I try to be on my best behavior when I grocery shop. I move my cart at a reasonable pace. I stay to the right of the aisles. I am discreet when checking the blueberries and grapes for acceptable firmness. But recently, I made a blunder I’d been trying to avoid for weeks – I uttered my disbelief at the rising cost of groceries to the checkout clerk.
The nice Market Basket clerk over in Rindge nodded compassionately at me as I apologized. I know she’s not responsible for the increasing prices (or the increasing appetites in my home!), but like they were a swarm of stinging bees trapped in my mouth, I’d let the words out just the same. It’s getting so expensive!
I explained that it was my third grocery trip that week, and I needed a new plan to stick to the food budget. I’m glad I did, too, because the clerk had some sage advice. “It’s expensive to buy prepared food, and making more meals from scratch can be less expensive.” I looked over my choices. Not terrible. Some veggies and fruit, my favorite cheese popcorn, yogurt, bagels, some chicken. Chicken! Yes, I was making a homemade meal! “I’m making chicken pot pie from scratch for dinner tonight,” I shared. She smiled approvingly. See? I am a good girl at the grocery store (although I did buy instant potatoes).
“That’s $127.56. Debit, exact?” Ugh.
Feeling exasperated three days later that I needed to go to the grocery store yet again, I decided to get serious. Lately, busy family schedules have left me running back for a few things here and there, and it was putting a dent in my wallet. Would better planning and more homemade meals make a difference? I was ready to try it, and come my next trip, I would be prepared.
On grocery day I made my way across the parking lot with list in hand, dollar-off-toothpaste coupon at the ready and the extra-large cart sanitized and rolling smoothly. I was ready to tackle grocery shopping like a wild beast needing taming. Milk – yes. Eggs – of course. Mega-size box of Cheerios – best price per pound. Cheese danish – not on sale, but maybe next week! Mastering all aisles of the store, I arrived at register nine feeling accomplished that I had food-shopped for a full five days. And as I watched the clerk rhythmically scan my items, I didn’t feel the urge to blurt out anything other than “Didn’t I do good?” I knew my planning was going to pay off.
Leaving the store, I felt rewarded with the kindness of a gentleman named Kenny. Kenny corrals the grocery carts and always stops for a friendly chat with me and my youngest. On this day, Kenny was wearing a retro Pats winter hat and a great smile as he greeted my daughter with a bag of peanut M&Ms. Thank you, Kenny! Your friendliness and hard work do not go unnoticed.
Now I just need to go make all those meals. Ugh.
Interesting local family activities? A friendly exchange with a neighbor? Or a special milestone to share about? Reach out and connect with me at rindgecommcorr@yahoo.com.
The Monadnock Ledger-Transcript is continuing to seek community correspondents for our towns. If interested, send an email to editor Bill Fonda at bfonda@ledgertranscript.com.