O.C.D. at the Ghetto-Store

This morning was spent in a total O.C.D. manner. I reviewed the Meijer grocery ad to the point that the pages were falling apart.

I then searched out coupons from my coupon binder (BINDER!!!) and searched online for printable coupons matching sale items. To ensure that I bought the amount fitting the fine print of on my coupons but also matching up with the “10 for $10, get the 11^th free” I made a spreadsheet (SPREADSHEET!) I warned you that I spent the morning in total O.C.D. Did you think I was joking?  Excel was made for people like me. I thought about adding the aisle next to each item and sorting it, but that would just be getting carried away.

I was so geeked up about my geekiness that I asked the kids in my “yeah” voice, “Who wants to go grocery shopping?!” This was the second time in my history of mother-of-3 I have taken all of the kids to the grocery store. In fact, I usually make it a rule to take NO kids to the grocery store.

In addition to being a freak for spreadsheets, I am also a freak* about my kids being kidnapped and become a total nut about safety when there is any sort of population clustering. Add in the fact that I shop at Ghetto-Meijer on the south-side and you will begin to comprehend the full level of my craziness at being excited about grocery shopping.

Just as I issue my invitation for a big outing I realize its lunch time, which is usually followed by nap time. Hmmmm… what to do? What to do?! Three hungry, tired kids at the ghetto store, I mean grocery store, when I am trying to make sure my spreadsheet and coupon binder are in perfect sync. This is looking like the perfect storm!

No. I CAN DO THIS. I have a coupon for free chicken tenders from Burger King, the kids can eat on the way. I didn’t even have that one on my spreadsheet. Bonus!

There were a couple of details I forgot to work out…First, half way through the store I start sweating profusely, and this is not just from being a human kangaroo with one kid strapped to me. What did I eat today? Well that is easily solved. I have a coupon right here for a protein bar.

Second, when we get three-quarters of the way through the store Greyson starts complaining that the boxes are poking him. Clearly his is not feeling the saving-endorphins. I don’t know why they don’t make bigger carts. I sincerely doubt that I am the first person to try and tackle the dilemma of three kids, kidnapping paranoia AND grocery shopping.

Three hours later, we return home having saved $8.50 in coupons and $35.00 in-store savings with a receipt 1.5 feet long. I hung it on the fridge...and took a picture.

*This is where Kinsley’s God-Father, Andrew, puts in some smarty-pants comment about all of the things that I am a total weird-o on. Having been our neighbor for 6+ years he’s got some dirt. This is where *I* issue the warning of “Don’t even get me started. What goes around, comes around.”