**Disclaimer – this is not a DEAL. So, if you are only looking for a coupon or freebie, you might not want to read my ramblings below 🙂
Ever have one of those days? You know.. the days where you look like the crazy lady pictured above? Thankfully, I’m not that lady today.. But, I have been her.
What sets me off you ask? Well, sometimes it is simple things – like going to Walgreens to take advantage of a deal and the register beeps even thought the coupons I’m using are 100% legit and then the cashier and manager both don’t know their own coupon policy so I leave empty handed. (Truthfully, I never get mad at the Walgreens employees, but when I get in the car I steam and hair pulling occurs. ;))
Or other days, it is simple things like this website that could set me off. You weren’t expecting that were you? As this website has grown, I have been blessed with a ton of feedback – both good and bad. And, I love the feedback – most all of it – because it helps me make the website better. But there are the occasional non-constructive comments that just plain hurt my feelings. My husband tells me I need to get over it because it comes with the world of blogging. But sometimes it is just plain hard! Once a reader left such a hurtful comment (probably unintentionally) that it literally ruined my day. Hair pulling occurred. Another time I was accused by a blogger for stealing their deal without giving them a linkback/credit when in actuality, two of you emailed me the deal. Hair pulling occurred.
There is a Bible verse that speaks to these types of situations and it is now a personal mantra of mine (NOTE – I don’t want any negative emails because I’m posting a Bible verse, okay? Stop reading now if you don’t want to read the verse. Yes, another reason for hair pulling in the past.) James 1:9 states, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” This verse is easier said than done. But, I’m learning that instead of reacting quickly, if I really listen or put myself in the other person’s shoes, sometimes their actions will make sense. At Walgreens, the listening part of this verse isn’t always the most realistic because frankly, if I’m dealing with a manager who doesn’t know their own coupon policy, I am only going to listen to them for so long. But that said, I still need to handle the situation without becoming angry.
As I’m typing these situations above, I’m laughing because these are such minor issues in the grand scheme of life. The people in Joplin, Missouri literally have nothing, (stay tuned for ways to help) and yet sometimes I’m over here licking my wounds for hours from a hurtful comment.
So my question for all of you. How do you handle THOSE days. The days you want to pull your hair out? And what really sets you off? I would love some feedback so I don’t feel so crazy and alone in my hair pulling days. 🙂
Thanks for coming to Addicted to Saving! Here’s a little bit about me so you can know who’s behind all these posts!
My name is Liza and I began my money-saving journey in the Spring of 2009 as a way to stretch a limited household income. I had lost my job and my hubby was self-employed. I launched Addicted to Saving in November of 2009 and it has grown by leaps and bounds. Since then, my hubby and I have struggled with the ups and downs of two failed adoptions and are now LOVING being parents to our little man Asher who we brought home from Ethiopia in August of 2013. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to help you save money. My goal is that you will have FUN and become empowered to save more and more money each week..
I handle it by going in the bible and read tehhe proverbs or psalms because in the end that is the only true way I will find peace and perspective on life.
And yes, Walgreens is always a hair pulling experience. Managers are clueless, registers are not programmed properly to accept coupons and let’s not even talk about the items out of stock all the time, and that mysterious truck that is supposed to come that evening or the next day, and you keep coming back to find out that the truck never delivered because it never came because it was never ordered in the first place!!!! You cannot let that get to you or you will loose your mind. Thankfully CVS is way easier, they always have great deals and they are VERY coupon friendly.
Thanks for all your hard work, I love your site and use it all the time, especially for Publix matchups.
Keep up the good work, you are doing amazing!
I handle those days by praying and listening to Christian music on the JOYFM. I also have Joyce Meyer’s book “seven things that steal your joy” on my desk at work.
When I get really worked up…its time to head to the GYM….or even better yet..GO COUPONING!!!!!! what an adrenaline rush!
