By: Vicki Robin

Vicki Robin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:52:35 +0000

I do this game a bit in grocery stores where sales are offered to those who have store cards. I know my prices well by now and when I recognize a bargain I’ll get the item. Often I only buy what’s on sale. At the register, if you swipe your store card, they give you the discounts and a total at the end not only of what you spent, but of what you saved!
The caution is that some “sale” items are the regular price at other stores. That’s why Monique’s emphasis on developing a “price book” is an important part of the game.
My other saving game (here’s an admission!) is that when I get a recognizable brand for a pittance at the thrift store I’ll go online to see what it costs new. Whew! I got near new cowboy boots for $3.00 that were $200 new. Another time I was buying a jacket that the woman behind me recognized as a signature of a fashion designer. “I paid $500 for one of those” she said. I paid $4. That’s one of the many pleasures of smart shopping.

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:05:07 +0000

Wow – funny you should say that!

Last weekend, instead of my “usual” walking up and down the aisles at the supermarket and basically buying “whatever”, I brought along a calculator and started with the sum of money I wanted to spend on groceries and substracted from the total each time I put an item in my cart. Talk about a heightened awareness! I felt so empowered and capable and really enjoyed the challenge of getting enough food for my family while staying within my pre-set boundary. It really helped me evaluate the “enoughness” of each choice and I found myself getting really creative and smart about my purchases.

I didn’t reach the point where it was fun, but it was definately a moment of focus and awareness.

Thanks for your post!

Comments on: Fun hobbies can include grocery shopping

By: Vicki Robin

By: Mary