I was talking to my mom (hey, she asked) about how I am trying to get the most for my money (and time spent) with CVS/ECB/Qs, Riteaid/rebates/Qs, KMart, Walgreen/ESQs/rebates/Qs and the grocery stores sales. She just looked at me and smiled. She then proceeded to tell me that I would work out strategies and methods to squeeze out the last legal penny and then after accomplishing this I would grow bored and move on to the next thing that interested me. She knows me so well.

Looking back over my life, I have to agree. It is an interesting frugal challenge. I find myself walking out the store door assessing my success and planning how I will do better the next time. I've purchased $100 in products at CVS this spring and only put out $20. Since I still walk out of the store and am able to see where I could have done better, I know the challenge is still on. It is entertaining.

I suppose I could have a different hobby but this one helps me attain several goals at the same time while keeping me in a frugal mindset. The frugal mindset is important because it helps me to stay consistent in other areas of spending, conserving, reusing and recycling. Its so easy for me to get into mindless spending. You know, that "I had $XX on Friday night where did it all go by Sunday night?"

When I am no longer sending boxes to troops overseas or decide to stop donating to local foodbanks, I will quickly acquire to many personal care items for just me so I will probably stock up and then lose interest in the game/process until I run out. Then I will use the system intermittently until the system changes.

But for now it is a fun and rewarding challenge.