Thursday, August 4, 2011

Shopping Hack

I've professed my love of Google Calendar enough times on this blog that Google actually called me and I had a forty-five minute conversation with one of their marketing people about the "innovative" (their word) way I use their products.  True story.

I just thought of another one.

I am always getting Gymbucks, Old Navy Super Cash, Kohl's Cash, etc. and then finding it a day or two after it has expired.

I just created a Google Calendar to remind myself to use them when they're actually good.  In this case, the Old Navy Cash is good from 8/25 to 8/29, and the Gymboree Bucks are good from 9/29 - 10/9.  Would I have remembered them?  No way.

Now if only I could find a way to go back in time and spend another $5.39 at Gymboree to earn another $25 in Gymbucks.  Darnit!

(Yes, I already have a calendar set up for our schools, both pre-school and Kindergarten, to keep track of their days off, etc.  I am that OCD.  But it has been a while since I forgot something, so it's all good!)

What's you favorite calendar hack?


3 comments:

Rob Monroe said...

We have three Google Calendars:

"Our calendar" is just our appointments and anniversary calendar.

"Not Our Calendar" is filled with kid friendly events happening around town that interest us. Nothing worse than a Saturday morning and looking at each other like the birds in The Jungle Book saying "I dunno, what to you want to do?" (I have a folder in my web browser with links to five or six sources to pull events - from the zoo to the newspaper's website.)

"Operation Dinner In" is the one that you inspired. We plan our meals out a month at a time. Nice thing about the Google Calendar is being able to move things around if there is a sale we can't pass up at the Farmer's Market or grocery store.

Amy said...

My "not our calendar" is called "Family Travel & Events," where I list things like birthdays, anniversaries, festivals, etc. Actually, that reminds me of something I need to move to that one... Hahah!

With 8 parents, I have a lot of movement to keep track of, so if my mom mentions that she's going to be out of town, I'll put it on that one so I don't call the police to go check on her when I can't get in touch with her for 3 days. You would probably be surprised how often that happens to me, actually. It's better now that everyone has cell phones, but still... It also keeps me from calling and bugging people in the middle of their vacations. :)

Anonymous said...

I have a "reminders" calendar in addition to the yours, mine, and theirs calendars. I use it for everything from check credit reports (I check 1 of the 3 sources every 4 months to keep tabs all year long - and don't forget to check your kid's SSN too!) to remind me when to replace my mascara.

I also have a friend who went through and made a kids eat free calendar for all the local restaurants and shared it with my moms group.

And Amy, I'm 100% googlified, too! Love it!

Rebe