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I’m the type that all grocery store managers secretly dislike. I make a list and stick to it. I am un-swayed by big yellow signs, energetic music, and impulse items that are placed strategically at eye level. Rodney and I bought groceries together every week for over 6 years. I don’t know how we survived. He likes to grab food and go. He is an impulse buyer without a list. He will buy whatever catches his eye. In other words, he’s like most other shoppers in the world. I like to stop to read the label, check the ingredients, check the fat, sodium, sugar, etc. I also compare price, compare value. So it takes me a lot longer, and we get separated, and buy 2 of the same thing. So last month, we made the executive decision for me to be the one who buys groceries. When I do it alone, I am awesome. I have an organized list, grouped by sections of the store, and I hit each one in that order. I cross off the items, and then I’m done. It is rare that I buy something I didn’t plan on. Our weekly bill immediately went down. Sometimes I saved as much as 25% compared to what we spend as a couple. But here’s the catch… I spend 2 full hours in the store. Rodney laughs at me for this. How could anyone spend that much time in the store? Well, I happen to like it. Reading labels takes a long time, and I’m not in a rush. I like to think of it as exercise. Imagine how much fat I burn walking for 2 hours straight! This really throws a wrench in the grocery store’s marketing, though. Historically, the longer a customer spends in a store, the more they buy. They actually would love it if all customers spent 2 hours in the store. But I’m an exception, because I actually spend less. I am the methodical shopper. I buy healthy food, I save money, and I get a work out. Now you have this bit of useless information about me. 
Happy New Year to everyone! I hope 2008 is off to a great start for you. Historically, people always look to the new year as a way to start out fresh. We can really start over anytime we want, but using a new calendar year is the most popular choice. I think there’s a universal belief that new year’s resolutions are broken by the middle of January. Many people world wide start out with your run of the mill list: Eat better, exercise, get more sleep, spend more time with family and friends, find a better job, be happier… you know the drill. In 2007, I accomplished all of the above. So even though people think of these as nice goals to have, but unrealistic or unattainable, I’m here to tell you that they are all possible. I was cut from the same cloth as everyone else, so if I can do it, I know others can. Here’s a resolution I hope you’ll keep —- make 2008 the year of you! It’s not selfish, it’s not greedy, and let me tell you why… If you look at the list above, all of those things center around YOU. Whether it’s how you live, how you work, or how you feel. It’s human nature to want to take care of yourself, but as adults we somehow develop a complex in which we feel ashamed to put ourselves first. Don’t feel that way. You have a responsibility to love yourself first. You’re already half-way there by making those resolutions. It’s your subconscious self crying out for some care. Take the next step and make yourself fully aware of your needs and your goals. Love yourself first. That’s my resolution for all of us to work on. I see a lot of you out there not doing it right now. I hope 2008 is your best year yet!
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