Cashier Rant

So as a young struggling adult I found myself needing some additional income.  Unfortunately my artwork has brought in little coin so I was forced to head out and get a 2nd job!  Given my availability I didn't have many options.  I'm not certified in anything and jobs such as doctor's office receptionist now require certifications at most places so they don't have to deal with training. 

So reviewing my options the only thing I figured I could get into was working at a store.  I still kept some standards and refuse to do fast food.  Ideally I would have liked to work in a clothing store so I could get a nice discount on developing my wardrobe.  However I've ended up in a chain store cashiering.  I must admit that I like this store better than the previous store I worked for.  The management here is so much better and don't make me dread going to put in 5 hours after I've already done 8 hours at my main job.

There is one thing however that remains the same...CUSTOMERS.  Some customers are a dream!  They are so friendly, helpful and efficient that I can't help but smile and thank them along with any price adjustments they may advise me of.  But then there are those customers that make me wish I had been smarter with the path I choose to lead myself down.  So I decided to put together a list of things to think about for the next time you visit a cashier, which due to our consumer lifestyles in this country it is quite often!

Without further ado:

1. Reply to the cashiers greeting.  As a cashier we speak to 100 people or more a day, we are tired of saying hello but we still do it and it would be nice for you to reply.
2. Space.  Be aware of the customer in front of you and don’t crowd them or the payment tablet.
3. Reusable bags.  This should be the first thing you give me.  Don’t allow me to pack 3 bags and then say ‘oh I have reusable bags’
4. Go backs. It is ok to change your mind about a product but try to limit how many items you pick up and then decide not to get.  You shouldn’t be returning half your items to me.
5. Clearance.  Expect that items are priced as marked.  Other customers may have put the item in the 75% off section; sorry about that but there is nothing we can do about that.  There are also price scanners throughout most stores.
6. Sales.  Sometimes you have to buy a certain number of items to get a discount or one free or whatever. Be sure to read the sign carefully.  As a cashier I don’t know every sale.  If you read the sign you can follow it correctly and save us all the time and the hassle.
7. Packing your cart.  At most stores customers put their own bags into the carts.  At all the stores I have worked in there is very limited amount of space.  Once you are done loading the belt and you are the current customer take your cart to the end and start putting the bags into your cart as to not delay the cashier with ringing your items.
8. Coupons.  Don’t put coupons on the individual items.  Give them to me before or after, let me know you have them and don’t swipe your credit card before giving me coupons.
9. Payment.  If you are done loading pull out your wallet.  Have your card ready or your coin purse out if you are they type of person who wants to give exact change. 
10. Declined credit cards. Cashiers only know that the card was declined. I don’t know why. I don’t know your limit. I don’t know anything other than that it was declined.
11. Product questions should be asked to the sales floor team.  They have the tools to see if there is more stock.  They can also check other stores.  They can also tell you about the product and help you decide if it is best for you.  As a cashier I have no visibility to what is in stock or the other items we carry that are similar nor can I check another location.
12. Get off your phone!  Its rude.  I can't greet you.  I can't ask you bagging instructions.  I can't tell you your total.  If I ask all these things and ignore that you are on the phone I feel rude and that is very rude of you to make me feel rude!
13. Take the ear buds out.  See number 12!
14. Control your children.  I don't mean their crying because I understand that is sometime uncontrollable.  You can however stop them from climbing on everything.  Stop them from pulling items off the shelf.  Stop them from pounding on the pay machine.  I love kids I don't want to sound mean.  But I hate telling other peoples kids not to do something!
15. Know that sometimes your attitude reflects on the cashier.  We have to deal with so many different people and attitudes.  One person wants the bags packed while another wants one item per bag while another person wants no bags.  If you have a special request just let us know nicely and we will oblige.  And be nice just for the heck of it!

After all that I will conclude with knowing that I am a nice person/cashier.  There are cashiers who hate their job and don't want to be there.  Your attitude can change that.  For some they are just grumps! (I hate grumps)  The best remedy I've found for grumps is to kill them with kindness.

I do hope you will consider some of this.  Even if you just pick one and start to work on it.

Thank you!

My first youtube video! Whats in my purse!?!

Good Morning!  Check out my first youtube video and let me know what you think!  Share subscribe & like because there is no harm in doing that! :)

Boxing

Watch "Guillermo Rigondeaux vs Nonito Donaire and this haters" on YouTube

My spring #ootd

#ootd #spring http://www.keek.com/!x71Abab

This or That?

Tag!  I tag you to do this challenge.  Leave me a link to your blog or video so I can check out your favorites!

Makeup:

blush or bronzer.  BLUSH

lip gloss or lipstick.  LIP GLOSS

eye liner or mascara.  MASCARA

foundation or concealer.  CONCEALER

natural or color eyeshadow.  NATURAL

pressed or loose eyeshadow.  PRESSED

brushes or sponges.  This is a hard one because I just started using the beauty blender and I love it!  I've never used a brush to apply foundation.

