So today, after work, it was time to go grocery shopping. This is one of the thing hardest to budget for. The reason being we all love to buy new things and every week our needs are different. There have been weeks that we spend about $100.00, and then there are times were all we need can be bough for about $30.00. My average weekly expense is usually around $50.00
I learned to pay attention to what you are buying the hard way.
I had just moved into my new apartment and I had nothing there. I went with my wife to the supermarket and just start adding items to our cart. We are two people, so we know we don't need that much. I was used to going to the supermarket with my mother or father, and since I come from a large family it didn''t surprise me seeing the cart overflow with everything each week.
I was carrying cash in my pocket, since this particular week was a week of expenditures.
Anyhow, once we were done shopping, I eagerly went to the line to pay for my groceries and other household needs. And the total came to almost $200.00, probably around $187.00. The point was since I was not paying attention, this seemed unusually high.
My wife and I were thinking to ourselves that all those small items must just add up. (spices, and other items than come in small boxes yet range between $2 to $5.00.)
My wife had forgotten something so she returned to the supermarket. I stayed in the parking lot and finished loading the items onto the car. I was done, so I started looking though my receipt. Then I came a huge surprise. The second or third item charged was for a loaf of bread and it COST ME $89.00. I couldnt believe it.
I immediate walked back int the store and pointed out the discrepancy to a cashier. They were surprised that the error had occurred. The cashier called a manager, and when he came over, he just giggled. He apparently was aware that had been happening all day. Basically the error was that that the dummy who printed the labels had to issue 1 laber per unit for $.89; but the labels were printed with the quantity of 100; therefore the price was $89.00.
Amazing but true. I found this to be the most expense loaf of french bread that I have ever purchased. Good think i managed to get my refund. I didnt get to keep the bread for free.
I watch closely when I am paying for something. I don't worry about items being on sale or not, but I do try to make sure the cost for items are reasonable.
I would not doubt that all of us have been robbed before at the supermarket.
My recommendation, pay attention. Just by standing right by the cashier, they will too make sure items are coming up correctly.
By the way, today I spend $66.00 on groceries.
Food cant afford it, but cant afford to live without it!!
October 8th, 2008 at 12:52 am
October 8th, 2008 at 12:59 am 1223427574
October 8th, 2008 at 01:22 am 1223428960
i usually spend about $50-$60 on groceries a week, but it varies (last week I spent $9!). I try my best to make everything from scratch, which does save a lot and is much healthier than prepackaged food.
October 8th, 2008 at 01:34 am 1223429660
October 8th, 2008 at 02:48 am 1223434099
Watching as they ring up groceries has a big payoff at my store... if they make an error, you get the item free. Not long ago, I got a free papaya because they rang it up at $2.29 a pound when the special was 99¢ a pound.
October 8th, 2008 at 03:16 am 1223435769
October 8th, 2008 at 03:31 am 1223436697
October 8th, 2008 at 03:38 am 1223437093
October 8th, 2008 at 07:18 am 1223450330
October 8th, 2008 at 04:21 pm 1223482870