Ok..I have a confession to make. I think it’s important to be open and honest about your shortcomings, and I am ready to share with you one of mine. It’s not something I am proud of, but honestly, at this point I don’t think I will change any time in the near future. So hear goes….I REFUSE to grocery shop where I KNOW the prices are better, and I REFUSE to shop at multiple stores just because there are sales. Phew! Ok I said it out loud.
I consider myself a frugal person. I think many people that know me would think the same thing. But when it comes to the grocery store issue I just can’t budge. See, I have complained over and over again about the crowds and the traffic in the area where I live, and that it turns out that same gripe travels over to the crowded grocery stores. We have a few main ones in the area…Stop and shop, waldbaums, and Shop Rite. Of those 3 the best prices hands down are at Shop Rite. But are good prices worth my sanity??? I mean there are fights for parking spaces, tons of people, the aisles aren’t big enough for 2 carts to pass each other, and everyone is always in a sour mood. Sometimes I decide that I should suck it up and go, and each time I leave feeling EXTREMELY angry. So why do it to myself??
If you want to really save money on produce and meats there is a place called Johns Farms here in my area. It’s a store that only takes cash or check, and you have to pay for the shopping carts (I’m sure you know places like this) but the prices are REALLY good. Or so I’m told. I have tried on multiple occasions to shop here. I get in my car and drive..and when I get there I find a line of cars at least 5 deep waiting for spots. It is then that I turn right around and leave. SERIOUSLY??? I mean it’s not like they are waiting for close spots…there isn’t a spot to be had in the whole lot! My Mother in law goes there a lot but she goes at like 7 am! There is no way I care enough about going to a store to go that early. I feel like I shouldn’t have to time my shopping to NOT have to wait in a car line 5 cars deep. I want to go when I want…not when it’s convenient.
So my store of choice is stop and shop. They have descent prices, and I have a much more pleasant shopping experience. My cart easily passes through the aisles, I don’t have have to fight for parking, and I love that I can put my deli meat order into an automated machine and pick it up after I am done shopping. I am sure that when my family gets larger I will need to suck it up and do what I have to in order to save money on food. But for now, even if I am spending a little more, I choose my sanity over frugality. Ok…confession over.
I’m the same way. I’ve heard that Walmart has really good prices on groceries, but Fry’s is literally a block from my house. Whereas Walmart is a couple miles away.
I have heard walmart too..but only super walmart has produce and stuff so it stinks to go there only for SOME things
Big grocery stores aren’t something you see a lot of here. I don’t miss the crowds and cranky people at the big stores, but I DO miss being able to buy flour in a bag bigger than 500grams….seriously.
In my opinion, shop at the place that you have the most pleasurable experience at. A few dollars saved is not worth your sanity.
You know what? a store like that sounds nice..like back in the day? fun!
Stopping by from SITS! We have a place like that called Aldi. They have the best prices on produce and canned goods.
There is an aldi by my grandma’s house in Binghamton! she will only shop there! lol
I am right there with you! Grocery shopping is painful enough but to add the crazies in the parking lot and people hitting me with carts that just sends me over the edge. I have a very limited shopping window and many times I have my girls so I need to be in and out with minimal drama.
Fun post!
I am 100% with you! There is frugal, and then ridiculous. People tell me I’m nuts that my two “cheap” places to shop are Sam’s Club (I order online using Click ‘n Pull so I don’t have any “impulse” purchases and avoid buying prepackaged foods) and Wegman’s, the local “upscale” food store. I’ve actually found that the supposedly “cheaper” store (Tops) is *more* expensive on everyday items, but for some reason everyone is convinced that the bland, unclean store must offer better prices. Yes, Wegman’s has gourmet items that are pricey…I just don’t buy those things. Sometimes it pays (no pun intended) to research prices and look in areas where you wouldn’t normally expect to find the good prices.
And, truthfully…I like to shop in nice places, even if I am a frugal person. Why should frugality equal a non-customer-friendly environment?
I am the same way. My husband and I recently moved away from a metro area that was just very congested (by my Michigan standards). Anyway, I would drive way out of my way to a more affluent area to their almost empty way more expensive store, just to avoid the obnoxious crowds. Not only that, but the produce was fabulous and everything was always very well stocked. It was like having my own personal grocery store. I miss the store, but not the prices :(.
