Yikes!

Since the move I have taken a break from coupons and budget shopping and I have to say...wow! That stuff is expensive!

A small box of cereal for over $4? Are they joking???

I suspect that couponing is much like home schooling. If you want to try it, fine. But you should NEVER get really into it unless you mean to stick to it, because it really gets under your skin and IT WILL DRIVE YOU BATTY!

Not in a pleasantly confused, but still smilin' way either. What I mean is that if you do the research and get into homeschooling and spend the time picking books and designing a curriculum and finding a group, you could only go back to public school in dire circumstances. You know too much. Once you look at the man behind the curtain you're just never gonna see the Wizard of Oz again.

Same thing with stretching a buck. Once you get used to bargain prices, it is mega-painful to pay retail. I have learned that there are reasonable prices to expect with sales and coupons. For example, I never pay more than $1 per box of cereal. A 12pk of soda is not worth more than $2.50. Shampoo, razors, toothpaste, and almost all toiletries should be free at worst and usually should make money. So walking into a store and just plunking stuff into the cart and watching the dollars evaporate is nothing short of panic inducing.

I can't wait to get settled at the other end of this journey north and get back into the usual routines. I don't think the budget can take this much longer. Well, not if he wants to surprise me with 1 1/2 carat three prong platinum set Hearts on Fire solitaire earrings that is.

What? Surprises are always best when you are surprised with the right thing, no? He's only a man...gotta be specific.