When I shop for things I like to get the best price for the best quality, especially for our everyday staples. For example, I refuse to buy cereal at the grocery store because I know I can get it cheaper during my trip to Target or Wal-Mart. Other items I prefer to purchase at Target; toiletries, yogurt, french fries, mac n’ cheese, and dog food. The overall savings on a regular trip adds up to $15-$20. It’s really a no-brainer and Target isn’t out of my way, it is literally 1.5 miles from my office. However, today I just gave up.
The boys and I got back from our trip down south late last night. When I woke up I was greeted with the realization that there was no dog food, no groceries to put together a lunch for Logan, no shampoo left, and it took a lot of finesse to get the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube. We were out of just about everything. Seriously!?
Logan’s lunch ended up consisting of some left over Goldfish and McDonald’s apples from our trip, and an egg and cheese wake-up wrap from Dunkin Donuts! I can’t say he was disappointed, but I was.
My plans for running to Target for the key items on my list during my lunch break were squashed when I got a call from my husband saying he couldn’t pick up Deacon from pre-school…so off I went. My plans to run to Target after work were squashed when I got the call that my husband couldn’t handle one more minute with the tired, whiney boys that were still exhausted from their trip and school. So what is super mom/wife to do? Go straight home and pick up all three boys, load them into the car, and brave the grocery store.
It was torture making purchases for things we NEEDED that I knew I could have gotten way cheaper. I could feel my blood boil. I guess I do have my father’s blood in me. He’ll stop purchasing a product he likes just because the price went up 75 cents. Each glance at the price tag made my insides turn. I spent $4.00 for the cereal I get for $2.50 at Target. Of course bringing all three boys is a curse in itself. We had to get three different kinds of apples, two different cereals, two different types of yogurt, and battle the, “But I really want that Mom!” At least they all agreed on American cheese, although I really wanted Muenster.
Even with the coupons I had I knew I just blew a TON of money by skipping my Target trip just for meer convenience. I hope the cashier didn’t hear my gasp when she told me the total. All I have to say is…Never Again.
At least you didn’t have J-Wo with you.
VERY TRUE!! ha
Hey!! I resemble that remark!! hahaha…
I spent the morning going through my coupons and the Wednesday grocery ads but now comes the hard part, telling Tammy I want to go shopping… again.
But I’m always shocked at how much more expensive things are at the grocery store. All part of why I love me some Wal-Mart. haha…
I could not resist! It is true. At least if you were along, you’d bring coupons.
You’re right though. I will not buy a box of cereal at the grocery store. I’ll tell my kids they can have a piece of bread before I’ll spend $4 on a box of cereal.
J-Wo, I look forward to your next couponing adventure. I hope you can talk Tammy into it.
I would feel the same way as you! Shopping is my “respite” where I feel I am in control when getting the best deals. Here’s to next time!
I once took ALL my kids in Wal-mart, and random strangers were offering to help me wrangle the children. Not sure, but I think some of them were having a snack on the produce aisle! 🙂
It was tough when I had only two little ones to drag around the grocery store, so I imagine it would be twice as difficult with three. You have my sympathy. I know how you feel about overspending. It was tough financially when my kids were little, too. The company my husband worked for went bankrupt and we suddenly had two little kids to raise and a huge mortgage, so things were tight. Spending any more than we absolutely had to was painful, so I can relate. Let’s hope you won’t be forced to overspend like that too often. 🙂
Oh man. No good. No good at ALL! I think I can count the number of times I have taken the kids shopping with me and more often than not it is a similar experience. My hubs on the other hand takes them to the store willingly although they rarely have anything that they need to buy (unlike me with my week’s worth of groceries and other on the list) they just go for “entertainment”. Whatever that means?!
Hope your next trip is solo 😉
Going to the grocery store (or Walmart/Target) with the kiddos is just pure torture. They’re so distracting and I always end up with tons of stuff I don’t need – and forget half the stuff I do need. I also buy my staples and toiletries at Walmart. MUCH cheaper!
Oh my gosh, can I relate to your frustration! Sometimes I take the kids to the grocery store instead of Walmart, thinking that I will just buy a few things so it won’t add up too high. Wrong! By the time I finish adding in all the stuff I relent on, plus the over priced merchandise, I might as well have driven the extra few miles and hit the cheaper store.
So, so frustrating!
I totally sympathize for you! I HATE taking my kiddos to the store with me. I used to spend the time doing major couponing, and schedule out my price-matches…but I don’t have time for that. I have also broke down and just ended up buying most things from the supermarket by our house because it is so much easier for me time wise. Don’t beat yourself up, sometimes it takes that reminder of wasting our money to get us back in gear 🙂
I’ve gotten in the bad habit of running in for a few things at a time. That’s killer on the grocery budget too because instead of planning meals and using a bag of something I’m using bits of this and that and costing us more.