As we find things in our new area, I am revising our shopping plan. While I am not yet finding the same resources and prices, I am developing the best overall shopping plan. Without ever stepping foot into Wal-mart, I found I can do one stop shopping..almost, lol! There are several stores in one shopping center/plaza, a thrift store, Rouse's Market, Big Lots and The Dollar Tree.

Weekly Stops:

• Rouse's- I buy items on sale, meat, fresh produce, dairy, bread and local items here
• Big Lots- cereal and snack foods
• The Dollar Tree- snack foods and dry goods

Monthly Stops:

• Dollar General- snacks, cereal and other dry goods

Quarterly Stops:

• Wal-mart- stocking up on basics and household supplies
• Sam's- stocking up on large quantity basics and supplies

Occassional Stops:

• Target
• Salvage store- until I determine if the one closer to us is to be added, I am shop when I visit my parents
• Winn-Dixie- I check the ads weekly and shop here if the sales make it worth it

I sure wish I have more of a variety of stores to choose from!

Weekly (almost) --> Walmart and CVS

Monthly --> the various dollar stores and big lots

Depends on sales --> Associated Grocers stores

In our area, the Associated Grocers are stores that are all mom and pop type places but they belong to the Associated Grocers. We have one right by our house. It's too expensive to do all of our shopping there, but they have good sales here and there so I'll stop on my way home sometimes.

I typically get all of my toiletries from CVS (usually for free or close to it)

Cleaners and miscellaneous things I get at the dollar stores and big lots.

My problem isn't so much the stores that I shop at, but the amount of stops that I make. I want to start planning better so I only go to Walmart every other week and only stop at the small store down the road for urgent essentials (eggs, milk ,etc.). Not only would this be more effient, but it would save me a lot of gas and time.

God bless,

Julie

 We live in a rural area and I dislike shopping enough to NOT drive the 30 mile or more round trip to the big boxes.

Local stores for me, all within a 2 mile circuit of my house:

Spartan grocery store

Ben Franklins

Rite Aid and mom/pop pharmacy, mom/pop has an awesome gift shop from inexpensive to 

2 hardware stores, one with an good gardening/nursery selection and items

Family Dollar

consignment shop

pawn shop

salons with pampering available, and pamper me items for sale

My motto is: If we can't find it in town, then we don't need it! 

Weekly - King Sooper's

Monthly - Costco

Sporadically (when something I need anyway is on sale) - Target 

Weekly- Walgreens for sale items/RR items; Store 24 (convenience store) cigarettes.

Bi-Weekly (every other week)-Market Basket (grocery store) for groceries; Hostess/Wonderbread Outlet for baked goods

Monthly-Walmart for pet food; Family Dollar for cleaning supplies

I check loss leaders/circulars every week for Hannaford, Market Basket, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Family Dollar & Big Lots.  If there is something that we've been needing or is a great deal, then I'll go that week and try to combine it with other trips.  Dollar Store, Big Lots & Target are occasional shopping, i.e. looking for something specific.

Starting Saturday, I'm gonna start going to the Farmer's Market to start buying fresh local-grown fruits and vegetables, and hopefully chicken and other meats as well.  My usual routine is:

Weekly (sometimes once every other week):
~ Aldi for the majority of the groceries.
~ Wal-Mart (which is near Aldi) for a few of the brand-name things we like that Aldi doesn't carry.

Monthly or as needed:
~ Sam's Club for any bulk items that are better in price than Aldi.
~ Local organic shops for eco-friendly products.

 Monthly: Aldi and WalMart for basics

 Petsmart for cat food, litter

Weekly: I peruse the sales ads for Kroger and Marsh (regional supermarket). Usually buy meat from one of these stores. They also double coupons, so I usually get my best deals on cleaning products and paper products through them..   Walgreens, especially the rebate items.

As needed:  Sam's club, dollar store, international market

 Price Chopper, Walgreens weekly if the sales are good. Milk can often be bought cheaper at the gas station down the street. Walmart........maybe once every two months. Salvage store at least every two months. If going that way, I will stop and see what they have but it is a 30 mile drive. When I go, I stock up on what ever they have for cheap. Dollar store is more seasonal shopping for me. Babs

Dear All, Since I only post my food shopping on the Food Stamps sub-Forum in FRugal Foods, folks might not know that I shop at Cala/Ralphs/Kroger & Whole Foods & Safeway, as well as at Walgreens & Rite-Aid.  Hardly a week goes by that I don't shop loss-leaders at all of those stores.  Beyond loss-leaders, I tend to shop at Whole Foods because they allow you to buy small amounts if htat's all you need -- they cut up whole produce pieces for you, & they have an enormous bulk section.  Yours in Him, Deb  PS  All of these are within grocery cart range.  I don't drive.  There are 2 dented can stores in town + a day-old bakery store, but none are within walking distance.  Yours in Him, Deb 

Every week or two, I shop the grocery store (Save Mart), Trader Joe's, and Target.  Save Mart and Trader Joe's for my regular food items (beans, grains, pastas, eggs, some produce, cheese, etc).  Target currently has the best price near me for a lot of staples (baking supplies, cereals, name brand things like cream cheese or frozen food, plus canned tomatoes & frozen peas, etc).  They also have the best prices in my area for baby needs (some baby food and formula).  Also they have a very good price for organic milk so I usually buy it there (or Trader Joe's).  I alternate between these three stores as needed and usually go to each one every 1 1/2 weeks or so.

Monthly (or less depending) I shop Costco for all my bulk goods including paper items, toiletries, shredded cheese, butter, juices, tortillas, flour, oats, honey, diapers, wipes, laundry/dish detergent, etc.  I also buy gas at Costco too (a good 25-30 cents less per gallon).

I don't have a walmart near me as of yet but there is one scheduled to be built fairly close.  I'll check it out when it's in operation.  I haven't been too impressed in the past with other walmarts but if the prices are worth it (I think they will be) and the shopping experience is decent, I'll probably add that one in too.

Interesting topic!  I love to see how others shop and get ideas where I can improve.  I am thinking of adding walgreens to my list as so many here get such great deals!