Nails:

OPI or china glaze.  MILANI

long or short.  SHORT

acrylic or natural.  NATURAL

brights or darks.  BRIGHTS

flower or no flower.  NO FLOWER

Body:

perfume or body splash.  BODY SPLASH

lotion or body butter.  BODY BUTTER

body wash or soap.  BODY WASH.

lush or other bath company.  OTHER

Fashion:

jeans or sweat pants.  JEANS

long sleeve or short.  SHORT

dresses or skirts.  DRESSES

stripes or plaid.  STRIPES

flip flops or sandals.  SANDALS

scarves or hats.  SCARVES

studs or dangley earrings.  STUDS

necklaces or bracelts.  NECKLACE

heels or flats.  FLATS

cowboy or riding boots.  RIDING BOOTS

jacket or hoody.  JACKET

f21 or charlotte russe.  FOREVER 21

abercrombie or hollister.  NEITHER

saks 5th or nordstrom.  NEITHER

Hair:

curly or straight.  I LOVE CURLY HAIR.

bun or ponytail.  BUN

hair spray or gel.  HAIR SPRAY

long or short.  LONG

light or dark.  I LOVE DARK HAIR.

side swept or full bangs.  SIDE SWEPT

up or down.  DOWN

Random:

rain or shine.  SHINE

summer or winter.  SUMMER

fall or spring.  SPRING

chocolate or vanilla.  CHOCOLATE

east or west coast.  WEST COAST

If you have any questions about my answers just ask! :)

TheStyleSupreme: New Ross Dress for Less finds and a Giveaway!

TheStyleSupreme: New Ross Dress for Less finds and a Giveaway!: You guys probably remember all of the excitement I had last year when Louisville got its first Ross Dress for Less store, right? Well, I&...

Family

The word family means different things to all of us. I can't help but think that the world these days has really lost it. They have no values or morals and I believe that's why there is such chaos going on in the world.

Why is it that people are so quick to hop in bed? It takes ONE time to make a baby. So if you just meet someone and have sex within a short period of time how well do you know them? If a baby was conceived do you know what kind of parent that person will be?

Also why are so many people willing to have sex with someone they know is committed to someone else. Most men chase sex so ladies don't get caught up in that. Respect yourself and value yourself. If your not waiting until marriage at least be committed to a person before you lay down with them.

This is a drop topic with a lot of opinions I'm sure. What do you all think?

Discussion

So I'd like to have more discussions on the threads after blog post. Share my blog and let's talk about some issues!

Because if you stand for nothing you will fall for anything!

Nana

For me the new year didn't start off so great.  On new year's day I lost my last grandparent, my Nana.  February 27th she would have been 90 years old!  We were planning a big party for her, now we are still throwing a party at her church to celebrate her life.

She had a really difficult life but still managed to keep a smile on her face.  She was always on the go from one club to another, baking cookies, visiting with her friends, going to church and her weekly visit to my parents house for Sunday dinner.  To hear everyone talk about her was such a gift I wish I could have received without having to lose her.  I heard so many new stories about her.

She was a giving lady!  She was on a fixed income and could barely get by on the money she received yet she was always sending donations to the veterans, orphanages and pet shelters.  She baked cookies that everyone loved and she used to sell them by the bucket loads!  My sister now has all her baking things and is going to try and replicate her cookies.

2012 was her most challenging year.  Her health had her in and out of assisted living and that was a life my Nana never wanted.  Like I said before she was always moving and off to another activity.  For her to miss out on those things and be stuck in the hospital drained her character.  When I visited her she was so down, I'd try and cheer her up and let her know that soon enough she would be out and about.  When she finally got word she was being released is when her spirit returned.  A sedentary life was just not for my Nana!  I love her and miss her but now that now she can continue to do those things with out the worry of her body declining.  She is reunited with my grandfather and I know that after 24 years they are happy to be back in each others arms!!!

The one regret I have is not taking better care of her.  I hadn't been to her apartment in I don't know how long.  We would always take her out or have her over to our place.  When I visited her apartment is when I realized I should have been there to help her with the things that she was having trouble doing, such as cleaning.  However, rather than beat myself up about it I now know better.  I will be sure I take care of my parents.  I will be sure the young people in my family know to take care of their parents and grandparents.  And I am telling you!  Check in on the older folks.  They are from a different time and are too proud to ask for help.  Don't ask them what you can do because they will tell you nothing.  Just go and let your eyes show you what you can do.

Love you Nana!

New Years Resolution

I know it is a bit late in the new year to talk about new year resolutions but I'm gonna do it any way.  I've been thinking about this for some time now just haven't had the time to get it posted.