Liza….let me tell you what a blessing you are to so many of us! Do you realize how much of a positive impact you have on us? The tips, the tricks, the hints, the links…THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Kathy- NPR
Liza your ARE such a huge blessing to so many people. You have to remember that when we are in line with the will of the Lord, the enemy attacks. If I could only tell you how much you have impacted me and my familys life…Due to death of a close family member last year, our financial ‘stability’ crumbled. We were so bad off in December that we had to STOP buying groceries!!!! Three fulls months we had to depend on outside family in order to feed ourselves and our children. One day after my father in law brought us groceries, my four year old daughter started crying with excitement that she could eat a hot dog!!! Then I found your website! What you have taught me/us is sent straight from God through you. We now have two closets full of food (enough to feed my family for about 2 months), a recently started garden (like you :)) and I can go to Publix with excitement now, not fear that we will not have enough. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Please remember people like us when you are reading negative/hurtful comments. The person who has something to complain about, will complain much quicker and more often than the person who is pleased. There are so many people out there that you are touching and helping; many that you do not even know about! Keep up the GREAT work, you are doing exactly what the Lord has planned for your life – this IS your ministry!!!!
Love the article. Love the site. Yours is the first one I go to each day!
I could not belive when I read the verse posted, as I read the same exact verse last night looking for patience in the bible. I believe there are no coincidences in life, and it is very uplifting to see that I am not the only one seeking for such. Thanks.
First let me start by saying “I absolutely LOVE the lady pulling her hair out in frustration character!” I was immediately drawn to read what could possibly follow her..haha.
I can honestly relate when it comes to couponing. My favorite is having someone treat me like a thriving criminal for trying to save money. God Bless America!!
People in general make me pull my hair. I hate admitting that but it’s true. We live in a world full of hate and greed and selfishness. I think we all live in surviver mode because that is how this country has come to be.(At least where I live) We are free and yet we aren’t because we are always having to watch our back due to people thinking they have the right to take what isn’t theirs instead of earning it, or selling drugs to kids without any prick in their heart of compassion or concern of what may happen to the child.
I am thankful for your scripture and proud of you for posting it. It’s one of the only things we truly have left to lean on without ever having to worry about it turning on us. God’s word is solid and true from beginning to end. I wish it could be that way for everything else.
Keep up the good work and don’t forget to comb over that bald patch in the back 🙂
I try to remind myself that those people that are causing my hair pulling day may be having one of their own. (or maybe they have hair pulling weeks, months, years…). I also think that in these times of emailing and being able to leave comments anonomyously, (some) people have forgotten how to talk to others tactfully and have fogotten how to be kind to others.
I appreciate what you do! You have helped me and my family 🙂
Well if you would have asked me a year ago I would have said “retail therapy” spending money used to always make things better.. The other day I was having a bad day and my hubby said go shopping and I looked at him like he was out of his mind and told him I didn’t have any coupons to use! Now my stress relief is finding coupons and going to get great deals. You should have seen the look on my husbands face when I bought movie candy for 4 of us, drinks for the ride(again 4), and 5 newspapers for the week for $1.27 after my RR’s at Walgreens. He initially had swiped his debit card and laughed when she told him the total and said I guess I have the cash for that.
It’s hard to say “just get over it”, I understand your frustration. I too have had horrible experiences at Walgreens and with rude comments on my Grace Saved blog. I noticed a trend in reading the previous comments left before mine that each one of them is correct. The true source of your enjoyment in working so hard on this blog to help others is God. When you continue to make him your primary focus, life’s curve balls don’t seem to ding you as hard. Keep up the great work!
Ok here it is: a cyber (((((HHHHUUUUGGGG)))) Now, I hope that helped! Being critizied on your own website would be hard to take. After all, you are doing this website to help fellow shoppers save money and time by not having to go and search online themselves. For that I THANK YOU….( thats a big shout out)!!!
