RAOK, paying it forward

[HeatherWake]

Thank you to all the SC'er out here who have helped me, who have taught me, who have showed me how to save money. Ive been living paycheque to paycheque for many many years and while Im still nowhere near financially awesome, I do have a bit of wiggle room.
Tonight my daughter had to run in to Zehrs. As we sat in parking lot a young couple (25?) walked up. They were thin, dirty, dreadlocks, with a hitchhiking sign and a cute thin hungry looking dog. Ive been there. I WAS them when I was 15. I jumped out of my car, grabbed my coupon bag and went over. The girl had gone in but the guy was outside, I told him to sit tight.
Inside I grabbed a bag of fresh apples, some fresh oranges, two big bottles of water and two bags of dog treats for the puppy.
When I gave the bag to them the girl seemed a bit y (whatever) the guy said thank you so much for my help and the dog? Well he seemed OVERJOYED with the Pedigree treats!!! Cant forget about those poor animals.
Anyway, I just wanted to share...I DID use a pedigree coupon but the rest I paid full price..and THIS time? Paying full price felt GOOD.

[Shwa Girl]

Thank you to all the SC'er out here who have helped me, who have taught me, who have showed me how to save money. Ive been living paycheque to paycheque for many many years and while Im still nowhere near financially awesome, I do have a bit of wiggle room.
Tonight my daughter had to run in to Zehrs. As we sat in parking lot a young couple (25?) walked up. They were thin, dirty, dreadlocks, with a hitchhiking sign and a cute thin hungry looking dog. Ive been there. I WAS them when I was 15. I jumped out of my car, grabbed my coupon bag and went over. The girl had gone in but the guy was outside, I told him to sit tight.
Inside I grabbed a bag of fresh apples, some fresh oranges, two big bottles of water and two bags of dog treats for the puppy.
When I gave the bag to them the girl seemed a bit y (whatever) the guy said thank you so much for my help and the dog? Well he seemed OVERJOYED with the Pedigree treats!!! Cant forget about those poor animals.
Anyway, I just wanted to share...I DID use a pedigree coupon but the rest I paid full price..and THIS time? Paying full price felt GOOD.

The girl may have been suspicious -- she may have been treated badly in the past and finds it difficult to trust and so, she had her guard up. The dog and the guy were grateful though. Two out of three isn't bad. And later, the girl will probably be thankful, long after she has seen you -- but won't be around to tell you so.

Nice one.

[CouponingQueen]

that is absolutely amazing (: It inspires me to do the same! WTG!

[HeatherWake]

Thank you...yes she was probably suspicious. Its funny...when I was 15 I was that girl...panhandling, living on the street, crazy wild hair, punk makeup...bad bad girl. It feels good to start giving back. I do RAOK all the time in the Tim Hortons drive through, and also giving change to "hobos" at stoplights...but this was the first time I actually BOUGHT something specifically for someone less fortunate. Like I said, Im farrrr from fortunate and up til 4 months ago was going to foodbanks myself to feed my kids. But its an amazing feeling to help someone whether they were grateful or not, it wasnt done for the praise....(thats what I come HERE for!! LMAO!!!!)

[jasperandchar]

great job - it's a great feeling when you help someone out, awesome RAOK indeed for the couple & the pet.

[paula0000]

that was so thoughtful - inspiring

[Shwa Girl]

Thank you...yes she was probably suspicious. Its funny...when I was 15 I was that girl...panhandling, living on the street, crazy wild hair, punk makeup...bad bad girl. It feels good to start giving back. I do RAOK all the time in the Tim Hortons drive through, and also giving change to "hobos" at stoplights...but this was the first time I actually BOUGHT something specifically for someone less fortunate. Like I said, Im farrrr from fortunate and up til 4 months ago was going to foodbanks myself to feed my kids. But its an amazing feeling to help someone whether they were grateful or not, it wasnt done for the praise....(thats what I come HERE for!! LMAO!!!!)

Hmmmm... Great self analysis, you've done:

From panhandling (needing help from strangers)>> to food bank >> to self sufficiency (with coupons when needed) >> to helping at Timmys (random act of kindness)>> to buying food for strangers (providing help to strangers)

Hope your children get as much out of this instance as you have. They are probably very proud of you.

Great full circle journey*!! Circle of life...

*Shakespeare: "The wheel [of fortune] has come full circle. I am here." (King Lear, Act 5, Scene 3)

[avoncallingu]

Big hug to you for your kindness!

[coupon girl]

awesome you are wonderfull -to give back -we all try to do that I think as scer's -I donated last year too- to a womens shelter

[ticul]

WOW, that is a great brag and yes, you are a great person to do that. Thank you for sharing...

[morningrose]

Thanks, you are awesome and giving inspiration to me to pay it forward.

[sparky_starky]

Thank you so much for your ROAK. It's inspiring me to do something special for others today....

[Lavender Lady]

That is touching to read. You really know how they are feeling and gave them a hand up. It never ceases to amaze me how much couponing can change a person's life--from dependency to self-sufficiency to paying it forward. Wow . Kudos to you. Thanks for sharing.

[online]

I really liked the way you helped!!! Very inspiring. I always like to make sure that someone is fed rather than handing them change out of the stores... as it might go into addiction and not filling their stomach with real and healthy food! WTG!

[acosta]

Thank you...yes she was probably suspicious. Its funny...when I was 15 I was that girl...panhandling, living on the street, crazy wild hair, punk makeup...bad bad girl. It feels good to start giving back. I do RAOK all the time in the Tim Hortons drive through, and also giving change to "hobos" at stoplights...but this was the first time I actually BOUGHT something specifically for someone less fortunate. Like I said, Im farrrr from fortunate and up til 4 months ago was going to foodbanks myself to feed my kids. But its an amazing feeling to help someone whether they were grateful or not, it wasnt done for the praise....(thats what I come HERE for!! LMAO!!!!)

RAOK at Tims is the BEST! haha My jaw always drops when someone does it for me. It's a great gesture!