16 Jul
You Never Know Until You Ask – Don’t Be Shy About Living Within Your Means
Daughter A is finally agreeing to wear some other clothes besides the “zoo shirt” she’s been living in and fleecey pants. It could be the 100F+ temperatures we’ve been having, but whatever! It’s so nice to see her legs.
A Surprise Shopping Trip
So, the other day I got a $10 off coupon from Kohl’s, a local big-box department store. I decided that I would pitch in a couple of bucks and take the girls shopping and get a couple items of clothing as a treat. Something Summer-y. We spent over half an hour trying on different clothes: pajamas, dresses, shorts… I only pulled things from the clearance rack to stay in the budget I had set for myself. We finally narrowed it down to four items that would only ask about $6 from my pocket.
As we stood at the register, the girls put their items on the counter and I opened my wallet. Inside I found another Kohl’s coupon for $10 off dated June 2010. I jokingly asked the cashier if he would take that one too! He called his manager and he said YES! He rang up Daughter A’s clothes and then applied the coupon, FREE! She had picked out items that totaled less than $10. Then he rang up Daughter P’s clothes and applied the other coupon, FREE! She, too, had picked out an outfit that totaled less than $10. Holy smokes! We walked out of there with two new outfits for FREE!
People probably want to help you win.
Being on a budget and working with cash has made things easier for me at the register. Either I have the money or I don’t. Decisions are easier since there is no cushion. It is what it is. It has made me less shy about asking for help too. I have asked the cashier at the grocery store to help me put things back when I go over budget. I asked Kohl’s about an expired coupon.
You never know until you ask. Stores want to keep you coming back. Even leaving with free clothes I now have a positive experience at Kohl’s and will likely go back.
Go ahead, just ask for the deal. You never know, they might say YES!
The Wife
Posted by Gramps on 07/16/10 at 12:44 pm
Aloha Wife and Daughter-in-Law,
Great story and great demonstration of wise and wonderful shopping. And how wonderful that the girls are being so practical….Yea wife, yea girls, yea Kohl’s and yea 70% debt reduction!!
Love, Gramps
Posted by Tutu on 07/16/10 at 12:55 pm
Okay – I have to get my “two cents” worth in here also! What an awesome Mom you are! Loving your girls, the way you do, and still sticking to your budget principles! Loved what you wrote about
“People probably want to help you win: – that reminded me of when I was learning to tap dance, and our teacher was trying to get us to stop looking at our feet, to lift up our heads and Smile! She said “the audience wants to love you!”
Also loved what you said about how your positive experience at Kohl’s will bring you back. I keep a file of “Nice Notes” and try to send complimentary emails or actual notes in the mail when I’ve had
an employee go that extra yard for me. I know how great I feel when I receive those comments from my customers. Money can’t buy this stuff – literally! Thanks, Wife.
Posted by jpkittie on 07/18/10 at 1:51 am
Good for you!!!! That is a wonderful way to get new outfits!!!! Keep on truckin!!!
Posted by Amanda on 07/18/10 at 4:43 am
Great story! Don’t forget to ask retailers about competitor coupons, too. I went shopping at Home Depot yesterday. I had a 10% off coupon from Lowes, but Lowes prices for the items I needed were more expensive than Home Depost’s price. I asked an associate if they took competitor coupons, and they said yes! So I used my Lowes coupon to get a discount at Home Depot!
P.S. Love your blog…