"DRUMS PLEASE!"
I'm done. Well, sort of done. I absolutely cannot find time to go to the commissary. I did, however, compare Costco and Winco (the local supermarket). Winco is in green, Costco in blue. Because I'm a nerd.
Here's the skinny. You can usually shop for cheaper at the local supermarket if you buy the store brand. I am not above buying the store brand on some things, but there are others on which I simply cannot compromise. Everyone's different, so while generic green beans are a good deal for me, "Toasted Oat Rings" cannot take the place of Cheerios in my bowl. That said, it absolutely comes down to the items you want, and where you are willing to cut corners. I could have saved money buying syrup at Costco, but I can only buy the 45 gallon bottle there. Seriously... have you seen their syrup? Who uses that much? If you do, Costco is where you need to buy.
I bought about half of what I needed at Costco, and spent $126. I anticipate I can buy the remainder of what I need at Winco for about the same amount. That will give me three months' worth of meals for about $300. That's $100 a month... pretty cheap insurance.
*For some reason, Spagetti noodles got cut off. They were $1.78 for a 2 lb bag at Winco. Pretty good. Anything left blank means they didn't carry it at Costco, or I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. We have sensitive skin here, so the soap will be a special buy.If I make it to the commissary ever, I'll post my findings. But for now, consider my tutorial finalized. I have shown you how to pick what your family eats, break it down into ingredients, and comparison shop for the best deal. I have shown you how you can feed your family (and wash their hair, brush their teeth and clean their bodies) in a time of crisis for a three month period. I've also accomplished it all for around $300. It really isn't as overwhelming and complicated as it's often portrayed to be. No sprouting wheat germ to obtain vitamin c. And at the rate our government is bailing out failing companies, when you or your spouse become unemployed, don't expect Uncle Sam to have any money left to help you out. You'll be wishing there was any such thing as government cheese.
19 comments:
splendidly well done, my friend! and seriously, just in time for christmas, since like i've said, this is what santa's bringing me! woopee.
now, i know you said you were done but here's one more question. what have you (or other readers feel free to contribute) found is the best way to rotate? have you made a pretty little chart for that as well? the rotating part is the hardest for me. seriously. why does that part baffle me so? any suggestions?
Good job, you put a lot of hard work into this project and now I get to reap the benefits! You are one good friend!
I'm waiting for B.O. to pay my tithing. You know it's tithing settlement time and we are just a little behind. I know if I wish hard enough B.O. will come through for us.
If he will do that , I think we can afford a year's supply of food.
Great job! You have definitely helped me out by looking at this in an easier way. Thanks! Also, I talked to Brandie the other day. She said they are doing well and she thinks about you all the time. But she doesn't have your address or phone number. I was in the car so I couldn't help her out with those things. But I will try to get them to her.
Helpful. Thanks for doing the legwork.
Good job, you've inspired me.
LM...
i find the easiest way to rotate is to keep a running grocery list on the side of the fridge. i just bought a long magnetized pad at the dollar store. if i were super diligent, i'd write down every time i used something that needed to be replaced. but in real life, i only do it when i notice something is getting low. or in more real life, when i totally run out of something.
on a good day, i notice i've used five or six cans of tomato sauce lately. so i write that on teh list. on a bad day, i notice i am completely out of tomato sauce and write "tomato sauce (12 cans)" on my list. the key to this system is that you have bought stuff you are likely to use on a regular basis. (more or less, right?) so once you've used some, just buy more.
you think for 3 whole months you won't have to go to the store? That. would. be. amazing. I swear my forgetful self... goes at least 2-3 times a week.
sigh.
The other day we were at Costco and I was trying to figure out what had the better deals Costco or my beloved Winco and then I thought, "Oh wait, Andrea's already doing this for me. I will just wait to see what she found."
I then headed over for the Christmas decoration section and contemplated our need for a five foot snowman and 5 pounds of truffles.
It was awesome.
Thank you for doing the nifty chart. I often have wondered if the big buld items really are a better deal, so now I have something to compare it too. I do have to give a shout out to Winco though. I LOVE it there, but only for food, other stuff is not cheap. Thanks for your help!
I agree with your findings. I don't have access to the commissary, though... But store brand trumps Costco many times. You just have to figure if it is worth the trade-off...
And I can't decide whether your comment on my blog was sarcastic? Or genuine? Either way hope you enjoyed it :) I'll definitely be popping back for more of your fun analyses. I'm a sucker for a good deal!
so simple, really. i'm pretty sure i'll be able to figure it out. OR, i'm just going to stock pile enough gas to get to your house in a crisis. can you bump everything up to feed five more?!?!!?
Great chart. So just for your gee whiz collection (and I did this with you in mind), last week I scoured the weekly ads from the local budget grocery store and Safeway - wrote down the prices of the advertised goods and then went to the commissary to compare. With like 3 exceptions, the commissary beat the pants off of the other two. (And not by a couple cents - it was 20-30%.) Mind you, this was on their advertised sales. Now, I don't like my commissary's produce very much - so I bypassed that altogether, but with everything else... it's just that much better. Anyway, when they say it is part of our "military benefit" they ain't kidding.
So impressed. Not fun to spend money or thought on, but the BIGGEST relief when you are done, huh?
You are amazing. I have another friend who did this with Costco and Winco but she compared different foods. Thanks for letting me benefit from all your hard work.
This is awesome. And I miss Winco! That was my favorite store when we lived in California.
I don't know if you have Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid in your neck of the woods, but there is a way to get most of your hygiene items (shampoo, razors and razor blades, deoderant, pads, tampons, toothbrushes, toothpaste absolutely FREE. Maybe one of these days when I start blogging again I can do a tutorial on coupon clipping and the joys of CVS.
This is what I want for Christmas...you to come and build my storage for me.
Dang Lady, I'm jealous. Perhaps I should turn my food storage issue over to you. I have desperately been needing to do something about it. I have been feeling the promptings for some time now. But, in all my spare time... I have somehow just not remembered to get anything done.
How have you been? We haven't talked for too long.
Ok I love you and you know that.. But really this is what you do in your spare time..lol
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