I was thinking the other day about how much fun I've had being a CAG and the excitement of being able to buy something I really want for such low prices. This got me to thinking, am I really a CA with everything

After asking myself that question, I got to thinking. As far as video games go, it is more or less justifying my gaming habit than a need to get games cheap. I would still buy a game I have to have even if it was at a high price (for example, I will probably end up buying Toy Story Mania at full price. This is a game I really want, I'm a huge fan of Toy Story and also a collector, but I also know this is a game that will likely drop quickly, especially since Amazon has already dropped the price over $10. However, I also know that Target is going to be offering the game with "Collectible 3-D Packaging" and if the package looks good, then I will have to get that one. Not knowing how long they will have that particular case, I may end up buying the game close to when it comes out) but for the most part I try to buy my games when they are cheap and at the very least from Amazon to save whatever they've marked it down to and the tax. So I can afford to get my games and accessories at regular price, but since it is a hobby and I buy so many games (and don't trade or buy used) I try to save the money where I can. Since finding CAG I've not spent more than $14 on a game, and that feels awesome.

So then I got to thinking about what else I'm cheap with. For the most part I try to save money where ever I can, especially on things I don't need. For example, I buy clothes when the stores I shop at have good sales, since moving I've been finding good deals on furniture and other things for my house, etc. I buy all my stuff new, but whenever possible I go to sales and events to save money. Again, it isn't that I have to save the money, but I think it is just crazy to spend the extra money on something when you don't have to. I have a closet full of clothes, so if I can save $50 on a shirt if I wait a week to buy it, why not. As some of you know I moved to Florida from Ohio and lived in a small town, where everybody knows each other, back there you could always get a good deal just because you knew the people that owned the stores (not so much at places like Wal-Mart, Staples, etc. although they would always make sure you were well taken care of) So before I moved, I even went so far as to buy a bunch of my furniture from the local furniture store and then had it moved down with the other things I was moving. Even with the cost of moving I still saved a lot of money. Now that I've moved and I'm picking out the last several items I need here, I'm so happy I bought most of my stuff back home.

In the end for me, I don't know if I'm cheap so much as I enjoy finding good deals and saving money. The whole experience of being a CAG is a hoot to me and nothing feels quite like hitting the jackpot and coming home with bags of games and accessories for great prices . I like the adventure and enjoyment of getting good deals and I think that is what I like more than anything.

So after coming to this realization I decided another question was in order, what, if anything, do I not question prices on? Well, I'm sure there are a few things that I don't really hesitate to buy at full price, for example I don't like grocery shopping so much, so I get what I need and get out, not paying much attention to prices, same with cleaning supplies, I get what I need and that is it. But there is one thing I have never questioned costs on and that is anything for my pooch. My dog is awesome and I love him to death and as a result he is totally spoiled. He gets food that is probably a hundred times better than anything I eat (and healthier) and probably costs more than the food I eat too. He probably has 100 collars and matching leashes, each with their own matching tag (well most of them, it has been a slight pain to get new ones now that we have moved) Of course nice dog bowls are important as well, so there is a cupboard set aside for all of his dishes and of course, now that he lives near Disney he had to have a Disney bowl, but the image scratched that was on the bottom of the bowls so they have since been replaced. Every active dog needs good toys and he has tons, stuffed toys, rope toys, bones, etc. He loves going through his toys and picking new ones out all the time (and you will never see a dog so happy as he is when he sees the bottle of peanut butter bubbles!) and since moving he has found a lot of joy out of taking his tennis ball to the tennis court and watching people play.

I pretty much always think of him first. When I was preparing to move he was the first one that was packed and everything prepped so he could leave. Since getting here, he has taken priority as well. I was researching vets long before we got here and finding which one to use was one of my first goals, I've yet to find a doctor for myself. He has his groomer picked out for him already, I haven't found a place I like to get my hair cut. Finding a pet food store that sold his food was also important since it usually has to be a specialty store. I found the closest places as soon as we got here, even before really knowing where the best grocery stores were for me. A few weeks ago when my brother was taking a cruise out of Florida I was going to book a room and go too, but realized I don't have anyone here to take care of him for me, so I stayed home. The dog even had a bed before me! I had picked my bedroom furniture out back home in Ohio and it turned out that it wasn't going to be to Ohio before I left for Florida and by the time we found out, there was no time to replace it. So, I just bought an air mattress and planned to find something once I got to Florida. I get here the first night and set the bed all up and went to sleep, only to wake up a few hours later with it deflated (I had wanted to try it before I left home, but figured it would never get back in the box and be a complete hassle, so I decided to wait, lesson learned!) Meanwhile, the pup is sound asleep on his soft and cuddly bed.

I'm definitely proud to be a CAG and a smart shopper to save some money here and there. In the end the only thing I don't hesitate to spend money on is my dog, I'm sure it sounds crazy to a lot of people (and I am quite crazy) but I think it is well worth it. I'm an animal lover, have been my entire life and always will be, and he is the coolest dog I've ever known and incredibly smart, so it is fun to do things with him and for him. Now that we have moved our family is back in Ohio as are our friends, so we are pretty much alone at the moment, so he is getting a little more attention from me than ever, which I'm sure he loves, but he was still thrilled when some of my family came to visit recently.

So what about everyone else. Are you just a CAG or do you find yourself being a CA with other things you buy? As always, I love to hear what everyone has to say, so please share your comments and share about your cheap (or otherwise) habits!