Random Thoughts

Lately, I have been doing a ton of coupon match ups and reward deals at Walgreens, CVS and Target. I have started accumulating a stockpile of tolietries, household items and some food items. I LOVE getting great deals. The only problem is that sometimes I buy things I don't need in order to get other things for free or nearly free. So right now I have, in my guest room 2 packages of Just for Men Haircolor, Poly Grip and 6 bottles of Acai supplements - all of which I will not use. I also have about 30 deodorants in my linen closet along with LOTS of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. Even though they are great deals, I do feel like I am spending money I normally wouldn't. Let me rephrase that. I would definitely still be spending money on something. I love to shop. But I have never been a big, expensive item shopper. These coupon deals have really fed my need to shop and so now I am getting great deals on alot of things we will use. But...there are other things. For instance, this week I purchased 10 boxes of Special K bars and spent about $6.00 total after coupons and gift cards that were earned in the deal. I just don't know if I would have bought them otherwise and when we have a lot of things like that sitting around my two pre-teen kids think that it means we need to EAT them. I started keeping a spreadsheet of everything I was spending at Walgreens and CVS January 1st. It only lasted about a month. I ended up spending about $40 that month for almost $400.00 in products. But I ask myself: "Do I need to spend $40 a month on shampoo and deodorant when I have a closet full?" Mmmm....