Admin

How to spend my points, option B

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with eXp Commercial, Referral Divison RRE-BRO-LIC-75443

This month ActiveRain is hosting a challenge - ActiveRain Point Store - Points, Points, Points. Our challenge, should we choose to accept it, is to spend our points (1,000,000 points = $100,000) on any goals we want. We can spend them on the community, hobbies, retirement, personal, familial, altruistic goals or anything else that comes to mind. So here is my second option to how I might spend mine!

At the time I am writing this, I have about 2,675,000 points. As I mentioned with my first entry, I'm going to keep 500,000 so my ActiveRain account remains free. So that leaves me with 2,175,000. With my first option, I explored spending the entire $217,500 on a camper van. This time I'm considering a totally different option, and that is as follows.

I have on occasion left some money with a cashier at my grocery store, and asked them to put it towards the next person that came through their line. When the shopper asks what this is, the cashier is instructed to tell them it's from someone who wants them to have a great day. That's it!

So my second option of what to do with my money is as follows:

We have four major grocery stores in my town. Every shopper has their favorite store, either Albertsons, Smiths, Rosauers or Super1. One has better produce, and more cheese, and one has a better fish department. One might be closer to someone's house or have more discounts. Whatever the reason, we all have a favorite.

So once I have my $217,500 in hand, I would go meet with the managers of all four stores. I'd let them know I was going to provide each store with $10,875 per week for five weeks ($10,875 * 4 stores * 5 weeks = $217,500).

The stores would not be able to tell their customers about this giveaway in advance, so they have to keep it a secret or they would not be able to participate in future weeks. One week, the store would get the money on a Monday, one week a Tuesday and so on so no one would know when (or if) this might happen again.

The $10,875 would be split as follows - $10,275 for customers and $500 for cashier(s). This is how it would work.

The managers would let the cashiers know that all customers that day would get their entire bill paid when they got through the register. Alternatively, if they prefer, the store could pay $x towards each customer bill, to make it fairer. Perhaps $100 per shopper.

When the store's total giveaway for the day reached $10,000, they'd stop.

As for the $500 for cashiers, it would have to be given to the cashiers either via a raffle for anyone working that day, or perhaps to the person who helps the most customers, or to the one who gets the best customer reviews for the day, or in any other way they wanted, as long as it was fair and equitable. Also, the same cashier(s) wouldn't be eligible the following week.

You can tell I've given this some thought. I'd want to make sure customers aren't aware so they couldn't game the system. And I'd want something for the cashiers as well since they'll be helping make sure this goes off well.

And there you go! Option Two for how I'd spend my ActiveRain points if that was truly a thing!

Now I have to think of a third option!

 

Posted by

Kalispell, Bigfork, Lakeside and Somers areas. 

Are you getting ready to sell or purchase land or a home in Kalispell  or the surrounding vicinity? Let’s talk!

Facebook | LinkedIn
About Me
My Blog
theHouseKat.com
Email Me

(406) 270-3667
CALL OR TEXT

KAT PALMIOTTI, BROKER

 

Comments(23)

Show All Comments Sort:
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kat - what a unique opportunity.  And one that would likely prompt many smiles too.  

Jun 16, 2025 06:54 AM
Kat Palmiotti

That would be my hope Michael Jacobs ! One time I did this at a grocery store and as I was leaving, saw the elderly couple get on "the" line. When they left the store, they were looking all over as if they could find the person who left money at the register. Tee hee.

Jun 16, 2025 07:53 AM
Michael Jacobs

Kat Palmiotti - 👍

Jun 16, 2025 11:52 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Wow, Kat, that's a great idea. I'd love to see the video of the people as they find out their groceries are free. 

Jun 16, 2025 07:00 AM
Kat Palmiotti

I would too Carol Williams !

Jun 16, 2025 07:53 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kat and wow you come up with a great second way of spending some more of your points.  Good Job.

 

Jun 16, 2025 10:18 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you Will Hamm !

Jun 16, 2025 01:03 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kat what a great idea - kind of a pay it forward game!   We do this quite often at say a Starbucks and pay for the person behind us coffee.  It's a fun feeling to make someones day smile!  And there is a TV station here in town that goes to grocery stores and award $100 or $200 checks to people shopping.  Make me smile every time I see a clip of it!

 

Love this entry for the ActiveRain Point Store Challenge 💛

Jun 16, 2025 10:52 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you so much Anna "Banana" Kruchten !

Jun 16, 2025 01:03 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kat, that would be so fun to watch people as they checked out to find out their groceries were free!

Jun 16, 2025 12:16 PM
Kat Palmiotti

That would definitely be fun, Joan Cox !

Jun 16, 2025 01:03 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Kat- I love this idea!!!!  So many people need assistance these days. I can't imagine how some people can afford the basics to feed their families. And bonuses for the cashiers brings everyone into the fun. 

Jun 16, 2025 06:02 PM
Kat Palmiotti

That's what I was thinking Kathy Streib !

Jun 17, 2025 05:00 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks for sharing this thoughtful and heartwarming idea, Kat Palmiotti. I appreciate how you took the time to craft a plan that spreads kindness while keeping it fun and fair for everyone involved. It’s inspiring to see how you’d use your points to brighten people's days and support the hardworking cashiers too 😊.

