Dental Inlays, Bunches Of Birthdays, And Printable Coupons, Oh My!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: Life is a balancing act.

Oh August, I have a love/hate relationship with you. In my circle of friends and family August might as well be December; there are anniversaries and birthdays galore. Ironically, every time my family grows, through marriage or birth, it seems we add onto the calendar in this month. It began when Momma married into Pop's family. At that time it was a relaxed 2 birthdays, hers and my Aunt. Then my Aunt got married in August and an anniversary was added. Then I was born just minutes before Momma's birthday (her O.B. said they'd never seen someone push so hard to meet a deadline,) that woman was NOT sharing birthdays with me! A few years later my cousin was born on my birthday; and ever since we've had nieces and nephews, 2nd cousins and in-laws, adding to the calendar of events. Some people spend an entire year bracing their checkbooks for Christmas, I prepare for August with my knowledge of how to use coupons.

This year I thought I was prepared. Even though my cousin was set to give birth via C-section on the 19th, I figured I had plenty of time to prepare for baby showers and birthdays. Then the first week of August rolled around and I found the perfect opportunity to pull out my savings and reward myself with a brand new phone. Not only had I been putting money away for the better part of the year, but it would serve as an early birthday present to myself. As the pangs of guilt set in, watching all of those important dates auto-populate in my digital calendar, I decided I would have to make the purchase a little more practical. So I hit the APP store and downloaded any savings tools I could find; including the Walgreens Mobile Application complete with time savings function like (Pharmacy) Refills By Scan, access to Weekly Ads, and even communication with the local Photo Department.

I'd almost forgotten I'd even downloaded the app until I was sitting in my dentist's chair, looking at another $900 in work, just a week later. Not only were the month's important events days away, but my monthly budget had grown even tighter in just a single X-Ray. I wish I could say I had the time of my life, but by the time I got out of that chair, 5 hours and 3 dental inlays later, my face was half numb and so was my pocketbook. Luckily I stumbled outside and realized I was quite literally at the corner of preparing for those last minute occasions. And I didn't even have to move my car- how's that for convenient!

As I walked into the Walgreens, where some of the employees know my name, I saw the weekly circular and was reminded that I could now browse all of the week's sales online through the mobile app. Even more exciting, I could pair my Balance Rewards account directly to the application and clip digital manufacturer's coupons without ever lifting a pair of scissors. I was especially excited about this time saving feature; any frugal shopper knows that coupons come and expire like milk, and it's hard to keep up with the best and current savings. Armed with my new phone, and shiny Walgreens app, I made a beeline for the gift and prepaid card station.

Did you know you can but a last minute gift for anyone on your list at the gift card station in Walgreens? You can even buy a re-loadable Balance Financial Mastercard for loved ones living far away; and right now there's an exclusive #WalgreensPaperless coupon to offset the affordable activation fee!

Just around the corner were the aisles of gift cards; a necessity for everyone on my list, and a home goods aisle stocked with an electrical section. I already knew I wanted to make Momma a wine bottle lamp for her birthday, and I was excited to see I could save on GE light bulbs with yet another paperless coupon! We always seem to run out of spare lights at the most inconvenient time, and find ourselves in Walgreens grabbing a replacement after 10PM, so this aisle was no secret to me, but the savings were!

Of course Walgreens has the complete health and beauty selection they're most known for too! With my nephew, Nathan, deciding to arrive 11 days early I was sure to pick up some last minute necessities for him and his new mom. I almost, almost, forgot my gums were beginning to tingle from the Novocaine wearing off as I let the associate scan my Balance Rewards bar code, and watched the savings. Not only had the trip helped me flesh out some last minute gift decisions, but I even had a few bucks left in my budget to buy one very important treat for myself...

An ice cream birthday cake, of course! For the first year I will not be making myself a cake, instead I will be indulging in an individual cake made just for me. No guilt over cutting into hours of my work, not shame in eating every last bite without sharing a single slice. But, best of all, I will be smiling this August 24th knowing I survived yet another year of birthdays and bashes with my pocketbook in tact. And, if I happen to forget the candles for my cake, I happen to know a pretty convenient place at the corner of paperless coupons and pure awesome, that is sure to have some waiting for me!

How do you save time and money when caught of guard with special events and occasions?

What Daughter Says: Always make sure, when balancing, you are part of the act!