Closet Confession

Our little world is filled to the brim.  While we are not exactly hoarders, one of us (ahem) is definitely a bargain hunter/gatherer.  We do not stockpile by meticulously clipping coupons and then matching up sales and bonus bucks.  OK, sometimes we do.  Mostly, our overflowing supply of health and beauty aids is the result of sale and clearance serendipity.

After a couple of years of extreme couponing, we were inundated with so much stuff, that it was on the verge of hoarding.  Buying based on deals vs. need meant a constant state of vigilance to be sure no sale/coupon detail was mismatched, all register receipts showed the correct deductions, and that everything was as cheap as it could possibly be (to the point of sometimes being free).  The problem was that some of the stuff purchased wasn't really needed and the constant trips to every store, matching every circular, then sometimes going back to get credit for an over-ring, ended up being more stress than it was worth.  So, couponing was abandoned in favor of just recognizing a good deal when it came along.

The Dollar Tree provides a lot of great opportunities.  They now also accept coupons.  A visit for a specific  purpose is never a quick in and out.  It's worth it to peruse the aisle for good name-brand products.  One such trip turned up two-packs of Sure antiperspirant/deodorants for a buck a piece.  It would have been awesome if a coupon was available, but as it stood, each individual unit was fifty cents.  That is a great bargain for a product that sells for over four bucks for a single piece.

Of course this is still an example of stockpiling as there were already four or five sticks of deodorant in our supply closet.  However, this was a deal worth taking advantage of because it was there and it didn't involve any coupon cutting or sale hunting. It did, however, make me realize that the closet was over-due for a re-organization.  It was a major effort, but the price one pays for keeping so much stuff on hand.

At least we won't be sweaty and smelly!