Jun 16, 2025 06:25 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you Lew

Jun 17, 2025 05:00 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

That is a very clever way to pay it forward and with the variations in dates, no one could try to predict.

Jun 16, 2025 08:12 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 - and if someone was predicting, I'd just have to wait a few weeks before doing it again!

Jun 17, 2025 05:00 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

This sounds like such a wonderful thing to do and I am sure it would make a lot of people happy!  I just wish that there wasn't so much poison being sold in the grocery stores.  I see people fill their baskets up with stuff and I know in the back of my head that eventually they will have to pay for chemotherapy to kill the cancer they built up into their bodies, haha.

Jun 17, 2025 06:06 AM
Kat Palmiotti

There is indeed both healthy and non-healthy things people can buy in the stores Brian England - in my giveaway, I'll pay for both!

Jun 17, 2025 06:45 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kat Palmiotti can you extend this offer to CT, and I will give you the name of the grocery stores I shop at???

Jun 17, 2025 03:17 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Haha, George Souto . Come shop in Montana!

Jun 17, 2025 03:52 PM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX
Semi Retired Real Estate Agent

Kat Palmiotti - what a great idea to pay more at the checkout with the store clerk to credit to the next shopper. I've never heard of anyone else doing this. You have a thoughtful and kind heart.

I know many states have Albertsons, but never heard of "Smiths, Rosauers or Super1." Perhaps the other three are local mom and pop grocery stores that people shop to frequently out of loyalty or convenience. 

For this challenge, your creative way of using your points could be a Godsent to people who receive free grocers without expecting it and to the Cashiers who spend long hours on their feet too! I think you'd be an awesome Mayor for Kalispell! Your heart is full of love and generosity. I like your ideas a lot better than buying state lotteries!

Jun 20, 2025 08:10 PM
Patricia Feager

Kat Palmiotti - I did not know those stores you mentioned were part of a chain! Well, I learn something new every day on ActiveRain!.

You're just full of good ideas. Mayor, politician or not, you always go above and beyond. I'm sure by now everyone knows your name!

Jun 30, 2025 09:21 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Good morning Patricia Feager ! Thank you for your kind comment. Believe it or not, Smiths, Rosauers and Super1 are all chain grocery stores - but mostly in the NW. Super1 is in MT, ID and WA. In addition to those states, Rosauers is also in OR. Smiths is in AZ, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT and Wyoming.

And haha about the Mayor! Someone here had something similar and I shivered. Can you imagine being in any political position now a days? Yuck!

I hope your weekend is wonderful.

Jun 21, 2025 04:36 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Saturday morning, Kat.

Your local residents would love this  use of your points.

Have a great day!

Jun 21, 2025 04:56 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you Roy!

Jun 21, 2025 05:40 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Jun 21, 2025 07:07 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you so much for including this post in your weekly Sunday posts!

Jun 22, 2025 04:49 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

Kat Palmiotti this is super creative and well thought out. And, as a former Safeway Cashier, 1984-1987, I applaud this level of generosity for your community.

Jun 22, 2025 06:41 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you very much Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP !

Jun 22, 2025 06:59 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Kat,

What a great entry into the June Challenge! Truly remarkable creativity! So glad that Kathy Streib featured in her Sunday Series! Love the giveaway!

Jun 22, 2025 01:19 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you very much Dorie Dillard Austin TX !

Jun 22, 2025 02:19 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Love this idea!  Not knowing where the money comes from and raffling off which cashier gets to give away $$ would an interesting process!  Would love to be a fly on the wall when someone doesn't pay their grocery bill.  How cool!

Jun 22, 2025 06:28 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ - Thank you!

Jun 30, 2025 03:45 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

That's a wonderful way to spend those points, Kat! It reminds me of the people who pay off student lunch debt. It makes me teary-eyed to think how much this could help, it could literally be the difference between putting food on the table or not. 

Jun 23, 2025 06:48 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Andrea Bedard - believe it or not, when I called the school to see if there were lunch debts I could take care of, they let me know that all their students got lunch and there were no debts to pay. THAT made me teary-eyed! There are a lot of families here with no money so someone was taking care of those kids.

Jun 23, 2025 07:32 AM
Andrea Bedard

That's awesome, Kat Palmiotti! I am so happy to hear that!  

Jun 23, 2025 12:44 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, you most certainly have put some very detailed thought into this, Kat! I absolutely love this idea and oh how I wish these points could convert to money. What a wonderfully generous thing to do with your points/money. Thanks for another fantastic challenge entry this month!

Jun 23, 2025 03:31 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Debe Maxwell, CRS - maybe I'd even make it one day a month so it lasts a lot longer!

Jun 23, 2025 05:40 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I think so many of us are thinking so much about this and it’s really interesting. What each person has in mind!

Jun 29, 2025 10:34 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Laura Cerrano - thank you for commenting. What are you thinking of doing?

Jun 30, 2025 05:12 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kat:

What a very cool idea and such a generous thing to do. I have paid for groceries for the person behind me on multiple occasions and have been the lucky recipient a few times as well.

I would love to see the expressions on the faces of those receiving this wonderful gift. And the cashiers will certainly appreciate your kindness, too!

Jeff

Jul 01, 2025 05:35 PM
Kat Palmiotti

That would be fun to see Jeff Dowler, CRS !

Jul 01, 2025 05:46 PM