Super Savings Saturday – 10/27/18

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What a strange day it’s been. Everything started off normally. I had my breakfast and coffee, grabbed my coupons and list, and headed out to shop. CVS went great, and then I heard the news about the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. 

You guys, it literally shredded me. I started sobbing in the car and it took 10 minutes to calm down enough to drive home. It scared and shocked me so much, thinking of those folks, terrorized and murdered in a house of worship that should be the ultimate place of refuge. 

Almost every Jewish family I know has a tie to Pennsylvania. Multiple members of my own family used to lived in Philadelphia. I have been all through the state and it’s heartbreaking to think of such suffering in a place I know and love! Pittsburgh has a bad reputation, but it’s actually a really cool place, full of wonder people, and Squirrel Hill neighborhood, in particular, is so vibrant. 

Obviously, I lost my motivation to shop afterwards. What was supposed to be a full day of deals never happened, but I’m not complaining. We should all be thankful for what we do have—our families, our friends, love, faith, even life itself. Tragedies are a time to focus on our priorities.

There will be a time for justice. The monster who did this will be punished. But right now, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. In this moment, I need an opportunity to process the enormity of the situation before I can make sense of what’s happened.

Though it seems silly to discuss something as trivial as couponing, it is Saturday, life must be lived, and it’s ok to discuss normal things even when we’re in pain. That’s not insensitive, it’s just a distraction. I am not, for one second, trying to undermine or minimize such a tragedy.

CVS: 

Kleenex, 160-ct box, sale price $1.49. I used a $1.00 store coupon. Total: $0.49.

CVS Health Stomach Relief, regular price $3.29. I used a $3.00 store coupon. Total: $0.29. (This is a generic version of Pepto Bismol, which I like to have on hand.)

CVS Health Aspirin, regular price $3.09. I used a $3.00 store coupon. Total: $0.09. (100 tablets that should last us forever.)

Maybelline eye shadow, regular price $3.99. I stacked a $1.00 store coupon with a $2.00 store coupon. Total: $0.99. 

 

Anyone is welcome to comment about the shooting, or coupons, or whatever strikes your fancy. This is such a difficult time; just do whatever you feel like and we’ll try to support each other in our grief. 

A Link is Not an Endorsement

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Are grocery prices a controversial topic? Based on the feedback I’ve gotten about this post, it would seem so. 

Quite frankly, I have been surprised to see so much negativity about Living on a Dime—the website, the YouTube channel, and its creators. Multiple readers have commented that they can’t stand them, they’re annoying, they manipulate prices, etc. It’s fine to have a strong opinion, but it can go too far.

A Facebook message was really over the top, accusing them of disability fraud, child custody battles, bankruptcy and even claimed the husband is into Wicca. When I informed this individual that I do not personally know the Living on a Dime team, he replied that I shouldn’t be “engaging in promotion of lies.”

Here’s the thing: I never promoted them. I don’t sell their products as an affiliate; I have never spoken to them, I have not even read their book. All I did was post a link, asking if it was possible to buy groceries for $26 per week. That’s it. Do I enjoy some of their articles on frugality and some of the recipes? Yes, but that’s not vouching for their business or for them as people.

Often times on Twitter, you’ll see a disclaimer that states: “Re-tweets are not an endorsement.” Similarly, when I post a link, it’s not something that has my 100% seal of approval. (In fact, many of the things I link to are subjects I don’t like.)

A link should not be misconstrued as an endorsement. When I work with companies in a sponsored capacity, either sharing a product, hosting a giveaway, or displaying an ad, that is something different. The context needs to be considered. 

If you don’t like a particular website or YouTube personality, that’s fine, but don’t try to turn me against someone and ask me to flag their channel for a petty reason. That’s childish and dumb. I don’t want to play that game. 

As the youngsters say, “You do you,” and I’ll do me. 

Start Your Own Business with Stella & Dot

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I was compensated for this post. It contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking them.

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Tzelem: Encouraging Gender Confusion in Jewish Teens

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In the secular world, gender dysphoria is rampant. Some people claim that transgenderism is normal, while others (most folks) do not. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and should be respected, but some things are simply not true and we shouldn’t be afraid to state the obvious.   

Those of us who believe in God and strive to follow his Laws are 100% certain that there are only two genders: male and female. Both were created by Him, with distinctive bodies that are obviously different—both in form and function.

Judaism has always recognized this fact. That’s why I am shocked to see a supposedly Jewish group trying to deny it and even encouraging youngsters, who are so vulnerable, down a dark path of misinformation. 

Moving Traditions claims: “We believe that in order to have a healthy Jewish future, we must invest in teens’ health and well-being.” I share that sentiment, and based on that philosophy, one would assume they’re teaching kids to observe the Torah. 

Quite the opposite…

Their online class called Tzelem was formed for “Jewish teens who identify as transgender, nonbinary, gender fluid, or gender questioning” to share their stories, play games, and receive care package in the mail—all for a low cost of $80. (No, I am not kidding.)

I truly can not think of a more bizarre and unwholesome group. Just look at the wording used: “Gender Fluid” and “Nonbinary.” These are concepts that are not only illogical, but dangerous. Fluid means a person can choose to be male or female, at any time, and switch genders for any reason. Nonbinary is even worse; it denies that gender even exists.

Everything in my soul screams that this is wrong, it is ungodly, unhealthy, and definitely not Jewish!

Instead of encouraging mixed up kids to fall further into delusion, Moving Traditions could actually be helping them. How do we help? By telling these kids the facts—about God, about His Laws, about how our minds can play tricks on us and that when we’re confused, we need guidance to get onto the right track. (Have any of them read Proverbs 3:5, I wonder?)

Multiple studies have shown that 90% of gender confusion in pre-adolescents will resolve itself—with no intervention required—by age 18. Shouldn’t we then, as adults who are responsible to care for young people, assure them that they will grow out of it and be gender normal once they reach maturity? Of course!

Very, very few people are truly gender confused for a lifetime. If someone is experiencing these thoughts and feelings into their 20’s, they can then seek hormonal or surgical treatment, if desired. No child, under 18, should ever be used as a guinea pig to further a transgender or non-gendered mindset. 

I don’t believe anyone who has gender issues is bad or evil. They are good people, but they are not right mentally, and need both psychiatric and religious assistance. 

Just because Facebook and Hollywood claims there are 72 genders does not mean it’s reality. We need to be looking to God for truth, not Pop Culture, not celebrities, and not pseudo-quacks.

The Jewish community must do everything we can to protect, love, and guide our precious boys and girls. Without them, we have no hope to continue. I don’t want to see a single one of them lost to a mania that ends in tragedy. We can not, we should not, and I personally will not, pretend that transgenderism is okay.