I just bought groceries at Wal-Mart, should I feel guilty?

[JeffreyWilliamson]

For anyone who caught it, last week I went to the local Kroger and bought provolone cheese for veggie burgers, only to find out that they had cut the number of slices in half for the same price. I posted about it here:

"The Economy has Affected My Cheese Purchase..."

Kroger had reduced the package from 8oz. and 10 slices to 6oz. and 8 slices while charging the same price. Well, tonight I went to Wal-Mart in hopes of getting a bargain, and bought their provolone cheese. It weighed 8oz. and has 12 slices. And it cost $.50 less than Kroger's!

I ended up spending $60.00 - For 2 weeks worth of food!

But now I feel dirty.

[ColbertWatcher]

1. Yes, you get what you pay for.

It may seem like you're saving money by buying something at Wal-Mart, but you'll be paying for it in higher costs elsewhere.

Prices have been going up here (CA ) too, but we go generic or cut down to save money.

I just feel bad for people who have no where else to shop other than Wal-Mart.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

5. I'll stop by Wal-Mart for the odd thing every now and then...

Because they do have cheaper prices than say Radio Shack.

This was the first time I've been for groceries in a while. I've been going to the local grocer and Kroger instead, because they have a better selection of fresh produce and vegetarian items.

This was kind of a shock. I've been gradually getting used to the idea of rising prices, but this was obscene in the opposite direction. I filled the cart for the same cost I would have paid at Kroger for a hand basket.

I wish there was a local farmers' market I could go to.

[napi21]

2. Let us know if you're happy with your cheese. I haven't shopped

at a WM in years, but the last few times I did, I was sorely disappointed in the quality of their private label items. Of course youcan buy the name brands, but I've found that specials in other stores are often cheaper to buy than the "reg" price at WM. Their produce is awful! It may look fine the day you buy it, but it rapidly deteriorates beginning the very next day.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

22. The cheese tastes the same as Kroger's.

Only now I have twice as much of it.

[chucktaylor]

3. Nope

Not one little bit.

[cynatnite]

4. Nope...

we live on a budget and Walmart is close. Some things are cheaper than other places. For what it would cost us in gas to avoid Walmart we'd wind up spending more.

Don't feel guilty. It's about necessity.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

6. This time I decided to go after being angry that Kroger reduced product size...

That last thread was the last straw. I just left my job, and we are operating on a tighter budget. I had to drive further to get to Wal-Mart, but the money I saved would fill up the tank with change.

[nevergiveup]

7. Do not feel dirty. You gotta do what you gotta do

I never shop at Walmart but I understand those that do.

[OhioChick]

8. I never go to Walmart...

I go to Target and Aldi's to purchase inexpensive groceries. They're typically cheaper than our grocery store.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

11. Unfortunately our local Target doesn't carry groceries, or I would. n/t

[OhioChick]

17. Awww...

You're missing out.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

40. Don't have Aldi's in Texas.

Nor do we have Trader Joe's.

People in other states forget about regional chains, and what states have which ones.

I'm 60 miles away from a Target, as well.

[The Straight Story]

9. as long as you didn't eat at olive garden on the way home you are fine

:)

[JeffreyWilliamson]

12. Ha ha! An Olive Garden reference! And no I didn't! n/t

[The Straight Story]

14. I was gonna mention breast feeding while shopping, but I doubt you did that

if so....say some hail mary's rub the belly of your skinner buddah for good luck.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

20. A breast feeding in public reference as well?

Have I potentially started a thread that can reach those heights? Only time will tell...

[Statistical]

10. Nope...

Some will want you to feel bad because Wally = China.

1) Every other store in US has crap from China too.
2) A box of Wheaties is a box of Wheaties. It is not like the box at Walmart came from a different place. Same box, same Wheaties, $o.50 less.

Too easy.

Wally got me because of their prices on target practice ammo. Nobody beats (or even comes close) to their price on Winchester White Box.

[DBoon]

13. No. You should feel beaten down

You have joined the American underclass.

You will never escape

[JeffreyWilliamson]

18. Actually...

You hit the nail on the head. That's exactly how I felt, and probably shouldn't have.

I prided myself, (which I shouldn't have), on going to more local markets, or stores that carried more organic items. I went to Wal-Mart tonight to save money--and boy did I.

I felt bad for having done it, but am willing to admit that after tonight I'll go again. For the same reasons. Only I probably won't feel that bad next time, after I see the receipt.