As for “getting credit” for pointing out a deal or great coupon or freebie, I ask you, does it really matter who pointed it out? Maybe some who come here should just grow up…
Liza, thank you so much for your honesty in this post! It makes connecting with you so much more of a joyful, REAL experience while finding the best deals (and being a good steward of what God has given us!). I know I’m not the only one to think this (see previous comments), but you ARE doing such a wonderful job, encouraging each of us, providing us with the knowledge and tools to make our dollars stretch as far as possible WITHOUT missing the human-to-human interaction. Relationships are so important, even if they totally stress us out. I always remember my mother saying to me that if everyone was just like us, wouldn’t this world be terribly boring?!? It’s very true. I think I am able to gain peace in the hair-pulling moments in meditating on God’s Word, by jumping into the Scripture, absorbing the TRUTH of what He has to say. Because no matter what the lies, cheaters, misinformed managers, etc. do to us, God remains the same. HE is faithful, HE always loves us, HE is our firm foundation. Knowing these truths about Him, I can rest peacefully, even though things seem to be out of control, frustrating, or even maddening. I try to take a deep breath, focus on the bigger picture (even those hurting not only in Joplin, but all over the world!), and realize that I really don’t have it all that bad. Keep up the great work, Liza! I appreciate you so much!!
Where did you get this picture of me? I have been following your site for approx. one year and still have to fight the fear of doing something wrong or not following the exact steps you give for the deal. This is me and not you. I need your site and appreciate your input and could not figure out any of the deals by my self. Please don’t ever feel that your efforts are not helpful in helping each of us be successful at couponing. Again I could not do it without you and your site. I practice deep breathing and reflect back on my short comings when it comes to understanding what I am doing wrong for a deal that was posted that I’m trying to mimic. I practice praying before going shoping with coupons and after, whether I’m successful or not. It helps give me courage to attempt trying to save with coupons. I have never been successful at finding all the products at Walgreen’s that are posted for the deals. And I don’t have the brain power, like you do, to ad-lib. I have decided to walk away and not buy anything if the stock is not there for a deal. I have in the past asked for rain-checks but end up watching my coupons expire. Another reason to pull out my hair. Ha… Wish I could have a gift like yours at couponing and being helpful to others. Be proud, hold your head up high and may I please say again THANK YOU.
Liza… I love this site, that’s no secret. I tell everyone about it (including the people around me at the grocery store… I write it on the back of my business card for them – double advertising, for me.. and you).
In this techno-world that we live in, my usual hair pulling moments come from reading something that is full of grammatical errors, spelling errors and incorrect word usage. Now, I’m not talking about the occasional typo – we all have those, I’m talking about blatant misuse of words like your and you’re, its and it’s, and their and there. I lose the biggest chunks of hair when “lose” is spelled “loose”.
I haven’t lost any strands over couponing at this point, but I’m sure my day will come. I have tugged a little bit when I see a GREAT deal and I don’t have the right coupon to take advantage of it.
Oh and there’s my son… every gray strand I cover with color that I bought with a coupon… belongs to him. Any permanent hair loss from the pulling… is due to him. But… every smile I crack has something to do with him too.
You do a fantastic job. I love it here!!!! Yes, you are going to get criticized when you put anything out there for the masses to see – but, if I were you, I’d consider the source. Obviously Miss “you stole this deal from my site” has nothing else going for her than to peruse other blogs looking for something she thinks she owns.
For every person that shoots something negative your way – remember there are many more of us benefiting from and loving what you do for us day in and out. Thank you!!!!!
You all are too much! I wasn’t posting this for you to thank me or encourage me! (Thank you for that though :)) I really want to hear your hair pulling moments. And to Libby, you had me laughing out loud with your comment, “Keep up the good work and don’t forget to comb over that bald patch in the back” Hilarious!
Liza,
You are just too cute! I love you & your website. I just forgot all of my hair pulling moments because I so needed to be reminded of that Bible verse.
I just printed it out & put it on my desk!!
Thank you for all you do & just being you!
Liza,
Your site has helped me keep my family’s head above water.Because of some health problems , I usually do the couponing and hubby does the shopping. I use to cringe reading the receipts until I kept seeing that I saved fifty to seventy five percent off , and there were no more quick runs to MacDonald and there is money in the bank two days before the next payday.
