Join a membership type store like Costco for groceries?

[NikolaeVarius]

Try local farmers markets for fresh foods. I often get amazing deals on things like peppers, onions, potatoes, fruit, etc...sometimes 1/4 the price of stores.

If you're in a big city though, you may not have these available.

Big cities have TONS of farmers markets.

There is a huge one right smack dab in NYC.

 

[djnsmith7]

The only time I shop at Costco is if I'm with a friend who has a Costco card. I won't pay for the membership.

 

[alkemyst]

you can't be healthy if you spend time in a WalMart.

 

[raildogg]

you can't be healthy if you spend time in a WalMart.

Wal-Mart has healthy food choices and unhealthy food choices, obviously. And so do the other chains. I think it really depends on the individual, like it does in all the other cases, rather than the company/store. The same vegetables and fruits are available all across the various stores so choices are there. Wal-Mart tends to be cheaper than some of the other stores I've been to, such as Harris Teeter, for example. Not sure how that necessarily makes it unhealthier. If you're talking about the ambiance, then that's something else.

 

[alkemyst]

Wal-Mart has healthy food choices and unhealthy food choices, obviously. And so do the other chains. I think it really depends on the individual, like it does in all the other cases, rather than the company/store. The same vegetables and fruits are available all across the various stores so choices are there. Wal-Mart tends to be cheaper than some of the other stores I've been to, such as Harris Teeter, for example. Not sure how that necessarily makes it unhealthier. If you're talking about the ambiance, then that's something else.

The people you walk around in walmart will give you cancer, diabetes, and herpes.

Bonus you will be selected for a free hoveround one day.

 

[raildogg]

I got my Costco membership and have already shopped twice in a week. I like it so far besides a few things which I will mention below. You guys were right in saying that you cannot leave there without spending at least a $100 (a little exaggeration but not much). But on the other hand, you won't need that product for a while, in most cases.

The employees all have been very friendly. The aisles, for the most part, are big so it makes it easier to maneuver the the humongous shopping carts. You have to get one of these in order to shop at Costco.

Shopping at Costco is not a casual shopping experience. It takes longer to shop, the lines can be long as well.

I like the shopping experience, if you can call it that, better at the local grocery stores or Wal-Mart. Maybe its the clientele, the atmosphere or something else but it feels slightly out of place shopping at Costco. Maybe its because I'm new to the place. The whole check out experience, with the no bags used, is also different.

I think for buying things in bulk, Costco might be OK. For everything else, the local grocery store or Walmart cannot be beaten. Though for healthy frozen items, such as veggie burgers or fish burgers, Costco is great. Their selection of rice, meat, seafood, cheese is also better than Walmart or the local grocery store. So if one wants to eat healthier and eats meat, especially, then Costco would be great.

 

[raildogg]

BJ's is our local wholesaler and damn do they have some killed deals. PLUS when you have membership they send you a coupon book, some great deals in there too.

PLUS I get free samples

I'm also in the Raleigh area. The Costco is packed usually and the traffic around the area can be pretty bad so maybe next year I might try out BJ's. I know I loved BJ's when I used to be in New York when I was younger. Love the personal pan Pizza Hut pizzas when I went there. Also loved buying Goosebumps there

I believe Cary has a BJ's. How is the traffic and conditions in the store?