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You’ve all heard of the grocery outlet store, right? I was told by a girlfriend of mine about the one I have near my place. I used to go there for tinned fruit and vegetables (which they specialise in) but they’ve taken on selling chips, chocolates, biscuits and all the other nasty nice stuff.
For last Saturday’s movie night, I decided to go there to pick up the usual couple snack foods we have once a fortnight. The usual chocolate/lollies and chips would have to be a lot cheaper than the regular supermarket, right?
Ummm, wrong! $33 later and I had enough junk food to sink a battleship. The worst part about it was just about all of it was near or past its ‘use by’ or ‘best before’ date. The store was absolutely packed to the brim with bus loads of shoppers turning up. Bus loads! And their trollies were overflowing.
My particular store sells perfectly good canned pineapple, other fruit, beetroot, juices and other vegetables that may have just lost its label. That’s what I normally would go for and there’s definitely some bargains to be had but they have gone into selling everything from processed meat, coffee mugs, toiletries, nuts, and every conceivable item of junk food you could imagine.
Now I’ll admit, I’ve felt the pressure to add a little something packaged into my kid’s lunchboxes but in 4 years (for my daughter at least), they’ve managed without it. They must’ve thought all their Christmases had come at once with the plethora of snacks in their lunch box this week. To tell you the truth, I’ll be glad to see the end of it because I’ve been eating it too!
So, to think you’ll be saving money by going to these types of grocery stores, you’re probably not. You’re probably buying stuff you wouldn’t normally. (Or if you do buy this stuff normally, you’ll probably save yourself a packet.) My kids will be disappointed next week when it’s back to normal lunchbox fodder. And as for movie night? I’ll spend the $5 to $10 I normally do on a bag of lollies and a block of chocolate from the regular supermarket. Heaven knows, I don’t need anymore junk food!
Those Cadbury candy bars are the best. I guess you go to buy stuff you wouldn't normally buy for a better price? So saving money, yes, in a round a bout way.
You doing quite a bit good for the environment by passing on these individually packed goodies too. KUDOS to you.
I couldn't agree with you more. Unless you have a large family I don't even recommend stores like Cosco (don't know what you have where you live) that sell large quantities of things. You end up with too much product. It's hard to store. You either over eat or waste half of it.
Good for you Anne for four years to date of packaged free lunch boxes. I can only imagine they're thoughts and reactions at the past weeks lunch boxes. It's funny though I was just speaking with my son the other day about what the other kids at kindy have in their lunch boxes. His kindy has a package free/healthy options policy but I can tell you I've seen there are definitely parents who don't conform to that policy. Probably the same parents that told me I was no fun at the kids Easter afternoon tea, because I had to highly monitor all the packaged goods that were on offer. It's not like he can't have any of it at all, but we a so direct him on the things we know are the best alternatives in these situations.
Any time I walk into the store for "one thing" it ends up being $20-$30 dollars of something more later. Sandi Richard recommends once a week shopping with your list, then stay out of the stores until the next weekly shop.
Hi Anne, I came here from the train blog hop. I love your blog, it's really interesting. I haven't been to a grocery outlet in a long time but we had one where we used to live; my husband and I used to buy these outrageous coconut ice pops there that were just to die for. I have never seen them anywhere but that store! I'm following you with GFC and looking forward to reading more of your blog. 🙂
Jennifer
http://thistlebearhome.blogspot.com
I think the temptation is great in these types of places – like Christmas. You think you are getting a bargain. The bulk tins of fruit etc are usually good value? What are you going to do with all the pineapple?
I have never heard of grocery outlets. I sure wish we had one close to me. Found you at Let’s get social Sunday. New Follower. You can find me painting, decorating and baking on HickoryTrail
I've never visited a grocery outlet store, but I kind of want to now.
Heidi’s Wanderings
It's amazing how much extra you can buy when going to a large shop….I do that all the time in the supermarket! We don't have a grocery outlet store here….probably a good thing LOL!
I've never been to a grocery outlet…just the "big box" places where they sell you TONS of something but then it's a great per ounce deal!