Growing up, I wanted to be a cashier. When I was really young, the cashiers didn’t have fancy computerized scanners; they punched the numbers in by hand. And I thought that would be the most fun job in the world.

Then I grew up some, and stores introduced computers with scanners (with the exception of Hobby Lobby, who still punches prices in by hand), which made it even more appealing. But alas, somewhere along the growing-up timeline, I changed course.

As an adult, many grocery stores are pandering to my never-realized dream of being a cashier by offering a self-checkout option. You mean I can scan items myself? Well, you can imagine my excitement over introducing my little girl to this process.

And I wouldn’t be surprised if she aspires to the same career I once aspired to…