No Superstore Challenge

[wooddustmaker]

All of the things that "go on sale" run in a cycle at most stores. It isn't hard to figure it out after a little time. The wife used to work retail grocery, and knows the game. Get your pantry built, and well stocked. It takes time, and some money upfront, but in the long run, it will save you a bundle.

We primarily shop the local grocery store, mainly buying what is on sale. The savings on gas, not to mention the time of driving to one of the bigger cities is more than worth it.

One other thing is to know your prices. Then you know when something is a good buy, or not.

Cleaning supplies, use baking soda, and vinegar when you can. Cheap, work well, and are food stamp approved items, saving your much needed cash for other necessities. Most dollar store items work well also.

Clothes, two words there..... Thrift store. Other than under clothes, we almost never buy new. One does have to be a bit diligent, and check as often as they can, but why buy new, cheap stuff, when you can get gently used, high quality items at a usually lower price?

 

[lcertuche]

There are lots of reasons to forgo the big warehouse stores. Here is a few of my thoughts on this subject.

1. I think if you believe you are getting a deal you may use more product than you normally would therefore not lasting as long. Plus the $45 membership fee would take a lot of bargains and money spent to off set. Only if you are buying major appliances this could be possible. Also, there is the idea of storing say 40 rolls of toilet paper or eating huge boxes of cereal before going stale. Is that really saving money in the long run?

2. I like to buy personal products at the Dollar Tree when possible. They even take coupons now on name brands like Crest. It is a good place to stock up on many things. Walmart and Harps, for instance are getting wise to this $1 phenomenon and have their own cheap isle or dollar products. In fact in recent months Walmart has offered certain products for .88 cents competing with the dollar store competition. I have yet to find a tube of toothpaste at Sam's Club for a $1 or a tube of antibiotic cream for .88 cents.

3. Liked mentioned early often sales cycles and loss leader products are cheaper than Sam's club. Walmart does match sales prices though.

4. I like to shop at our little Mom and Pop ethnic stores. The prices are a bargain. You don't waste gasoline traveling out of town and it helps local economy.

5. If you do have to travel for good deals as mentioned earlier stores like Aldi's does offer bargains that is hard to beat. I have got eggs for as little as 69 cents/dozen, avocados for 49 cents/piece, quinoa for less than $2.

6. Feminine products and diapers are cheaper but diapers for instance may be outgrown before all could be used in that particular size and feminine products could be bought online in a reusable version. Washable cloth pads or a rubber cup that could be used for virtually years bought online. The same with cloth diapers plus no disposable package or product to go into landfills. Generic versions of the disposable can be bought from the Dollar Tree as well at a lower price.

7. Walmart is working on getting cheaper necessary things, prescriptions, etc. but it's because of competition. They are working hard at driving out the competition and I have no doubt that prices will go up and wages down as this happens. Too often Walmart has opened up new stores in areas with the so called everyday low prices only to raise them when local stores closed.

Now I actually like to buy certain things at Sam's Club and Walmart. I will buy large bags of beans, rice, flour, sugar, cheese, and sometimes meat. The hard part is not wanting to buy all the products offered as samples. Do I buy enough to offset the price of the membership. No, but there are times when you can get a free pass to visit Sam's Club and pay a 10% markup. We do have a membership because my husband thinks we can't live without it. We actually drive an hour to the big city where it is located, costing at least $10 in gas, not to mention the wear and tear on our vehicle, tires, etc. I would say we probably don't go there more than 6 times a year and have don't done it less than 3 or 4. We don't buy appliances and only once bought a large TV. If you got most your groceries, laundry soap, medicines then maybe but for me it isn't a bargain in the long run. I like to shop closer to home even if that means it cost a little more on some things. For instance I pay $2/dozen on fresh farm eggs when I shop here at home from a local farmer. I buy beans for $1 from the local Mexican market and .49 cents/pound for onions from the Oriental market, at least a dollar cheaper than most other places I could shop and then stores are 10 minutes from I live.

 

[MoonShadows]

We have always found that if you skip the big warehouse stores (Costco, BJ's, Sam's, etc.) and Walmart and WATCH and LEARN the sale rhythms of the grocery store chains (we have Giant, Weiss and Shoprite within short driving distances), you save the most money. We NEVER buy coffee for more than buy one/get one, Hellman's Mayo for $2.99 for the large jar, Bumble Bee Solid White Tune for $1.00 a can, etc...just to name a few. We know how long it will be between sales and stock up! Shoprite has great can sales, and if you buy 12, they discount even further. We shopped at Shoprite (we live a few miles from the largest Shoprite in the world) last weekend. Our "normal" price was $147. We paid $97. Saved $50. Don't be fooled by the price clubs and even Walmart which usually don't have the best prices or the best selections. We've been shopping this way for years.

