MARTIN SLOANE | Supermarket Shopper Make a resolution to enjoy shopping during the new year

Have you made your New Year's resolutions? Even if you have, there is always room for a few more, especially if they will make your supermarket shopping easier and less costly. Select from a few of my favorites.
First, a resolution for those who don't enjoy shopping for groceries: I guarantee you will dislike it less if you make a resolution to shop early in the morning or an hour or so before the store closes. For shoppers who hate crowds and long waits, there is something almost magical about empty aisles and short checkout lines.
If you don't like grocery shopping, make it easier by resolving to shop without your kids, especially younger children. Children are a distraction. You must always keep and eye on them.
Here are my "Good Citizen" resolutions: Resolve to be courteous and considerate to other shoppers. Be resolved to stay cool, keep smiling and calmly sailing through the aisles.
Resolve to be alert and watchful when your purchases are being rung up. The checkout counter is not the place to relax. Shelf prices may be wrong, occasionally scales don't work properly, cashiers sometimes use the wrong produce codes, coupons are not credited, items are double scanned. And, most frequently, someone put the wrong price in the computer or forgot to reduce a price for a sale item.
Here are a bunch of important "Don't Hesitate" resolutions: Don't be shy. Speak up! If you are unhappy with your supermarket, whatever is bothering you may not get better unless you let the manager know. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
If a sale item is out of stock, don't hesitate to ask for a rain check. And, be sure the rain check is for the maximum number of items allowed.
Don't hesitate to ask that the supermarket honor its correct scan guarantee if the computer has rung up the wrong price. Don't hesitate to tell the cashier if you do not want your groceries rung up until you have them all on the counter, or you want to receive your change coins first. And don't hesitate to explain to the bagger how you want your groceries packed; evenly weighed bags, paper in plastic, meat separate, refrigerated in the same bag.
If an item does not meet your expectations, take it back for a refund. If a grocery product does not perform well, don't just get mad; call, write or e-mail the manufacturer and get satisfaction!
Here are "Resolve To Save Money" resolutions: Resolve to clip every coupon for items you use as well as those you might use if the price was right. Resolve to keep your coupons in some logical order in a wallet, shoebox, lunchbox or other handy container.
Resolve to use the supermarket's hundreds of advertised specials as the foundation for your weekly money-saving shopping list. Be sure to spend a few minutes matching the specials with your coupons for big double play savings.
Here are important "Health and Safety" resolutions: Resolve to protect your health, as well as the health of your young child, by taking a sanitizing wipe or sanitizer with you to the supermarket and wipe down the cart handle and cart seat. Avoid touching trays of fresh meat where you notice blood or other liquids. Don't touch your mouth or eyes when you are shopping. Wash your hands as soon as you get home.
Resolve to take special care in the supermarket parking lot. Be watchful. Walk carefully. Drive slowly and back out slowly. And be sure to return your shopping cart to a safe and proper place.
Here are my "Good Deed" resolutions: Resolve to speak up when you notice a young child is not safely buckled up in the cart seat, or an older child is dangerously hanging off the side of a cart.
Resolve to make new and interesting uses for all the coupons you don't need. Each year more than $3 billion worth of grocery coupons get thrown in the trash. Think about the friends and neighbors who could use some of those coupons -- the new mother who can use the baby food and diaper coupons.
Drop off unwanted coupons at a senior center or pet coupons at an animal shelter. Consider something very special: mailing your unwanted coupons to help our servicemen and women and their families stationed overseas. You will find the addresses on my column support site on the Internet: www.martinsloane.com.
United Feature Syndicate