Supermarket Savvy?

 


I have money.  I'm just saying this straight out.  I do have money.  I am able to support my family.  I am able to buy things, not without thought, but I can buy things.  However, "things" are starting to cost more and more (despite what people may try to tell you) and the only two things I can think of that are not going up are gas prices (which are lower than they've been, although I wouldn't call them low) and my salary.  (My annual salary will be less this year than last and most likely even more so next year, but that's another story and although I may complain about work, I have a job and for that I am grateful.)

I think and worry about those who do not have enough.  People who need assistance who are not getting what they need.  Again, while I am grateful that the government is (supposedly) up and running, which SHOULD mean that those who are eligible will be getting SNAP benefits (for you old timers, that's "food stamps"), but will they be able to get healthcare.  (My 2026 benefits will be announced shortly and I'm sure my contribution will be greater next year than this year.  I also suspect that I will be getting less for more.  Again, with that said, I am grateful that I have healthcare insurance through my job and I can't imagine NOT having those benefits; they are a deal breaker/life necessity.)  I try to help those in need, but I don't think I'm doing enough.  I wish I could do more, but to be perfectly frank, I'm a bit scared to give more because with all the crazy in the world, I want to make sure that my family is taken care of.  What once might have been considered more than enough, isn't enough.  

Which leads me back to the supermarket.  Before I delve in, I might recommend that you read this post, if you haven't already, for context.

Because of rising costs and trying to be a smart shopper (and still being annoyed by last week's outings), I decided this week we should split our shopping between Walmart and ShopRite.  Luckily, both stores are close to each other and not too far from our home.  Walmart opens at 6.  ShopRite opens at 7. So I made a plan...

I took our regular shopping list (which we always veer from, but...) and went on line to compare prices.  ShopRite was offering 3 day special pricing for several items that I wanted, so for onions and bread, I automatically deferred to ShopRite.  I found brand name items (like Knorr sides) generally were cheaper at Walmart, but not by much.  However, that didn't apply to everything.  Ocean Spray cranberry sauce was cheaper at ShopRite.  Less expensive was ShopRite's in house brand, which Walmart didn't seem to have.

Speaking of in house brands (which I frequently purchase because they are generally the same as the known brand name, they just don't have the cool logo), Walmart usually won out.  Which is how I ended up with 3 bags of chocolate chips for baking (dark, semi-sweet and milk) from Walmart.  (Although again, I noticed the general price was more than I paid in the past years.)

And then there were the English muffins that started this whole thing.  Walmart's 6-pack was cheaper, so that's what I went with.  However, as it turned out (and I either missed on the website or it wasn't updated), ShopRite had a good deal on the 12-pack, which Walmart doesn't seem to carry.  So I spent more yet again.  (Did you hear me scream in frustration when my husband discovered this after I'd purchased at Walmart and we were in the last aisle at ShopRite?) 

Did I save any money this morning?  Not really.  I did purchase a few items at Walmart in bulk, so over the long run, I may have saved a little, but unfortunately it was really not worth the extra time and effort.  Going back and forth between stores just doesn't make sense. Disappointing.  I'm thinking I will hold off on making certain purchases that I know (for certain) will be less at one store or the other.  Example:  Walmart's brand of diet soda, which tastes, at least to me just like Coke Zero, is much less expensive.  ShopRite does not have their own in house brand to compare.  So I next time I go to Walmart I'll buy several bottles or sleeves of cans to have to hand and I won't purchase otherwise.  (At least that's my plan.) 

One other thought rolling around my head, and I'd appreciate feedback, is to possibly get a membership at BJ's   (It's the only wholesale club in the area, so Costco & Sam's Club are off the table.)  Is it worth it with only two people in the house?  (Three when my son is home.)  Thoughts?

I've always tried to be a savvy shopper, but these days it seems to be a pretty hard thing to do.  And I don't think it's going to change.  No matter what anyone says!  Although if I turn out to be wrong, I certainly won't be complaining!


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