Tuesday, November 15, 2011

"A Bad Day at the Supermarket"

(Written 11/15/11 by ChristopherK2 for the Nice MDers Over 35 Blog)

I generally detest going to a supermarket, for reasons that will soon become obvious.

But the other day I broke down and went because I was out of so many things that Sheetz, CVS, and mini-marts don't sell.

It turned out to be more torture than usual. Martin's has rearranged many things since I was last there a year (?) ago, so I had to double back for stuff, ask clerks, etc. I still have no idea where the cookies are are because, frankly, I got tired of looking stupid. And even though I *tried* to minimize my costs, I knew I was going to take a big hit.

So, exasperated from it all, I finally headed to the checkout line. I *hate* checkout lines because I *always* pick the worst one, even though I'm always absolutely sure it's the very best one. There were about 10 to choose from, and I surveyed them with my usual keen eye. I noticed one that had just the current person being checked out while all the rest also had one or two other people in line. Ah AH!, I thought.

When I looked closer, it seemed EVEN better. The checkout gal was almost finished with the customer... just 3' of groceries remaining on the conveyor belt. Great! So I quickly jumped in line and started unloading my groceries, joyful that I'd SOON be finished with this ordeal. HA!

But I knew deep down that disaster was about to strike. It always does with me and checkout lines. In the past, that's included such wonders as a customer on food stamps who hadn't properly separated her groceries, a woman who near as I could tell wanted to pay in all pennies, and people with bouncing checks.

I suddenly got suspicious when the customer first pulled a credit card out of her purse and then ALSO pulled a special purse out of her bigger purse. Uh oh! Not good! No, say it isn't so! But alas, it be so. The dreaded COUPON purse!

By then I had already unpacked half my groceries from my cart, so I was toast.

I think the woman was going for at least a Personal Best if not a world record for coupon savings. But she only had the one full cart, so I thought the world record was out of the question. I asked her how much she had saved and whether it was a personal best. She said, "Just over $100, but that's not even close to a Personal Best."

I didn't inquire further. ugghhh When I was finished paying for my measly $221.04 worth of groceries, I noticed my PUNY $10.81 in "bonuscard savings." I *should* start clipping coupons, obviously. But I won't. I'm a lazy butt head.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Christopher you should clip coupons you dont know how much you can really save they sure do help me.

RedSkyBay said...

Don't you just hate those lines at the register. I thought it was just me that always picked the wrong line.

Christopher said...

<< Christopher you should clip coupons... >>

One thing I'm unsure about is where to get them these days. I used to buy the Sunday Washington Post and that was my main source. But I now read that online, so that's out.

Any suggestions?

Christopher said...

<< I thought it was just me that always picked the wrong line. >> RedSky

You're not alone! LOL If I was prone to panic, I'd probably feel that every time I approached the check out area.

Anonymous said...

Course not you have Billy to stalk

Old Roomie Jan 2002 said...

argh the dreaded coupons...

Old Roomie Jan 2002 said...

argh the dreaded coupons...