[wolfgangmo]

55. Walmart leads the push to outsource jobs.

They push manufacturers to outsource. I've talked to guys who have to work with them and they are constantly pushing for "economies of scale" and have suggested directly that parts of manufacturing be offshored.

But hey, you spent less.

How about you try setting up a buying club with some neighbors, or buy food from a local farm . KNow that is you shop at Walmart that the money is out of your community before the sun sets. If you buy local it supports your community. Estimates are that local companies circulate that same dollar 7 times, leveraging your purchase, but Walmart doesn't even circulate it once. They don't even deposit it in local banks.

There are alternatives that are even cheaper. I found a food co-op within driving distance and I go there to buy bulk food from the bins. I bring my own glass jars and stock up so I only have to go every now and again. Last time I bought enough oatmeal on sale to last several months. And I checked so I know that my organic bulk purchase cost less than the Frankenfood version available at the WM.

It's doable. I know.

Having said all that, I know times are hard. I am not putting you down but presenting another alternative.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

58. I just don't know what the alternative would be...

I'm in the Houston area, more specifically Galveston. I live on a barrier island with no farms. There are very few stores open here now after Hurricane Ike, and driving off the island to any co-op would mean spending any savings on gas just to get there and back, and I don't have a job now. There is one wholesaler close to me. It's a Sam's Club in Texas City--owned by Wal-Mart. I suppose I could try and set up a buying club with neighbors, but I suspect we'd have far greater buying power if 70% of them hadn't left when the city was destroyed.

Like I said my friend Joey works at the Wal-Mart here. He cashes his paycheck here, and deposits it in the same bank I use, which is local. He spends his money locally.

I'm not sure what the answer is in my situation, and I'm sure it's different in other peoples' situation. But I can't afford to drive almost an hour north to get food for a higher cost + gas than I spent tonight. In my case it's not doable. I wish that wasn't the case, but I spent less. Not to save, but because I had less to spend.

When we're scraping to find out how to make rent in two weeks, we'll have full stomachs. I'm not arguing the offshoring, but sometimes in certain situations you have to do what you have to do.

[DBoon]

98. I was being sarcastic

But the point is many who shop at Walmart can't afford to shop anywhere else.

I'ts when saving pennies takes precedence over politics or even quality

Not being able to afford to choose where you buy groceries is not a good thing.

[emilyg]

15. Enjoy your savings.

I go to Wal-Mart. No guilt. One has to survive.

[madmom]

16. Why should you feel guilty for buying something (sometimes the identical thing) for less?

It's your money, you earned it. Nobody has a right to tell you where to shop.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

19. Actually, it's my partner's money now...

But he's doing a good job of making me accept that it's "our" money.

My friends will be ruthless when I tell them. They can go suck an egg, if they can afford one at their grocer.

[Romulox]

71. Support of Labor is (or used to be) a foundational principle of the Party.

Most grocery stores have a unionized workforce. Not WalMart.

How do you suppose Walmart is able to sell so cheap???

[madmom]

75. While this is true, they do employ Americans who need jobs, and if one

doesn't have a lot of "extra" cash, why not shop where it goes further?

[Romulox]

76. Prisons also employ people who "need jobs".

The fact that people need jobs is not a good defense of prison labor, however.

"why not shop where it goes further?"

Because you are helping to break organized labor whilst simultaneously undermining your own standard of living in the process by depressing wages and taxing social services to enhance the profits of the Waltons. Is that a good reason?

[madmom]

87. I used to work for Wal-mart and their wages were some of the better ones for grocery stores

in this town my daughter worked for Kroger, same thing I did at Wal-mart, I made $2 more an hour. If it comes to whether I have enough money to feed my family for 1 week at a union shop, or 2 weeks at Wal-mart, guess what my family wins hands down every time.The prison analogy doesn't work, because they will have a roof over their head and food whether they work or not.

What about all these people on this very board that insist it's not a double standard and say it's different if you buy/own a foreign car? Even if they own a Ford or GM product are they sure the one they own wasn't made in Mexico in non-union shops?

[Romulox]

88. Maybe in red states that's true. Every other grocer in my neighborhood is UNIONIZED

and pays a living wage.

[madmom]

96. Kroger is unionized, Meijer is unionized, Wal-mart still pays more than both here.

[Romulox]

102. Guess what, the Walmart wages will be SLASHED when they put the union shops out of business.

[Statistical]

103. Actually Walmart wages for associates (hourly) employees have risen

every year in last 10.

Average wages have NEVER declined in the last decade despite competitors going out of business.

Average wage now stands at $10.80 an hour.

