Supermarket Pet Peeves

     I spend a considerable amount of time in supermarkets.   Part of the reason is that I shop for different items in different stores.  The other part is I there is always something I need, forgot, or have to get before a sale is over.   There are times when I have actually forgotten an item I wrote down on a list.  Other times I didn’t get the main product I went out for in the first place.  Despite these issues, or maybe because of them, I have noticed certain problems in most stores.  They might not bother everyone, but to me, and others I often find myself helping, they are always present.  Move over Letterman…here are my top five.

5.   Narrow aisles.    I don’t understand why the aisles aren’t wide enough to let carts go by in different directions without crashing into each other.  How many times do you have to say “excuse me” or “sorry” when cruising down these rows.  During busy times, this can be a cause of indoor road rage.

4.   Items placed too high.  I am 5’4’ tall.  Ok, maybe a little less.  I cannot always reach the items placed high on a shelf.  It gets worse when they stack the items on top of each other.  My choice is to stand on the bottom shelf, or find a way to knock down a box without the whole shelf coming down.  The dairy section is trickier since milk, juice, etc. are placed on racks.  Once the first two are taken, the others are so far back I can’t reach.  It has been documented that stores place the pricier items at eye level.  My looking up, and down, taught me that trick long ago.

3.  Looking like a department store.    In rural areas I can understand the need to carry products besides your typical groceries.  For those of us who have access to the mall, as well as department and big box stores, we don’t need row and rows of items we can get somewhere else.  How many people purchase those items in the supermarket?  The space could be used more efficiently.  See number 5.

2.  Reading the small print.   I love those little tabs they place near a sale item.  The print has a font size in the negative numbers.   Not only do you have to make sure of the date, but only a certain size may be on sale, and the tab might not be directly under the product.  If the item comes in a variety of flavors….watch out.   Whole wheat may be on sale, but not whole grain whole wheat.  Chunky peanut butter, but not smooth.  100 oz. bottle of detergent, but not the one that is fragrance free.   Why does it have to be so confusing?

1.  Wet produce.   This is the one that irks me the most.  A simple lesson in biology is required here.  Once a plant is picked and separated from its root system, it does not absorb water.  I can’t stand wet lettuce and parsley.  It is drenched, you can’t get it in the bag, and it disintegrates into a mess within days.  I also can’t stand the bags of wet carrots.  I stopped buying the baby ones because they are too slimy.  Even the whole ones are wet at times.  I can’t count the number of times those automatic sprayers have gone on when my arm in fully extended under them.  Please, I don’t need a shower.

     Every now and then, I see the district managers walking around with store management pointing out this and that.  I wonder what they are looking at.  I wonder what study or plan they have developed to make shopping better.  I have an idea or two (or five) for them.  Maybe they should actually talk to the “average” shopper.  Oh well, I’ll be back in their stores soon enough.  Probably tomorrow.  As they always say, Have a Nice Day!

Working an 8 Hour Day

     My daughter was sick this week.   As a result, I was bound to the house for 2 days.   Not knowing if she would be better the next day, I went to the supermarket as soon as my husband came home on Tuesday.   I haven’t shopped in the evening in quite a while, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Surprisingly the store wasn’t crowded at all.  Shelves aren’t as stocked, but I was able to purchase what was needed.  All was good until I got to the check out.  That is when I noticed a major difference.

     The cashier and the bagger were both under the age of 20.  With me standing right there, they did nothing but complain about how many hours they had to work, their schedule for the week, when they were going to finally get their break, and what the managers were doing to them.  I wanted to say something, but really did know what.  Mostly I wanted to know why they applied for full-time hours if they didn’t want to work 8 hours a day.  Also, what made them think it appropriate to have this type of conversation in the presence of a customer?

     I usually shop for food around 9 to 10 A.M.   Parking lots aren’t crowded, lines are shorter, and I prefer to do this early in the day.  The staff tends to be made up mostly of adult workers.  Most are kind and friendly.  There are some that are much older than me.  I often wonder if some are working to make ends meet.  Regardless, they are efficient, smile, and go about the business of serving the customer.  They might move a little slower, but they have the strong work ethic that I remember being instilled as I was growing up.  My grandparents worked much longer hours, in less desirable conditions, in order to survive.

