Pay Dirt is Slate’s money advice column. Have a question? Send it to Kristin and Ilyce here . (It’s anonymous!)
Dear Pay Dirt,
My mother-in-law does something in grocery stores when we are out shopping that I find upsetting.
She will use the self-checkout and when buying produce, will punch in a code for a cheaper item. She thinks it’s a good way to save money. To me, it feels like stealing. When I told my husband about it, he shrugged and said she’s been doing it forever. I’m afraid she’s going to get in trouble one of these days. How can I get through to my mother-in-law that this is wrong and sooner or later is going to bite her in the ass?
—Unauthorized Discount
Dear Discount,
What you’re describing is technically theft, even if it’s minor or commonplace, so yeah, I