How many people rail against Walmart but at the same time shop at:
* Any fast food restaurant (most pay min wage for non-management)
* Any non union grocery store (and most union grocery stores)
* Order pizza for delivery (Delivery drives make min wage + mileage)
* Eat at sit down restaurant ($2.40hr + tips)

[madmom]

105. Thank you, I've been trying to impress this on people here, but they just love to hate Wal-mart, no

matter what. I worked there and made very good wages. Friends still work there because they can get insurance for their family. I don't know what Wal-mart used to be like, but I do know my experiences with them and they were good. I worked for Meijer(another box store in mid-west) my daughter worked for Kroger, I would choose Wal-mart over either of them.

[Romulox]

107. A large number of Walmart employees require government assistance to survive

Please see the article I posted downthread.

[madmom]

112. I worked at Wal-mart I know how much I made there and it was not "slave wages", I also know

people employed by other companies require government assistance to survive, so what's your point?

[Romulox]

106. Er, so has inflation. nt

[dweller]

21. i should hate you

for feeding yourself?

tell you what, if it bothers you take the $ you saved and donate it to a food bank.

then ask them if they feel guilty?
dp

[WCGreen]

23. Look for an Aldi's...

They are affiliated with trader Joe's...

Not the best but I guess better than WalMart...

[southernyankeebelle]

How Nobel but

You should not feel guilty. I usually buy my beef at Krogers because its cheaper even from Wal Mart. But I will buy my Great Value cheese at Wal Mart. If you notice even buying the sliced american cheese is smaller and it costs the same. I would buy a block of american cheese around 120 slices for around $12.00 now they give you less cheese and it costs $10.45. But buy great value products are good and you don't loose the quality of any of the items you buy. I do like some name brand items and I will only buy that brand. I don't feel guilty because my husband works at Wal Mart along with a lot of american employees. We live in a rural area. A lot of business are closing and Wal Mart is employing a lot of people who need jobs. Could they be better employers, yes they could. People here have difficult times in when the ecomony wasn't this bad.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

25. I bought Great Value on everything they had...

Canned foods cost up to 60 cents less. I stocked up for less than I would have paid for just a few days worth at the local market or Kroger. I didn't buy meat because I'm a vegetarian. Their meat-substitute selection was pretty poor, so I will have to go back to the other stores to get that. The vegetarian items they did carry cost well under what I was paying at Kroger--for the same brand.

[southernyankeebelle]

24. How Nobel but

You should not feel guilty. I usually buy my beef at Krogers because its cheaper even from Wal Mart. But I will buy my Great Value cheese at Wal Mart. If you notice even buying the sliced american cheese is smaller and it costs the same. I would buy a block of american cheese around 120 slices for around $12.00 now they give you less cheese and it costs $10.45. But buy great value products are good and you don't loose the quality of any of the items you buy. I do like some name brand items and I will only buy that brand. I don't feel guilty because my husband works at Wal Mart along with a lot of american employees. We live in a rural area. A lot of business are closing and Wal Mart is employing a lot of people who need jobs. Could they be better employers, yes they could. People here have difficult times in when the ecomony wasn't this bad.

[wolfgangmo]

56. I am picking at nits.

But American cheese is not cheese. It says so right on the label. It is orange, and it is sort of cheese flavored. But it is not cheese.

[lame54]

78. buying fake american cheese....

puts cows out of work.

[firedupdem]

26. I moved from a major city with many stores to shop at. I never went

to Walmart before I moved here. There is a local store but the prices started to really kick my ass. I had to start going to Walmart but I do feel like crap when I buy stuff there. The problem I have with Walmart is the meat seems weird. The ground chuck browns in a weird way.....maybe it's just me but I don't buy meat there unless it's tyson chicken or something. I don't trust the hamburger or any of the meat products.

fuckers...but hey when it's the only choice, it's the only choice.

[pnorman]

27. If you can afford to shop elsewhere, YES.

The last time this Walmart discussion had come up here, I likened it to crossing a legitimate picket line. I got slammed for that by some, but I'll stick with it. As I recall, at least one of those slammers was totally "no compromise!" on his own hot button issue.

pnorman

[JeffreyWilliamson]

30. That's actually how I've likened it...

Crossing a picket line. Thing is, times got tough.

I remember reading some of those threads over the holidays, especially around Thanksgiving. I didn't post in any of them, but I did feel like I sided with the non-Wal-Mart crowd.

Due to circumstances, I have suddenly awoken on the other side. I actually feel guilty about it, but at the same time, not guilty. If anyone understands that.

