Save Money or Waste Money?

[LookBehindYou]

What say you?

Save money and buy at big chain stores?

Waste money and buy local?

I derailed a thread earlier and am curious. Am I the minority becasue i grocery shop at wal-mart. Aside from the fact that some people say the produce and meat are gross. I can't tell the difference, so i shop there and save money.

If the products were identical would you save money and shop at wal mart (or any other chain store) or waste money and (in theory) support the local economy?

 

[Jaepheth]

Here's another question:
Spend money now while it's still worth something?
Or save it in the hopes that the economy does crash in a giant shit-storm of hyperinflation?

 

[LucJoe]

Save money.

However, time = money. And Wal-Mart = a nightmare.

I buy food on Amazon.com all the time... which I suppose is a big evil corporation. Supplement it with fresh produce, meat, etc. at whatever grocery store is most convenient.

I mean, you could clip coupons and drive all over town to get the cheapest food possible but how much is your time worth?

 

[dpodblood]

Talk about a leading question.

Do you like green like a good citizen or orange like a neo-nazi baby eater?

In general I will buy from wherever is cheaper. Money doesn't grow on trees!

 

[Wyndru]

Save money. Our walmarts are 24 hour, so I go late at night and the place is empty. I also shop at wholesale clubs like Sams and BJ's (we don't have costco here).

We do hit local shops though if the coupons are good.

 

[kranky]

Not sure it's accurate to say shopping local = "waste money". Sometimes it's what I do, sometimes not. But I don't consider it wasting money.

If I buy local, it's helping to keep a local person in a job, and keep a local business open. The person pays taxes, the business pays taxes - and those taxes stay here. The more people employed, the more spread out the tax burden is and the less the government will have to spend handing out money to unemployed people. Those local businesses make donations to support local charities and schools. So I think there's value in that. If I buy from amazon, none of that happens.

 

[Brigandier]

If you're spending, spend wisely, and conservatively. Budget for increased costs to buy local, or buy reputable manufacturers. If you want to save money, save money from each paycheck, and put it in an interest bearing account. You can buy local and save money, they aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[MotF Bane]

I pick what products I want, generally chosen first based upon whether it fulfills my needs/wants, then based upon its quality. The purchase location is chosen by where is it cheapest, and that generally means various online corporations, or at least traveling across state borders.

 

[poopaskoopa]

Shop at Sam's Club and save more money(unless you're into extreme couponing).

I do all that frou frou organic BS on weekends at the local farmer's market for stuff that we don't use all that much like basil or maybe a few pastries. That stuff gets expensive fast.

 

[rcpratt]

I shop at Meijer for most groceries but get my deli meats/raw meats/etc. from a local grocer. Because it's better.

 

[LookBehindYou]

If you're spending, spend wisely, and conservatively. Budget for increased costs to buy local, or buy reputable manufacturers. If you want to save money, save money from each paycheck, and put it in an interest bearing account. You can buy local and save money, they aren't mutually exclusive.

I suppose in theory that makes sense. But say I'm going grocery shopping and i can either choose cart A for $150 or chose cart B for $200, its impossible for me to choose Cart B. Both contain identical products, one was purchased at Wally World or Kroger or whatever, the other purchased locally when possible. I feel like i'm throwing away money if I choose cart B.

And that $50 difference is about what I would experience when buying what I buy.

 

[purbeast0]

i generally will buy stuff wherever it is cheapest and most convenient for me. that way i can "waste" or spend the money i saved on something else, or save if it i want.

 

[Brigandier]

I suppose in theory that makes sense. But say I'm going grocery shopping and i can either choose cart A for $150 or chose cart B for $200, its impossible for me to choose Cart B. Both contain identical products, one was purchased at Wally World or Kroger or whatever, the other purchased locally when possible. I feel like i'm throwing away money if I choose cart B.

And that $50 difference is about what I would experience when buying what I buy.

If it's generic groceries, go with cart A. Buying local only makes sense when you support good products, and to me, that's worth 50 extra a month for groceries and one less movie outing, putting that movie money into extra savings. You only have so much money, and you have to make value decisions with it, to me, it's worth sacrificing some entertainment budget to get better, local products when I can.

 

[Vic Vega]

What say you?

Save money and buy at big chain stores?

Waste money and buy local?

I derailed a thread earlier and am curious. Am I the minority becasue i grocery shop at wal-mart. Aside from the fact that some people say the produce and meat are gross. I can't tell the difference, so i shop there and save money.