Gah I could go on and on , on how you and your site have helped us.
Like the other ladies told you. Don’t let the rude people get you down hun, I dunno I feel sorry for them in a way, if all they have is ragging on somebody else good works to make them feel important.
That was me about three hours ago. Now I’m just sick and want to cry. I lost my little purple binder of high dollar coupons, rainchecks, ECB’s, and RR. I’ve looked everywhere and called everywhere. It’s just gone. So upset.
Liza,
You’re doing a great job!!!! One of the verses that always helps me is Colossians 3:23-24 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and the master you are serving is Christ.” On days when I want to scream because of how someone has treated me this is a verse I remind myself of. Hope your day is great today!
i am like you i wear my heart on my sleeve- I have found that it’s a very hurtful business over the years! But i would rather feel every emotion than not have my heart on my sleeve. It’s what makes me, me. And it’s what makes you, you! And God made us each differently!
SO just live each day as it is! And if you feel something feel it, even though in cases it looks ridiculous compared to a tragedy in joplin. But in your life it was a mini tragedy. Everybody fights their own battles. Your doing fine!
And if I ever make you feel like pulling your hair out please tell me, Because that is never my intention!
“”To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.””
Author: Unknown
You’re not alone!! I am going thru some things with my family right now but choose not to let them bother me…and stay away from them as far as possible…yesterday something really set me off:( my car window would not go up for anything in the world…so I drove 42 miles with my window down on I4 to take it to the mechanic…not thinking anything of it and praying that for sure this will not cost much and it will be fixed and I will feel better…it made me feel better that it was fixed – what I was not expecting was the outrages bill just to install a new motor so the window could work…a 5 minute job – cost me $275. This basically messed up my whole day…but I managed to get somethings together and went shopping just to forget about the whole thing but it really hurt!! I think I do better now with things like these and ppl’s comments. I often read(uplifting), listen to music(jazz) and also read the bible and don’t let things bother me as much as before. People can be cruel…so much that some times I think am back in school when adults don’t realize when they have to watch their words…and be sensitive to others’s feelings…I hope this helps you. I am glad I find you and I come here everyday…and there is always something fun/interesting. Great job!!
so i read all the comments and so i decided to do a follow up comment:
hair pulling moments
when walgreens doesn’t have things i need or even have a place to stock them
or when they will not take a coupon because it is 1 cents over the value which they should just adjust it down or give me overage(just saying) it’s a penny and they get it back anyways but i digress
and publix last week with lean pockets b1g1 coupon and i wasn’t allowed to use 1 cent off coupon… set me off LMAO…. and they are starting to not have sale items the razors is the first problem the next the soap dispensors where are they??? are they hiding them??? I have been to several publix’s now from pinellas to spring hill (i check in my parents store because usually their stores have the items) NOT ONE BOTTLE!!!!!! I could go on and on because i let everything get to me lol! My bank just recently got bought by another bank and i have been going nuts because they haven’t sent everything correctly in mail and right now i don’t even have online banking because they messed up so badly! and i have accounts automatically to take money but i don’t even know how much is in the bank because i can’t see.. and i can’t see if the switch was down correctly so let me just say i am sure there is going to be more hair pulling with that lol! i am done ranting and raving lol! I am going to the lovely bank now wish me luck!
OK, hair pulling moments… One word: children. Love them always, but they drive me batty often. Yes, very rewarding, but dealing with the challenges (complaining, whining, crying, tattling, fighting, etc.) makes me want to pull my hair out. Now off to cover MY bald spot… 😉
I think the best thing to remember is that for many of us couponing is an interesting and most times, enjoyable hobby but we must remember to put individuals first. It seems everyone has an extremely difficult life these days and we should yield to each other; ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. I really appreciate your graciousness in sharing your research and all you are doing to save families money and help others. Don’t let the negative comments get you down.
chocolate
ps – your site rocks
My hair-pulling moments are mostly caused by my children. Of course, my heart melting moments are from them as well. They are 4 & 8 (both girls) and they fight from sun-up to sun-down EVERY freaking day! I love them to pieces, but they drive me insane. That and Publix never having all the AWESOME deals you post on here. They are still out of razors and they are also out of the Tylenol $5 deal right now! Ticking me off to no end. They KNOW these are great deals. Stock more of the stuff. I mean, my store (on a good day) only has about 20 packs of the BIC razors (only on 2 register end caps). It’s ridiculous! OH, that and stupid drivers..Really people..if you don’t know how to drive (or don’t want to do the speed limit), get the heck off the road! Geez!
