The other day I went and purchased a car charger for my phone. I was so excited to get it open (read so desperate to charge my phone,) that I ripped into it then threw everything that wasn’t the charger away. I happily plugged in my phone and I was not left disconnected!

So now you’re going “well that’s pretty sweet but what does this have to do with Savings Sunday?” Admit it I know you’re thinking it!

This has to do with this great day because 2 days later I find my charger has been put on sale! It’s around $10 cheaper than what I paid for it. I got really excited at this point. Most stores have a price guarantee that states if the item goes on sale within so many days, you can be refunded the difference.

I jumped for joy, grabbed my charger and went to my purse to check for my recei…oh crap! I forgot that i threw away the receipt and packaging!!! I hurridly hauled my big butt out to the trash and started digging through it like a rabid dumpster diver. The realization hit me that I threw the stuff away AT THE STORE!!! What the heck was I thinking? I apparently wasn’t thinking!

I made an attempt to go to the store and I ended up being one of “those type of shoppers.” I told the customer service person that I threw out my receipt but that they could check the system because I used a debit card. Of course i was told they wouldn’t do this. The policy is clearly posted. I then get a little whiny and ask if there’s ANYTHING they can do. I get the “I’m sorry but without a receipt there’s nothing we can do,” response.

So I take the walk of shame out of the store, kicking myself as I go.

I have not adopted a system of receipt saving that should keep me out of this mess. I have a small file that i put all my receipts in at the end of the day. When the week is over I shred the ones that aren’t necessary. i keep those that have large purchases or things that can be returned within a certain time frame on them. This way if I ever DO need the receipt for something, it’s there safe and sound.

Question – What’s your “holy crap I can’t believe i did that” story?

I’ve been reading a lotabout budgeting and savings. I want to be prepared for this holiday season so I’m thinking about it now. Last year I was so ill prepared that i had as many half made craft projects lying around as I do pairs of flip flops. Those of you who know me certainly know that I have a strange love affair with flip flops so that should tell ya something!

First off I will be putting $84 away per month. By the time it’s shopping time this should leave me with a pretty good chunk of change This will help me to get those odds and ends that I am going to add to my handmade gifts.

I am also starting early with my crafting. While it may look like the best craft sales are around holiday season it’s not the case. Craft chain stores KNOW that people procrastinate and they also KNOW that most crafters will purchase those forgotten items they desperately need no matter what the cost.

Closer to the holidays I am going to make my menus. This will be the first full holiday season I will spend with my family in 2 years. If all goes well (meaning my mother lets me do ANY cooking!) I will have the menu planned and can start shopping the sales as they hit.

I think I have a pretty good start. What do you think?

On a side note I am combining Thrifty Thursday and Savings Sunday. I’ll keep the posting to a Sunday since that’s when the majority of the ads come out.

My question to you is What are your pre holiday planning and savings tips?

I am re-releasing my first blog giveaway! Apparently I had the bright idea to do some minor fixer up stuff to my blog during the contest and nobody could find the contest post. I had many emails from people who were still interested in signing up. So here it is, and I did it right this time! The contest will end at 7pm on August 6, 2009. I’ll choose a winner at 8pm pacific that night.

In celebration of Savings Sunday I wanted to do something for you all that would help save you some money during the summer. It’s hard when the kids are all home (if you have kids.) or just living on a fixed income.
I recently had a party through a site called House Party. What is this house party thing? Well that’s a good question. Companies want to get information about their products out to as many people as possible. What better way than to host a party that showcases the products. Everyone gets to try it thus the company will get sales from those people who tried it and liked it.
So, the party I threw was sponsored by Oscar Meyer. We got to try their all beef hot dogs. I am usually a Nathans girl myself but after trying these I may be a changed woman. House Party gave me a stack of coupons for the hot dogs as well as coupons for free condiments.
I had the party and everyone had a blast. Only thing was that I had way more hot dog coupons that I didn’t use.
That’s where you come in! I am giving away a coupon for a free yes, FREE pack of Oscar Meyer all beef hot dogs!
All you need to do is COMMENT! I will choose a winner on ThursdayAugust 6, 2009 at 8pm Pacific time. Please have your entries in no later than 7pm pacific. Any entries that come in after that will not be considered.
You get 1 entry for commenting, 1 entry for following the blog, (thats 2 entries if you were already a follower) 1 entry for blogging about the giveaway and an entry for tweeting (@glitterrayne.)  So go on and do your tweeting, blogging and following then comment letting me know ya did.

Make sure you leave me a way to contact you. If you tweet leave a link to your twitter.  If you blog this contest please make sure you leave a link to your blog so I can come say hi sometime.
If you enter more than 1 comment you’ll be disqualified and you must make your twitter public so I can see that you really tweeted.
This contest is open to those in the US only. Don’t worry if you don’t live in the US I will be doing other giveaways that everyone can participate in later!