I've got to plug Kmart.

Being an official frugal shopper, I must put in a plug for the KMart (Landsend) Shop your way rewards card (hereby acronymed SYRW). GET ONE. I get all of these rewards cards and use them without fail. But my Kmart card really paid off tonight. When you shop KMart, Landsend or other listed store, you earn points which translate into dollars. Last time I was at Kmart, they told me I had $10 plus credit, and I said I'd use it next time. Well tonight, LandsEnd.com was running a fantastic sale on one of their classic totes. I realized I could register my SYWR card with my Landsends.com account. The totes are on sale tonight only for $20, and using a promo + code, free shipping. I got a monogram too, so overall $25. But I then applied my rewards of $10.56, and paid a tiny bit over $15 for what would've cost $35 plus shipping on any regular day. I was delighted! So all of that swiping and keeping a key chain full of plastic may not be a bad idea, if you don't mind your shopping habits being tracked through these companies' crazy systems. Just my .02 for the week.

It's only Tuesday?

It has already been a long tiring week....but it's only Tuesday. Last night I was blessed with the chance to interview with a committee for the Freshman Advocate Award. This is my third nomination in 13 years. It's an honor and a delight to be nominated, to be a finalist, but the interviewing part often makes me jittery. Said jitteryness was not allayed by the monsoon storm in full swing after myinterview. Couple that with closing up a national fellowship deadline today and it should legimately be Friday tomorrow. On the up side, I did purchase Glad kitchen trash bags at Rite Aid for a little over $2. And I used my Chickfila calendar coupon yesterday morning before it expired, again, another good solid coupon success. And I've gotten to work on time two days in a row. And finally, I had a $5 Gymboree rewards coupon that I used to buy a skirt for Kate which was on sale for $10. Okay, that's it. Enough moaning over my schedule and bragging about my frugal efforts. As I have felt the stress swirl around my inner body, I have tried to breathe it away. Pair that with quiet times two days in a row, and today I felt a small hope and a distinct peace, two aspects of health that have felt elusive lately. There is light....especially when you love Justin Bieber and today is his birthday :) Peace out.