 

[lcertuche]

Sales cycles, loss leaders, coupons, b2g1 have generally been the best way to consistently save money. Another way to save money is to seasonally shop. Certain foods at certain times of the year. I use to save a lot of money matching sales with coupons but couponing can actually cost you money because they aren't easy or cheap to get. Also, I often would buy things that we didn't really use that much and most of that was highly processed.

 

[lcertuche]

I like that this thread is getting attention. Another idea for getting away from the big stores chains. Now days we all have to watch our pennies or at least if we're smart we do.

Local church's have been a God send to many people. I know ours has a food pantry open to the public and if they get a large donation they well call the members to see if you need whatever they have. This summer once they ago 2400 pounds of red potatoes and another time the same amount of tomatoes. So I put many quarts of tomatoes in my freezer and had 125 pounds of potatoes. We shared around that much more with family and friends. The church still donated a huge amount to the community. A few weeks ago it was package salad and greens, a case of bananas, and a big box of assorted types of bread, and 6 roaster chickens.

We also run a clothes closet out of the church and open it once a month to the community to come shop for free. All the clothes are donated, washed and ready to wear. Mens, womens, childrens, and infants clothing and it's nice, no rags here. We offer our time to sort, clean and organize it. Its good to know that everything is going to help someone. My husband, grandson, and sons have found good jeans, shirts, jackets and even a pair of boots. I found several door latches that will be put to good use one day soon. I took my grandsons NB size diapers (almost 2 packages) there because he outgrew them.

I do shop at thrift stores and consignment shops. I just bought a muffin tin for $2 and when I went to the Dollar General I noticed they were priced at $4.50. I go through my closets at least twice a year and get rid of anything we don't wear or use. I gave my daughters cookwear that I don't use. I have my favorite pots and pans (iron skillets) and that's pretty much it. I do keep my big roasting pan, several cookie sheets and a couple of 9 x 12 pans. I do have several different types of crockpots that I use. I did give my daughter one the last time she was here. Better for someone to have something they will use than taking of space and collecting dust.

 

[Mini Horses]

In past I've posted no Aldi's here. Now some have opened & while not close, I was in the area of one yesterday & checked it out. Not somewhere I would go unless there anyway. Saw a couple good items -- 3# gala apples @1.69 & 10# russet potatoes @1.59. Had apples already & potatoes were small, so no buy. Did get 2# pkgs of dried beans @1.49 & Quinoa @2.49 per #. So, savings there but hit & miss, store not close. Did notice about 90% were store brands. If I needed sugar, flour, such basics, would be ok. Actually can find store brands local for similar price, not travel. Ethnic aisle has deals on spices!

We all try to save a $$. Older you get the more you find it a necessity if you want to reduce work hours. I just don't feel the need to spend a lot on clothes that are cheaply made & thrift stores work -- sometimes take a lot of time!
On YouTube I have seen some interesting things of late, some most of us already do but, some have a new twist to consider. We each have some different issues -- large family, only a couple or single at home, etc. Some sites had blogs about a "challenge" to eat as entirely as possible from their own garden, etc. There were a few chuckles there. But, ideas also. Planning to try out making a gal of wine & some copy-cat Bailey's Irish Crème from my viewings. LOL

My goats are a great dairy resource, chickens eggs & meat, pigs for meat, hopefully a good garden this Spring...canning jars are waiting! My bread machine gets used little but plan to be more so -- especially with chickens to help use stales. Need to use crock pot more.

Being here alone it doesn't take much. Daughter often comes home from work with a text to stop & get dinner on way

 

[Mini Horses]

Wonder what happened to Tortoise who started this?

 

[lcertuche]

I once made"Baileys" and took on a camping trip with friends. I was everyone's best friend. I sometime go weeks eating out of the pantry and freezer but if I had to survive on my garden I would starve, lol.

 

[MoonShadows]

Please list Bailey's recipes. Hate paying that price, but love my Bailey's during the holiday season.

 

[sumi]

I enjoy this thread, though I don't have much to add. Today I must say I am a big Aldi supporter. We have one not too far away and about the same distance as the other supermarket. I do 90% of my shopping at Aldi and visit the other supermarket only for products or specific brands that Aldi doesn't stock. And meat… I love the marked down products, especially in the meat section and the "buy any 3 for €10" mix and match offers at the other supermarket.