Remember that commercial from the 80s where the woman says to her friend, "Shopping and I...have a love-hate affair"?
That's me.
The LOVE: 
I enjoy grocery shopping and I particularly like it when I get to do that job solo. I enjoy making my list, checking it twice, finding the right coupons to match with the sales and making sure everyone will have some favorite thing to enjoy when I get home.
It's wonderful to wander around a bookstore with a cup of good coffee in my hand, look at all the new books, flip through a magazine, and think about what I'd like to read next. When I do that kind of shopping, I don't even have to buy anything to enjoy the time.
I enjoy online shopping, where I can take my time, compare prices without using any gas (or the whole afternoon), and find ideas that I'd never considered. And I love the kinds of bargains I can find online. Not to mention the other benefits: no carts with bad wheels to push, no heavy bags to carry, no long walks in the cold rain through the parking lot.
The HATE:
It's pretty pathetic when you can't even buy socks or underwear for your children without having to stop and count how many are in the package, because chances are at least one is missing. This morning I was unable to find ONE package of underwear in the correct size for the child who needed them, that had all the pairs that should be in the package. I settled for a pack that was marked as "2 of 9 missing" and reduced accordingly. Who shoplifts underwear? I'm not talking designer stuff here--these are your basic Hanes and Fruit of the Looms.
It drives me crazy to go into a store and not be able to look at anything because the racks of items are crowded so close together that I can't even walk between them. What does someone in a wheelchair do in stores like this? What about moms with babies in strollers? When I'm in a store like that, I walk out without purchasing anything--but unlike my bookstore moment described above, I don't enjoy it one bit.
COUPON TIME
The best thing about internet shopping is finding what you're looking for, on sale, with free shipping! Who doesn't like to save on shipping costs? With the money you save, you can do MORE shopping.
Free shipping on select items and on orders of $50 or more in select categories at Target.com 
Save on shipping on Appliances, Apparel, Shoes, Jewelry, Fragrance, Baby and Home items, and more!
Use this link and scroll down to see all eligible categories and further details.
Valid through: January 10, 2009
Free shipping on orders of $45 or more at RadioShack.com 
Use promotional code SHIPMYSTUFF09 in your shopping cart.
Valid through: January 31, 2009
Free shipping on $25 or more of Johnson's products at BabiesRUs.com 
Valid through: February 19, 2009
Free shipping on any order at DavidsCookies.com 
Applies to flat rate shipping only.
Enter coupon/discount code DCFSC at checkout.
Valid through: April 1, 2009.
Free Shipping on orders of $89 or more at Disney Shopping.com 
Enter Promotion Code SHIP89 in your shopping bag and click "Submit".
Valid through: January 11, 2009 11:59pm PT
Free Shipping on a web order of $75+ at Sierra Trading Post 
Use this link to activate the coupon. The discount will be displayed in your shopping cart and you'll see a note saying "Your Free Shipping offer has been applied to your order!" Do not enter a keycode during checkout. Valid through: January 31, 2009
U.S ground shipping only. Must order online. Cannot be applied to past orders or combined with other offers.
Free Standard Shipping on orders over $75 at JCWhitney.com 
Use promo code SAVENOW in your shopping cart and click "Add Promo". Valid through: Unknown
Free shipping on orders containing Jeans at macys.com 
Valid for regularly-priced denim items.
Enter promo code JEANS in your shopping bag.
Valid through: January 11, 2009
