I am in a bit of a grocery store dilemma. (First world problem!)
I currently shop at Albertsons. Many say it is more expensive than other stores but it is clean, they have some good sales, they double/triple coupons (when I have them), and most of all I know the layout.
I don't know about you but knowing the layout is one of the most important things. Sometimes I like to go up and down every aisle-except the dog food and cat food aisle! Yuck! Even as a dog owner those aisles make me gag and in my opinion should not be allowed in a grocery store. I can't stand the smell when I go down the aisle. I usually hold my breath and go as fast as possible on the rare occasion that I have made a wrong turn.
Anyway back to the layout. Before having Cooper the grocery store was one of my happy places. I would go every Sunday. I loved to go by myself with my list in hand and take my time looking for good deals. I am not one to only 'buy what I need.' I will be 4 things of deodorant if I have coupons and they are on sale. Kinda crazy and can be expensive up front, but Kyle rarely had to ask for me to buy deodorant. Despite my love for sales and using coupons I am not a crazy couponer or a hoarder of groceries like on those shows! I don't buy 50 mustards despite not eating mustard!!
After Cooper I have realized that I often don't make it to the grocery store every weekend so it leads me to making a quick run after work and just 'buy what I need/want.' This has increased the importance of knowing the layout so I can get home to my boys. It has also led to Kyle running out of deodorant because I no longer catch the deals : ( I then spend full price on one deodorant when I could have bought two for the same price. This bothers me more than him because he doesn't literally run out he just has to tell me to add it to the list because he is running low.
Anyway so out of convenience and habit I still shop at Albertsons.
But recently I went to Walmart to get some things and decided to do my grocery shopping while I was there. It seemed that a lot of my 'essentials' were cheaper here than at Albertsons. Now if there was a sale at Albertsons then my 'essentials' were probably cheaper at Albertsons but due to my new shopping approach 'buy what you need' I think it would be wiser to shop at Walmart.
Now I am faced with the dilemma of leaving my beloved Albertsons for better prices. And I have to learn a new layout because boy did I waste time backtracking to find some of my items at Walmart (but I also didn't have a real list that day). And did I mention that Albertsons just started their monopoly game and I love playing (despite that after 3-4 years I have never won more than $2.)
Overall I know I should switch to Walmart, but I will have to break the habit because that is really all it is. I made the decision a week ago to switch to Walmart and yesterday as I made a quick trip to the grocery store 'to buy what I need' I automatically drove into Albertsons! Oops!
Did I mention that when I shopped at Walmart I spent $90 total and $30 of that was from the non grocery side?....Maybe grocery shopping at Walmart isn't cheaper : )
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4 comments:
I think this post is funny because I deliberate over things like this all the time! Makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one. I stay away from Walmart because of the crowds, because of the volume of stuff (easy to buy more than I need) and because the quality of the meat and produce, but the prices are good so I don't blame you for being conflicted. I went back and forth for a long time before realizing the pros of shopping at a traditional grocery store outweighed the convenience or low prices I can get at Walmart.
I love Harris Teeter because I can do all my shopping online! I just drive up, push a button, and they put all my groceries in the car.
I find that spending more is worth it for ease and convenience. That's just my two cents. I didn't always feel this way but I feel this way now. :)
That's a good point Sarah! I loved being able to e-shop and pick up or have my groceries delivered when Mac was little. I'll likely utilize that option again when baby no 2 gets here!
I actually shop at Walmart 90% of the time. Here in Central Nebraska they tend to have the better produce, and the better deals. Also, if you have local ads you get in the mail from other grocery stores like Alberstons, circle the item and bring the flyer with you. They always honor other stores sale prices. Only downside... they don't double or triple coupons. Boo.
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