Bargain Shopping and the Tingling Saver Sense: The Joy of Being a Capricorn

I'm a frugal man, though I suppose that could just be a euphemistic way to say "tight-arsed cheapskate". In any case, I have always chalked up my sense of frugality, at least in part, to being a Capricorn. I like saving money, but when I do spend money, I spend it well.

We Capricorns have a nose for bargains — an instinct. Mine is very quiet, unless it's needed. It comes when it's called — but it also comes when it knows should be called.

This evening I had to run a couple of errands, and the moment I set out, my saver sense began tingling. "Go to Goodwill," it said. At first I questioned it; I had no need to run to Goodwill. I wanted to run my errands, get back home, drink coffee, blog, and check email. "No," my saver sense insisted, "Go to feckin' Goodwill."

So I did — it was on the way, so it wasn't a big deal.

And I'm glad I did. For ages now, Jodie's been on the lookout for a second-hand crockpot that she can use for dyeing yarn. She needs a fairly big crockpot, one of the 5- or 6-quart sizes. And at Goodwill, by listening to my saver sense, I found her a big crockpot... for $6.

As I type this, she's off knitting with the girls. And her new, bargain-scored crockpot is sitting on the dining room table, complete with a wee red bow.

I can't wait for her to get home. She'll be so happy. Being a Capricorn rocks.