coupons and country music

Strange combo I know....but after only a 2 hour "nap" since my lack of sleeping last night I've thought of a million more things I'd like to write about...so for this post I'll narrow it down to 2.

Couponing....this has to be the most bizarre thing in my mind. Maybe we are too stuck in specific brands and too new school to go every Sunday to buy a paper for the monetary relief of coupons. I had Jay pick up a Sunday paper last night if they still had any left being Monday. He spent the $3 on a paper and after going through the flyers we only managed to find $1.75 in savings for my grocery trip today. I go to the store every other Tuesday and by that time we need to pretty much restock and I know how much I'll spend - especially if it's a diaper, laundry soap, dog food, beer and/or wine extra money kind of trip. Let's ballpark and say for the 2 weeks on average I spend $215 for our 2.5 people that eat. So how the heck do people save toooooons of money and all I could find was $1.75?! Sure I clipped some for another trip that more than likely will be expired before I could use them...but what am I missing?! I don't understand the concept of saving a dollar when you have to buy 3 of something - that's just spending more money and silly talk! I will be the first to admit we are partial to our normal brand names so I'm not up for venturing to an off brand - but there are so many name brand coupons....and I don't understand splitting my shopping to multiple stores to save a few bucks when I could save that money just going to good ole Wal-Mart and buying what we are needing. If you have an insight as to what I'm missing please tell me because this one newspaper loss has me even more repulsed over trying to save with coupons than before....

Off my soap box (coupon free I might add) and on to something that makes me not as confused....country music. I guess I could broaden that to just iTunes in general. Music is the international language that has such a passion check mark in my book. As I was being a vampire last night and wide awake I browsed through iTunes on my phone and it's like they have this kryptonite effect on me....they know I'm supposed to be on a strict and tight budget not splurging on non-essentials and then that little iTunes angel/devil scenario comes out. I think there should be a series of security questions they should ask you after a certain time of day...it's as bad as drunk texting. You should have some kind of buffer saying "are you SURE you want to 'just browse' as you have a habit of purchasing items in the wee hours of the morning - especially around payday.". I was so nonchalant with my purchases "back in the day" when songs were .99 - it was like buying 2 tacos at Jack-in-the-Box. Then the $1.29 took over and it was that more than a dollar shock that made the purchase button a little harder to click...but let's be real - still purchased. Then the infomercial zombie effect comes out in me of the "easy payment of .69" for new songs added or the "featured albums for 7.99" - why does that seem like such a great deal I can't pass up?! Especially when I own the cd of most of the albums I would consider buying....but they've been with a friend of mine for over a year now and the quality in my mind would be better bought digitally versus my million year old cd's loaded onto my library. (Justification you will learn is my weakness...I am forever the devils advocate...) But I am one of those that truly can hear a song and trigger a slew of memories...music speaks to my inner soul in places that even my beloved Jay and tiny human can't reach - probably not great to admit but it's a different place like an old friend or something materialistic that will be in your heart no matter the season, reason, or lifetime purpose. So upon perusing the main iTunes page last night and seeing the albums for a whopping $7.99 it triggered so many bittersweet memories. Dixie Chicks first big album Wide Open Spaces (which mentally I then think to go check the other 2 albums prices because they hold an eternal memory aura over me as well), Kenny Chesney's Greatest Hits...followed by the $.69 wonders that out of nowhere hits you with the long lost song you haven't heard in forever but mentally justify even if you end up only playing it a few times and then skip after that - it pays for itself in that many play times right?! How do you say no to Love Shack, Bette Davis Eyes, Tiffany's version of I Think We're Alone Now, Drop It Like It's Hot, or old songs by Staind. I know - random bipolar choice of music. I claim my iPod has schizophrenia. I have recently started taking time out for "mommy time" once I put Presley down for the night to go sit outside now that the weather is nice and usually take a glass of wine and unwind. It's the best healthy selfishness present. My iTunes on my iPad or iPhone usually accompanies my wine, pool view, baby monitor, and puppies. There is some kind of healing power 30 minutes of shuffle can do to my soul. Even if I'm on my phone I still have my iPad playing on the patio table next to me. Maybe I should join an iTunes addiction club....if it required thousands and thousands of dollars (yes - its sickening how much money I've handed over in the 9 years I've been an iPod/iPhone/iPad owner) then they may let me in. But it's like a cheap version of therapy for me...it's heart mending, soul soothing, booty shaking, sharing my eternal love of music with my baby girl to learn rhythm and variety and Jay as the ever silent over my music choice but willing to listen kind of therapy....and because of that - I'll purchase for $.69, $1.29, or $7.99 any day....or accept iTunes gift cards - ha!

I guess I should try to get some sleep now that it's drawing near to my little boss' waking time....

May a song fill your heart today (and your iTunes library) and a coupon save you more than $1.75...

tbs