Grocery shopping
To some a chore. To others a refuge from the world. A place where it is clean and friendly. Cool in the summer, warm in the winter and always dry. To me, it's like being in a candy store (that's why the candy aisle is my favorite part of the store). It would be the ULTIMATE experience if only we didn't have to pay at the end. Smells. Samples. Social. Yes, to many it is the social highlight of the week. To some the day. Today there are so many options. That's good. Options mean competition. Competition means lower prices. In Greenville, we have many options. I wish we had more to drive those prices down. I see three levels...$$$, $$, $. What sets them apart, apart from the money, is really the level of service. That translates to experience. To save money, you can't beat the $ level. To have an enjoyable outing, you can't beat the $$$ level. To me, it's hard to beat saving money. I can have my great experiences some other way:
$$$
• Fresh Market
• Earth Fare
• Whole Foods
I enjoy my visits to Fresh Market. I just never buy anything. Earth Fare is just too organic. Whole Foods has been way too expensive, but now maybe Amazon will bring them back to earth
$$
• Lowes
• Publix
• BiLo
Mainstream. Lowes and Publix a definite notch above BiLo. If it's not BOGO, I don't buy it. "You want Salmon this week, but it's not on sale until next week...how about Tuna Fish this week? You'll enjoy the Salmon a lot more next week"
$
• Aldi
• Lidl
• Walmart
• Trader Joes
The Lidl experience is much better than Aldi. Both have great prices. Both house brands are good. Walmart is not the greatest experience, but they do have low prices. Not great house brands. Trader Joe's has a few good things at reasonable prices. I rarely find much there that I want
The big boxes...stay away from Sam's and Costco. You pay for the privilege of shopping there and then you end up buying too much. You will not save anything. Better... go to Costco to use their Pharmacy. You do not have to be a member. While there, eat lunch. You do not have to be a member. Hot dog and drink - $1.50. Pizza slice - $1.50. Better yet, while waiting on your prescription, wander around and partake in the samples. Save your $1.50 for another day
TEM
