Spare Change

I was born with blond hair and blue eyes. I have short legs and a widow's peak. I'm double-jointed and short-tempered. I need glasses to drive at night and my ability to spatially manipulate is about as developed as my understanding of Spanish (which is nearly non-existent. Thank you, Lord, for bi-lingual Jessi). Now all these characteristics may be genetically-based, but I'm certain that there's one more part of me that experts would argue ain't got nothin' to do with DNA...but I'd beg to differ.

I'm thrifty. Thrifty, thrifty, thrifty. I'm the gal who reads the articles in magazines titled in big, bold, red lettering that hails, "Slash Your Budget to Near Nothing" and I think, "Amateurs."

So, it occurred to me, why not share a few tips during the Covak Month of Love? To that end, here's a hot tidbit for sparing some change today, especially for the Colorado Springs readers: King Soopers gift cards. Say huh? If you buy $50 in gift cards (figures to about 2 or 3, depending on the amount), you get 10 cents in gas savings. Why buy them from Kings? Because buying them directly from the store doesn't get you the cheap gas, silly! AND, they've got quite the selection...everywhere from Bed, Bath & Beyond to Cracker Barrel to ITunes to Target. I even buy King Soopers gift cards at King Soopers and use them when I buy 10 for $10 deals or pick up the stray batch of bananas or loaf of bread. The double dip is that I purchase them using our Rewards credit card that we pay off each month - and I get double points for gift card purchases. So, I use the cards at the vendors for my everyday spending, get rewards toward a check in the mail, and earn the points to send Craig to Kings to gas up the 4Runner. Cool.

So, planning a date night with dinner out? Pick up a card! Needs some new tunes? Pick up a card! Get your gas from Shell or run the kids through McDonald's a few times each week? Pick. Up. A. Card. Cash in! And if you don't have a King Soopers (or their affiliate, City Market), check out your local big grocery chain: Kings isn't the only to sport such a program. 


The secret to spare change is almost always thinking outside the box. Thinking about your routine and how to optimize it is better than always making an entirely new one, I say.

And spare change sure feels good jingling in the pocket.