Oh no! Have You Been Using the Divider at Supermarket Checkouts Wrong?

Border patrol?

These days it seems that people will debate just about anything, from how a roll of toilet paper should be placed on the dispenser to how to load a dishwasher, so this one comes as no surprise, but is it really a debatable topic?

A while back, there was a TikTok debate about WHO should place the divider on the conveyor belt at the supermarket checkout . . . the person who just placed all their groceries on, or the person who arrived behind them.

Let's go to the check out belt

Now, there's this:  A meteorologist from Arkansas named Ryan Vaughan has started a NEW debate:  How do you position the divider?  Across the width of the conveyor belt . . . or down the middle?

A Nation divided?

In a Facebook post, he said, "I'm at the store tonight and noticed some of you don't know how to use the divider.   You need to put it long ways to trip the sensor, and keep a distance.  Some of y'all use it as a privacy fence."

Naturally, the comments were all over the place:  Some people had their minds blown, while others thought his technique was an absurd waste of space.

Others joked about even more alternatives . . . like placing it diagonally, standing it on its end, or using multiple dividers to make shapes.

I don't think that I'm going to start changing up how I use the divider horizontally and avoid the confused stares from the shopper behind who wants to unload the cart and keep things moving.

Well, these days almost everyone is feeling the pain while grocery shopping! Where ARE the lowest priced local supermarkets? Are you a Market Basket person? Whole Foods? Is Boston more expensive than Worcester? After taking a look, there IS a difference in price, if you dig and explore.

Of course, quality must come first. But, maybe you choose one store for veggies, and fruit, and another for staples. Wait, what about service? There is nothing more frustrating than a store employee that really doesn't know his/her own store. But, lately I'm happy to say that doesn't happen as much anymore.

When I was younger, and single, I have to admit I didn't pay much attention to grocery store prices. These days, I focus MUCH more. Plus I don't eat out during the week. You'd be shocked at how much you save when you eat at home.

You can SAVE a ton of money if you take a little extra time to explore and compare prices. For example, I LOVE coffee using the Keurig. By comparing prices, I found basically the same tasting great coffee for HALF the price. One store has 12 for $7.99. Another for basically the same, but generic store brand is $3.99! Add to that I love using Stevia, instead of Splenda or sugar. A package of Splenda Stevia is $4.99. At my store it's TWO BUCKS!!!! By exploring and comparing, I have simply found that there is more money in my bank account each month, by deploying a little more effort.

So, here we go! Let's go find the lowest priced local supermarkets!

According to a Checkbook.org study of the local stores, here's their list of what stores save us more/less at the end of the year. Now below, you'll see some savings lower than others. Some of the familiar names below, specialize in produce, or meats, or service, and other things we like that may affect the savings. For example, we may pay more for produce, right?  But, hey, we all have a preference. So after seeing the savings below, take a deeper dive into Checkbook.org. 

You may find that you are already a shopping expert!!

We'll spend $2600 LESS

We'll spend $2470 LESS

We'll spend $2340 LESS

We'll spend $1430 LESS

We'll spend $1040 LESS

We'll spend $260 LESS

We'll spend $0 LESS

We'll spend $650 MORE

We'll spend $1170 MORE

We'll spend $1430 MORE

We'll spend $1560 MORE

We'll spend $1690 MORE

We'll spend $1950 MORE