Why the Disappointed Stalker?

Making an impossibly long story short ...

Last summer, Eric and I decided to buy a house.  We were excited - andafter pouring over online real estate listings, we'd drive by some of the properties to see which ones we wanted to pass on to our realitor to set up viewings.

More than 50% of the time, we'd find something undesirable ... a bad neighborhood, it was backed up against the interstate, there was a neighbor with a car up on blocks in their front yard.  Or it could be a foreclosure, with the photo either being five years old or photoshopped to hide the (very) visible damage.  The Disappointed Stalker was born.

We eventually got the house, putting a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (and oh, were there tears...) into cosmetic renovations.  I became a regular at the Home Depot, and knew much of their staff by name.  Eventually, we were finished ... so "stalking" - for a house, for deals on home improvement items - came to a halt. 

But then ... we got engaged.  So the "stalking" took on a new focus.  Where can I get what I want in a venue without having to sell a kidney?  What sales do I need to take advantage of to save money?  How many trips can I make to Michael's in one day/week with the same coupon I printed 37 copies of?