     I am not throwing all young people under the bus.  There are many places, including this store, where the young people are incredibly polite and helpful.  There are others though who need to learn that working is not easy.  Every job can have long hours, difficulties, and a tough schedule.  Every type comes with challenges and periods of exhaustion.  The satisfaction comes from the knowledge of a job well-done, of contributing to society, and working for your pay.  Much that can be learned from people who have worked for many, many, years and still know how to smile.

Is Thanksgiving Becoming Thanksgetting?

                                                                                                                                                                           

      The Friday after Thanksgiving has been deemed the start of the holiday shopping season.  At one time it was a low-key day people spent walking around shops enjoying the long weekend.  In recent years, it has become a maniacal race for bargains.  The opening time of the stores offering sales has crept up by a few hours every year with the inevitable now happening.  Retailers are opening their doors on Thanksgiving day.

      Thanksgiving was created as a day of reflection.  People gathered around for a meal with family, friends, and neighbors in appreciation for all that we have, and for all that we can offer.   The day is being reduced from what we have, to what we can get.  There are lines forming outside of big box stores with people trying to get those 5 big screen televisions that will be offered cheap.  Some are waiting for the latest electronic gizmo that in 6 months will be replaced.  Others want the feeling they are getting something for their money, so they too wait in line.  There are people who believe those few days of shopping will provide the biggest bargains of the season.  Never mind they have weeks to go, this is the day to score big.

     It is a difficult time.  The economy has taken its toll on many.  People have the right to seek out items at low cost if they choose.  What I don’t like is the timing of the deals.  Why should the employees, who don’t make a great deal of money, be the ones who have to report to work?   The executives who make the decision to open are not working that day.  Would it really hurt to wait until Friday?  Can’t we as a nation have one day off that most of us will celebrate?   Aren’t we supposed to give thanks and not think about what we can get?

     My family drives about an hour to celebrate the day with relatives.  It is the most pleasant ride of the year as most of the businesses are closed.  The roads are peaceful and quiet.  On the way back, you can see people in their homes enjoying the day with loved ones.  A day of giving thanks for family, friends, good health, food, and shelter.  The one day of the year when we pause to remember all that we value as it is shared over a simple meal.  These are things that money can’t buy and aren’t for sale.  A day called Thanks”giving”.

Thanks´giv`ing

n. 1. The act of rending thanks, or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies.

Webster’s Dictionary

What Happened to the Neighborhood Grocer?

Growing up, there were a number of small grocery stores spread out across the town.  They were located within 1 to 2 miles of most residents which made access relatively easy for most.  They all provided dairy, produce, meats, and deli.  They had cereal, condiments, snacks, and cleaning products.  They provided the basics and were visited by loyal customers.  Then along came the boom of the large supermarkets which put the small stores out of business, and made access for some people a hardship.  There are now more convenience stores or fast food establishments closer to some people than a grocery store.  This has contributed to the rise of unhealthy eating, and the increase of problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and cholesterol.

There was a time when Grand Union, A&P, Finast, Waldbaum’s, and a number of other small stores dotted the neighborhoods.  If need be, one could walk or take a short ride on mass transit to purchase a few items.  This is no longer the case.  The large stores are on main roads in many towns making it difficult for people who do not own a vehicle to reach.   It is almost impossible to make large purchases as it is too hard to carry on a bus.  This wasn’t as much of a problem when stores were within a reasonable distance from one’s home. 

So what happens?  It is easier to pick up that doughnut on the corner.  It is easier to go to the fast food establishment or buy processed items that can sit on the shelf without going bad.  How is this supposed to help people make good decisions when it comes to diet?  Doesn’t it lead to more health related issues and more expense when it comes to providing health care?

