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
Exclusions include Desktops, Laptops & Televisions.Does not apply to Google Checkout or in-store purchases. Entire order must be shipped to a single address. Only applies to orders to be shipped to a valid address in the contiguous United States.
Free shipping on $25 or more of Johnson’s products at BabiesRUs.com 
Valid through: February 19, 2009
Orders shipped free will be mailed using standard shipping. This promotional offer may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. We reserve the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of a discount.
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
Valid for Standard Delivery to a single address within the continental US. Certain products are excluded, as noted on specific Product Pages. Qualifying purchase based on pre-tax, post-discount amount and excludes Shipping & Handling charges, gift cards, gift wrap and gift boxes. Additional handling applies for oversized items. If any single order is sent to more than one address, Shipping & Handling charges will be applied to each shipment address. Offer valid only on orders placed online at DisneyShopping.com, DisneyStore.com, and DisneyOutlet.com. Not valid on phone orders or purchases from Disney Store outlet or retail locations.
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
Valid online only. Standard shipping within the continental U.S. only. Excludes freight items (numbers ending in “E”), Express Delivery orders and very large or heavy items requiring FedEx Ground Delivery. Minimum purchase amount is based on merchandise total only and excludes the purchase of Gift Certificates. This offer may not be combined with any other promotion, sale price or discount.
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
Some exclusions may apply. Only one promo code may be used per transaction. Offer applies to Standard Shipping to one location and may be applied to Premium or Overnight Shipping for an upgrade fee. Free Shipping does not apply to Coach, area rugs, furniture, mattresses, gift cards, or purchases on macysweddingchannel.com. Due to size and/or weight, certain items bear a shipping surcharge, which will still apply. When shipping to multiple addresses, only shipping to the first address will be free; Standard Shipping will apply to all other addresses. Free Shipping offer cannot be applied to purchases being shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, US Territories or APO/FPO addresses.