Lifehack: What to do if You Forget a Reusable Bag in New Jersey

It's the Fourth of July, and in order to get ready for a day of hot dogs, hamburgers, beers and family I had to hit the Stop and Shop off 37 this morning.

Usually it's not a big deal, except today I forgot my reusable bags.

Again.

Now, it’s not news that as of May 4th 2022 single-use plastic bags were banned here in the Garden State, love it or hate it that’s how it is.

However, if you’re like me and just recently moved to New Jersey you’re liable to make the same mistake I make more often than not; forgetting a reusable bag.

It’s not something I’ve really ever had to think about until now because I’d go to the store, get what I need, throw it in the bags that are at the checkout, and then be on my merry way.

NOW I go to the store, get what I need, check out, and then realize I forgot the two reusable bags I bought from Stop N Shop in my apartment. Splendid. What do YOU do in this situation? 

Personally, I feel like I have to prove my manliness to everyone in the store, even though they don’t care and definitely aren’t paying attention.

So I load up.

I start with cereal boxes, cheez-it boxes, and maybe yogurt for the base. From there I throw on the ground chicken I bought along with the eggs and then top it off with a loaf of bread and the oreo cupcake that tempted me in the bakery.

What next?

Lift with the legs and not the back and then pray that you don’t drop it all in the parking lot for the seagulls to grab.

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Honestly, the easiest thing to do is to just use your cart and get everything to your car that way, but where’s the fun in that?

Now that it’s been in effect for a two months or so, how do you feel about the plastic bag ban? Is it better for us? OR just another inconvenience when it comes to going to the food store?