A Rant about Grocery Shopping

I just returned from going grocery shopping. I am filled with dismay about how overly complex this errand has become. It seems like nearly everyday a morning show will have some piece about those awesome "coupon moms" who bought $130 worth of groceries for just $38. It has gotten my attention several times and I think to myself, "Ok, let's see what we can do about taking advantage of sales, etc."

I have found that I can do pretty well in the meat department, utilizing my Foodsaver. If I see that pork tenderloin is on a two for one- I'll get it and put one in the freezer. I will take advantage of sales in produce but find that most of the coupons are in the processed food category. I am pretty much against dieting- the rule I stick to is limiting processed foods because they are highly caloric and generally unsatisfying. Well, with exception being Doritos, in which I can down an entire bag in one sitting. I just won't buy stuff like that because I have no self-control when it comes to salty foods. I try and avoid the center aisles of the grocery store, except to buy stock, canned vegetables, crackers, and maybe some Uncle Ben's Wild Rice. Which brings me to my first part of my rant- I had a coupon for the rice so I stocked up. I got to the checkout stand and was told that the coupon was only good for the instant boil rice or something like that- not the rice that I had selected. The clerk goes on and on about why and how... and I just want to yell, "Is the EFFING rice on sale or not!?!?" I apologize for the expletive, but I feel like it's necessary in getting my frustration across.

She then asks me for my Price Chopper Advantage Card, which of course she does, all the stores have their own cards these days. I keep my card on my key chain for simplicity. I hand it over to her and she informs me that beginning June 1st- they are going to require the actual card to receive promotions. Well, I don't have that card. "Oh, I guess you'll need to apply for a new advantage card," she offers. Are you freaking kidding me with this? How efficient is that? Let's just generate more plastic because some genius decides that the key chain card is not good enough for promotions. Why can't we just know what's on sale and everybody gets the sale because they shop there every week? Or- how about just figuring out what an appropriate cost is for goods? I am just sick of this - I open my wallet and I find all these ridiculous cards that are intended for customer loyalty, yada, yada, but all it does is PISS ME OFF!

I don't really know where I'm going with this rant- I'm just annoyed. I miss Costco. You get your membership card- and that's it. Everything has its price and you feel that you get a fair deal. Price Chopper is so stupid- "Have you chopped your food bill lately?" Seriously.