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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to use my calculator in the supermarket

75 replies

GrassIsntGreener · 27/09/2013 09:22

You'd think so by the looks I get! I think it's sensible as we can't afford to waste a penny or get a shock at the till.

So why do I get weird looks? Is it a supermarket faux par? Is it because I do it in 'budget' supermarkets?

Maybe it's seen as unreasonable. I remember my mother doing it, one shop even had a little calculator on the trolly handle once!

OP posts:
Smokedsalmonbagel · 27/09/2013 09:29

I use the calculator on my phone so probably not very noticeable.
Think it's very sensible. Some of the offers they have are ridiculously difficult to work out!

Funghoul · 27/09/2013 09:30

I do it, don't be worried! We have a budget and have to stick to it. If I don't use the calculator I have no idea what we've spent.

Finola1step · 27/09/2013 09:32

I sometimes use my phone. If I saw you, I would think "hmm, sensible shopper that lady" and then I might follow you a little bit with my trolley to see if you spot any good bargains.

SilverApples · 27/09/2013 09:32

I used to do this all the time when I had a low income and paid in cash.
It was either that or put things back at the till.

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 27/09/2013 09:32

I do it too but like smokedsalmonbagel I use the calculater on my phone so people probably just think I'm texting.

quoteunquote · 27/09/2013 09:33

AIBU to use my calculator in the supermarket

Yes, because you should be able to do it your head. Grin

I always know to the penny what the bill is going to be, so if it is incorrect, I know they have had a miss labelled offer up,

I catch them out nearly every time.

Wishfulmakeupping · 27/09/2013 09:35

I use the one on my phone too I do it because I'd be more embarrassed if I didn't and then didn't have enough money and had to put something back at the checkout Blush

Original poster
GrassIsntGreener · 27/09/2013 09:38

Quoteunquote do you manage this with an overtired screaming baby and a bored child? Salute you if you do. Pre children I did it in my head too.

OP posts:
Happiestinwellybobs · 27/09/2013 09:38

I sometimes get my phone out to calculate the difference between all the offers to work out which is actually best.

Maybe as its my phone it's less noticeable - and I tend to do my list on my phone too.

But if I were to see you with a calculator I'd think 'sensible person!'

CoffeeTea103 · 27/09/2013 09:39

Use your phone, the calculator is odd

KatyTheCleaningLady · 27/09/2013 09:50

I need a calculator because the per unit price tag doesn't apply to multi-buy offers.

MisselthwaiteManor · 27/09/2013 09:53

It's sensible, I don't know why you'd get funny looks. I bet there are a lot of people doing it on their phones.

I do it in my head but with rounded up figures so it's always slightly cheaper than I estimated and for some reason that cheers me up even though I purposefully overestimated.

Morloth · 27/09/2013 09:54

I too use my phone now, but used a calculator pre smart phone.

HootShoot · 27/09/2013 09:56

I tried once but hit the wrong numbers. Its easier to use the scanners I think. YANBU or odd!

ivykaty44 · 27/09/2013 09:58

possibly they think it is very old fashioned - similar to using an abacus Grin

Trills · 27/09/2013 09:59

Not unreasonable, but do try not to do it with your trolley sideways blocking the aisle, and if you've stopped to do some sums keep an eye out for the people who really want to look at the products that are behind you.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 27/09/2013 10:01

YABsensible!

If budget is tight I used to use a calculator but usually use the one on my phone now. We normally go together, so one of us works out unit price etc on offers and the other keeps a running total!

SueFlaysAgainstTheDaleks · 27/09/2013 10:01

I do an 'online shop' on the supermarket website beforehand (without checking out) so that I can see exactly what it's going to cost, and then make my list based on that.

Makes the actual 'inside the supermarket' bit much faster.

VenusDeWillendorf · 27/09/2013 10:12

Try doing the sums in your head.
It's good for you, even if you're sleep deprived, and weirdly satisfying if you're correct!

Mogz · 27/09/2013 10:14

YANBU it used to be my fave part of shopping with my mum, she would let me add everything up.

BackforGood · 27/09/2013 10:19

SOunds pretty sensible to me. I'm just a bit more old fashioned, and do the same with paper and pencil Grin

nonmifairidere · 27/09/2013 10:22

Quoteunquote, the human calculator - and not the least bit smug about it!

daisychicken · 27/09/2013 10:24

If I haven't already costed my shopping out (on mysupermarket and then I write the prices on the list so I can double check at the supermarket) then yes I will use my calculator (on my phone now) as I hate nasty surprises at the till!

I do wish trolleys had a clipboard or tray attached - I wouldn't have to have my list and phone in my hand while trying to push the trolley or get items!!!

CwtchesAndCuddles · 27/09/2013 10:24

I like to compare offers and despite being ok at maths (work in accounts) I often resort to the calculator on my phone to work things back to a base price in order to see is cheaper - yesterday I did it for dishwasher tablets!!!

PipkinsPal · 27/09/2013 10:28

YANBU. I use the calculator on my phone to work out which "offer" is best. I make a list and check on Tesco, Sainsburys websites to see what is on offer, especially things like olive oil and Ribena. Luckily Tesco and Sainsburys are less than a mile apart so no real wastage in shopping around. Usually I go to Lidl and there is a Home Bargains next door which things like packet savoury rice and dried fruits are generally cheaper.

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