| Dear Diary, | | | | I've also been copying, pasting, and saving coupon |
| I can't believe it's August already. It will be Christmas | | | | codes for a bunch of possible gift items that I might |
| season in a few months' time, and I haven't even | | | | purchase online. I've learned that being thrifty pays |
| completed my shopping list yet. Who will I include? | | | | off - literally. That's why, if I can, I avail of the |
| Who will I leave out? I do know that the number of | | | | promos and discount offers that take a few more |
| people in my list will be more conservative this year, | | | | cents, a few more dollars, off of each item. Just last |
| given the economic woes the world is experiencing. | | | | week, while looking for a bottle of wine for a dinner |
| Not that I'll be less generous. I have this reputation | | | | party I was about to attend, I managed to find |
| for being one of the most extravagant gift givers in | | | | high-quality Chardonnay being sold at a bargain price. I |
| the neighborhood, and I won't allow that to be | | | | bought several bottles within the next few days; |
| tarnished just because I am feeling the pinch of a | | | | better to stock up for the season, I thought, before |
| weakened dollar. Besides, giving a lot doesn't mean | | | | the coupon codes expired. |
| spending too much. One only has to be creative with | | | | I am also Googling heavily to have an idea of what I |
| his or her purchases. | | | | am going to get myself - or what I might subtly |
| That's why I'm keeping myself in the loop, and | | | | suggest others to get for me. I started by typing |
| working hard to find what's hot out there. It helps to | | | | "Pink Nano, 8 gigabytes". There are an awful lot of |
| know where I'll get the best value for my money. As | | | | good deals, all of which I have bookmarked and |
| usual, I'm doing all my research on the Internet. No | | | | saved in My Favorites folder. Most of them promised |
| use window shopping all over the town on | | | | free shipping, and another indicated that part of the |
| four-dollar-a-gallon fuel. It's a lot more convenient | | | | sale will be used to fight AIDS victims. I am going to |
| sitting in front of my computer anyway. Today I | | | | drop a hint to my best friend Stephen and tell him it's |
| received a newsletter from They were advertising | | | | high time we make a difference in the lives of the |
| 40% off of a selection of their bestselling recipe | | | | less fortunate. If I have to be more direct I'll just |
| books, and I know that my sister-in-law Kate -a total | | | | mouth off the coupon codes. |
| control freak in the kitchen- will just go crazy if I | | | | Anyway, my dear diary, I must sign off for now. I |
| gave her one of those for Christmas. I've saved the | | | | ought to start working on my list; time is ticking fast. |
| message and moved it to my To Buy Next folder. | | | | |