
She read every word of newspaper advertising inserts and took advantage of every coupon, every discount she could. And bragged about her savings.
This week, as my friend and I enjoyed free terrace-reserved seats at the Milwaukee Brewers baseball game, I realized I am my mother’s daughter. I earned those tickets by using my grocery store discount card. This year, with that card, I also earned free gas and free Summerfest tickets.
Now I’m a committed penny pincher. I take advantage of Happy Hours as well as free or low-cost courses through my community’s library and recreation department. I sign up for email notices from retailers I visit regularly. It’s worth the little bit of bother because, for instance, CVS occasionally offers a 40% off coupon.
And because I’m within senior citizen range, I can take free courses at the university, on Wednesdays I get 15% off at Kohl’s department store, on Tuesdays I get 60% off at an AMC movie theater and every day I get 15% off my Amtrak ticket.
Thanks mom. And happy mother’s day!