going there for awhile.

Okay, my computer is seriously on the fritz now. I’m getting about 15 seconds out of every minute where the screen looks normal now. I guess that means I gots to go.

Have a fantastically frugal day!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”