 

I personally hate new years resolutions.  Once a year people make a goal with out putting any thought or planning into it so the goal remains unattainable and therefore most people fail.  I also hate the idea of waiting until a new year starts to put some changes into their life.  Why not make monthly, weekly or even daily goals?  Here are a few tips I have for achieving the goals you set for yourself.

 

1. Make a list of the things you would like to get accomplished.

2. Then prioritize your list.  You can make it from simplest goals to most difficult goals or just what you feel the lists order should be.

3. Start with the first goal you would like to accomplish and jot down some steps you need to make it happen.

4. Put those steps into action!  Once you do that you will be knocking out the list like no bodies business!

 

Get creative on you keep yourself on track.  Here are some examples of what I have done to keep me on track.  Post its.  I don't want to live in a world of post it notes all over so I keep the post its simple.  Such as my goal to drink only water limiting myself to 1 small cup of coffee only if I really needed it and 1 juice with my weekend breakfast.  This seems like an easy goal that wouldn't take much thought or prep, right?  That is what I thought until a few different occasions I caught myself drinking pop!  So I have a post it on the refrigerator at home and by my desk at work just as a friendly reminder.  Its helpful to me, it reminds that I have a goal that I'm trying to reach.

 

Here is a more in depth example.  I have taken on a second job to eliminate some of the debt that I'm carrying.  The first few weeks I let happen exactly what I didn't want to happen.  I was spending job 2 money on going out, eating and clothes when I should have been paying down debt.  So I listed all the items I'd like to clear up with this 2nd job.  Then I listed them from the smallest amount to the largest (you can also do from highest interest to the lowest if you really want to save some money).  So now I pay the minimums on all accounts except for the one at the top of my list.  The debt at the top I pay as much as I can until it hurts me a bit.  When it is paid off I don't have to pay to it anymore and now I can go to the next item and pay until it hurts and so on and so forth.  This is also known in the financial world as the snow ball effect.

 

Ok so back to the topic of resolutions.  Don't wait for a new year to start to make positive changes in your life.  Every day is another chance and you waiting for the new year is selling yourself short.  They say habits take 21 days to make or break.  Try setting monthly goals.

 

My goals for January are as follows: Only drink water, Make it a point to acknowledge each person I pass (treating others the way I'd like to be treated) and to continue my financial goals.  These are small attainable goals, especially with a plan!

New Year

So I didn't have much planned for ringing in the new year as so many things are expensive or involve drunk people which I don't really care to deal with. I just played it by ear. Rick and I decided to go to breakfast to Batter & Berries.  Which was a great choice. He had chicken and waffles,  I had the flight of French toast which was 4 different flavors: caramel, lemon, blueberry & strawberry. Here are some pictures.  We also decided to go to dinner and we choose 90 miles Cuban cafe.

Wonder

Do you ever wonder what it all really means?  What is the purpose to work like we so for money. Then we spend this money sushi easily so quickly. It just makes me wonder sometimes if we have it all wrong.

With the technology...FINALLY

So I've finally got a new phone! I intend to be more active on my blog now that I can do it I n the go! I'm so excited :-)

Vacation Dreaming

Since early 2012 one of my close friends kept talking about she couldn't wait to go back to Hawaii and I kept telling her let me know I want to go.  Well she started planning things for March 2013 and I was excited! 

However I also moved out on my own in early 2012 so there were a lot of changes to my budget.  Now getting into December she nicely let me know that she needed me to confirm since the condo needed to be paid by the end of the year.  Rather than being childish and thinking about what I wanted to do, which was of course go to Hawaii.  I put some real thought into the cost. 

Well I would need to come up with $300 by the end of the year for the condo.  Then I would soon need to work on getting a plane ticket which would run about $1000.  Then of course comes the expenses of the actual trip and maintaining a budget for 7 days of vacation plus the preplanning which always involves buying a few special vacation clothes.  I was having a panic attack thinking about all of the expenses, which is when in my adult responsible mind I thought to myself, this trip isn't possible. 

If I were still at home and didn't max out my credit card I would probably be ok, but I'm not at home and owe a lot of money out.  I decided to skip this trip and refocus my attention on my ever climbing debt and get it under control.  I owe a few people some money along with a student loan that is almost done and my credit cards.  The next few months are going to be hard but going to be worth it when it's all paid off.

Being a responsible adult really sucks sometimes!

Small Walgreens Beauty Haul

So I went in for concealer (which I didn't get) but found these other deals impossible to pass up. Wet n wild were buy 1 get one half off! The Revlon palettes were half off and buy one get another an additional half off. I was in need some serious nail and cuticle cream because cashiering is jacking my hands and nails up! So got this hard as hoof nail strengthening cream for half off. Its really thick and smells great! Then I got a black polish with a skinny brush because I'm going to the Bulls game tomorrow!!! :) So I'm going to do my nails black and red. So for all of that it was like $23...not bad!

