Organized to save money, energy, and time
Photograph Credit: Bruegger's Bagels
Are you a coffee drinker? If so and you live near a Bruegger’s Bagels, then here’s a treat for you! Per Bruegger’s Bagels’ Facebook wall:
Planning out your week? Don’t forget to mark your calendars for this Wednesday, November 9th! FREE COFFEE DAY! Stop by before 2PM and get a free cup of coffee in support of Children’s Miracle Network!
Follow this link to find a participating location, and enjoy your cup of joe.
Photograph Credit: Flickr (Kel Obrien)
As I finish gathering the last items on my grocery list and I head up to the registers, I make note of any rain checks that need to be requested, and I move any coupons that I will not use on this visit to the back of my envelope.
By the time I get to the register, I have the coupons I plan to redeem ready to hand to the cashier. My checkout process takes place in three phases: prior to checkout, during checkout, and after checkout.
1. At the registers, I make the following choices:
Even if I have to wait for an extra few minutes, I prefer the store bookkeeper or customer service representative. If there are customers waiting, these employees will open a register to help out.
The bookkeeper or customer service representative has the authority to override the system. When I use a Publix coupon at Bi-Lo, a manager or customer service representative is needed to override the transaction. If that employee is already running a register, then checkout is quick and easy.
2. After choosing the checkout lane, my son and I unload the grocery cart onto the conveyor belt. In this order:
If I am using a rain check from a prior visit, then the cashier will need to override the price of the item. I keep these items at the back of the pack, so I have time to warn the cashier before getting to those items.
Also, if I am using a coupon for one free pack of mashed potatoes, then the cashier will need to enter that price. I hold those items until the end, so that I can get the coupon and rain checks ready while the cashier is scanning the other items.
Prior to checkout, I choose the best lane and place my items on the conveyor belt in order. Having an order and a plan during checkout helps the process to proceed without forgetting or missing an opportunity for savings. As you plan your shopping trip, remember to plan your checkout process as well. Happy savings!
Question: What opportunity of savings have you missed because you were not organized at checkout? Please add your answer to the comments.
Photograph Credit: Flickr (Mick Watson)
On Saturday night, daylight savings time comes to an end. Here’s a great time to choose one of those projects around the house that really needs to be done, but you have not found the time to do so. Now you will gain an extra hour on Saturday night, so plan now to tackle that project.
Though the official time change will be at 2:00 a.m., I plan to set my alarm clock back prior to the time change. We wouldn’t want to arrive an hour early for the morning church service, now would we? 🙂
At each time change, remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. This safety feature is worth the extra time in maintenance.
In using time wisely, I hope you are thinking now how best to use your extra hour prior to Sunday, November 6’s time change. Happy planning!
Question: What do you think of daylight savings time? Please add your answer to the comments.
Remember when I told you our schedule was winding down a bit? Well, that schedule came to a halt when my mild cold settled into my chest, complete with uncontrollable coughing bouts. Everything went on hold while I spent a few days curled up in the recliner, medicated, and still.
In using time wisely to rest, I slept and allowed my body to heal. Having recovered, I am focusing on the current tasks at hand rather than reflecting on the missed field trip, Halloween party, and harvest gathering. Though our Halloween party did not materialize this season, our family enjoyed two Halloween events:
This annual event has become a fun activity for our family. In a season where my children are given lots of candy and prizes, Paul and I want them to understand that it is more blessed to give than to receive. To put feet to our words, we take the kids reverse trick-or-treating.
We purchase candy, arrive at Paul’s office in costume, and deliver candy to each co-worker. Our kids enjoy the attention and showing off their costumes while giving the candy away. This family tradition has become a favorite activity during the Halloween season.
After an early dinner, Paul and I took the kids trick-or-treating throughout our neighborhood. I was amazed at the generosity of our neighbors as they doled out handfuls of candy.
The kids came home to sort through their mounds of candy. It was a frightfully chilly night with lots of boos, costumes, and flickering jack-o-lanterns. 🙂
Whether you were on the giving or the receiving end of the trick-or-treating, I hope you enjoyed your Halloween festivities. If you hosted a Halloween event, please share your itinerary. We would love to read about your fun, ghoulish celebration.
Question: What is your favorite Halloween activity? Please add your answer to the comments.
Photograph Credit: Flickr (Solitaire Miles)
