A Wallet Bursting With Rewards Cards

It used to be that when you went out shopping, you needed only a few things.  A driver’s license, keys, some money and one or two credit cards were all that was required.  Now it seems you need to load yourself with an arsenal of cards and coupons before you head out the door.   Rewards are being offered by most major retailers.   Leave the house without these necessary cards, and you will pay more than you have to.  I have had more than one minor panic attic thinking I left that coupon, card, or email notice home.  Usually I find it in my wallet, purse, or pocket before I get to the checkout.  It is getting to the point of being stressful and tiring.  Do we really all need to walk around with this little item we get for free? 

It started with the supermarkets.   You only get the sale price if you have the card.  Of course we all have to eat, so saving money here is a big lure.   For the longest time I got by with just these cards and 2 major credit cards.   I avoided credit cards from stores since I didn’t see the advantage over a major card.  I also paid with cash most of the time.  That was years ago when coupons and extra discounts weren’t given.  I now have 4 cards from various retailers that I frequent.  All give me an extra 5 to 10 percent off my purchases.  If I wanted, I could probably have a dozen more from stores I shop in maybe once or twice a year. 

I have approximately 12 rewards cards.  Ones for supermarkets, craft stores, drug stores, and retailers who I do not have credit cards with.   There is only one reason for this and the stores don’t know what it is.  I save money.  In fact I am making money off of them because I pay everything off when it comes due.  I have not fallen into their little trap of buying something on credit, and then carrying a balance which is accruing interest by the second.  I have also not fallen for the gimmick of shopping in their stores every time they have a sale.  I especially like the ones that offer you “bucks” towards your next purchase.  They give you a time period to use it, and that is usually when there is no sale going on.   If I don’t have the money, or I don’t need the item, I don’t buy it.

My wallet has become so stuffed that I have to carry another little pouch to hold all these cards.   I have to look through too many to find the correct one, and gets even more confusing if I have gift card.  It looks comedic at times.  Retailers have created a game of making people feel like they are losing out if they don’t shop in their stores.  The only stores that don’t seem to have this option are the local independent small businesses.  They have their sales, they welcome you in without a rewards card, and they give you a nice shopping experience.  Maybe the time has come to start shopping in these stores more, and start supporting small business as we are all being encouraged to do.  It just might be the better deal.

The Trend of K Cups

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 The size of many grocery items have been shrinking at a steady pace.   While the ounces go down, the price stays the same.   I began to wonder how much smaller these containers can become before they are considered individual servings.  That is when it dawned on me that the coffee industry has already achieved this.  K cups provide an individual with a single cup of coffee in a short brewing cycle.  People have bought new machines to use these cups, and love the convenience of making a hot serving quickly.  The variety of choices has exploded as well as its popularity.  What also is happening is that people are paying much more per ounce than coffee in the can.  Is this going to happen to other items as well?

Tuna used to be 7 oz.   It then went down to 6 oz.  My last trip to the store revealed that most brands are now selling at 5 oz.  I am lucky to get 2 sandwiches out of the can.  I am lucky to get 2 sandwiches out of the can.  Orange juice went from 64 oz. to 59.  A 10 oz bag of chips used to be considered the small size.  Now it is the standard size.   6 inch tortillas average around 4 inches.  Let’s get back to coffee.  A 16 oz can dropped to 13, then 11, and now hovers around 10 oz.   The list goes on and on.

What hasn’t changed is the price.  We are now paying more for less.  Throw in a bad crop or a storm and the price goes up even more.   If the trend towards smaller sizes continues, we will soon be paying astronomical prices for food.  People are trying to live within a budget during these hard economic times.   These rising costs are going to cause more to struggle to make ends meet. 

The worst part is that in most cases the manufacturers are making the packaging the same size.  Open the product, a burst of air comes out, and you see what you are left with.  It is deceiving and sneaky.  If you think your food isn’t lastly as long as usual, you are right.  Start reading the labels and you will see why.

