This made me LOL

Wednesday Caniners

Stylish 20-something woman to overweight pug breathing heavily: Well, Winifred, you're out of breath because you're out of shape. (pause) No, you're not fat. You're voluminous. (pause) Yes, I am aware it's not all your fault. Mummy likes to watch you eat powder doughnuts. (pause) Pugs that look like they have a coke habit are very funny for mummy, yes they are.

--Central Park

Young hipster to Labrador, as people approach: Come on! Come on! Say hello! (dog remains seated, doing nothing) God! I've been training him for months to talk to couples and it just isn't working!

--Williamsburg

Woman to her dog: Don't be an insult to your species! Act like a dog!

--10th St & Broadway

Lady to little barking dog: Shut up. This is not your sidewalk.

--Brooklyn

via Overheard in New York, Jan 27, 2010

Thoughts on couponing

In an effort to save money on my grocery bills, I've increased the amount of time I spend clipping coupons. I've always used coupons, but now I'm signed up with a few online coupon sites and I scour the weekly ads for ways to combine sales with coupons and stack manufacturers coupons with store coupons and so forth. It's a bit of work, but definitely worth it.

A lot of the couponing websites (as well as bits I've seen on TV) talk about how you can save more than you spend, if you do it right. For example, the bagger told me today about how a woman saved almost $350, only spending $70. Wow. BUT...and it's a big BUT....

... Most coupons are for processed convenience foods. Those of us who don't buy much of those products don't save anything. Rarely are there coupons for fresh produce and meats. And the coupons for frozen produce are usually those small boxes of Green Giant or Birdseye veggies that are either too small for a family or laden with sauce. If you've ever seen the segments on TV about "super shoppers", their pantries are full of macaroni and cheese, Chef Boyardee and Rice a Roni. I've talked with other patrons in the stores, and they've told me how they'll buy stuff they don't use because they can get it for free. Then, they usually donate it. Well...if Will's office or the store itself is running a food drive, I'll do it. Otherwise, I have to drive somewhere to donate it. And there's NEVER a coupon for gasoline!

Little by little, I'm shaving off a lot of money from my grocery bill by playing the coupon game. My local Publix takes competitor's coupons as well, so I can use a $10 Target coupon there. It's a little bit of work, clipping and printing and going to more than one store, but I spend about $200 today, and saved over $75. Not too shabby.