Discovering being cheated while getting dad's approval

I don't think there's many things I want my dad's approval for. But being financially smart is one of them. Since I've been married I've been clipping out coupons, studying the local grocery ads and I even got myself a handy coupon organizer.

I've saw my dad during the holiday season and I just "happened" to have my coupon book laying out.... in a place that he could see it. "Oh what's that dad? Oh that's just my coupon book."

"Alright!" my dad exclaims with a proud father smile on his face. That's right, strike a point in Erin's direction for being financially savvy. 

When he'll call I'll occasionally mention "Luke and I just saved $20 on our grocery bill...." It doesn't get quite the effect as seeing his face brighten up but by the tone of his voice I'm sure he was beaming.

I was so excited to have a Costco card in my strides to become financially smart. And with a place for just me and Luke I thoroughly enjoyed stocking up on our favorite items. 

But then, just like every friendship, relationship and job, you've got to make sure they are as trusting as they say they are. And thus began my untrusting relationship with Costco.

I started with price checking the laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Did I go a little extreme? Maybe. But I had to know... was Costco cheating on me??

I begun price checking things from Smith's to Costco - since those are the stores we frequent. I tried rationalizing that Costco gets a slight unfair advantage because coupons for bulk items aren't found in RedPlum coupons that fill my mailbox. 

But even without the coupons, I had to be real. 

Costco was just not the place I thought it was going to be. 

All of those items were cheaper at Smith's. I hung my head down in disappointment as I walked out of Costco empty handed. 

Don't get me wrong, I haven't completely kicked Costco to the curb. I still maintain a relationship with it, though I'm a lot more cautious. Costco keeps me coming back like a sweet-talker. 

Yet, when I left the parking lot headed towards Smith's I couldn't help think "I can't wait to tell my dad about my new savvy discovery and hear his proud father voice."  

Extreme couponing: Utah style

During my almost 2-month stint of being jobless I occasionally enjoyed watching TLC's show Extreme Couponing. It was crazy to see how low they could get their prices with just a little bit of planning. 

Besides watching occasional TV I attended a networking meeting provided by the LDS Employment services. My last time attending I found out about the Utah Deal Diva from Jessica's brother-in-law. He told me that Jessica, the Utah Deal Diva, discovered different ways to save money after her husband lost his job. She loved it so much she decided to create a blog out of it.

What I immediately loved was that she wanted to share with people her great saving tips and was able to create a job from it! She lists different tips of how to coupon, find the coupons you want and even how to make cheap healthy meals. Seriously, what more do you want? 

Okay there was one thing, she's from Utah! This is a great bonus for me because she'll give tips on local places too. How cool is it that there's basically an "extreme couponer" in my hometown - one that I can imitate my life after so that I too can be a savvy shopper.