To Drive or Not To Drive

I have been cooped up in the house since Thursday when we got back from the ER, and frankly, I was going out of my mind. The pain has cut back a bit, and I've found ways to sit that don't hurt as much. However, when I am sitting up, part of it is that I lean forward to keep the weight off my tailbone, and it strains my back.
Many of you already know from my posts in the past that I have back problems, so it was like trading 1 ache for another, but I'd rather have a sort back than pain when I sit.

Today, I was antsy. I decided that since I wasn't having much pain, and had gone the entire day without having to take a pain killer, that I would go to the store for a short shopping trip. I wanted to stop at Dollar Tree and pick up something small for crafts that I can do while laying in bed. Sitting at the craft table is out of the question, as the chair is a hard seated dining room chair. My computer chair doesn't fit at the desk.

Well, I first stopped at CVS, then when I got over to DT, I saw signs in the Fashion Bug windows announcing the store was going out of business, and everything was 50-60% off. I walked through there, but they didn't have any pants in my size, and I couldn't justify spending money on shirts I didn't need.

By the time I started to walk through DT, my body ached. My back, my rear, everything just ached. The more I walked, the more yucky I felt, so I cut the trip really short, and came home to lay in bed. I took my pain killers, and tossed in a movie.

Ugh. It's safe to say, though, that my body is REALLY not ready to drive, even for a short drive. I know we need groceries, so tomorrow, I'll see if Nick will go with me. If he drives, at least I can sit in a way that won't hurt as much.

Oh- CVS went to 90% off today for their Christmas stuff, and DT was 75% off. I picked up 9 medium gift bags, 3 packs of mini bows, 3 small gift bags, 3 bags of Hershey's Kisses, 2 really soft Reindeer stuffed animals, and a few other items at CVS. I only spent $7, and had 2 bags full of booty.

The Hershey's Kisses I am going to sort and put into 2 candy jars. 1 will have red & silver for Valentine's Day, and the other will have green & silver for St. Patrick's day. Oh! They also had a set of jelly clings in hearts, and a foam pink & red thing that says LOVE on it- both rang up for just $.09 on clearance, despite being Valentine's Day items. I grabbed those to use for Valentine's Day.

I am hoping to do something craft-like tomorrow from bed, after the kids go to school. I also need to talk to the bus driver tomorrow morning and see if Raegan can pick Gilly up at the bus stop this week, to limit how often I have to walk down there, or stand in the cold waiting. Driving her to school is NOT an option, to painful.

75% off is Dangerous

Today, Walmart started it's 75% off Christmas sale. It's a dangerous time, because people are so conditioned that when they shop clearance, they believe they NEED all these cool things. I'm no different.

I drooled, I packed my cart, I begged hubby for something we didn't need. It wasn't pretty. I even went up and down the aisles talking to myself. Out loud.

In the end, I did get some items, but I put a LOT of stuff back. I got wrapping paper- 4 roll packs totaling 135 square feet for just $1.25. I picked up 2 packs, so 8 rolls, and all 8 are coordinating colors. I picked up 4 sparkly glitter covered ornaments for our tree next year for just $.25 each. I found 2 Merry Madagascar fleece blankets for $2 each. I picked up 2 packs of Chocolate Covered Cherries for Nick for $.31 each (cheaper than a candy bar, and it lasts longer!). I found some S'mores type snack mix for $1.25, which comes in a very nice reusable tin without any packaging info printed on it.

I got the girls each a pair of Christmas socks for next year for $.75 each. I bought 2 packs of satin ribbon. Both packs had 3 feet each of 5 different patterns, for 15 feet in each pack. Both packs are different, but coordinating. I got Chris a set of 3 body sprays for his upcoming birthday for $1.25. I found PJ bottoms for Rae next year for $2.50. The kids always get new PJ's for Christmas, and this year, the cheapest I found for Rae were $4.99 on Black Friday, so this was cheaper, and will work as a nice gift for her.

What all did I put back? Outdoor light up candy canes, outdoor snowmen stakes, an indoor light up Santa, a 7 foot Christmas tree ($22!), and a dart board for Chris's upcoming birthday (soft tipped, but still... flying darts in his hands?), and a lot more.

All in all, I caution you to be practical in what you pick up. 75% off is enticing, but it's still hard earned money. Keep in mind a few simple things when shopping:

1. Did I want this when it was full price?
2. Do I have a use immediatly in mind for this?
3. Do I have room to store it?
4. Will this purchase cut into any other budgets?
5. Is this REALLY the best use of my money?

If you shop, limit yourself. Don't go nuts buying things you kind of like just because it's cheap. Practice restraint. Your wallet will thank you.

If all else fails, walk around the store in a different area for an hour, then re-evaluate what is in your cart. Still really have to have it? If not, set it aside.

I made sure that I had a use for everything I picked up- whether it was wrapping paper (I have now picked up 10 rolls of paper on clearance, which is double what I used this year, so in theory, I should be set for 2 years. Especially when you look at what I had left over this year, too), or gifts for Chris for his birthday in January, or gifts for Christmas next year, or snacks the kids can eat now.

The few items I liked that were just for the heck of it were the first ones I put back- a pretty red stocking with candy appliques on the front, outdoor decorations which just cost more in electricity later, the tree that I really don't need and would only be a secondary tree next year.

So, just keep in mind this year when clearance shopping that a good price doesn't always make it a good deal!