Just a suggestion. I pass a lot of homeless people between the bus stop and my workplace. I have, from time to time, dropped off one of these boxes to one of them. You would be surprised how much they appreciate even an apple.

Very. Especially when I had bought much more than the coupon in clothes for myself, so when I purchased the items I honestly didn't think that I was paying any less for the items I was giving to others. I could have understood if my sister was wanting to exchange for more than what the item was currently sold as, but I was under the impression that giving a gift with a gift receipt would never make an item worth less than current store value! I thought gift receipts were to protect the gift receipient from being screwed over because of a new sale.

I think the worst part was that the sales associate made me and my sister feel like I had done something wrong by using the coupon ... and it wasn't like the store was losing money or anything on the exchange since the same amount of merchandise was being returned (with tag & receipt) and purchased. By taking the amount off of the exchanged sweater, it was like tearing up the value of the coupon!

I used to spend 100s of dollars at that store several times a year... but whenever I think of going back now, I just get a little sick to my stomach like I was that day. I cancelled the credit card last summer and now use my Macys and Ann Taylor cards pretty darn frequently, as this year I've had to build up a wardrobe of suits and more professional work clothes. I even returned something this year to Macys where I had used one of those coupons on. It was an Anne Klein red dress that when I took it home that night to show my husband, I found a seam falling out, so I returned it the next day. I was nervous about it, because of the experience at NY&Co, but was pleasantly surprised to find out that they will exchange for full-credit on merchandise up to the amount spent after the coupon was applied. I honestly don't see why all stores can't have this policy, since it is not like you are asking for money back or anything.

That's the other thing... it wouldn't have done that. I had spent like nearly double the coupon requirement and taking off my sister's sweater would have still kept me above the spending requirement (I remember specifically arguing this to the sales lady because I was pointing out that if I knew their policy, I would have separated the gifts from my own purchase)... but because they took it off by percentage, approximately $10 was coming off of my sister's $50 sweater.

I had no intention of just tossing it out. Actually, I gave the stuff to the guy next door, he helped me when I had a leak--more like a small gushing river-- in my bathroom and water was coming out onto the carpets. I'd called the rental office, this was a Saturday, and all they were willing to do for hours is take message.

I told the guy I gave the Hickory Farms box to this wasn't a "re gift," that it was food I could not eat. He was heading to a party and was pleased to get it.

No, he wasn't a homeless person, those I helped feed at a shelter on Thanksgiving with one of my brothers, we ate there, and made a contribution.

The coat drives for those without coats: I have purchased gently used ones, gave them in the names of my niece and her two kids, the last 3 years.

Post Katrina: my sister and I assembled craft kits, we bought everything; paper, crayons, paint boxes and brushes, and wrote notes to the kids they were intended for.
And there's more: manning check in booths at charity marches, collecting blankets so those in a wildfire area would have something that wasn't smoky, etc. Doing such things have always been a given in my family, it was how we were raised, if you have more, give.

I was reacting to seeing food, processed meats, cheeses, that a year or so ago I would have chowed down. Months of healthy eating, a lighter me can avoid stressful eating and make a sound choice.

I love this idea