[wolfgangmo]

57. I understand

I have only shopped at Wally's Craptastic Mart once. They were the only place within miles and miles that had an item I needed for a disabled neighbor. I bought it there.

And I feel guilty because Walmart is a huge problem for American workers. They are responsible for much of the outsourcing in manufacturing in America.

There is something my dad once told me that is appropriate here." Eat anything you want at the restaurant of life. And then pay the bill. "

[JeffreyWilliamson]

59. Your dad sounds like a wise man. n/t

[shintao]

49. Why feel guilty for saving?

I shop WM and it is full of American workers and great products. I find those same low-wage workers and products in other stores across my town, usually accompanied by higher prices. Some stores like Safeway & S-Mart are unionized.

But lets cut to the chase here. What we don't like is WM for the way they treat their workers, and I also see that in other stores as well. The difference is unionization, or uniting workers for power to compete with WM & other stores. Germany had no problem squaring WM away when they opened up there. There was no small businesses closing due to under-pricing, special sales, etc. No low wage & laying off workers to avoid paying benefits. That is the difference between the "Individualistic" no-power worker, and unity of all workers as occurs in a socialist state. We desperately need worker unity in America if we are to survive the corporations power on us.

[pnorman]

73. Walmart is at least a degree of magiitude WORSE than other such outfits, and in all major respects.

Question: Would you "feel guilty" about walking through a legitimate picket line, if "The Price Was Right"?

pnorman

[1]

28. i don't buy all of my stuff in one store. i have scoped out the best values...

i drive into town once a week. along the way there are several grocery stores. plus i buy gas.

the gas station at the end of my trip always has the cheapest prices on gas and smokes. $.10 cheaper on gas, and $15 cheaper on a carton of smokes. ($27 a carton for camels there! how can you go wrong?)

across the street the walmart has the best prices on almost all food items. and a package of "national brand" cheese at walmart is no different that a package of "national brand" cheese purchased anywhere else. it just costs a whole lot less.

produce? the store about half the way home. all produce sucks this time of year, but theirs is the best available.

meat and chicken? the little store closest to my home. good local stuff. somewhat more expensive that the factory stuff from walmart or the produce store, but well worth it.


do what you have to do, jeff.

i don't buy for political reasons. i'm trying to do the best for me and mine on what little i have. i support all sorts of businesses. but i do buy on sale and at the best price.

like that...

[Left Coast2020]

29. I AVOID W-M THE SAME AS I AVOID MOLDED CHEESE

.......and ignorant repuglicians.


:argh:

[TreasonousBastard]

31. Nah. I stop in Wally's every so often and...

pick up some things unavailable elswehere, or more expensive elsewhere.

Thing is, though, I have three supermarkets competing, and they are all closer than Wally. I check the circulars and stock up on what's on sale.

(For instance, I'm still working on the Cook's ham I got at Waldbaum's for 98 cents a pound last month-- cut it up and stuck a dozen 1 pound bags of it in the freezer.)

[lakeguy]

32. they have cheap prices because

40% of their employees are on state funded health care...at least in WI anyway. good luck getting that info from most states though...they pay big bucks to hide that info.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

33. That bares some looking into on my part...

Not so sure I like supporting that. My friend Joey is a Department Manager there. He has insurance through the company.

I'll look into this. Very disturbing.

[Statistical]

74. Disturbing but not true

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011002417.html

43% of associates do NOT use Walmart health plan but the break down is like this

47% receive benefits from Walmart's health plan
22% receive benefits under spouses plan
5% receive benefits via Medicare (an earned benefit for those 65+)
4% receive benefits through parent, school, or college
2% receive benefits via Medicaid
1% receive benefits via another state program

10% have no insurance (either they opted out of Wallys plan, found it unafforable, are chancing it, or are a newhire not elligible yet)

So it is 3% nationally that receive benefits from Medicaid or alternate state program. 3% not 41%.

Wal-Mart offers competitive pay. Our average, full-time hourly wage is $10.86 and is even higher in some states. For example,
as of May 2008, the average full-time hourly wage is $12.06 in Massachusetts, $11.32 in Illinois, $11.22 in New York, $12.17 in New
Hampshire and $11.12 per hour in California.

http://www.walmartstores.com/download/2322.pdf

Now is $10 a hour a good job? No. Is it the slave labor that many on DU like to make it out to be? Not really.

People will tell you to shop somewhere else..... well prices paid don't always benefit the employees.

