A few days ago, I invited Nicholas on my couponing adventure at Target for the first time, since that’s the last place he ever wants to go after 12 hours of red and khaki. But since we always opt to spend time together if we have the chance versus dividing and conquering, he came along and was a good sport about my frugality. (I prepped my coupons and realized that I could essentially quadruple stack them in addition to my Cartwheel…we’re talking printable online coupons, paper coupons, manufacturer’s coupons and mobile phone coupons, in addition to my 20 coupon slots on Cartwheel.)
After a serious amount of time hunting down the items on our lists, we got in line at the register–I warned anyone who would listen that we were going to be awhile, since I’m no stranger to taking an extra 20 minutes at the register. A couple with one cart each got in line behind us and I explained my excessive coupons and recommended another lane, but they assured me that they weren’t in a hurry. I was holding a percentage off coupon that we couldn’t use. I saw their heaped carts of children’s toys and clothes and I wanted to give it to them, but I felt really self conscious for some reason and awkwardly clung to the coupon. At this point, they did decide to move lanes and while we were finishing up our excessive haul the husband came over to Nicholas.
“Can I give you something?”
We were both immediately skeptical.
“You want to give me something?” Nicholas repeated.
“Yes, if you’ll take it.”
He handed Nicholas a $100 bill, said Merry Christmas and walked away. I stood there, shocked, embarrassed for my cynicism, and then looked down at the now sweaty coupon that I had wanted to give to them. I looked around at all the guests in line, and wondered why he chose us. I went over to their lane, thanked them, and explained the irony of this coupon I’d been wanting to give them. The wife hugged me tightly, reminded me that things happen for a reason and we parted ways.
We saved $190 off of our purchase that night, but the experience of a stranger’s kindness was priceless.
The good stuff 
Wow! That was an awesomely kind gesture! I hope you and your husband enjoy the things you got for $190 off 🙂
That’s such a sweet story! I need you to share tips to teach me how to coupon that well! I feel like I NEVER save at Target so I hardly shop there.
Such a sweet story!! I need you to share tips that will help me coupon that well. I NEVER go to Target because I feel like I can’t save much money there. HELP! 🙂
I will either blog ideas or inbox you! Once you know how to save, it’s pretty awesome. 🙂
This was really crazy – in this world today were particularly skeptical of strangers. Its just a personal space/social interaction etiquette I presume. But a conversation that started out as “creepy” turned into amazing.
All I can say is wow.
OMG! Christmas giving at its best! I had a car in front of me at the Popeye’s drive thru lane pay for my meal (25 bucks to feed my entire family) and speed off! By the time I got to the window, the cashier said, “The car in front of you said Merry Christmas!” I was shocked! The cashier assured me that during the holiday season, this type of gift giving happens all the time.