Retail Enviroment

So with being out on my own and having student loans and some credit card debt I decided to get a second job.  So now I cashier part time.  This isn't my first retail job but I've been out of it for about 5 years now and being back I have mixed feelings.

On one side I love being in the store and seeing all the deals first hand.  I love talking with different customers who don't mind giving their opinion on a product.  I like that it keeps me busy and I'm earning some extra money and getting a work out!

Now of course there are a few things I don't like.  Previously I wasn't a cashier I worked in a specific department so I dealt with people who had specific needs of which I could usually direct them.  So I've been cashiering for about 3 weeks minus a few days I spent computer training and here are some of the things that have happened that have drove me crazy!  1. I dropped a box of frozen pasteries, they were not damaged the box wasn't damaged they are freaking frozen!  They ride in a bouncy truck boxes get picked up and thrown into our freezer, boxes get thrown on carts to be put away and you have the nerve to tell me you'll be getting a new box....like really?!  2. I'm ringing this lady out and she asks me if we have some specific meatball, I informed her that I wasn't sure I had just started.  'Well can you ask someone?' I know I gave her a dirty look!  In my head thinking, woman all them people out on the sales floor and you don't bother to ask any of them?  Instead you decide to wait untill you are ready to leave and have a line of people behind you to see about an item.  I asked, they didn't know about it either.  Then this lady started telling me you guys used to carry this why would you get rid of it?  Did you move it?  Seriously lady?  Did you not understand the first time when I said I just started and don't know. 

I just ask that you be mindful of the store employees.  We are not all rude idiots.  I always do my best to help but when I come in to be a cashier I can't tell you much about the product on the floor.  My job is to ring you up as quickly and nicely as I can which I do.  Cashiers most likely won't know about the things on the floor, just keep that in mind!  Thanks and happy shopping!

Life by the Lake

On occasion I leave the house early enough I can head down the block to the lake and get a glimpse of the morning sky and sun coming up over lake Michigan. It is a blessing to live this close to the lake! Here are a few of the sights I've seen so early in the morning. Plus a few others just being out near the lake.

Here I'm just sitting on the edge watching the waves hit shore.

I had a few minutes to kill so I caught the sun rising.

My cousin at the park on the lake.  He looks in deep thought, he was sad the kid he was playing with left.

The clouds looked crazy this morning so I couldn't resist going down the block.  Can you see the moon and a star in the top right side?  This picture does no justice to how beautiful this scene was!

One of my FAVORITE cookies!

This is probably something silly to be excited about! However a coworker brought these to a party some time back and I loved them! The only place I found them was walgreens and they were like $3 a package. Which isn't a lot but when your broke that's a lot of $ to spend on a COOKIE which isn't beneficial to my nutrition. Lol. So I hit the dollar tree for some toothpaste. Its early and I haven't eaten so looking to see if I can find a muffin or something since I'm won't be headed home for a few hours. Well I came across this pack of cookies! I was so excited I started checking for an expiration date. I didn't know the regulations on the dollar tree selling stuff out of code just cuz they can get rid of it for a dollar. Still in code, Score! Now I'm sharing this with you so you try this cookie. It reminds me of a ginger cookie but its dry and at the same time melts in your mouth. I just love it!

Congress Basics

Yesterday was the presedential election however today I have heard a lot of confusion so I figured I'd give a quick rundown and hopefully help you out for next time!

There are 3 branches of Government:

1.  Legislative Branch:  Headed by Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws. Its powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving treaties (Senate).  There are 2 Senators per state and 435 total members of the House of Representatives.  Each states is designated a number of House of Representatives based on population.  Here is a link for a list of the Representatives broken down by state and district.

2. Executive Branch: Headed by the president. The president carries out federal laws and recommends new ones, directs national defense and foreign policy, and performs ceremonial duties. Powers include directing government, commanding the Armed Forces, dealing with international powers, acting as chief law enforcement officer, and vetoing laws.

3. Judicial Branch: Headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers include interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws, and deciding cases involving states' rights.

Electoral Vote:  The electoral vote is based on the vote of the electoral college. Representatives from each state are allowed a vote, the bigger the state the more the representatives. The representatives are expected to vote in a way that represents the overall wishes of their state.  Want to know who this electoral college is made up of?  Click here for additional detail on the Electoral College.

There is a LOT more to know than this.  But I figured this can get you started with a few basics.  Hope this helps!

What the ladies want to ask the men

We all have questions but sometimes don't have the right man to ask or don't feel comfortable asking. Well submit your questions to me and I'm going to ask some of the guys. I'll be sure to get an array of opinions from men of all walks of life. 

So Ladies, what do you want to know?!