While many people consider Savvy Shopping to be about money, I think this effort is as much about values. Whether it’s getting the best price or preserving the things we cherish, the challenge is to keep our eyes peeled.

For example, everyone knows tear-off coupons are frequently on packaging, but I’ve seen many shoppers overlook them. I think one of the reasons for these oversights is that transactions can be so abundant that they become invisible. In a way, it’s like fish ignoring the water around them.

Likewise, the many blessings of being an American present a comparable situation. Our country offers so many advantages that it is difficult to appreciate them all properly. While we may never be the citizens we should be, there are times when it makes even more sense to sharpen our eye for the value our nation brings.

As you probably know, Memorial Day is tomorrow and represents exactly such a time. In my book, this day is more important than the others because no society can be sustained without the kind of devotion that Memorial Day commemorates. To help put the value in a clearer view, here are some ideas:

• Lubbock Area Veterans War Memorial: Completed in 2003 and located in Huneke Park (82nd Street and Nashville Ave), this memorial is dedicated to area veterans who paid the ultimate price. While there is never a bad time to visit, it certainly makes sense to do so next Monday.

• Texas South Plains Honor Flight (TSPHF): The TSPHF committee is a non-profit group dedicated to honoring the service of veterans in the region by offering them a three-day trip to our nation’s capital to see the memorials that they inspired. Specifically, the TSPHF hosts and sponsors this annual venture at no cost to participating veterans. All expenses, including charter flight, accommodation and meals, are covered by contributions from local civic groups and private donors. When you think of charities to donate time or money to, you may want to consider this worthy cause (www.texassouthplainshonorflight.org/).

• Vietnam Center and Archives: This center is located at Texas Tech and is dedicated to preserving the history of the Vietnam conflict. Sometimes guests give lectures on this war, many of which are inspiring stories of heroism, sacrifice and patriotism. For more information, visit www.vietnam.ttu.edu/.

• Silent Wings Museum: Near Lubbock Airport is a museum dedicated to WWII veterans who flew military gliders. Although the museum is not large, a visit will provide a better understanding of the risks that were taken. To give an idea of ​​the danger, the duty was to fly unarmored craft under heavy fire with a landing almost as dangerous as the approach. While the nominal admission fee is paltry compared to the courage of the men who were part of this special group, the Silent Wings Museum offers free entry for those currently serving in the United States military and up to five members of the family. For more information, https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/silent-wings-museum.

• Online Resources: If you can’t get out, there are resources available to learn more about Memorial Day, such as the Veteran’s Administration (www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/), the Teaching History Project http: // Teachinghistory.org/nhec-blog/25582) and a website for children called SurfNet (www.surfnetkids.com/resources/memorial-day/).

If you have Memorial Day off, take the time to try some of these suggestions. They are close to home, easy on the wallet, and give credit where it’s due. Since smart shopping is all about values, Memorial Day is a fitting topic. Ultimately, increasing our appreciation for the significance of Memorial Day not only renews our dedication, but could also help reduce the need for future sacrifices. If both could be achieved I would be hard pressed to find a better deal.

If you have any other ideas for increasing appreciation of America and its value, we would love to hear them. Please visit and “like” our Facebook site (click www.facebook.com/LubbockSavvyShopper or log into Facebook and enter “Lubbock Savvy Shopper” in the search tool) or email us at [email protected] and let us know your impressions. Also, to stay up to date with developments, follow us on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/LbbSavvyShopper.

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SEAN FIELDS is AJ’s wise buyer. Read his columns on Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at [email protected], like his Facebook page at Facebook.com/LubbockSavvyShopper, or check out previous reviews and offers at lubbockonline.com/savvy-shopper.