I’m often called frugal or a penny-pincher.  In fact, myself-appointed moniker at my website is “The Discount Diva.”  Saving money is a source of pride as well as a necessity as I have to stretch our family’s limited budget further and further.

 I will admit there have been some uncomfortable moments, even downright embarrassment, as I pursue the art of being a cheapskate.  I’ll relate them to you so you can learn from my “mistakes.”  Who knows? Maybe you’ve even caught yourself doing some of the same things.

•  Re-using “disposable” vacuum bags.  I paused halfway through emptying the dusty vacuum bag into the trash. No, this wasn’t the first or second time around on this particular bag, but the fifth.  I realized I had a serious problem and vowed I wouldn’t stoop that low again.  [Just as soon as I buy some newbags]  Now I only reuse them once.  Or twice.
  
• Whenever I go to a fast-food restaurant, I grab extra ketchup packs.  Once or twice a year I transfer them to an empty ketchup bottle. I was halfway through this task when my mother-in-law walked in.  Observing the piles of packets and my assembly line of cut, squeeze and discard, she commented, “I’ve never seen anyone work so hard to save a couple of dollars.”  Now I save my extra packets for bag lunches at school and work.  They work great for picnics and at the camper, too.  [I’m recovering; I’ve only re-filled one ketchup bottle so far this year!]     
  
• I realized I might have a serious saving complex when I found myself adding water to household cleaners, laundry soap, my contact solution, hairspray and shampoo to make them last longer.  My family balked when I tried to add four cans of water to their concentrated juice instead of the recommended three.  I try to restrain myself, but sometimes I sneak in an extra half a can.
  
• I had pulled over next to a particularly interesting pile of trash on the curb.  As I tried to extract a large wooden table in great shape, minus a few scratches, a cop car pulled up with its lights flashing.  Sure that I was in trouble, I asked, “Isn’t it okay to take things from the curb on garbage day?” The police officer laughed and said, “Sure, I do it all the time.  I just thought you’d need help loading that heavy table.”  [Check the laws in your area before you go “curb shopping.”  I don’t want to get anyone in trouble!]
  
• I remember how red my face was as the grocery store clerk rung through over forty coupons on a $100 sale.  The people behind me grumbled at how long it was taking.  Their sullen mood changed to awe as the final total came to $0.00.  I walked away with the last laugh that time!
  
• I confess; sometimes I peek through the garbage at work, an interior design and accessory store.  My boss frequently tosses outdated, chipped or scratched items.  I dig them out, fix them up and either use them myself or sell them at our annual garage sale at very inexpensive prices.  All was peachy until my boss popped her head in and “caught” me half in the large garbage pail, in a dress, no less!  Now she leaves the broken stuff out for me.
  
• I spotted a large pile of used bricks on the curb during trash week.  I knew I could use them around our fire pit at the lake. As I started loading them into my trunk, a familiar voice behind me said, “Oh hi, Shaunna.  What on earth are you doing?”  It was my daughter’s Girl Scout troop leader and her husband.  It was quite awkward! They ended up helping me load the bricks [there were over fifty] and even jokingly said they’d call me if they ever needed a “trash picker.”
  
• During Wal-mart’s back to school sales this year, they put out huge signs: Folders only seven cents each.  I picked up two dozen to stock up for school and at home.  As they were ringing up,however, I saw eight cents, ten cents and even twelve cents flashing on the screen.  When I pointed out the price difference, the clerk said she couldn’t change it without a manager’s key.  [The seven cents signs were visible where we were standing] Meanwhile, my twelve-year-old daughter was practically melting into the floor with embarrassment.  I said to just forget it since she was so distraught.  After all, it was only a few cents difference, but we all know it’s not about the money; it is the principal.
  
• My dented, heavily scratched eleven-year-old car stood out in the school parking lot full of sparkling, brand-new vans, SUV’s and sporty cars that probably cost more than our house.  Yet I counted my blessings each time I drove it, because it was paid off and extremely reliable with only few repairs over the years.  My regret came when my children asked me to stop picking them up after school. I always tell them, “I’m not doing my job as your Mom if I’m not embarrassing you!”  I kept picking them up the rest of the year.
  
• It was a sweltering day and I was digging through the smelly, rotting garbage.  I was frantically looking for the receipt for a $5 rebate.  I gave up after eight bags.  Ever since then, I do rebates the minute I get home and mail them the same day.  I will never have to dig through disgusting garbage again!  Well, hopefully never.
  

Saving money can be fun!