Waiting at the supermarket checkout I spotted a sign telling shoppers to remember to collect a free ticket in the supermarket raffle at the checkout. As I paid for my groceries I needed to ask the staff person for my ticket. To my astonishment, as I see myself as a person who doesn’t win anything, I won the raffle. The supermarket representative congratulated me telling me I had won groceries to the value of $300. Fantastic, $300 would go a long way in my shopping. My expectation of a $300 voucher was quickly thwarted when I was told the supermarket had pre-selected the items. Oh no I didn’t have a good feeling on what would be chosen for me, a vegetarian who doesn’t touch soft drinks for starters. Trying to change the win into a voucher fell on deaf ears as three large trolleys were wheeled to my car. Into the car I loaded a lot of meat, most of it minced and looking very pink. Along with the meat were loads of white bread buns, much soft drink, tea bags and flavoured milk. The list went on and on but nothing I would normally buy. No fresh fruit or vegetables were included. The only item amongst everything that I would regularly purchase was a can of crushed tomatoes. It’s definitely nice to be a winner but I didn’t eat or would use virtually anything given to me. Keeping the can of tomatoes I knew what to do with my supermarket win and donated it to St Pats, a local charity who provide meals and care for the homeless. Better to share my win with others who could much better use of the free groceries. They were thankful and I was very happy to be able to help them. Definitely a win win situation.
Living well on a shoestring 