Capitalism Works!

As exhausted as I was this weekend, I was on a mission.

Orville Redenbacher used to make the yummiest White Cheddar popcorn but they stopped a year or two ago and I've been without ever since. But my coworker discovered a super yummy topping that you can shake onto your popcorn and it's white cheddar. Fabulous!

My goal this weekend was to FIND this piece of heavenly taste. I knew that Top Foods carried it, but I generally shop first at Walmart. Walmart carries two flavors, but not White Cheddar.

So off to Top Foods I go, hobbling and waddling in my own way (and being a busy body in the process) through this much more expensive store.

Price of the seasoning/topping at Walmart was $1.xx ... price at Top Foods ... $3.xx!!!!! SAME exact product (different flavor)!

But you know what? That is capitalism. I didn't find what I wanted in one store so I went to another store where they do have it. More expensive, yes. But that's their right as a private company and they obviously have clientele who are willing to pay for it.

If the government ran our grocery stores, I'd have ONE choice and ONE choice only and it would probably be for low fat, low salt, organic microwave popcorn with no seasoning or butter. And it would cost $10 for a 3 pack.

I'm glad I bought my 6 pack of popcorn at Walmart though. Same EXACT product...$3 vs $6 at Top Foods. Craziness I tell ya.

But God Bless America!

Oh...and one other observation from my errands. Walmart was PACKED on a Sunday afternoon. I waited a good 25 minutes in line (torture!). Top Foods was dead and there was no wait in line. I'm not saying one store is better than another (I like them both but shop at Wally World more often) but it was an interesting dichotomy.

God Bless Walmart

I may have to make this a category...I'm sure I've blogged about it before.

Yesterday I took my weekly trip to Wallyworld. Later than normal, so traffic was lighter and parking was easier. That was nice.

I paid less for my newspaper than at the grocery store. I paid less for my lunch meat and my bananas.

As I stood in line, leaning over my cart because my back hurt so badly, a worker person got my attention and moved me to a line with no one waiting. The cashier's line was technically closed, but the lady told me that she'd already warned her I was coming. :) And the cashier wasn't even disgruntled about it - greeting me nicely and having a nice little chat with me.

I don't know if she saw me in my pregnancy discomfort or not, but I was very relieved and grateful.

Aside from one really witchy woman who I try to avoid, everyone there is always so nice and helpful. Saving me money and making it a pleasant experience...God Bless Walmart.

I Heart Walmart

I want a bumper sticker that says "I SHOP AT WALMART" ... just to counter the stupid assinine stickers like the one my neighbor has that says "I don't shop at Walmart." I know I've written before about how stupid I think they are...they think they're so much better than those of us who do shop there?

Just this last weekend I had an excellent trip to my local Wally World. I've discovered the joys of price matching. Instead of making four different stops to different stores to get the best deals and the biggest bang for my coupon dollars, I can take the ads with me to WM and they will match the prices right there and I can still use my coupons. Saving me time and money (and gas!).

I got bologna (yes, I know...gross...but I'm pregnant and have been craving it) for a crazy cheap price. It's normally around $5 for a 16 oz package. WM sells it for $3.80 something. The sale from Safeway was buy one get one free. And I had a coupon for $1 off of two.

So for $2.80 (something) I got two 16 ounce containers of beef bologna. Name brand. I'll be eating bologna for weeks...already I've had a sandwich for lunch every day. YUMMY!

That is a huge savings! Nearly $7 cheaper than if I bought two 16 ounce containers at another store.

I also got a 12 ounce package of string cheese for $1.99. Safeway had it on sale for $2.99 and I had a coupon for $1 off. WM's regular price is over $4, and other stores are over $5.

Not to mention the Tucks travel pack boxes that are less than $3, and I had coupons for $3 off. So I actually EARNED money off the rest of my order (I calculated that I got an additional $2 off my bill by using these coupons that were worth more than the asking price). That doesn't happen a lot but it's great when it does.

So maybe one of these high and mighty "I don't shop at Walmart" people can explain to me why I should go spend more money at another grocery store for the exact same items. I've saved hundreds of dollars just this year by shopping at Walmart, using their price match policy, and using coupons.

That is money that I can save. Or use to pay off debts. Or spend on something else like maternity clothes. (Which, I will say WM sucks in their maternity section...everything looks like nursing scrubs.)

Instapundit also linked to this great article about how Walmart actually helps people maintain their weight! Who knew?

What I do know is those people who stand outside WM with picket signs and try to make people feel bad because it's a non-union shop can kiss my ass. I often feel like flipping them the bird, but I usually just shake my head. They don't know what they're missing.

Where's the Outrage?

I thought Walmart was supposed to be this evil, anti-union, horrible place to work. Yet Walmart is handing out bonuses, pay increases, and retirement contributions to their employees. Yeah, that sounds just awful.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced it has paid $2 billion this year to its U.S. employees in bonuses, merchandise discounts and retirement contributions.

It cracks me up that if every single employee got an even amount of the bonus pool they got $666. hahahahahaha

Maybe if I lose my job I'll apply at my local Walmart. I'd cut my commute down from 45 minutes one way to 10 minutes one way. Of course my salary would probably get cut by about the same percentage, but at least I'd have a job.