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Thursday, May 21, 2009

Surprise!

On Tuesday, I checked the mail before I left for work. There was a check for $375 from my Flexible Spending account, which is usually for copays and stuff. I couldn't remember anything that cost that much, right now I'm only spending about $200 a month on DH's prescriptions, so I was confused.

Last night, I looked it up online, and it looks like what happened is, they reimbursed me for the entire cost of one of his drugs, instead of the copay that I paid, which was only $75. So even though it's really my money anyhow (they take an amount out of my paycheck every pay period), it was a little windfall!

So I paid the 4-wheeler bill, and decided to treat myself to a shopping "spree". I stayed in the City last night, and so I got up early this morning and went to my favorite thrift store....here's what I got:

3 pairs of jeans ($2.49 each)
1 pair of New Balance tennies ($6.49)
1 pair of flip-flops (.99)
3 books by favorite authors of mine--Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen, both very funny! $6.00 total--one hardcover and two paperbacks...
12 (yes 12) books from the "bargain bin" which were 4/.99. I was so excited because I found some really good ones in there. I like to buy my books when I can, because I often don't get around to returning library books on time, and then they end up costing more than they would have if I had just bought something at the thrift store...
2 magazines--Country Woman and Spiritual Health, .25 each

And that's it.
I felt a little guilty when I paid for it all....I mean....it was all for me....but if I would've shopped at Wal Mart, well, it would've been three or four times that much!! And I like that it wasn't coming from money that was already budgeted for something else....it was "free" money :-)

Have a great night.

I love that thrift shop. They have great stuff. Once in a while, you look at things and think, "the person who priced that must've been on something", like the mattress I looked at today....the corners were held together by duct tape, even the sides were filthy, stains all over the place, and priced at $39.99(!) (Good luck on selling that!)

But most of the time, if you look, you can find deals, for sure. Those shoes I bought would've cost $30.00 at the very least....and they were in almost-new condition....barely worn at all....

It felt good.

3 comments:

Miz Kizzle said...

What a haul! You're an expert bargain shopper. I like to buy stuff on e*Bay. I find back issues of FATE magazine (love those "true" ghost stories!), vintage 14k charms from the 1950s for my charm bracelets and purses by Isabella F*iore, a high end designer whose stuff I could never afford brand-new. I swear one of the purses looked unused and had the dust bag and the original price tag of $650 from N*eiman Marcus. I paid $75. Amazing.
I guess people buy things, use them one or twice and that's it. We truly live in a disposable society.

Reighnie said...

YAY! I am so happy for you! Don't feel guilty you deserve it!

I love *finding* good prices on things. Love it! But you are waaaay better than me. lol

I'll make you a deal, you don't feel guilty for your spree and I won't feel guilty for the mini one I had yesterday? lol

LovingGrand said...

Thank you for sharing and allowing me to peek into your windows for a break from my reality.

Shopping at resale shops are a good escape for me too. When I purchase a pair of jeans for two or so bucks and I only took an hour to spend that much ~ it re-energizes me. Helps when Gram gets lost in browsing too, we are so happy afterwards. I think you're luckier than me at finding bargains.

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Terrilee