My younger brother was out of work and when he finally got some work he needed a part time job.
There are essentially 4 grocery stores in our area:
Food-Lion - non-union - low prices, dirty stores
Farm-Fresh - non-union - high prices, good quality food, nice looking stores
Harris Teeter - union? - insane prices, very nice stores. No way I can afford it.
Evil Wally

So my brother put in apps for all 3. Harris Teeter wasn't hiring. Food Lion offered him min wage and Farm Fresh offered him $7 which he took. Farm Fresh kept his hour at around 25 a week even when he asked for more after a month of trying, begging to get more hours we applied at Walmart. They started him at $7.70 with guaranteed raise to $8.40 in 6 months. He also got 28 hours a week. When he asked for more they told him he could get a guaranteed 35 hours a week IF we switched to night shift which he did.

Now the job sucked. The benefits sucked. The hours sucked. It got him through and kept him from being evicted. 8 months later he landed a nice job working for the transplant hotline.

Just because another store has higher prices doesn't mean it benefits the employees. It certain doesn't in the case of Farm Fresh.

[Common Sense Party]

93. Good post. nt

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

36. Don't we want everyone to be on state funded health care?

[JeffreyWilliamson]

37. Actually that's true...

Not sure universal heathcare is what that poster meant though. But that is a very good point in a larger sense.

[sandnsea]

But then business will be on an even footing

so Walmart won't have an advantage based on their cheap labor policies.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

99. Sure they will.

The things that change will change for everyone else too. It's not as if Walmart has an advantage now over Target that it won't have if we have universal health care.

David

[elleng]

34. DON'T feel dirty.

There are other ways to address their 'badness' than jeopardizing family budgets.

[bevoette]

35. an urban-designed, green-spaced, 'designer' Wal-Mart is under construction that i can WALK to...

they are VERY clever...playing on Austin's pedestrian-friendly/green/aesthetic design preferences

it will, i have NO doubt, be THE most lovely Wal-Mart in the state, probably in the country. it will be chock full of organics and bulk grains and health-food items...

VERY, VERY clever


but they may have trouble. the neighborhood associations fought it tooth and nail. there is EXTREME loyalty to our local grocer (HEB), who just happen to be awesome and have GREAT prices in their own right.

it's gonna be interesting. i, for one, will not shop there. but yes, i can afford to not shop there. but most people in the immediately surrounding area can afford not to shop there.

i think they are banking on the public transportation (bus line) 'depot' at the post office across the street. they are just 'dressing it up' to fit into the neighborhood.

i didn't join in on the protests or anything - i figured 1) the property landlord has a right to sell/lease to whoever the hell he wants as long as it's w/in the law, and 2) a lot of people can only afford to shop there. i'm just not looking forward to the traffic.

but really...i just fuckin HATE Wal-Mart. it's visceral. they can dress it up in native limestone with bamboo flooring and a park-like courtyard and all that shit all they want...it's still fucking Wal-Mart.

bleah :puke:

[JeffreyWilliamson]

41. Sadly, the HEB here is destroyed.

They're talking about putting in one of those massive HEB's in its place. Which would be nice. There's one about 30 minutes north of here on the way to Houston. It actually carries all the vegetarian items I shop for, and they are lower than Kroger, which only has half the selection. Not sure their prices are lower than Wal-Mart's on the whole though.

Are you aware that H.E.Butts was a total fundy?

[bevoette]

44. i'm guessing you're in Galveston? :(

it makes me too sad to think about it. grew up in Houston...ahhh, the memories, skipping school to zip to the beach...then having to shower before mom got home! ;)

i didn't know that about Butts. i really love my HEBs :blush: i'd say i buy about 75% of their 'store brand' items, and they are fantastic, they have great organic and natural selections, bulk items (at my primary store), great produce variety, lots of local items...and every Saturday is like a carnival!! LOL

anyhoozle...here's our fancy new 'green' Wal-Mart: http://austinist.com/2007/04/24/new_northcross_walmart_plans_released.php woohoo :eyes:

[JeffreyWilliamson]

46. Good Lord!

It's like some kind of post-modern house Wal-Mart.



Yeah, I'm in Galveston. It's still pretty rough around here. I just drove by a house this afternoon where they were tearing out the drywall four months later. They were running extension cables across from their neighbor's house to power the lights. When I looked into the neighbor's yard, the cords were plugged into the generator powering that house's lights.

But don't get upset about Butts, from what I understand it was just something he did on his own time. To be honest, I will shop there in a heartbeat as soon as they bring the new store down here.