Ok..Enough of that hair-pulling! I just can not believe people would leave you hurtful comments. That’s just wrong. You do SO much and I absolutely LOVE your site and can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for SO many people! I, like many others, need to save as much as I can and you have helped us so much! Tell those idiots to go pound sand! 🙂 (someone said that one day and I just think it’s a funny saying)..
You’re awesome Liza! You’re courageous, smart, cute, funny, helpful, caring and kind! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Ignore those mean people and keep on keeping on! We love you for all you do!
What if you don’t have any hair to pull??? 🙂
Start on the chest hairs from eating so many sprinkles, Jeff.
Hilarious…great idea Vandervelde!
Liza, I love your blog and all the hard work you put into it – I check it several times a day!! And REALLY needed to hear what you just said right at this very moment. I just got off work from a very hard day in Customer Service and often have to repeat that very same verse over and over in my head – but today I didn’t do so well. Left feeling pretty sorry for myself when in fact I have SO much to be thankful for! So I can totally relate to your feelings towards the negative comments and agree that at times it’s really hard to just “let it roll off your back”. But please know that you are such a blessing to so many people – me included! You’ve taught me so much!!!
OMG! thank you for posting that. It makes me feel “normal” knowing that others have those moments too. I have a joke amongst my friends about how many times my Walgreens trips go wrong. All of them ask, why do you keep shopping there. I answer, bc I keep getting sucked back into their awesome deals!!!
I am the queen of those days. The best was the day that I went to get the off clip ons deal, very excited, we are having a party and I wanted to clip them around. So, I go armed with my bogo and two 1/1 coupons. easy deal, I think it was a 1.00 RR and was still only 1.99 (totally worth it). NOPE the manager said they do not accept a bogo with two 1/1 coupons. I about lost it. I said, maam, I just went to a walgreens down the road and they just accepted this, she refused and had the nerve to ask if I still wanted to purchase them….NO!!!!! then to top it all off, while waiting for the red light to change, I accidentally rolled my stick shift truck into the car in front of me (down sloap on a hill) and hit her. So, instead of saving money on off clip ons, I ended up getting a 200.00 deductible and my airbag deployed. wooooh! what a day!!! thanks for letting me vent.
I love your website. You help me sooooo much. I am very grateful. thanks
julia
I have 3 kids, 9, 3 and 16 months, I also watch my sister’s 3 kids, 6, 4 and 8 weeks…that’s a lot of hair pulling moments. If I have to hear one more time that someone was licking their feet and wiping it on someone else’s blanket or one of them has wiped some other unnameable thing on something I think I will lose my mind 🙂 I love them dearly but they are crazy (or I am for keeping them:) Other hair pulling moments, when my DH forgets to put things back, like full gallons of milk that have been left out for hours. Yeah, that’s a big one:)I usually try to breathe and laugh it off and if that doesn’t work, I have been found hiding in a bedroom, screaming into a pillow:)
Liza, The great thing about having yoru own site or blog is …. YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT!! Its your blog!
That aside, I think you are doing a great job and really appreciate what you are doing. You are a blessing to many people.
A saying I have heard all of my life… You cant please all of the people all of the time. This is a hard pill for me to swallow because I want everyone to be happy. Sometimes you just have to be happy and confident in yourself in spite of others!!
