Ever notice that there is a season for everything. Of course, you have winter, spring, fall, and summer. But then there are others too, like the Christmas season. Flu season. Bug season. The holiday season. Strawberry season. Tax season. There are more, but it's really only what is tangible can you hold to it and remember it better. For instance, now we are in the bug and tax season, neither of which I am fond of.
I was at the grocery store the other day. I do remember going to the grocery store once every two weeks, and would usually plan my trips around if we were low on cat food or now. Now that I have children to feed, I am at the store once a week, and plan my trips around how low we are on milk and goldfish.
Which brings me to another point, and buying brand names. I do believe is pinching pennies, yes, I recycle freezer bags by washing and drying them out to use them again. I do the coupon thing, though my greatest experience was saving $40, nothing like $170. Though I would challenge anyone who is ecstatic like that and take shopping me with. But to get to my point, I do buy brand name things. Much to my husbands dismay, he believes that he should have name brand on most things. Granted, there are some things that you just can't go cheap on. So, hear me out. Some of this might be common sense, but I think I am trying to make a point...to myself perhaps. OK, so you can't cut corners with toilet paper. Can I get an Amen? Sure, you spend less, but the amount of toilet paper you use to actually get the job done, you use a whole roll each trip. Now that Sadie is finally on the potty training wagon, this could add up easily. OK. Item #2: raisin bran. I made this mistake more than once, and paid for it each time. You pour the cereal in the bowl, and pour the milk. By the time you put the milk back into the fridge, you have a soggy bowl of mush. Nasty. Nasty. Nasty. Item #3: Paper towels. I just recently eat my words on this one, and now I am a faithful bounty buyer. This same theory for the toilet paper applies to the paper towels as well. Item #4: Lunch meat. When you buy store brand lunch meat, it has been my experience that when you open that plastic container, you are welcomed with slimy salty whatever it is. Nasty. Nasty. Nasty. Item #5: Laundry detergent. This whole toilet paper theory applies here as well. (No pun intended.) Item #6: Diapers. Not only will you experience leaks that you will need to clean up, but the tabs on the sides tear, and one little stream of pee will cause a quick diaper change to be done pronto. No, I don't let my children walk around in soaked diapers, but a little stream of pee isn't going to get me to jump off the couch to do a diaper change. See, what we have here is called wasting my time. Well, you get my point. Now, I do have to say that it is OK to buy store brand for the following, despite what I hear all day every day: Item #1: sugar. Sugar is sugar is sugar. If I make you a cake, and I add Publix brand sugar or Domino sugar, do you mean to tell me that you can tell a difference? Bologna! Item #2: Bread. Now, I will mention that store brand bread will mold faster than name brand. But if you are making more than one sandwich a day, you are A O K. Item #3: String Cheese. I don't know in your house, but in mine, my girls eat string cheese like it is going out of style. Are the ingredients the same? You bet.
I think you get my point. Granted, you do need to watch some of the ingredients on the store brand versus name brand, because some chemicals are added to preserve color, or texture, or whatever. So on some things, saving the money isn't worth it.
So while we are in this buggy tax season, take this time to do what you love and love what you do. Spray the bugs in between, and hug your family. Often. Because in the end, they are the ones that are your #1 brand!
Ahhh.....the things my children make me do. Looks like we need to add string cheese to the grocery list for the week.
