Just Heather
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“I hate how fake Hollywood is.”
Apr 09, 2005 | Filed Under: Checking Out, Media Matters, My Biz

On Thursday I hosted a CBS News crew in my home. They interviewed me about my coupon use and my business, filmed me with hubby and the girls, and followed me on a shopping trip. I think it went well. Who knows what it will look like once they edit the 2 hours of film down to a short Consumer Alert segment, but it was fun anyway.

It was a strange experience. Sometimes I took direction from the producer. Sometimes the reporter chimed in. Surprisingly, a lot of times the cameraman had his own ideas. I had a great time working with all of them, though I’m pretty sure the sound guy knows a bit more about me than he wanted to.

The shopping trip was a kick. They had approval to film, but once we got there we were told we could only film down the one aisle they had prepared. Too bad I didn’t need beans. We did talk the manager into switching to the promotional aisle since it had the sale items I actually needed, but we had to wait for them to clean it up and face all the products. The store also gave me my own special checkout, cashier, and bag boy. Funny how nice and helpful everyone was once the camera was rolling!

It should air on Friday night during the CBS Evening News if you want to tune in and check me it out. I think he said it would be on around 6:30.

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Today’s Post a la Oprah
Mar 24, 2005 | Filed Under: Checking Out, Mommyhood, Picky Eater

5 Things I’m Grateful for Today:

  1. Long toddler naps.
  2. Wendy’s employees who do not need a lesson on the fact that “ketchup only” is not equivalent to “extra ketchup.”
  3. Parents willing to travel 3 hours with chicken livers since I can’t seem to find them here.
  4. Yesterday’s triple coupon groceries are already put away courtesy of my new pantry door racks.
  5. And—as always—long, hot bubble baths.
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But it was on sale!
Jan 11, 2005 | Filed Under: Bleeding Heart, Checking Out

Last week was triple coupon week. If you came to my house today, you would know that. My kitchen table is still filled with bags of groceries I can’t seem to fit in my pantry. I donate loads to the food pantry, but sometimes I just feel strange carting in 37 tubes of toothpaste.

I sent 6 bags of groceries home with my sister, for the grand total of $15. What is left are things I use regularly, but I have more than I’ll use in 2 months. This made sense—at the time—because they were free (or close to it) and I likely wouldn’t have seen that great of a deal again before I need it. Still, where am I going to put 6 bottles of vegetable oil?

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2
Thank Heaven for awesome teachers
Jan 05, 2005 | Filed Under: Checking Out, Media Matters, Mommyhood, My Biz

I have said several times recently—due to local events—that I really should start watching the news. Yet I still can’t bring myself to actually do it. It hasn’t affected me too badly so far. I get all caught up at PTO meetings fairly quickly. However, I might have seriously regretted it today if not for Stacia’s wicked cool teacher.

Today is the last day of triple coupons, which means I need to get my lazy butt in gear and pick up my free groceries. It is, afterall, my job. The plan was to clip coupons and take off after lunch, which is in about 5 minutes. Change of plans. Her teacher just called to let me know they were dismissing early due to the freezing rain. Stacia will be home in about an hour. And, now, so will I.

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Wake up, sleepy heads!
Nov 18, 2004 | Filed Under: Checking Out, Hectic Holidays

Do you have nightmares of missing the biggest sale of the year because you stayed in your deep, post-turkey sleep well past the starting bell? Fear not, my fellow shoppers! Target has the answer for you. I’ll be waking up next Friday morning to a phone call from Darth Vader. Lord Vader will use the power of the force to keep me from oversleeping, missing out on the Black Friday bargains!

Choose me and feel the power of the dark side. While the others are nestled, asleep in their beds, we’ll stock up on reasonably priced sale items, crush the Rebel Alliance, and rule over the galaxy with an iron fist. Trust me, you don’t want to be on the wrong side of this fight.

But wait—there’s more! Since there are apparently “certain secrets to shopping that only International Supermodels know” you can also choose to awaken to the voice of Heidi Klum. Who’s waking you next week?

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2
countdown
Nov 15, 2004 | Filed Under: Checking Out, Hectic Holidays, Road Trip

Everything hits at once here at casa de Sokol. Little one’s birthday is in 20 days. But first comes the wonderfully fabulous (read:free) family trip to Florida for Thanksgiving. Somehow I have to find out how to get to Best Buy and Bath & Body Works on Black Friday for the super duper sales. Then comes Christmas with all it’s travel-to-7-houses-in-3-days glory. 12 days later, another birthday.

For the next week or so, I’ll be super busy packing and shopping. I like to be done by December, but it doesn’t look like that will happen this year. One because I’m just so busy packing (and by that I mean I’ve had a suitcase in my room for 2 weeks). Two, because I’ll be out of town on my absolute favorite shopping day of the year. Do you think the happiest place on earth will have Black Friday sales? And, finally, because no one will do the freaking name draw thing so I don’t know who I’m buying gifts for, much less what they want.

I love the holidays. Truly, I do.

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coupon tips from the “expert”
Oct 06, 2004 | Filed Under: Checking Out

Part 1: Never start two separate stacks of coupons you plan to use at the store. You will inevitably forget to take one stack with you and miss out on the free cans of chili you use in the dip your family loves so much.

Part 2: Never shop on the last day of the sale, especially at night. This does not give you enough time to send said coupons with your dear husband to collect the free chili.

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Fun with coupons
Nov 19, 2003 | Filed Under: Checking Out

Kroger is tripling coupons up to 50 cents and doubling coupons up to a dollar this week. This is so much fun. I came out with an overflowing cartload of groceries for $80! I saved over 300 bucks on my total order. Now, in the spirit of competition, Marsh is tripling coupons up to 60 cents and doubling up to a dollar. Naturally, I have to go grab my free food there too!

I won’t be spending much money this time. I got everything I needed Monday. Now I’m on a mission for free stuff. I got 4 packages of Keebler Fudge Shoppe cookies for free at Kroger- Yum! Don’t tell my hubby! I hide my good food! I’d love to post my receipt so I can show off what I did, but it is taller than me (and I’m almost 6 foot!) so it won’t fit on the scanner. All I can say is it is pretty!

I have to go shopping now!

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