You know how all the grocery stores now have those little clubs and those dang cards? Well, in reality, they are actually penalizing you for shopping there! If you forget your card, you don't get the savings you would if you have the card.

They also intrude upon your privacy too! They track what you buy. Oh yes, you can believe the myth that they use this information to get you better deals. They don't have to do it this way though! They can look at the records of what's been sold. Then in each department, they can have sales on what has been sold the most and whatnot.

Not all grocery stores have cards, and some that do, make it easy if you forget your card, or decline to sign up for one. The stores I've seen in Arizona and California areas that help you are as follows:

• Albertsons (CA & AZ) - There is no card, and they have low prices all around.
• Ralph's (CA) - Card, but one is on a string at each register. What's the point in having a card if you do this???
• Safeway (AZ) [VONS is CA equivalent] - Card, but if you forget it, tell them your phone number.
• Fred Meyer Marketplace (AZ) [Fred Meyer in CA] - Used to be called Smitty's Marketplace. No card now, but Smitty's was a joint-effort with Smith's which still has the cards. Now another store called Fry's bought out Smith's so Smith's is gone as well. Fry's has the card.

If you know of any stores that I've missed (or simply not heard of), please send me all appropriate info. If you help me, you get credit for it right here! Thanks!