Coupons

Is it really sad that often times, getting a coupon booklet in the mail is actually the highlight of my day?



I just love opening my mailbox and finding a packet stuffed with money-saving coupons on everything from ice cream to laser hair removal to grouting services. Sometimes I get coupons for totally free stuff, like a free apple at the local farmer's market, or a free drink during happy hour at the local bar. Those make me the happiest...though last month, I spent six dollars in gas money driving around in search of the mystery farmer's market that was offering the free apple. I found it, eventually, and it wasn't so much a farmer's market as it was a couple of fruit stands set up inside an abandoned parking lot, but still, I got my free apple, so I was happy.

I'll admit that I will go out of my way just to be able to use my coupons, even if it means buying up seven ice cream sundaes from the nearby shop just to be able to take home the 8th one for free.

I once discovered a coupon for one free entree at the local Indian restaurant with the purchase of any other entree on the very day it was set to expire. The coupon applied to sit-down meals only, and what with my limited social resources, I ended up going alone, ordering 2 curry dishes, and eating from both till my stomach felt shaky as the restaurant owner (who was probably also my waiter and also the chef) stared at me judgmentally.

I suppose the key to proper coupon usage is "savings in moderation," but in a way, I'm proud of the fact that I very rarely let a good coupon go to waste.  Now the fact that those coupon mailers are the highlight of my day...well, that's a different story...