Walgreen's, the guilty pleasure I trust.

Let's face it: clipping coupons has never been cool. There's something kind of antiquated about using them in general. In the first place, it's 2005; we shouldn't have to use scissors any more. But once they're cut and ready to go, using them at the check-out puts the consumer in a certain box. The thrifty, cheap, and frugal box. Now enter the mail-in rebate. As if to make saving money a bit more anonymous, the rebate (pesky cousin to the coupon), promises cash back in the privacy of a mailbox. But on the flip, rebates involve a second-thought, thirty-seven cents, and a lot of goddamn waiting time. Now, all of this considered, is there any reason why I would put up with both coupons and rebates? Ordinarily, no. BUT...if you're talking about Walgreen's, then everything I've just mentioned is moot.

I have a healthy obsession with Walgreen's. Apparently, it's home to the pharmacy that America trusts. Whatever that means. I don't use the pharmacy, but I do use just about every other service it offers. I was first enticed one Sunday last August, when the Walgreen's ad caught my eye. Coupons offering things for .39? Like bubble mailers and boxes of envelopes? I was immediately intrigued and ultimately hooked. Walgreen's LOVES to boast their coupons and, what's more, mail-in rebates. I use both now, usually every week. I'm hoping to start posting random Walgreen's purchases that I make, because I think even you'd be amazed. But for now I can tell you three things I absolutely love about Walgreen's:

1. They're usually open late, if not 24 hours.
2. They're clean.
3. And when you hear "I see three" and you're standing in line at the cashier, you'll be taken care of shortly.

Stay tuned for what I hope is a recurring column - "What's in your Walgreen's bag, lady?"