I have to delurk on this one….Oh my gosh….I could have written this post myself! I live in NJ and our area is full of Shoprites and Stop and Shop’s. I could walk to my local Shoprite, but for the reasons you discussed, I drive about 10 minutes to the nearest Stop and Shop. It has a Starbucks, the little deli pre-order station and those handheld scanners that you use as you go through the store so you can bag your groceries and keep an eye on how much your spending. I literally carve out every Sunday from 8am-10am for food shopping. My husband knows that’s my time and he’s not allowed to come!!!! I get my Starbucks, my scanner, my reuseable bags, my list and off I go…..I look forward to it every week. I don’t care that I pay more – I need my sanity. Going to Shoprite puts me in a sweat before I even get to the door – you have to track down a parking spot, pay for a cart, dodge cars in the lot, ect. I have my own confession too – I knowingly pay more at Stop and Shop and don’t even bother to clip coupons ? I really want to though…it’ll add a whole new dynamic to my shoppping experience! Have fun shopping ?
I’m glad you delurked! ? I haven’t clipped coupons yet either..I am convinced that they force you to buy more than you want or need, and in turn you spend MORE money.
I only clip coupons for things I already purchase. Stops me from buying stuff I don’t need.
Last week’s grocery shopping trip, total coupons savings =$33.22.
If I can pay less for something I am already going to purchase then it is worth clipping a coupon for it.
I love Wegmans! I go out of my way to shop there because they have the best produce and most Organic variety – great fresh meats and deli. There prices, overall, are not any more expensive than the local Giant or Weis Markets. I am wishing we had a Trader Joes around here, though.
I wish they had a wegmans by me! They have the best stuff! mmmmmm
Oh yes, grocery shopping can be a pain.
I shop on the military base so the store is usually filled with retirees of the military and, bless their hearts, they move really slowly at times….
Can’t say I blame you. Those parking lots are ridiculous!
I never cared until we went from two to three in our family, now with 4 of us I really do not have a choice but to be budget conscious when it comes to groceries. I try to shop during off hours.
The difference between one supermarket and another for me could easily be a 50-60% difference in the grocery bill.
I can see where you are coming from…I am sure in the future I will have to do the same thing.
Shoprite Rules!!! But the crowds do suck. I just bulldoze through, when on rare occasion I go with Chubbas
I know you like Shoprite Vin! ? lol I’m sure you are very considerate when you bulldoze! lol at least your Chubbas takes care of it!
Yes, yes…that is the one thing I will not do. After deciding to stay at home with my lovely daughter, we have had to give up a few things, like $30 shampoo and yet another pair of black boots. But I will not grocery shop at more than one store. I watch the sales, cut coupons, and stick to my list, but if I spend $20 more, it’s well worth my sanity!
Stopping by from SITS. What a fun blog you’ve got! ?
I am SO the same way. I know there are stores with better deals. But I LOVE my favorite grocery and I’m very loyal. I really should try to seek out food bargains more. Sigh.
I’m a little bit of both sides. There are times when I really want the deals, but then I think, “Is it really worth it to have to go through all that!?”
I struggle too…thats how I still end up at shop rite sometimes! lol and then I get so mad…ask my husband…he tells me I am miserable the rest of the day! lol
Oh my goodness, I grew up in PA (my family is still there) and I adore Wegmans! We have something kind of similar here in VA called Farm Fresh, but it’s not as great as Wegmans. We try to do some shopping at SuperWalmart, but it’s a rarity. It’s so much easier to go to the store, and they have some yummy gourmet items too. Sigh.
Oh my goodness, I have the same stance on this issue! I refuse to shop at Winco or Wal Mart for the same reasons. Saving $5 a week is SO not worth my santiy!!!
Stopping by from SITS
Too funny! I am “one of those people” who will visit 3 stores to get some good deals. I only have to do it about once a month, and durring the summer we have a little Persian market that we buy our fruits & veggies at which we pretty much live on during those months, but….yes I do shop around.
Does that make me a grocery store whore? OH GAWD!
LOL
Stopping by from SITS.
I had to put my two cents in on this one ? I not only shop at 2 or 3 or sometimes even 4 stores but I also coupon clip and shop the flyers before I even go shopping. Would I do this if I didn’t have to feed, clean and diaper a family of four (two kids in diapers) on a budget of $570 a month? Maybe not to the extent I do currently but I would do it at least a little. I think as you mentioned in your post it depends what your time and sanity is worth to you. I spend about 3-4 hours a week looking for coupons and organizing my shopping list and I save (on average) $250 a month. Would not even have a snowballs chance in hell of staying in my budget without couponing and comparision shopping ? I will admit that I do not live in an area even close to as crowded as you but I don’t think for me that how crowded a store is could make a difference, bottom line I need the best price I can get and it is nice not to fight with my husband anymore about why I kept going over on my grocery budget ?