I did what everyone does when they realize they have to cut back on the finances because things are more expensive and switched to two "cheaper" grocery stores. What did I find? The food was not as good, the service was horrible, and the prices...were not really cheaper at all.
So originally we shopped at Publix. Publix is a great grocery store (they pay a decent wage for one) and it is never overwhelmingly crowded or really out of anything we need...unlike the other stores we switched to (more about that later).
First.... we switched to Kroger.
Kroger is deceptive in its pricing. Yes, they have deals like 10 for 10$ and some buy one get one deals a lot, but in the end some of the staples are a bit higher than what we were paying at Publix or...the bigger problems...overcrowded and long lined stores with bad meat, produce, and other perishables.
In the three months we shopped at Kroger we dealt with:
1. Molded bread
2. Bad Yogurt
3. Bad Milk
4. Rotted fruit
5. Out of Date baby food
6. Bad Meat
We were also spending an average of 75-80 dollars a week on groceries (we do not bulk buy, use coupons, or buy a lot of frozen things)
Second...after the sixth issue with rotting food at Kroger, we dived into Wal-Mart.
Walmart is a hell on earth, at least the two in my area feel as such. It is always over crowded, loud, hot, and there are never enough lines open. Also, the buggies are horrible, most of them have the strap broken on the seat for toddlers and thus we spend 10 minutes looking for a buggy that is functional. Furthermore...the prices are, like Kroger, deceptive. Milk, Eggs, and Butter are always either higher than Publix or the same price...and those are three of our main purchases every week... The produce selection is very limited and walmart also has a freshness problem. The last time we went, I checked some fresh corn to see if it was yellow or white and discovered that nope...it was moldy black (we put stuff down and went to Publix).
We were spending around 85-90 dollars a week at Walmart, I also think that is due to the fact that Walmart is also a department store, but I believe the layout of the store tends to influence a shopper to wander and just pick up random things to buy... things you dont really need.
So....For a few months now we've been back at Publix.
This morning, after a few weeks of vacation (and a very bare pantry and fridge), Aiden and I went grocery shopping and I spent right under 61 dollars....
This is what we purchased.
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| Please ignore my messy kitchen. |
To Sum this Up:
1. Capt Crunch (Publix Brand) 12. Tabouli Salad
2. Spaghetti 13. Strawberries
3. Organic Brown Eggs (dozen) 14. Rasberries
4. Chicken Cutlets 15. Bananas
5. Lettuce 16. A Bell Pepper
6. A Fruit Pouch 17. Canned Green Beans
7. A Salad Cucumber 18. Canned Pineapple
8. A Yellow Squash 19. Canned Fruit Cocktail
9. A Zucchini 20. Cento Tomatoes
10. Scallions 21. Baby Carrots
11. Green Beans (fresh) 22. Half and Half
23. Koolaid Packet
24. Frozen Lemonade
25. Yellow Onion
26 Frozen Mac & Cheese
27. Frozen Pasta Shells
28. Smoked Turkey Breast Deli Meat
29. Sliced Sandwich cheese
30. Three Limes
31. Two Red Potatoes
32. A Gallon of Whole Milk
33. Publix Brand Diet Soda
34. Publix Brand Regular Soda.
I did not purchase butter and bread on this trip because we were not out, but they were together.... five dollars so my total with even those things we did not get, but usually do.... 65 dollars, cheaper than Kroger and Walmart....and look how fresh these items are!
In addition to the money savings...the store is cleaner, the isles are easier to navigate, they have lovely bakery and deli items (oh man fried chicken).... AND they have wonderful and helpful employees who actually get paid a decent wage.
So... The "Cheaper stores" were not cheaper at all and I am at Publix for good.
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