If the products were identical would you save money and shop at wal mart (or any other chain store) or waste money and (in theory) support the local economy?

Your premise is flawed. I don't spend any more buying local.

 

[mrjminer]

You have to be a moron to shop at Wal-Mart for groceries anyways. Pretty much everything is cheaper at any other grocery chain because they actually have real sales instead of "every day low (ie: not the lowest, but not ridiculously high) prices."

 

[ShawnD1]

Save money.

However, time = money. And Wal-Mart = a nightmare.

Depends a lot when you go. I was there at something silly like 9pm on a tuesday and it was pretty good. No lines or anything. In any case, I don't go there unless I know I'm buying a lot of shit and the wait in line is worth it.

 

[Aikouka]

However, time = money. And Wal-Mart = a nightmare.

Wal-Mart is pretty awful in regard to actually getting out of the store. I shop at Target more often now because I've noticed that Wal-Mart doesn't give a damn if there are 8 people waiting in each checkout line... they won't open another one. Target usually has less people waiting in checkout lines at one time, but has just as many checkout lanes open if not more.

You have to be a moron to shop at Wal-Mart for groceries anyways. Pretty much everything is cheaper at any other grocery chain because they actually have real sales instead of "every day low (ie: not the lowest, but not ridiculously high) prices."

I actually disagree with this... the one thing I do like about grocery shopping at Wal-Mart is that they usually are cheaper than actual grocery stores. The problem is around here, all I find are the "upscale" (note the quotes on that...) grocery stores like Publix or Kroger. These stores are not cheap unless you buy their store brand. Back up north, we had Wegmans, which is usually equally priced when compared to Wal-Mart.

Save money. Our walmarts are 24 hour, so I go late at night and the place is empty.

Wal-Mart late at night can really be hit or miss, and unfortunately for me, it's usually a miss. The problem is, you may get someone in front of you with a ton of items, and there's only maybe one register open that early in the morning (or late at night). I remember one time I was picking up some things that I didn't realize that I'd need for making angel food cake, and I literally had maybe 2-3 things, and I was stuck behind someone with maybe 40-50 things. I waited probably 15 minutes in line at about 11:30 PM.

EDIT:

Although, one thing you can do to speed up your checkouts at Wal-Mart is if you have a few items, just go back to Electronics and checkout. They won't refuse you unless you have something that needs to be weighed (which I believe they cannot do back there). I don't think they appreciate it if you have a ton of groceries and no electronics, since that register is usually meant for paying for the big ticket items or items that are locked up in Electronics.

 

[bignateyk]

Depends.

I usually try to buy food locally (obviously you can't get everything made locally). Things like dairy products, meats, breads, etc...

I also try to go to locally owned restaurants and bars.

Beyond that though I'll just buy whatever random stuff I need from online or from big stores.

 

[Locut0s]

Talk about a biased poll. It's not just about saving or wasting money. There are other reasons to shop local. Maybe you want to support local small business. Maybe you want better quality and friendlier service. Maybe you don't want to support the "evil corporate mega chains and their agenda". Etc...

 

[mrjminer]

Wal-Mart is pretty awful in regard to actually getting out of the store. I shop at Target more often now because I've noticed that Wal-Mart doesn't give a damn if there are 8 people waiting in each checkout line... they won't open another one. Target usually has less people waiting in checkout lines at one time, but has just as many checkout lanes open if not more.



I actually disagree with this... the one thing I do like about grocery shopping at Wal-Mart is that they usually are cheaper than actual grocery stores. The problem is around here, all I find are the "upscale" (note the quotes on that...) grocery stores like Publix or Kroger. These stores are not cheap unless you buy their store brand. Back up north, we had Wegmans, which is usually equally priced when compared to Wal-Mart, and I never buy the store brand, with the rare exception of an item for which there is no difference in taste (for example, the only store brand item I bought on my last trip were Kroger's "Wheat Crisps," which taste exactly like Wheat Thins).




Wal-Mart late at night can really be hit or miss, and unfortunately for me, it's usually a miss. The problem is, you may get someone in front of you with a ton of items, and there's only maybe one register open that early in the morning (or late at night). I remember one time I was picking up some things that I didn't realize that I'd need for making angel food cake, and I literally had maybe 2-3 things, and I was stuck behind someone with maybe 40-50 things. I waited probably 15 minutes in line at about 11:30 PM.