Continuing the Support of Our Troops

The war had been declared over in Iraq.  After 9 long years, the troops are withdrawing and coming home.  This is a welcomed holiday gift for the service men and women, and their loved ones.   Close to 4,500 died, and 30,000 were injured in a country most cannot even locate on a map.  A place so far that it doesn’t come to mind every day.   A country so different from our own that it is difficult to completely understand what are young people were sent to fight for.   There are similarities of horror and fear for all those who fight in a war.  The difference this time around is that we have no excuse in understanding and helping the veterans who have sacrificed so much.

We send off our young at a time when they are just starting to find their way in life.  Some have just finished school, others are newly married, or have young  children.  All leave behind family, friends, and a hometown to worry about their safety and well-being.  What we can’t imagine or fully comprehend, is what these brave young people saw and dealt with on a day-to-day basis.  The horrors of war do not leave a person when they come home.  My mother’s uncle was a World War II veteran.  Anytime you saw him, a story about his time in the war came up.  Some came home to a hero’s parade.  Being from a small town, that didn’t happen for him.  There were no programs to assist returning soldiers and jobs had to be found.  Nothing was handed to them.

The veterans of Vietnam came home to a hostile and indifferent nation.  It took way too much time to recognize the service  of these soldiers.  Many of the returning Iraqi war veterans are starting to utter the same feelings and concerns.  Have we not learned anything from out past?  Regardless of how any individual feels about a war, respect for the commitment and promise these individuals made for our country should be offered.  It takes a special human being to confront danger on a daily basis.   The least we can do is honor the oath they took to defend and protect the freedom we so enjoy.  So, whenever you see or hear that someone has served our country, no matter what war, let them know that we stand behind them and will continue to offer support for as long as they live.   Money was available to fight the war, money should be available to support its veterans.  In addition, the validation of  a job well-done needs to be expressed repeatedly.   In America, it is right thing to do.

Shopping During the Holiday Season

Article first published as Shopping During the Holiday Season on Technorati.

This is the time of year when people flocked to retail stores in search of presents for family, friends, and co-workers.   Tokens of appreciation are bought for individuals who have aided or provided us with service.   Malls and major retailers attract the largest number of shoppers.  This causes the workers in these stores to move at a never ending pace.  What is surprising is how exasperated customers become when they aren’t instantly waited on or checked out. Waiting 5 to 10 minutes suddenly becomes an eternity.   In a world of instant gratification,the retail worker cannot keep up.

I decided to do some shopping on Monday.   I thought this would be better than shopping on the weekend.   Even though it was early,the stores where already crowded.   My first stop was ToysRus.  Luckily I didn’t have to purchase any electronics because this area was bombarded.   They had 4 staff members working exclusively in this section.   Adults were shouting out what video games they needed behind the locked displays.   Who was first and who had been waiting the longest was constantly stated. Of course these people didn’t know if certain games worked on certain systems.   I have to credit the staff with being patient and knowledgeable.

When I got to the checkout, one line was open.   The young woman ringing people up was moving as fast as she could. Questions about price and what the circular promised kept coming up.   When it was my turn I could see that the cashier was already harried and sweating.   It was only 9:45 AM. I told her to slow down.   That she wasn’t going to make it through the day.   She smiled and gave a little laugh.   The register next to her finally opened providing some much needed help.

In the mall, the situation repeatedly played itself out.   The smaller stores weren’t overwhelmed, but Sears, Macy’s, etc. had larger crowds and longer lines.   People were talking out loud on how ridiculous it was that the line was going so slow.   There was little regard for the person who was doing the best they could.   On top of sales, they dealt with returns and questions about stock.   They also have to give the obligatory plea to open an account today and save 20%.

My guess is that these retailers probably staff the stores heavily on the weekend when shoppers are out in force, and then cut back early in the week.   What we have to remember is that many of these workers and enduring long hours for minimal pay.   They are doing their best they under the circumstance and are trying to earn a paycheck.   Once in a blue moon you may encounter someone who is discourteous, but for the most part they are polite and helpful.  Smile when you get to the checkout.   Say something nice and you may get better service.    A thank you and wishing them Happy Holidays might bring a moment of relief.