Comments on: The One Hour Project: Price Compare The Things You Buy Regularly

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:40:53 +0000

Trent – what store did you find was cheapest?

By: RRWebst

RRWebst — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:36:28 +0000

Also, you have to consider that MOST places will price match, but you either have to have a sales ad, or something to prove the price you want. Petco will call somewhere else, the walmart Ive been to needs an ad.

Great idea about the book.

By: ambre

ambre — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:38:58 +0000

do you mind sharing which store was best for you? i have basically the same stores to choose from! thanks!

By: SAHMmy Says

SAHMmy Says — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:02:31 +0000

Great tips–knowledge is power! I made a list of about 20 household items like laundry detergent, toilet paper, diapers, etc. and noted the prices for each at Target (using regular, not sale prices) and Walmart. Walmart was exactly one penny cheaper on just about every item (except diapers–Target’s were far less expensive.) I hate Walmart, but was forcing myself to go there for the savings–the day I made the list marks my last visit (over a year ago!)

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:48:32 +0000

Don’t just make a list.

Use a small notebook.

Different stores get their own page, with prices on staples listed for that particular store.

That way, if you are in store A and you see a sale display for an item you usually buy at store B you can easily make your decision where to buy.

Credit to Amy Dacyzyn for the above.

By: daydreamr

daydreamr — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:20:09 +0000

I like walmart because my money goes a lot farther than the other stores in my area. I also like the fact that their prices are practically stable. I can spend $40 and walk out with enough groceries that I have to bring the stuff up to my 3rd floor flat in 3 trips. Sometimes I hit sales at other stores. Once they had a 10 for $10 sale so I bought 10 boxes of generic cereal. That has saved me a lot as one of my staples. I got a membership to Sam’s club gifted to me and I went there with pen/paper, wrote down prices on items I would buy, figured out unit price and some were cheaper than Walmart but most were the same or more. Food was cheaper in some areas although I couldn’t use coupons or my tramp-stamp card there. I certainly don’t think the membership is worth paying for. It’s probably more the experience and the ilusion and maybe the “free” samples. They have a huge slice of pizza and a drink for under $2.00 which is a good deal. However, you would have to have a large family and/or consume an awful lot of goods in order to break even…

By: lorax

lorax — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 01:11:10 +0000

This is a great idea.

But beware of a common supermarket trick. Prices are subject to arbitrary change. Non-sale items! This was documented in _The Undercover Economist_.

By: Lee Stranahan

Lee Stranahan — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:52:09 +0000

Great post! I quoted some of it and then added a bunch of Southern California specific information on a post at my blog, http://stranahan.com/2007/09/16/saving-money-on-groceries/

By: Empress Juju

Empress Juju — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:27:05 +0000

Well, it looks like I know what I’ll be doing Wednesday morning!

I often just shop at the store I think will be cheapest, but I frequently notice that, whichever store I go to, they inevitably don’t carry a handful of products I’m looking for that week. I suppose it would be helpful to know which store has the most of what I’m looking for, as well.

By: Susy

Susy — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:06:18 +0000

I always shop at local chain and people always comment that it’s too expensive. However they buy their produce special and since that’s what I spend most of my grocery budget on, I shop there. I did find out though after moving, my beloved grocery store was actually way cheaper than big chain stores. Sure they’re cheaper on pre-packaged food, which I don’t purchase. Now I wait and only go grocery shopping every 2 weeks at my old store when I got back home to visit my mom. So check out those nice “boutique” grocery stores, you might be surprised! If you live in NE Ohio, shop at Buehler’s!!!!

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:46:10 +0000

I just discovered an Aldi, about 30 second away from my normal grocery store. Definitely going to be running some price comparisons this week!

By: RG

RG — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:49:27 +0000

And make note too that some stores price match! Our WalMart does and I usually will shop there simply for this reason. Just because peanut butter is cheaper at Safeway – remember that you can get the same price at WalMart (if you want to shop at WalMart)- just let them know when they are ringing the items up.

Great article and the price book is a great tool!