Grocery store reality....

I do all the grocery shopping for our family household.  I also do all the budgeting, bill paying, most of the cooking, and most of the crying in the dark late at night.  It's part of the divvying up of chores between the wife and I.

My normal grocery shopping is done on-line.  Mostly at Giant, where I bargain shop as hard as I can and place an order once or twice a week.  They pick the groceries, pack them, and deliver to my truck by appointment, all at the same or better prices than if I walk in.

I also shop on Amazon, and occasionally other stores, looking for the best prices on the things we need or want.  I have the time to do all this, being a fat old retired guy.

This morning I did something I do about once a month.  I actually went into the Giant grocery store and shopped in person.  I call these my 'Bargain Hunting' days.  Usually without a list, I walk every aisle and look for any and all bargains to stock up with.  It's a hunt for targets of opportunity that can only be found in person.

Here are some thoughts and moments from this mornings 'Bargain Hunting' trip.

• 2 out of 3 customers in the store this early are elderly folks, of which I count myself.  We stop and talk, as old people do.  We have the time to be social.   Why are they there that early?  The same as I... bargain hunting.  They, me, all of us agree.  The hunt is in vain these days.  There are no bargains left in this grocery world.
• The pasta that was $1 a box two weeks ago is 'On Sale' today at 3 for $5.
• I was there while Meat Man was stocking the beef cooler.  I looked on as he worked, and asked "Who can pay $10 a pound for Chuck roast and $25 a pound for steak?"  He replied "EBT don't look at prices. They just throw it in the cart.  Nobody else buys it".
• I walked the store aisle by aisle, and twice around for meat and produce.  My bargain finds were 1.5 pounds of store brand cheese for $6, two bottles of store ketchup for $3, and two loaves of sticks/twigs bread for $7.  Last year I would fill the cart.
• Herself wanted something pastry treat for breakfast.  I got her muffins in flavors she likes.  4 store baked standard muffins.... $6.

After coming home from my $36 shopping spree, I mentioned the details to a friend.  She said she was thinking of stocking up now in case the Fall and Winter get rough.   My reply "Do it!  If it all goes to shit your family gets to eat.  If it doesn't go to shit then your family gets to eat cheaper than they would have otherwise.  Why would you NOT stock up?"