Oh, one more thing. I know bloggers want credit when they think something is their idea but, everyone should just be happy the information is shared. Everyone has to hear it from someone!
you are doing us a major service with this website!! You are such a blessing and don’t forget that, God is using you:) Pray and let his peace keep you! People will be people and you cannot please all people. God bless you and your family!
I started couponing in March. I am getting better and always looking for coupons. My husband was out of work for 2 years taking jobs on the side whatever he could to pay bills. We have 3 kids and it was hard. He has a good job now and we are greatful. I had to go to food banks and help my our parents. It was hard. Now with couponing I feed my family and donate to food banks. I love it. I need to get anything FREE. I am addicted. My husband laughs at me but he enjoys it as well. We always give your sites information to everyone. We actually get to go out to eat. We give the waitress the information. This is fantastic. Thanks sooo much for taking your time to do this for us. I can’t tell you how happy and stress free this has made my family. We get to do more things together as a family. My life is awesome now because we coupon. Thanks for having evrything on your website.
Liza,
Wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your site and how much it has changed the life of myself and many of my friends. That being said I find that a nice glass of wine and a piece of chocolate helps me get thru those inevitable no good , rotten days! Keep smiling!
My hair pulling moments… I have a couple:
1) Being treated like a thief in a store just because I’m trying to save money… Sometimes I just want to say “You know, if I was going to steal something, it wouldn’t be this lousy can of beans I’m getting for free anyway…” Or sometimes if the cashier is just plain rude, I will ask for my coupons back, not buy anything, and leave my buggy sitting right there for them to put away. Sorry, but if you’re going to treat me like garbage, You’re about to have more work to do. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! If I was rude to customers every time I had a bad day or hated my job, I’d expect the same treatment.
2)When someone goes into the store and takes the whole stack of coupon books. The whole stack, REALLY?! You had to have 150 coupon books that you’re not going to use all of? Ever heard of “Sharing is Caring?” Seriously. Being greedy isn’t cute.
3) Hearing “The truck comes on Sunday, and we should definitely have more of that product in before the same is over,” and I have my butt up at the crack of dawn to be at the store when the product is supposed to be there and it’s not…or the day after…or the day after that. What’s a girl gotta do to get some doggy treats for her little dog nowadays? AND why if the store knew it was a good deal (because I KNOW THEY KNOW!) why didn’t they order enough and have a back stock? Hmm? Dear stores, Be prepared….you know we’re out there, we know you know we’re out there…. Don’t play coy.
Now, these are a few things that definitely make me feel better…
1) Free stuff. I. Love. Freebies. I don’t care if it’s a one-time-use sample of (insert product here). It makes me happy.
2) Retail therapy…but ONLY with coupons. Even if it’s not the best deal ever, it’s still less than full-price and shopping (for like 99% of women..) triggers endorphins, and endorphins make you happy! (total Legally Blond reference) 😀
3)Shoes. I guess this could go with retail therapy. I don’t care if I have a coupon or not…if I find a pair of shoes that I just absolutely cannot live without..I’m buying them.
4) Realizing that everyone that set me off that day was probably having a bad day (which is still no excuse in my opinion), hates their job or really doesn’t like the life they are living. They have the ability to change their situation, but they don’t and that’s not my problem. I’m going to live my life and change the things I don’t like and SAVE MONEY…because I can.
Your website is wonderful, and for those RUDE folks who just can’t say anything nice to save their lives…well, then they are just Negative Nancy’s and that’s probably how they’ve always been. Disregard them, their comments aren’t worth your time. You work hard to find us deals, and we DEFINITELY all appreciate it. Those who left you the comments went out and got those deals too, wanna bet? To those who have a problem, it’s probably jealousy. Jealousy is a disease, Get well soon!
to whom much is given much will be required, i love ur site especially for my local neighborhood and i love that ur a real person. Forgive them for they know not what they do, stop and take deep breaths, and reading the bible or praying is how i handle rough times. We are truely blessed to only have these slight of problems god bless u and dont let the haters get at u they are just unhappy pry for them instead, as for the managers and employees i would not have it i would take it to a higher authority at the same time i dont do either cvs or walgreens any more