I have discovered that most store label products contain meat extracts in them, just as the name brands do. HEB's don't. They cost the same as the other store labels but are vegetarian friendly of a sorts. No beef extract in several of the gravy mixes or the store label Hamburger Helper. And I can make a mean vegetarian Hamburger Helper.

[SammyWinstonJack]

92. I shop HEB. The other choices here are WalMart or Costco or Sam's Club.

We use to have Alberstons and Kroger, but no more. We do have Whole Foods and Sun Harvest, kind of expensive.

[JitterbugPerfume]

38. no , you should not feel guilty

we do what we gotta do

[Sultana]

39. Nah

[Warpy]

42. Why do you feel dirty?

If you found what you needed there when nobody else had it, you should have gotten it there.

I find a lot of their stuff is smaller than higher priced market stuff and some of it is second quality.

However, there are a few things there that none of the markets near me carry, so when I go in to fill my $4.00 prescription, I buy that stuff, too.

[Godhumor]

43. I demand you move to NY, PA, or VA and shop only at Wegmans

Otherwise you just think you're grocery shopping.

Just kidding, in case it wasn't obvious. There's nothing wrong with shopping where you can get what you need at the price that is right.

[OswegoAtheist]

54. Amen

I shop at Wegman's because it's so great to its employees, and it has an awesome veg*n and natural/organics selection.

Oswego "Too bad I have to burn so much gas getting there, tho" Atheist

[TommyO]

83. Wegmans used to be my go-to place when I lived near Bethlehem, PA

There were three stores located 10 to 20 minutes away from me. Now that I'm in NJ, it's more like a thirty minute drive, fortunately it's almost on the way home from work, so I can stop there.

I do admit to occasionally shopping at Walmart, but for a few select items that I can't get anywhere else, or for nearly the price. Oscar Mayer Center Cut, thick sliced bacon is $2.97 for a 12-oz package, roughly half the price that it goes for almost everywhere else, including Wegmans ($5.49 or $5.99 depending on which market you're in).

[BlooInBloo]

45. I think of it as a "don't hate the player, hate the game" situation...

Naturally, DU-leftier-than-thou types feel rather differently about it.

[1]

47. wow. so succinct a post...

some want to build their du cred, some want to feed their families.

nice post...

[JeffreyWilliamson]

48. Just a guess...

But the way things are going out there, as I'm finding out, everyone will be a member of one of those groups very soon. Guess which one?

[1]

50. i don't believe in these depression theories, some here will always be ok...

me? now? not so much. i don't have any problem with them that can doing the good thing. those of us that can't just do what we have to do to get by.

i would like a little understanding about that. and a little less put-down for my non-boycott necessary decisions. but i've been here for awhile. so i don't expect much.

i don't take it personally anymore. but i never feel "dirty" about what i have to do...

[JeffreyWilliamson]

51. Actually, the experience has made me suddenly become a little more understanding...

Funny how a turn for the worse in your life, (no job, etc.), will do that, huh?

You shouldn't take it personally. Never should have in fact. Just as I shouldn't have bristled at going to Wal-Mart.

We do what we can to get by.

[1]

52. and then things change...

i am old enough to have been through this before. several times. the economy goes up, the economy goes down. the dollar goes up, the dollar goes down. gas prices go up, gas prices go down.

i have always kept my job through these cycles, until this one. but this is not the end of times. hell, obama is getting sworn in next tuesday. you don't think things will start improving? hell yeah they will.

a temporary downshift. followed by great prosperity. we ride it out. and we will come out on the other side ok and strong. i believe that.


so i do what i have to do for now and then when times are bright? i'll be able to do what i don't have to do anymore.

like that...

[JeffreyWilliamson]

53. Just like that...

And I agree, starting with Tuesday, things are going to improve.

[anigbrowl]

60. A. your math is wrong and b. I don't care, it's your business

"For anyone who caught it, last week I went to the local Kroger and bought provolone cheese for veggie burgers, only to find out that they had cut the number of slices in half for the same price. I posted about it here:

"The Economy has Affected My Cheese Purchase..."

Kroger had reduced the package from 8oz. and 10 slices to 6oz. and 8 slices while charging the same price. Well, tonight I went to Wal-Mart in hopes of getting a bargain, and bought their provolone cheese. It weighed 8oz. and has 12 slices. And it cost $.50 less than Kroger's!"

Kroegers sold you 75% as much cheese, with 80% as many slices, not 50%. But I'm glad you found a better deal at Walmart. If you feel dirty, donate to a charity or something. Or go back to paying more than you need to, or whatever.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

61. Okay, busted. Math was my worst subject...

For what it's worth, here's the simple breakdown.

