My Alarm Clock Mission

In college, I had a roommate who never used an alarm clock. She always awoke at the same time each morning without anyone or anything waking her up. It was amazing to me because I would sleep until noon each day without an alarm clock rudely interrupting my beauty rest.

Since I cannot sleep until noon each day, I must use an alarm clock to jar me awake in the mornings. For me, an alarm clock is a necessity!

My Status Quo Change

When my 18-month-old daughter decided to pound my alarm clock with a toy and jammed the “set alarm” button, I tossed my broken alarm clock and used a backup. I quickly found that the backup clock works, but the snooze button sticks.

Upon hearing the alarm, I pressed the snooze button only to find that the alarm did not go back off. I ended up sleeping in until my daughter began calling me from her crib. Though I was not late in any of my responsibilities, my day was off schedule.

My Search Options

Battery-operated

Realizing that I needed a new alarm clock, I checked at Wal-mart on my next shopping trip. I found a battery-operated clock for $5.97 and purchased it.

(This clock is a similar battery-operated clock since I failed to take a picture of the one I purchased.) I brought it home, set the time, and scheduled the alarm for the next morning.

When the alarm awakened me, I pressed the snooze button. Then 3-minutes later the alarm sounded again. As I repeated this scenario looking for 10 more minutes of rest, I finally got up frustrated with the 3-minute snooze interval.

Corded with battery-backup from Wal-mart

Deciding that this clock did not meet my alarm clock requirements (which I did not know I had), I returned the clock on my next visit to Wal-mart. With a little better understanding of the type of alarm clock I needed, I continued my alarm clock mission searching for a clock with 9-minute snooze intervals.

Having found one that fit the bill, I added this $5.97 corded with battery-backup clock to my purchases. I again came home, set the time, and scheduled the alarm for the next morning.

At the appointment time, I was startled awake by a very loud, high-pitched beeping sound. Thankfully, I had 9 minutes to recover before that noise repeated itself.  Though the snooze worked perfectly, the volume and pitch level could not continue. I didn’t like it, so I needed to shape it up!

Corded with battery-backup from Target

Since neither Paul nor I could stand the sound of the new alarm clock, Paul graciously offered to purchase another one on his trip to Target. The $6.95 clock he brought home had the 9-minute snooze interval with multi-colored neon numbers.

I was not sure if I liked it, but I was willing to try. This time I set the clock and then set the alarm for a minute later. My waiting ended with a normal beeping sound that was not high-pitched or loud. Mission complete!

My Learned Lessons

My thinking that “choosing an alarm clock involved just picking one” has changed. Since I have not purchased an alarm clock in years, I needed to read the options more carefully. Through this process, I have discovered my favorite options for an alarm clock.

• 9-minute snooze
• Snooze button on top of the alarm clock
• Tolerable pitch level
• Volume control (which none of these clocks had), but a minimum expectation of a medium range alarm sound
• Numbers stay lit, so a corded with battery-backup option

When my status quo changed, I searched my options and learned some lessons. Though I still need to return a clock to Wal-mart, I will keep the alarm clock Paul chose from Target. It has all the options I deem necessary to my morning jolt without irritating me in the process. Completing my alarm clock mission took time (and help from hubby  ), but in using time wisely, I discovered my favorite options resulting in a pleasant interruption of my beauty rest.

Question: What preferences do you have with regards to an alarm clock (assuming you use one)? Please share your answer in the comments.

Fuelperks!: Lowering Gas Prices at the Pump – Part 2 of 2

Photograph Credit: Fuelperks!

Last week, I shared the basics of the Bi-Lo/Spinx partnership program called fuelperks!. For each $50 purchased in products at Bi-Lo, I earn $.05 off per gallon. I can then purchase my fuel at Spinx to redeem that discount.

The fuelperks! program is also available through Winn-Dixie, Martin’s, Copps, Pick ‘n Save, Giant Eagle and Rainbow.

To maximize my savings through the fuelperks! program, I give you these additional tips:

1. Purchase items in the fuelperks! bonuses. I can earn more fuelperks! by purchasing these items. I shared last week how I purchased the Huggies diapers and earned an additional $.40 in fuelperks!. I like to scan the fuelperks! bonuses, but I only purchase items that our family will use and that I can pair with coupons.

