So, I seem to have forgotten to lock my car once this past week; this was obvious the next morning as I approached the car, clicked the unlock button on the keyless remote, heard nothing and simply opened the door to find some of my random car clutter spilling out from the middle console, and the glove box gaping open.
After looking through a number of things and checking the hatchback area, nothing seemed to be missing. I called Erin and told her what had happened, distraught but happy there'd been nothing valuable (at least to the thief/thieves) taken from my car. Or so I thought at the time. I was very pleased they hadn't taken my Entertainment book, which was in between the front seats, and clearly visible.
A few days passed and I started to look for my green bag as I was planning a trip to the store and wanted to look through coupons for some of what I needed. I couldn't find it, but didn't complete an exhaustive search, figuring it would surface when I needed it, as it usually did. I looked pretty much everywhere today (Sunday morning) as I had new coupons I'd want to add, and still needed some things from the store. Not to be found.
I knew then that the burglar(s) had taken my green bag, probably assuming it might be some type of purse. And I knew as well, that once they'd rifled through this bag, only finding my coupon accordions, some tissues and a pen, they'd most likely have tossed the bag in the nearest dumpster or yard–like a purse Erin found over the summer that had also been taken out of a car parked in the neighborhood, as she was informed after contacting the owner of the car, whose registration was still in the purse.
I felt bereft, angry...sullen, even. How dare they? And now, I've lost money I'd have saved, but also my bag (sentimental attachment after 10+ years) and my feeling of security, shaky though it was after our cars were vandalized earlier this year (another story, obviously).
To cheer myself up, I cut some remaining double coupons (from 'the bag' we receive on Saturdays, see TIP below) and the ones from today's paper. Afterwards, they just lay there in the three piles I normally separate them into, and I had to choose just a few to take and slip into my wallet for the grocery trip tonight. Throughout this trip I annoyed Erin by citing various examples of products I wanted to buy that we'd had a coupon for...or probably did, but no longer had. Eventually I'll forget, and it seems petty to be so sad about it, but this unknown thug took away something from my life that was relatively organized (somewhat rare of late), definitely routine, and dependable.
I'll admit it: my green bag, coupons and accordion files–one with built in grocery list pad and pen holder–were my adult (financial) security blanket. And I feel like my savings world has been turned upside down. I'm also more concerned about our neighborhood's safety, when at least four different things have happened to my car, from the destruction of a side mirror and other stupid pranks, to this opportunistic theft.
Anyway, the plan is to rebuild, reorganize and move on...once my memory fades and I find suitable replacements. We keep saying it's a good chance to start over, to start fresh. But, as Erin sometimes says: Your silver lining sucks. The world could use fewer thoughtless petty thefts, and more respect for others' property.
Related TIP: The bag we receive on Saturdays is an excellent source of extra coupons. Sometimes they are exactly the same as some of what is in Sunday's paper, but other times there are slight variations. If you have neighbors who don't collect theirs after a few days, maybe it's worth inquiring if you can have theirs!