...that store does save me money. Big time. I learned a few years ago that I must wear Asics sneakers to avoid nasty shin splints. But the $100 price tag freaks me out.

Enter: Shoe Carnival. Thanks to BOGO sales, coupons, a club membership card, and special holiday sales, I just can't avoid this most annoying retailer of shoes.

Yesterday's trip produced a really nice pair of Doc Martens for my hubby, a new pair of Asics for me to dedicate solely to running, and a pair of Sketchers for me to wear every day. With tax, the total came to $118.50. To put that in perspective, I might have spent that much for one pair of Asics at the mall.

Ok, I'm really getting into this coupon thing now. This week alone, I have giddily bought baby wipes at CVS and paid 5 pennies and 11 cans of Hunts Tomato Sauce at Walgreens for 33 cents--both purchases are including tax! To think that only a few months ago I didn't believe such a beautiful thing existed. Now it is my new hobby.

In addition to stocking our pantry with food and toiletries, one of my goals has been to help my sister get ready for her baby. (Due date: tomorrow!) Her DH, a commercial electrician, is about to be laid off and so we are working together to make sure her cabinets are full of the right things to minimize stress in the next coming months.

Yesterday I went to Wal-Mart to get dog food for their puppy, Rookie.
$35 of Iams dog food - $35 in Iams coupons = $2.33 tax out of my pocket.
It doesn't get much sweeter than that.