Longtime lurker, finally joined up

[uniquelyme]

Greetings and salutations!

I've been lurking amongst the blog postings and forums for a while, I just didn't bother to sign up before now... most of my online forum activity can get sporadic at times pretty much anywhere I frequent, so it didn't seem neccesary at first.

I've always been a shopper - it's in my blood. Just shy of a shopaholic, but only just. In recent years I've been more of a deal-hunter -- rarely buying things not on sale. I've always used coupons when I've tripped across them, and enter contests and freebie giveaways once in a while, but it's only been recently (possibly because of *that show*) that I've been actively seeking out coupons and deals and freebies.

Since starting, I've limited myself to using what we'd normally buy (as opposed to the "oh - I have a coupon, I'm going to try that!" mentality) and sharing the rest. But now, instead of just ordering the freebie coupons for myself and family, I just order them all. My husband always knows someime in our community who needs diaper coupons. Or I know someone who uses product X. Or I just post them on the board in our laundry room -- and now others are doing the same. I also try to be a good coupon fairy when we're out shopping and I have coupons I don't need.

Right now we've got one heck of a stockpile of paper products. Won't be buying paper towels for a few months. And beverages are stacked high in one whole closet to last us between sale cycles. So far, the money I've saved deliberately has allowed me to be a little less frugal when it comes to certain luxuries (like Moroccan Oil hair products... god I love that stuff!)

So yeah - thanks to the community at large I've gotten a lot better at planning and couponing, and benefited from a lot of freebies and samples. (And, having my parents and friends nearby means I have multiple addresses for ordering samples! They love me for it!)

This is a little too long for 4 a.m., so I'll sign off now. Nice to be aboard!

[Wannawin]

Welcome to SmartCanucks!

[caroman]

welcome to the board!!! happy saving!! you'll fit right in

[tommygunn]

Welcome to the board!

[user-id]

Welcome to SmartCanucks!

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