But see, we saved a whole dollar

When I grocery shop, I buy frugally.

I check prices per unit. I opt for the lowest amount, even if it's a penny difference. I am cheap, annoyingly so.

When Dave goes forth and fetches groceries for us, he shops by looks, which often leads me to calling him "king of marketing ploys," because if something looks prettier, is shaped in a funky way or is a "buy one, get one free" or "save 10 percent," chances are he'll buy it.

He buys off the list, which is fine in most cases ... But sometimes, it's waaaay off the list. I try to make him understand that if you buy something you don't need just because it's 10 percent off, you're not really saving any money. You're spending money you wouldn't normally. It's how we end up with dollar-bin DVDs, among other things.

But it's just not worth the exasperated sighs anymore. Now, it's kind of a game of anticipation to see what he brings home from a store across town (which is "neater," though more expensive). See, this is me, trying to be fun and flexible.

This past week, the health-conscious husband of mine proudly slammed a glass bottle of thick, creamy chocolate milk down on the counter.

"Look what I got." The liquid was still sloshing around inside, coating the bottle, as I watched it, trying to think of something nice to say.

"Why did you get chocolate milk?" I'm picturing him diluting juice because it has a high-sugar content. And here he buys sugar in liquid form.

"Because, look, it comes in a glass bottle. And it was on sale."

"But we don't drink chocolate milk."

But then I poured a glass. Lactose issues aside, this stuff is good. It's milkshake thick, and it leaves a film of sugary goodness in your glass as thick as ice cream.

"Never mind." And I poured another glass.

Plus, you really should see this bottle. It has a little heart on it. It says "Wisconsin's best." Mom is so getting one for her birthday.

Not that I'll have Dave go back to get it. Lord knows we have enough DVDs that come in cardboard sleeves.