Kroger Cheese: 8 slices, $2.99
Wal-Mart Cheese: 12 slices, $2.49

Tell me if my math's wrong here:

Wal-Mart Cheese: 50% more slices, 50 cents less cost

Getting back into non-smartass mode, the charity idea is a good one. The "whatever" idea is a bit apathetic. Honestly, I wish there were an alternative to:

"Buy more for less and kill American jobs", or

"Get used to being hungry".

[anigbrowl]

62. That's right

As to the apathy, my take is that if you can't afford, you pay less, if you can affor, you can pay more. Slice my own cheese, it's cheaper to buy it in bulk packs.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

63. Actually that's always been my take as well.

Now I guess I'm on the "you can't afford" side of it. In a way it kind of makes you feel less superior and more human, or so I'm discovering as I call creditors to haggle down payments.

I like the radiation avatar. I'm a big cold war fan. I need to find a good fallout shelter sign for mine.

[1]

64. well look at the big brain on anigbrowl... all smug and superior....

but i'm confused about this part...

"my take is that if you can't afford, you pay less, if you can affor, you can pay more."

isn't that the just the opposite of how it works in real life?

more like, "if you can't afford, you pay more. if you can afford (or affor as you say) you pay less?"

school me here, anigbrowl...

[anigbrowl]

97. think what you like

my point was that if you can't afford much, then you shop for the lowest price and don't worry about it. If you are a bit better off, you can afford to be selective about where you shop, rather than just focusing on the sticker price. I thought it was obvious, given the context of the OP.

[1]

101. then to you i owe a total apology. i was wrong in my post. you were right...

my knee, it does jerk.

i am sorry...

[Cid_B]

65. Short answer is nope...

[JeffreyWilliamson]

66. Good answer...

I like it. Short and to the point.

[Lucian]

67. You shouldn't feel guilty about anything.

If you're saving money by shopping at Walmart, then do it. I buy groceries at Walmart all the time. Not all of us can afford to shop at small or no name stores, or expensive stores like Whole Foods. Some of us HAVE to shop at Walmart.

[aikoaiko]

68. I go to Wally world every week, Sams once a month, and Kroger every so often.

...to save money.


I don't geel guilty.

[Marrah_G]

69. I've never shopped at a walmart for food before

None of the Walmarts around here sell food. Maybe it's because of the grocery store unions here.

I always shop at Stop and shop or a smaller store called Seabra. If I shop sales I do pretty well. I just plan my meals around the sales.

[Romulox]

70. I'd go without before shopping at place where a large number of the workers need public asistance

Due to the pittance they are paid.

Just so understand, your extra 2 slices of cheese came out of the wages of the single mom who checked you out. Don't worry though. She probably qualifies for food stamps despite working "full time" for Wall Mart.

[madokie]

72. Not necessarily but you need to look at expiration dates and countries of origin

would be my advice

[WillieW]

77. You got to do what you got to do. Don't n feel guilty or dirty!

[WI_DEM]

79. Don't feel dirty. People have to do what works for them in this economy. There are lots of working

and poor people who do shop at Walmart because they are cheaper.

[shadowknows69]

80. Are you going to eat tonight? Are you providing for your family?

Some of us can't even do that right now. Fuck what anyone says about where you get your food. We're all in survival mode right now and anyonw who seems condescending to that has never known want.

[deaniac21]

81. I take all of my deer and elk to Wal mart to be butchered.

[pilsner]

82. Change the rules that Wal-Mart plays by

Wal-Mart and other giant corporations have skewed the laws to their advantage. We've allowed that to happen. Let's change the rules of the game. For example, it's ridiculous that Wal-Mart gets rights of personhood.

You were such a bargain shopper that Wal-Mart probably lost money on your recent visit so don't feel guilty.

[zorahopkins]

84. Louu Prices Because of SLAVE Uuages

Those louu prices you paid?

They uuere possible because WalMart refuses to pay its workers anything but SLAVE Uuages.

And the prices it is able to negotiate uuith its suppliers are louu only because the suppliers also pay only slave uuages.

Should you feel guilty?

I uuould.

Note: In protest of the continuing occupation of OUR Uuhite House by the illegal and totally corrupt Bush/Cheney regime of thugs and cronies, I REFUSE to use the letter betuueen "V" and "X". Instead, is use a "double u", as in "Uuhite House".

