Savings Challenge and Perserverance to Save $.30

So a few weeks ago I agreed to take on Ginny Brady's Saving Savings Challenge over at Boardcast. I have to admit it is quite a challenge. Finding savings aren't that difficult, but actually depositing that savings is tough. It's especially tough when the savings aren't physical--since I never carry cash. So this weekend I'll be putting together a simple Excel spreadsheet where I'll log my savings.

Meanwhile, I recently read this post by Donna Freedman. To summarize Donna stood her ground on the right to save just a bit of money at a retailer. This is something I never do. Maybe it's because I don't like confrontation, but mostly I believe that everything just evens out eventually. If I lost a $3 savings one time another will come sooner or later. But this post inspired me to stand my ground.

I've been cheated from savings about half-a-dozen times in the past couple of months at Starbucks. It's not usually much money so I just let it go. Like the many times they forgot to give me my free soy and free syrup with my rewards. And the one time when after I pointed out that they forgot the manager shrugged her shoulders and handed me a dime. That was insulting the savings would have been $.60. But these are cases where I figure it's not that much money so who cares.

But yesterday I was at Starbucks--again--and I ordered 3 petite scones. I only had 2 kids with me but the price was either $.75 each or 3 for $1.95. The clerk charged me $.75 for each one. So I had a moment in my head. It's just 30 cents. But it's my 30 cents and I only ordered 3 because of the 3 for $1.95 price. And then there are all those times this summer that they've cheated me out of 60 cents. So I stood my ground and pointed out the mistake. The clerk became flustered. She blamed the computer (could have been--doesn't really matter). She didn't know what to do or how much money was involved. She asked me if she should call the manager. "Yes," I said. The manager overrided the price and I got my 30 cents.

During this small exchange I never showed one smidge of annoyance or anger. I just told her it wasn't a problem besides anybody can make a mistake. But the point is that I was overcharged and no matter how little it's just not right. Thanks Donna Freedman for teaching me to speak up for savings.