Last week was the greatest smoothie week of my life. A kindred spirit in our church sent a printable Jamba Juice buy one, get one free coupon around the church Google group. Cool Mum and I took advantage of the deal at least five times. Strawberries Wild, Blackberry Bliss, Peach Pleasure, Peanut Butter Moo’d… Let’s not think about how many kilograms of sugar I sucked up through orange straws last week. For once we felt like normal people who didn’t view Jamba Juice as a luxury reserved for special occasions.
Living on the Upper East Side, I’ve felt like we’re the only cheapskates in New York City. I know people who wouldn’t be caught dead using a coupon – much less one that you actually had to print from your computer.
However, one morning at Jamba, I was taught a lesson.
A few months ago, Jamba Juice introduced oatmeal onto their menu. To get people hooked, they emailed 99-cent coupons for the normally $2.99-priced breakfast. I of course got to printing.
I figured that I would be the only one whipping out a piece of 8.5 x 11″ paper at the Jamba register, but more often than not, another kindred spirit also flashed a coupon as they handed it to the cashier as surreptitiously as possible. I wasn’t the only cheapskate.
Another morning, I made it to Jamba right in time as a long line had formed behind me. The waiting crowd was a classic mix of Manhattanites: casual college grads, Express-model hipster-professionals, and the stodgy old white men whose jobs they coveted.
And then I noticed something: a sign that times might be changing; confirmation that a recession is in full swing; a reminder that I’m not always as different as I think. I saw white sheets of copy paper dangling at people’s side. It was a show of solidarity in uncertain times, like everyone showed up to silently proclaim, “We want a good deal, and we’re proud of it!”
Or not. It was more like the coupon email had finally saturated the Internet, reaching the AOL email users. Either way, it was satisfying to know that there are other deal hunters in the city, even if just for that morning.
We still might be the most frugal people that we know in the city. However, I’ve now seen that everyone, whether they admit it or not, knows that cheap is cool.
How frugal are you compared to the people you know?
Pretty frugal. I’ve always watched my shekels, but after getting downsized earlier this year I’ve been even more vigilant. I really can’t say it’s been a trial (so far, anyway). It’s amazing how little I really NEED to spend, and it’s fun to try to get the best deal.
It’s fun that there’s a whole community of people online who love saving money. It makes it easier for everyone. The challenge is resisting the little moments of temptation, like turning a blind eye to the local pizzeria or bakery.
I’m not REALLY frivolous, and I’m not afraid to use a coupon. But I also throw money around a little more freely than some I know. That will be interesting to see how it changes since we just moved to a new state and have yet to sell our house. So mortgage + rent = more frugal me?
mortgage + rent = hurts. believe me, we know!
I find myself asking the bartender, “Any drink specials?” lately.
Seriously though, I have Danielle, the coupon queen, to take care of that kind of stuff for me. I heart you, Danielle.
Maybe you can price match drink specials between bars. That would be cool.
First… “It was more like the coupon email had finally saturated the Internet, reaching the AOL email users.” … is so funny! (I should probably feel bad for feeling so much better than everyone@aol.com, huh?)
Secondly, I’ll answer your question. I’m in the 85th percentile of cheapness. Only you guys and a few others are cheaper than I am – I think. Since we’re talking smoothies, I must share this story.
I drank my first smoothie in 1994. I was visiting Steven, using your bunk while you were home for the weekend. Steven took me to Smoothie King and I really enjoyed the Caribbean Way and knew I would have another… one day. That same day, I was given one of those punch-cards that give you a free smoothie after you buy 10. I celebrated my free smoothie from that card with my friend Sam… in 2006! No kidding. I really do enjoy the Caribbean Way from SK, but like you, I see it as a special treat. The once every 14 months kind of treat.
I feel a little bad and wickedly good about the AOL joke. More to come on that…
I think SK is my favorite smoothie joint. Probably blasphemy to many. I think I still have an SK card laying around somewhere with 2 punches.