For the Love of Truth!

OK, So I am mostly sane about saving money... I do have the occasional over the top idea or obsessive thought, but who doesn't, right?? (ex: Using the restroom every time you are out will save you on the cost of water, power, hand soap and toilet paper. Even I admit that is a bit much.) But this week's thought is about getting what you pay for ... and knowing what you are paying for.

It all began when I got the weekly flyers and took a look. "Yeah," I thought, "Corned beef is going on sale and I so love to stock a few into my freezer each year." One store had it for 97 cents per pound, one store had it for $1.47 per pound, I had a coupon for the more expensive store... I was all set. Then as I looked over the ads a second and third time as I do nearly every week to be sure I don't miss any great deals I notice that the ads for corned beef state that the price is on "point cut" corned beef. That doesn't bother me, it's always the cheaper corned beef, a little fattier, but you just cook it a little longer and the fat renders down. I know this is the corned beef I buy each and every year. However, the pictures that they are showing are lean and easily sliced like something from a dream or a deli in downtown Manhattan. "THAT is not point cut corned beef," I thought, "THAT is clearly flat cut corned beef. In fact, the same exact picture was used several pages later where they advertised the flat cut corned beef for $1 per pound more. I was quite upset!

I fumed over this deception from stores I have grown to love and count on. I scoured the ads for more misleading ads or pictures, more bait and switch. I was MAD! When my family walked in I gathered them on the sofa. I pulled out my two ads (maybe I was so upset because BOTH stores had pulled the same prank on me!) and I said to them, "Do you see these ads?!?!?!" My husband and children were puzzled and said, "Uhm, yeah??"

Me, pointing wildly at the picture, "Do you see this Corned Beef?"

Them, now clearly confused, "Yes?"

Me, full of ego, "Well, this picture is obviously, OBVIOUSLY a picture of flat cut corned beef and this price, this 'SALE' is for the point cut corned beef which is clearly NOT the same!! Who do they think they are?!?!"

That was when my eldest son, choking back laughter looked at me and said, "Obviously, uhm, Mom, why don't you go for a jog?"

I guess I'm a little corned beef obsessed, but at least I know what I'm paying for!

~Diva Veronica