The Fun of Free Shopping (Thanks, Gather!)

   Most of us would agree that there's nothing more fun than finding a terrific deal on something we need to buy.  All of us can definitely say that getting something for free is an unbeatable feeling!  Earlier today, although money is a little tight this weekend, my hubby and I got to make use of the Gather gc's I've collected and get some things we needed and wanted . . . for nothing!

   First we headed to the mall, so I could use my Macy's $25 gc to shop for a new top.  I needed something to wear to work on Fridays, as we get to ditch our uniforms.  I've been stuck wearing mine because of the pregnancy, and having outgrown most of my regular clothes!  I also was hoping to find something nice to wear tomorrow for Easter, since I have only one dressy top that fits now and it's in the laundry at the moment!  I found a $15 blue top with beading at the collar and a white dicky tucked under that.  Very bright and cheerful, and it will fit me for at least another month or so. 

   After that we had some time to kill as our kids were out at a special event, so we decided to go to The Home Depot for some supplies.  The puppy loves to dig up the yard, so we have some spots to fill in.  For now we're using potting soil as a temporary solution, but we're planning on installing a cement barrier around the bottom of the fence so she won't get out.  We bought some bookshelf supports to fix up a bookcase that lost some pieces, some screws to fix a broken shelf in our daughter's wardrobe, A/C filters very cheap, a padlock we needed, and finally some pretty Spring plants for our moms and my sis-in-law for Easter gifts.  I was especially glad to find these because otherwise I would have had to pay out of pocket at the grocery store, paying their inflated prices for a tiny bouquet or plant!  The best part there is that we still have enough gc credit left to buy a storage bench for the kids' outdoor toys.

   So I may never have gotten the invite for the cash option here on Gather, but as a rewards site this is one of the better ones I have used (and I've been at this for a while now!).  I can earn the gc's quickly and it's lots of fun to do it.  I've received free books to review or enjoy, a case of gum from Extra and The Biggest Loser, and some other perks.  I saw a couple of other things at Macy's I wouldn't mind buying, so that's my next goal for a Gather gc, and I'm almost there!  Once we fix up those holes and set up the bench in the yard, it'll be back to Home Depot to get some yard decor.  I had my eye on an angel garden statue I saw today, and some pretty plants.

   Just thought I'd share our fun shopping trip and also take a minute to say thanks to all my Gather friends, who helped make today happen!  Thank your for reading, commenting, and most importantly for the new online friends I've made here and will continue to meet.