And you all mock my couponing.

Amazing lessons can be taught to your children, all through the magic of coupons.

This actually happened back in August but I forgot to blog about it then. So I will now. It's my blog. I can blog in non chronological order if I want to. So there.

One week this summer, the couponing G-ds aligned and there was a money making deal on Dannon yogurt. It involved coupon blinkies, multiple stores, and multiple trips to said stores, and much rolling of catalinas.

Being the insane couponing geek thrifty chick that I am, I took major advantage of said deal. To the tune of about 50 32 oz tubs of Dannon yogurt. Now I like yogurt, and my kids like yogurt, and Benjie hates yogurt , but even I could not eat 50 tubs of yogurt. I DID freeze a bunch in free Hefty One Zip bags, but STILL! it was excessive. Why did I buy so much yogurt that I did not need? Well the yogurt "paid" for lots of other stuff. Don't ask. It's complicated.

So I taught my kids a thing or two about food pantries. We loaded up the van with about 40 tubs of yogurt and some other assorted goodies and off we went to the local food pantry. My kids were AMAZED that some people don't have money for food (maybe that's because they see my insane grocery store stockpile in my basement). They couldn't get over that people need to go to the food pantry to feed their families.

We met the people who run the food pantry and gave them the yogurt.


Then one woman who works there (who happens to be Shosh's mother!) gave us a tour of all the other services they have there. My kids saw the free medical clinic, the free pharmacy, dentist's office, eye doctor's, and glasses "store". They were amazed. They really and truly could not wrap their little minds around the concept.

Now my kids know all about charity. It's a big concept in Judaism (as it is in many faiths) to give to those who are not as fortunate. But going to the food pantry made it real for them-they saw up close and personal what a less fortunate person might need.

So ahem, all ye of little faith in the power of the coupon. Much good can come from my madness those little pieces of paper.

They were so excited that they had helped. It was one of those "I'm an awesome mom" moments. Unlike today on the way home from Dovi's PT. Those little suckers were none too enjoyable.

But they like sushi. Just sayin'.

(Yes, of course I made the sushi. Would I ever spend $6.99 on a freaking California roll for those little clowns? I think not. And I made about 8 full rolls for under $10. It's REALLY easy peasy, I promise. Maybe I'll do Sara's Sushi for Lazy People if anyone is interested.)