Today the following are going back:

(1) Awfully cute sweater purchased on clearance from Von Maur ($89 down to $19). While I liked the cut and color, the fabric sort of clung in places I didn't want it to (any say "butt shelf"? Sorry for the visual) So back it goes.

(2) Columbia fleece purchased in December for $20 (again down from $60). Seemed like a good deal for spring weather, and not that spring is around the corner (hopefully!) I'm realizing I don't like it so much.

(3) On Monday, daughter's extra gym shoes will be going back to Sam's Club. They were Nike's purchased for $35 + tax on hte outside chance she needed them. Basketball season is over, she didn't need them, back they go. I'll designate that store credit for produce.

These items were purchased on the credit card (purely for point earning and were promptly paid for). I'll specify these deposits for gas (since I realize with the prices going up per gallon, I have seriously underestimated that budget category).

We do have an overnight away planned on Friday. The hotel is paid for with a gift certificate and we have enough for dinner in the casual restaurant. I'm designating our usual weekend spending money as "for the time away" (I've been stockpiling snacks and soda for the hotel room, so no need to crash an over-priced mini-mart )

I also planning for "Spring Break" on a budget. That is the last week of March and we will be doing some fun things - things like discount movie theatre, bowling with coupons, middle of the day milkshake run to Steak N Shake, trip to Morton Arboretuma nd Museum of Science and Industry where we already have memberships. Also some play dates)

I scored a deal (my very first really proud couponing moment) at CVS this past Sunday. The Oral B motorized tooth brushes were on sale for $6. There was a $3 off coupon in the Sunday paper, as well as a $3 ECB offer (limit 2). I happened to have a BOGO coupon on those exact tooth brushes which expired on 2/28. I was able to get four in different colors for $7.98 (price of one plus tax). That yielded me $6 in ECB which I used for 2 Fiber One Cereals (2/$6) + $3.50 coffee - I had a $1 the cereal. Again, OOP was $2.xx misc and I got another $2 in ECB. The tooth brushes are going in the Easter baskets. The $2 I'll use for Easter candy. Very happy with that deal!