[Obamanaut]

85. No one should feel guilty about doing what is necessary. In my

small town, there are three places for groceries - Walmart and two other chains. For women's clothes (with a VERY small selection of shoes) the alternative to Walmart is Cato's. For men's shoes/clothing Walmart is all there is. All the other stores have gone away. The next closest town is 25 miles from my house, the one after that is 65.

A meat market with produce, both local items, will open here in about 3 weeks so we can get some of our food products there - but not all.

Out of curiosity, why do you not hate the B or C as in Bush/Cheney? Or the G as in George?

[Romulox]

89. Like I said upthread: that extra cheese came out of the single mom checker's wages.

But don't worry, it was likely made up for by food stamps.

Wal-Mart was encouraging its workers to apply for public assistance; taxpayers would be subsidizing Wal-Mart's low wages, bringing new meaning to the term "corporate welfare." Wal-Mart's welfare dependence made it nearly impossible for responsible employers to compete with the retail giant. It was as if taxpayers were unknowingly funding a massive plunge to the bottom in wages and benefits.

http://www.democraticwings.com/democraticwings/archives/womens_rights/001318.php

[Deja Q]

86. There's a book I could recomend to Kroger:

The book is cheesy and filled with patronizing waffle, but whatever...

[K8-EEE]

90. I would have to be in the most dire straights to walk into a WalMart

I have one about 5 miles from me I guess.....the parking lot always looks like a hellhole from the street and pretty much stands for everything I hate.

I'm not going to tell YOU how to feel since everyone's different -- I get by fine on the little mom and pops in my neighborhood, Costco and the occasional fish taco from the corner stand. Have cut DRASTICALLY back on meat and dairy, which I believe to be more healthy anyhow.

I'm just saying for me at least there's other ways to cut down on the food budget, I understand that some people live in places where WalMart is pretty much the Company Store and they have to shop there. Which to me is depressing.

Anyhow this may be one of those trick questions where people go, "should I feel a certain way?" and then if you say "yes you should" they go ballistic, so in general my advice is don't ask for opinions unless you really want them! And mine is: WALMART SUCKS!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

91. Of Course You Shouldn't.

No, you shouldn't feel guilty, despite what the overzealous falsely righteous yet monumentally hypocritical noselifters balk.

[Fireweed247]

94. I think quality is most important

Most of the grocery stores are major corporations but some are better than others. I think the more important question to ask is...what the hell are you buying?

I must have dairy products that have no bgh so I shop at at store that buys from Costco. I doubt you can get a better deal than the large blocks of Tillamook at Costco.

[taught_me_patience]

95. Nope

No need to feel guilty. Many people from all walks of life choose to shop at Walmart.

[rcrush]

100. No but I'd be careful if you bought any meat.

If I recall correctly they spray some shit on the meat so they can sell it past their expiration date.

[varelse]

104. Why are you asking us?

It's not our business where you get your groceries, or what you feel "guilty" about. No one here even knows you - and no one on earth has a right to judge you. :shrug:

[Romulox]

108. Looking for Hosannas from the cheap labor crowd. nt

[Cabcere]

109. I did too, JeffreyWilliamson

:( I generally prefer shopping at other stores, but I couldn't find what I needed at Food Lion and I didn't have time to drive out to Target, so Wal-Mart it was. You're not alone.

[NaturalHigh]

110. No, you shouldn't feel guilty.

We shop there too, and we're much happier with the quality and service than we are at the other grocery store in town. At least they usually have more checkers during the busiest times of day.

A lot of things about Walmart suck, but they seem more interested in keeping our business than Homeland (formerly Safeway here in Oklahoma).

[LanternWaste]

111. I would imagine "no".

I would imagine "no-- you have no direct reason to feel guilty."

I would also imagine that anyone berating your budgeting choice has either:

A) absolutely no goods, equipment, games, music, art, literature, food, entertainment, home accents, etc made anywhere except in America, and then, ONLY by union workers, or...

B) has expectations and goals for everyone else that they themselves are exempt from due to various moral and personal justifications.

[Systematic Chaos]

113. No, you shouldn't feel guilty. You did what you had to to survive.

Almost anything Wal-Mart sells, I personally can either do without or get even cheaper at the 99 Cent Store down the street. But, there are a few things Wal-Mart has that really make us happy and are cheap, so once in a while we go there to stock up. I'm talking specifically about sugar-free drink mixes here. Wal-Mart has them in flavors that not only taste great but are very reasonable. Nobody else does. If Target or Albertsons started carrying the exact same flavors for at or near the same price, I'd buy there instead.