Wal-Mart Trip: 12/28/09

Because of the generous gift cards I received for Christmas, I was able to try out Wal-Mart and see how the grocery prices were.

I had $60 in gift cards and my total was: $61.22

Here is what I bought:

Not the best picture and you can't see everything, so here's the list:

-4 gallons water
-Six "Smart Ones" entrees (had a coupon for buy five and get one free)
-Gilette Sensor Excel (5 ct)
-Ground Chuck (2.25lbs)
-Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast (4.99lbs)
-5lbs Idaho potatoes
-Fat Free milk (1/2 gallon)
-Four Milk Chocolate Bliss candy bars (Buy one get one free coupons)
-Bounty Extra Soft Paper Towels (2 pack)
-White Tortilla Chips
-Stacy's Pita Chips
-Mild Cheddar Cheese (2 cups, shredded)
-Lays Stax
-Baby wipes (80 ct)


My thoughts:

I don't normally shop at Wal-Mart and today I was reminded why. The crowds were horrible and the people were incredibly rude. I felt uncomfortable and overwhelmed.

Also, I think the choices are overwhelming for me. It's a good thing to have choice, don't get me wrong. But sometimes I think too many choices cause me to spend more money than I would have otherwise. Today I had to be on a really strict budget because I simply do not have any extra money to spend. Still, the impluse purchase (candy bars) got me. I justified this in my head because I thought "Oh, the coupons expire at the end of the week, I need to use them now". Because I did, I went over my budget by $1.22. Had I left the candy on the shelf, I would have been slightly under budget, because the four candy bars were $1.48. Live and learn, I suppose. And don't shop when you are hungry!

Some of the items I bought cost less at Wal-Mart. The razors, for example, always cost a lot more at Kroger. I expected to pay at least $13 for them, but they were less than $10. The chicken breast was 1 cent per pound cheaper at Wal-Mart. 1 cent isn't a huge amount, I know, but every penny counts. The Stacy's chips I would normally never buy because they are higher at Kroger,but at Wal-Mart (and with my $1 coupon) they were a reasonable price and will be yummy to have with my lunch this week.

I really hated that I had to buy razors this week since our money is tight, but at least I know now that they are considerably cheaper at Wal-Mart. Plus, our razors, paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo and anything else like that IS part of our grocery budget, period. This helps me to get used to it.

I still think I can do better at Kroger because they double coupons. I am also very familiar and comfortable shopping at Kroger. I am looking forward to getting started with my stockpiling efforts next month.