EDIT:

Although, one thing you can do to speed up your checkouts at Wal-Mart is if you have a few items, just go back to Electronics and checkout. They won't refuse you unless you have something that needs to be weighed (which I believe they cannot do back there). I don't think they appreciate it if you have a ton of groceries and no electronics, since that register is usually meant for paying for the big ticket items or items that are locked up in Electronics.

Smart shopping always comes into play. I always shop at Kroger. You just have to buy items that are on sale (ie: not jacked up "retail" prices). I always end up at least $50 cheaper than buying from Wal-Mart.

 

[Aikouka]

Smart shopping always comes into play. I always shop at Kroger. You just have to buy items that are on sale (ie: not jacked up "retail" prices). I always end up at least $50 cheaper than buying from Wal-Mart.

Kroger does have some good sales, but that's how they draw you in. Very rarely does someone only buy items that are on sale. You come in to buy the 1-3 things that are priced well, and do the rest of your shopping there. Some people will actually shop around, but to others... it ends up being more of a hassle. I have no qualms with stopping by there to pick up a few things, because the store is so close to me. I also get gas there since it's significantly cheaper (even without discounts... AL doesn't allow them) than all the other gas stations around.

I also like their e-coupon system. I can add a coupon to my Kroger card through my smartphone, and it will be automatically used when I checkout.

 

[CPA]

Not sure it's accurate to say shopping local = "waste money". Sometimes it's what I do, sometimes not. But I don't consider it wasting money.

If I buy local, it's helping to keep a local person in a job, and keep a local business open. The person pays taxes, the business pays taxes - and those taxes stay here. The more people employed, the more spread out the tax burden is and the less the government will have to spend handing out money to unemployed people. Those local businesses make donations to support local charities and schools. So I think there's value in that. If I buy from amazon, none of that happens.

Sorry, but I don't see how that's any different then most big chains like Walmart, Kroger, Target, etc. They all employ local people, local people get paid wages, pay taxes, they pay local taxes, the give to local charities. What's the difference?

 

[CPA]

Kroger does have some good sales, but that's how they draw you in. Very rarely does someone only buy items that are on sale. You come in to buy the 1-3 things that are priced well, and do the rest of your shopping there. Some people will actually shop around, but to others... it ends up being more of a hassle. I have no qualms with stopping by there to pick up a few things, because the store is so close to me. I also get gas there since it's significantly cheaper (even without discounts... AL doesn't allow them) than all the other gas stations around.

I also like their e-coupon system. I can add a coupon to my Kroger card through my smartphone, and it will be automatically used when I checkout.

I go Krogering. It's cheaper than Walmart and they have much larger selection. I also ecoupon, paper coupon and use the card. I also get a lot of exclusive coupons from kroger. Hint: Many times they will accept a paper coupon even if you used an ecoupon.

 

[KaOTiK]

I hate going to Wal Mart but I do for my normal food shopping needs cause the price difference is quite large, though I wont buy their meat, it is fucking horrible. I go to my local grocery store for their buy one get one free they run each week and pick up meat and whatever else WM doesn't carry that I like.

When the prices were pretty similar even if WM was a little bit cheaper I do all my shopping at the local grocery store but the gap has now become pretty big for the same stuff.

 

[Aikouka]

I go Krogering. It's cheaper than Walmart and they have much larger selection. I also ecoupon, paper coupon and use the card. I also get a lot of exclusive coupons from kroger. Hint: Many times they will accept a paper coupon even if you used an ecoupon.

Mmm I still don't agree with the "cheaper than Wal-Mart" part, but that may also be partly due to what we buy. I tend to buy frozen stuff (surprisingly, you can get some with decent calorie counts, but not all are that way), and Wal-Mart will easily have the same item for $1+ less than Kroger. If I remember correctly, you're married with children, so chances are you may buy more... ummm "normal things" where the price disparity may not be nearly as bad.

Kroger did have a pretty nice deal on Mountain Dew 2-liters last week... you bought 4 and got 2 free, so the end price was something like 84 cents per 2-liter. I made sure to pick up some of my caffeine free diet Mountain Dew . Wal-Mart doesn't usually go that low, but the prices are consistently $1-1.25 for a 2-liter (sometimes back up to the normal $1.45). Target can cost up to $1.79 for a 2-liter .