Pear tree lane Farmhouse

~Welcome home~

This blog is dedicated to my dear family who live many miles away, and to you dear ladies , who have a heart for keeping the home fires burning. You, who love and cherish your family, and have a desire to create a home that says "Welcome, you are loved and cared for."

My desire is that when you leave that you will be encouraged and know that you too are loved.

Sue~

~Patience my friend, gets you information, and a new friend~

Written by Sue, Tuesday,January 28, 2014.........  Snow Snow Snow! today temps. 20's
~Good Morning, no snow yet, but soon~
Sometimes something happens that just amazes me, such a thing happened yesterday. Running errands included stopping by the grocery store, one feat I was not looking forward to for this reason.... It seems if the word "snow" is ever mentioned, we southerners go in "panic mode", though I was not in panic mode yesterday just in necessity mode, by the time I got to the grocery store there were only five grocery carts available, I almost turned and ran out of the store, but since I was on a mission I went ahead. I was swift in getting my groceries which were minimal, 4 chickens on sale, and oatmeal, but the checkout lines were long,... there was this lady ahead of me with a cart full of groceries,she had this notebook, and envelope filled with coupons,

I am thinking "Oh no , Sue, you will be here forever." I took a deep breath and decided to "embrace" this moment ( this is one of my words for the new year)! The longer I stood there the more fascinated I became, I was thinking of all the time and work it took for her to organize these coupons, just to save her family money. (patience kicks in)
~Granny doesn't have coupons, just photos, but she is still slowing up the line~

She kept looking at me and smiling, almost apologetically, as we kept exchanging smiles, it seemed we were connecting,.... me with envy as I have always wanted to be this organized with coupons,.... she being grateful I was patient! By the time the cashier had finished there had been so many smiles exchanged that I felt like we had become friends, so much so that I could ask her a personal question or two.~grin~ I shyly walked over to this lady, and asked her how much she had saved, smiling proudly she said "it was over $100.00," Since we had become bosom buddies by now, I was comfortable enough at this point to ask her what she had paid for all those groceries, she again proudly says, "Only $15.00, but it takes a lot of work."My jaw dropped, you could have knocked me over with a feather, I applauded her for her efforts, she left with her head held high and a cart full of bagged groceries, I left with two bagsin hand and my head hung low! I have decided that I am now going to"embrace" coupon redeeming with more gusto!!
Enjoy your day,
Sue

17 comments:

Patsy said...

Good Luck on your new adventure! I have seen my daughter get deep in to this and it is a lot of work. But she did save money. Then she stopped because she started buying things she didn't need just because of a good deal off.

Debbie said...

WOW!! I am blown away it was for that much!! We use coupons for some things. I would never go to Joanne's without one for instance, lol. But that's really good! My sons clip coupons too, but they don't do that well. Maybe you got to be committed and work hard at it, lol. But it sounds like it can really be worth the effort. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Wow, Sue that is an amazing story.

I don't use too many coupons because I do store brands, and I also shop at discount stores, Amish stores etc.

Best of luck to you!

Deanna

Anonymous said...

I admire those who can be so organized and plan their meals around the items which are on sale each week. Good for her!

Wishing you a warm and cozy evening!

Karen and Gerard said...

My husband takes care of the coupons. We usually only use two-four on any one trip. We only use the ones for things we would buy anyway.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Was this double coupon day perhaps? That was a wonderful savings for your new friend! I'm very impressed and will have to look more closely at coupons. Best of luck with coupon redeeming!

happyone said...

I tried at one time in my life to do that. It is a LOT of work and for me I'd rather pay the money. : )

ellen b. said...

It's so much nicer to take a deep breath and enjoy the lines. I'm glad you made it through and had an encouraging word for the couponer!

Vee said...

Love your description of the line. I try to be relaxed going through them for my sake and John's. He usually strikes up conversation with anyone so that's helpful. One of his daughter's is an extreme couponer and took him along for one if her adventures. It is pretty amazing. I find that the coupons are for items we don't want or can't use, but I don't hesitate to use a coupon for a product that we do enjoy. I save about $10.00 a shopping trip that way. The best tip is to stay out of the store! LOL

Christine said...

Good for you!
When ever I'm in a long grocery line, I try to choose the line with an interesting person to watch, usually it's a little child.

Cheryl said...

What a sweet story, Sue! You have proven that patience is always the right choice. It is sometimes rewarded in the here-and-now (as in your long line experience). But it will certainly be rewarded when we stand before God! That puts a long line in perspective, doesn't it?

You are an inspiration, friend!

Trish said...

She saved $100?! Wow-good on her!
Coupon saving is not as big in Australia as your country, Sue...but we do have it. If we could save like that lady and get such benefits then I think it's worth it. I need to look into it more closely! love..Trish xx

Elena said...

Hi Dear Sue, I have just caught up on your posts since National Pie day. I do love pies and I bake a pumpkin pie from Mary's 100 lb pumpkin last year. Your oatmeal pie looks fabulous. I loved the story about the lady with the coupons. That is so amazing and so inspiring! Have a wonderful day dear friend and stay warm from all that snow!

Sally @DrinkingFromMySaucer said...

Go, Sue, Go! I always feel so good when I can use coupons on things that are on sale as well, and go home with a significant discount on my receipt!!! Best of luck in your endeaver, & Happy Saving! xo ~Sally

Unknown said...

Great post Sue! So many lessons learned while you were standing there.....patience, friendliness, frugalness.....thanks for sharing!

Debbie said...

What a fantastic and teachable moment. I loved that you embraced the woman and ended up better for it. Sometimes, I get irked in a line. I try realllly hard to refuse to give in to it and be the smiley patron instead. To be honest, it has never made the line shorter by being the grumpy gus, and it has always returned a little joy back to the day when I choose the better option.

And now you have me shamed about not couponing either. I have tried and failed at that so many times, I could write the book on how NOT to do it.

Anonymous said...

it's a good feeling when ever you can save some of that hard working cash... if you work it well you can save money on your food list I have and it's a wonderful feeling but Boy do you have to be watchful..and planing all the time.. but it pays off...

Hugs
love those photos you added in the post...