StumbleUpon

Many years ago, or maybe it was a few months ago, I downloaded the StumbleUpon addon to my Firefox.  At the time, it sounded like a pretty cool idea, but I ended up hating it.  It never found anything I wanted to look at and I never used it.  Shortly thereafter, the addon was uninstalled.

A couple of days ago, I decided to give StumbleUpon another try.  I haven't used it much, but I already like it much better.  I'm not sure if they changed their coding or if I did a better job of selecting my interests, but it's a lot better than I remember.  One of the first things it stumbled upon was Hello Adorable and this picture:

I guess I'll just sleep over here...

 
This is picture alone is enough to make me keep this addon. 

Photo by: Hello Adorable

eCoupons

Like most people, I'm always looking for easy ways to save a buck or two.  For groceries and other essentials, this used to mean clipping coupons.  This eventually turned into printing out online coupons.  Now, I've discovered eCoupons.  Or better put, I've recently discovered a new way to use eCoupons.

I've used eCoupons for online purchases for a while now, but until recently, I didn't know that you could actually load coupons onto your store loyalty cards.  This is great for two reason.  First, I don't have to spend time clipping and sorting coupons, only to end up leaving them at home or forgetting about them and having them expire.  Second, I don't have to limit myself to purchasing items online.

So how exactly does this work?  It's super easy.  First, you need to have a loyalty card.  If you don't already have one, stop by customer service the next time you do your grocery shopping and get one.  Next, go to your local store's website and register.  I tend to do most of my grocery shopping at Tom Thumb (aka Randall's, Safeway, etc), so I made a quick trip to TomThumb.com and registered.  Finally, select the coupons you want loaded onto your card.  On TomThumb.com, simply click on Coupon Center and select the coupons you want to load onto your card.  When you use your card at the checkout counter, the coupon is automatically applied.  No clipping required!  (On a side note, this also works great for those of you with significant others who are "too manly" to be seen with coupons!) 

The other nice thing about this is you can add coupons from other sites, not just the store's website.  For example, Tom Thumb allows you to add coupons from Shortcuts.com, Cellfire.com, and P&GeSaver.com.  They even have a link to those sites on their website.  You'll need to register on those sites and link it to your account using your card number.

And in case you're like I used to be and think that coupons don't make much of a difference, I saved $10 on $40 worth of groceries on my last trip.  That's 25% off without having to clip, sort, or remember coupons; I just spent 15 minutes online, did my regular grocery shopping, and handed my card over at the register!

Sale Fail

I've always had a sneaking suspicion that stores raise their prices before a sale.  That way, when something goes on "sale," it's close to or even slightly above the regular price.  Up until recently, it was just a suspicion.  However, a recent trip to the mall has confirmed it.

I stopped by a store the other day which I never go into, but they had big SALE signs everywhere.  I have nothing against this particular store or their clothes, they have some cute stuff, but nothing there looks good on me.  On this particular day, I decided to check out a table of t-shirts.  Here is where I lost all respect for this store (or what little respect I had).  The pre-printed tag on the shirts said the price was $19.95.  Every single shirt had a new price sticker that said $24.95.  And of course, there was a 25% off sign on the table.  In case you don't want to do the math, by raising the price before marking the shirt on sale, the store is giving you a $1.24 discount instead of a $4.99 discount.

The funny part about this was the price sticker was placed directly above the original price.  And by directly above, I mean that the two prices were stacked, so what you saw when you picked it up was:

$24.95  <-- sticker
$19.95  <-- original price

I can just hear the manager telling an employee to put new prices on the shirts.  I imagine it going something like this:

Manager: I need you to change the prices on those shirts over there.  The price should be $24.95.  Take this price gun and change it, and be sure that you put the new price directly above the old price.
Employee: Um, ok.  (thinking to himself)  Why does he want the new price directly above the old price?  Wouldn't it make more sense to put the new price on top of the old price, so that you can't see both?  But if I question him I might get written up.  Oh well, if that's what he wants, that's what I'm going to do.  I can't get in trouble for following directions even if they don't make sense, right?

Jelly Beans!

My all-time favorite candies are jelly beans.  Back when I was in high school, I used to eat jelly beans for good luck before my tennis matches.  It all started when I was really low on energy and doing horrible in a match.  A teammate was watching and offered me some jelly beans during a changeover.  Whether it was the sugar or the much-needed laugh she also supplied, it spurred a comeback and a tradition was born.  From then on, I ate jelly beans before every match.  Needless to say, we were a bit superstitious.

I'm not sure if they continue to be my favorite candy because of random memories like this, or because I have convinced myself that they're actually healthy for you.  I should also mention that I really like Jelly Bellies and Starburst Jelly Beans.  Both of these come in fruit flavors.  The way I see it, if you eat a cherry jelly bean, that's like eating a cherry.  Same thing if you eat strawberry, grape, and orange jelly beans.  There are hundreds (or at least dozens) of more flavors.  If you eat an entire bag, just think of all the healthy fruits you're eating! 

So why am I even thinking about jelly beans today?  Because it's Easter time, and as I mentioned above, I love Starburst Jelly Beans.  Unfortunately, you can only get them during Easter time.  I'm trying to decide if I should stock my pantry with enough to last until next Easter, or if maybe this is just a sign I should cut back...?

Jaywalking

If someone "jaywalks" but they're on a bike, is that "jay-riding"?  There's been a jaywalking crackdown lately; will that apply to those riding bikes as well?

In the last few weeks, I've had a ridiculous number of bikes cross right in front of my car while driving through downtown.  The crazy thing is, they've all been cops!   I'm not sure if they don't see me or just misjudge how fast I'm driving.  Either way, they should know better. 

And speaking of bicycle cops, how to they pull people over?  When they arrest you, do they just put you in their little basket?