There has been some effort in small cities and towns to set up farmer’s markets which bring fresh produce and other items to the people.  This has been successful for both the consumer and the farmers.  It is one thing to constantly tell people that they have improve their diet and watch what they eat.  It is equally if not more important to make access to those foods available.  It has to be provided and it has to be easily accessible.  This should be considered by the community at large when the concern for the health of people is discussed.  It should be realized that all people, regardless of income, location, and means of transportation have the right to access quality food and a healthier lifestyle.

Pink Slime, Growth Hormones, and Sugar

Over the past year, I have had 3 distinct revelations regarding the food that is produced in the United States.  It is an understatement to say it has been alarming and eye-opening.  The good thing is that I have made significant changes in where I shop and what I eat.  This is all due to the documentary Food, Inc., an episode of Jaime Oliver’s Food Revolution, and a recent report on 60 minutes.  The information in these reports enable people to make decisions, seek better choices, and in some cases succeed in changing the industry.

About a year ago, I watched the documentary Food, Inc., and changed where I buy the beef and chicken consumed by my family.  After seeing how these animals are housed, fed, and grown to be abnormal in size, I was disgusted to learn that these practices are used by major brands found at the supermarket.  I now go to a meat store in a nearby town to make these purchases.  Not only is the quality and taste noticeable, but the price is lower.  Even the stores that claim to have the best cuts of meat, and the greatest chicken, cannot match what I have found in this small store.  The other advantage is that you can purchase only what you need, so none goes to waste.

A couple of months later, I saw the episode of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution demonstrating how Pink Slime is created.  Jaime reproduced the exact process that is used by the big companies that produce this fatty, chemically washed filler that is used in burgers found in fast food establishments and school lunches.  It does not appear to be a coincidence that McDonald’s and many school districts are now in the process of eliminating this filler from their burgers.  How many people have eaten this manufactured food product and what effect has it had on their health?

Lastly, 60 Minutes recently aired a report regarding the amount of sugar that is added to many food items in order to improve taste and increase the desire for more.   Dr. Robert Lustig, stated sugar is responsible for obesity, heart disease, and some types of cancer.  I eliminated high fructose corn syrup a few years ago.  Now I’m reading labels to see how much sugar is in foods that we might not suspect such as bread, yogurt, milk, etc.   I can honestly say that I am well below the daily limit, but it is astounding to see the amount that is found in a serving of some items.

Reports and the media should be used as an avenue for providing information so people can make decisions regarding the choices in their lives.  It is not easy to eliminate everything that is deemed bad for us like Orlando movers at orlandomovers.info, but at least we can make decisions when we have the knowledge.  It also puts pressure on an industry that is continuously being exposed for unhealthy products that sit on shelves, or served in schools and restaurants.  Food is a major factor that affects our health, our energy, and our minds.  If we want to lead a life that allows us to enjoy it to the fullest, then changes have to be made.

Note:  There will be a follow-up to this post regarding the availability of better foods for all.

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

Image via Wikipedia

 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.

The Hype of Black Friday

Let me see if I can understand the thrill of shopping on Black Friday.  I can stay up and go shopping for bargains at midnight, or I can get a few hours of sleep, and shop at stores that open anytime between 4:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M.   I will have to stand in line for hours in the dark and cold with a few hundred other people waiting for the doors to open.  Once they do, a mad rush will begin for the 3 televisions or computers that are incredibly discounted.  Of course I won’t get one of those deals, but now that I am in the store, let’s see what else I can find.  This is the hype of Black Friday.  It is a day I don’t shop.

I appreciate a bargain as much as anyone.  I like deals and coupons.  I rarely pay full price for anything, and usually wait for sales.  Sales are going to offered from now until the holidays.  They will continue after the holidays as well.  Why people are willing to camp out days ahead of time is baffling.  To wade among crowds on what should be a restful weekend is surprising.   To force people to work on what once was a day that stores were closed is unfair.  The retailers claim that it is the public that want these hours, but if they weren’t offered, they wouldn’t be outside waiting in those lines.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  It is a day that family and friends gather and share a nice meal.  It is a time to reflect on our blessings.  This has been a hard year for many American families.   For every advertisement for a store sale, there is a story about food pantries that are trying to meet the demand of a Thanksgiving dinner.  The focus of the day should be on what we have, not what we can get.   Health, family, food, a job, and happiness, cannot be taken over by thoughts of materialism.  Let us remember the meaning of the day as it was meant to be.  Gather with group of people, maybe watch the  parade, and have a nice meal together.  Enjoy what money can’t buy and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

The Nutritional Loss of Extreme Couponing

Article first published as The Nutritional Loss of Extreme Couponing on Technorati.