For me, paying much more at the grocery store for a small savings at the pump is not worth it. Now if I can get the product at the same price I would normally pay and then get the bonus on top, then yes, I will pay at the grocery store for those items.

2. Not all Spinx stores are the same. I always use a credit card to pay for our fuel purchases. I do not like to carry cash, and I don’t want a hold placed on my debit card. Since my credit limits on my credit cards handle the holds on the accounts, I choose to use a credit card when purchasing gas.

With that said, most of the Spinx stores charge an additional $.10 if you pay by credit card. If you purchase your fuel at one of these locations, then your savings decreases by $.10. Since I am visiting their location to use my fuelperks!, I am not going to fork over $.10 of my savings to their establishment to use my credit card.

I have found that the Spinx/Sunoco stores do not charge extra for credit. Their gas prices are about $.02-$.04 more per gallon than the regular Spinx stores, but there is no surcharge for using a credit card. With this knowledge, I always choose a Spinx/Sunoco store when redeeming my fuelperks!.

3. Pump all 20 gallons. If your gas tank is smaller than 20 gallons, then get creative! When the low fuel indicator light comes on in my car, the tank will take 16 gallons of fuel. To take full advantage of the discount, I will pump my tank full and then pump the remaining 4 gallons into our portable gas container used for the lawnmower.

Another option is for my husband to follow me to the gas station in his car. We could then fill up one car and use the remaining available gallons in the second car. By pumping all 20 gallons, we are assured of maximizing our savings.

4. Use before expiration date. If I have saved and earned these rewards, I do not want to lose them. I will build up my savings, and then head to the pump when my car is near empty. Since I can find gas less expensively at other stations, I only use Spinx to redeem my fuelperks!.

To stretch my dollars, I will build up my fuelperks! savings, and then get a deep discount on one tank of gas. The rest of the time, I purchase fuel at another location that is usually $.05 to $.07 less expensive.

If you have a fuelperks! program or another similar program available in your area, I hope these tips and tricks that I have learned along the way can help you stretch your dollars as you fill your tank.

Photograph Credit: Flickr (otherstream's)

Happy Hump Day! In our area of South Carolina, many students returned to school today. With the hustle and bustle of getting up early, eating breakfast, packing lunches, getting pictures, and arriving on time, many moms will be exhausted by 10:00 a.m. If you are feeling this way, hang in there. It will get easier!

To bring a smile to your face, I get to share a great customer service experience. Do you remember when I asked for your customer service stories? Well, a friend (let’s call her Melinda) posted her experience on Facebook, and I was floored with the customer service shown to her. After corresponding with her, Melinda has agreed to let me share her story with you.

The Situation

After a Monday morning workout, Melinda used her time wisely to stop by Publix (grocery store) on her way home. Without her 4 children in tow, she was able to gather her items and proceeded to the checkout counter. While the cashier was scanning her items, Melinda realized that she was without her wallet. (Oh, no!) Without panicking, Melinda told the cashier that she could not pay for the items, so the cashier called for her manager to void the transaction.

The Solution

When the manager arrived at the register and heard that Melinda was without her wallet, he responded, “Oh, she comes in all the time. Go ahead and finish her order. She can take it home and come back later and pay.”

WOW!

This manager understands customer service!

• He knew that Melinda, a loyal customer, would come back to pay – which she did.
• He knew that it would take more time to restock the items and have her come back to shop again.
• He knew that a little kindness goes a LONG way.

The Aftereffect

Free publicity. Melinda hopped on Facebook to share Publix’s incredible customer service. Her friends commented, and the story is now posted on Using Time Wisely to continue spreading the word of Publix’s great customer service.

Trust. From this example of customer service, I know that Publix is concerned about their customers. As a shopper, Melinda was a person first and then a customer. This manager knew this mama had mouths to feed and extended kindness in her time of need. The manager trusted Melinda, and in turn, I trust Publix.

Loyalty. I love shopping at Publix!

• Their staff is always available, helpful, and friendly.
• Their store is clean, organized, and accurate (10 items or FEWER).
• Their image is honest, kind, and trustworthy.

As this manager resolved a customer service situation, his act of kindness to Melinda in her time of need has increased my trust and loyalty in Publix where “shopping is a pleasure!”