How Many Times Have I Done This?

I've given up on this blog probably 3 times. So here's my 4th hello!

Photo creds: Anthony Savage

I love writing, really. But I get so lost in work and school and trying to keep my small human alive that I just never have time.

Currently she's singing along to Super Simple Songs. Seriously, a Godsend if you have kids. Turn on the hour-long videos and take a nap. I'm starving and ready for a nap (it's 10:30am, JUDGE ME).

We love y'all and will be posting again soon!

xoxo, a.

How To Shop (From A Retail Perspective)

If you've never worked retail in your life, you should. You'll learn a lot of great things, like basic manners and respect. For those of you that have worked retail before, you know the trouble we go to just to keep our cool when dealing with those customers.

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Honestly, I'm not sure how people are just so rude when they shop. Everything I list below is common courtesy. Regardless, here is the CORRECT way to shop in any store...

1. Put things where you got them, or hand them to an employee. You don't want it? Picked up the wrong thing? No problem. Put the item where you got it, or tell an employee you no longer want it. We know where it goes. It's such a bummer to think you're done and find a pile of clothing in the toy aisle. 
2. Pick up things you knock over. Don't leave that entire clothing rack on the floor. Don't kick it under the shelf. Seriously, it's right there. Pick it up. 
3. Notify someone of messes. We all drop things and they spill. It's actually very rare that any store has a "you break it, you buy it" policy. We will clean it up and damage it out, no problem. Just let us know so nobody slips and gets hurt when we are too busy to notice it ourselves. 
4. Don't argue over policies. If we make a mistake with pricing, that's fine. We will accommodate you. But if your coupon is expired, it's expired. If that brand is excluded, it just is. You can't always have your way, and there are rules for a reason.
5. It's probably not the cashier/associate/manager's fault. Sometimes our machines are slow or won't read your card. Sometimes the store is super busy and there are 5 people waiting for things before you. We are humans, we can only do so much. Sometimes we miss things or forget things. Sometimes technology doesn't work as it is supposed to. Don't get angry for things we cannot control. We are already stressed out enough as it is. 
6. Leave when the store closes. You would think this one is common sense. NOPE. If the music shuts off and the lights go out, chances are the store is closing. Hardly anybody in the store and the associates are up and down ladders? Probably closed. It's time to check out and head somewhere else. You wouldn't believe the people that ask when we close then stay another 30 minutes anyways. Or the people that ASK TO BE LET IN TO OUR LOCKED DOORS. And yeah, lots of stores are required to let you in. Which means we will be there an extra hour than we are scheduled, so we go over our hours, and we have to cut people other days, then you wait longer because nobody is there to help. See a pattern?
7. Don't shoplift then get mad at us for following you around. We are trained to spot you. We have cameras. We know what you are doing. Personally, if I know you are shoplifting, I will call over my other associates to follow you around. Then if you walk out with a bag of stolen items, we will take a picture of your car and license plate, then call you very rude names behind your back. And you absolutely deserve it. Just buy the things you want or go to goodwill. It's a horrible thing to steal. 
8. Don't leave your (empty or full) drinks/snacks on shelves. This one is so gross. We have trash cans. Use them. 

It's truly not difficult to respect retail associates. It makes everyone's life so much better. Just these few things will make a huge difference! Try them next time you go shopping!

xoxo, a. 

My No-Spend Month

July 2017 started out with the best intentions. My goal was this: endure a no-spend month. The rules are simple; aside from bills, gasoline, and the absolute necessities (medicine, basic groceries, baby and school supplies) go through the entire month without spending money. It's all over Pinterest, so I figured my broke self would give it a try.

I started strong. When I grocery shopped, I used copious amounts of coupons. I sold some old stuff that made up for my forgotten and unexpected expenses of a library fine, Amazon Prime membership, and a doctor visit. I worked on a very detailed budget and it looked beautiful.

About two weeks in, I spent a little extra on some clearance shoes for Abby. Not a huge deal, but I probably could have waited. I also got Chick-fil-A after work.... Guilty pleasure. One thing lead to another, and I gave in. My No-Spend Month was a bust.

And ya know what? I'm okay with it.

Sure, I could have worked harder to avoid spending money. But at the end of the day, I realized that I can save money and still buy things that I want. Shocker, here's a list of things I figured out.

1. Sleep on it. If you're not 100% sure, write it on a "want" list and give it a few days. If you still want it, go ahead. 
2. Use every money-saving resource you have. Coupons, ibotta, ebates, sales. Shop smart and combine deals whenever possible. (Bonus: click the links for my referral codes to earn extra money!)
3. Build a budget. Try to be as detailed and honest as possible. Don't make it pretty, make it real. 
4. Be flexible. Your budget needs to change with the times. Look over last month and see where you can save money, but also look where you need to give yourself some more wiggle room.

Even though I failed the challenge, I still learned some great ways to save my money for things I really want and need. Maybe I'll try again with a better plan another time.

Let me know what you think in the comments! Have you tried a no-spend month? What are your best money saving tips? I want to know!

xoxo, a.