  I have heard about extreme couponing for years.  The TLC network now has a show highlighting shoppers and the techniques they use to pay practically nothing for hundreds of dollars of purchases. They go in with a plan, buy only what is on the list, and watch with adrenaline flowing as their items are scanned at the register.  Then with glee, they hand over their rewards card and coupons. The excitement builds as the number falls towards zero. The other shoppers stand around amazed and often break out into applause.  Surely this is a feat, but I wonder, does anyone notice what is in the cart? 

      The people profiled love to show off their “stockpile”.   This is usually a basement, garage, closet, or room filled with items. I don’t see the purpose of storing 50 bottles of detergent or a hundred tubes of toothpaste, but there is no harm amassing these products.  It is the food items purchased that make me sit up and take notice. Most are either frozen, canned, or dehydrated goods. Candy is often purchased in large quantities if it can be had for free.  The drinks tend to be sodas, sports drinks, or flavored waters. If the labels of these items were read, it would reveal high levels of sodium, sugar, and preservatives. This leads me to wonder about the value of extreme couponing.

    The families who shop this way claim to save thousands of dollars a year.  I have no doubt they do considering the amount of time and passion they invest, but what they save in dollars, they sacrifice in nutrition.  Rarely do you see vegetables, fruit, fresh meat or chicken being placed into the cart.  You never see milk or orange juice as part of the purchase. I’m not suggesting that these families do not include these items in their diets, but it should be recognized that most of what they purchase does not promote healthy eating.

   We have become a nation dealing with rising rates of diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.  Eating processed foods on a regular basis can lead to the development of these problems.  The money saved at the grocery store now, may lead to higher medical bills in the future.  It may lead to a life of physical difficulties and complications caused by a poor diet.  All the coupons in the world can’t make that worth it.

A Gallon of Gasoline

   The price of gas is going up again.  It seems like every trip to the pump is experiencing a rise of 20 cents or more.  As much as I don’t like to see this happen, I can say one thing about gas.  We can judge the cost because no matter what the price, we pay for a gallon.  This is not true of many items we purchase.  Other industries have modified their sizes and quality without us readily noticing.

   My favorite brand of orange juice is Tropicana.  Last week, I saw it on sale for $2.50.  I thought this was quite the bargain and bought two.  It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed that the carton was now 59 oz. instead of 64.  They have been selling other juices at the 59 oz size for some time, but the straight orange juice has only been reduced recently.  So in other words, my great find was not really a great find after all.

   Cans of tuna are now down to 5 oz.  Sure they may be 10 for 10, but they are smaller.  I also noticed that the quality of Bumblebee has much to be desired.  The last time I opened a can, it contained more water, and the tuna itself was of a lower quality.  I now purchase another brand that I pay $1.25 to $1.50 for but it is 7 oz. and much meatier in taste and appearance.

    Coffee cans have shrunk too.   A small can is now 10.5 oz.  What happened to it being a pound?  It slowly reduced its size from 16 oz to 13 oz, then 11 oz and now 10.5 oz.   Pretty soon we will all be forced to by those little cups for individual servings.

   The list can go on and on, detergent, soap, crackers, bread, peanut butter, etc.  My sister thinks the roll of toilet paper has gotten narrower too.  I took a look the other day and realized that she is probably right.

    The makers of everyday goods have pulled a fast one on us.  I would rather have to pay more than to be fooled into thinking I am getting a bargain, and finding out that the contents is reduced or modified.  So, while I don’t like the cost of gasoline rising, at least I know that a gallon is a gallon.  Well…at least for now.