Bigger is not always Better

"She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar" (Proverbs 31:14 NIV)

As the manager and keeper of my home, and without a real income to assist in the expenses of our home, I see it as my job to cut costs as a way of contributing to the bottom line of our family. I have already cut our "food" budget from over $1200/month (for a family of 6 - including non-grocery items like cleaning supplies, baby supplies and personal care items) down to less than $600/month, but I am determined to do more. So, in an effort to be like our lady of example, bringing my food from afar consists of checking the weekly ads from various grocery stores, determining what to buy where and distinguishing the advatages and disadvantages of going to multiple or a single store in any given week (depending on how great the sale and our needs for that week).

For weeks I have been debating on whether or not to invest in a membership to Costco. I fear that if I buy in bulk (snacks especially) that we will eat in bulk! But, I know that if there is a huge difference in cost for things like meat, I can freeze, or prepare meals ahead of time (thus adding to our savings my insuring that we will not eat out because I will always be prepared with meals in the freezer!!!). Since Costco doesn't send out those handy little weekly ads that let you know what is on sale, I had to make one myself. Armed with a pad of paper and a pen, I walked in Costco like I had a membership (pretending to be on the phone and distracted) and I began my investigation. Here is what I found:

When Bigger is Better:
Snacks - prices on snacks are fairly impressive at Costco. I know everyone buys different things for her family, but here are a couple examples of how much cheper some of the items we buy are at Costco

• Nutella - about $3.00/jar savings
• Gummies - about $6.00 savings over 2 month supply
• Pistacios - $1.75/lb savings
• Sun Chips - $.45/individual bag savings
• Microwave Popcorn - $.63/bag savings
• Go-gurt - $2.50/package savings
• Pretzels - $1.60/package savings

Cleaning Supplies - I won't bore you with details, but if I bought all of my cleaning supplies at Costco v. my regular store, I would save about $10.00.

When Bigger is NOT Better - Meat and Produce! I was so bummed. This is the reason I went there. I was so ready to get a membership and come home with pounds and pounds of meat to have a day preparing meals for the next month and NADA! Just by way of example on a couple items:

• London Broil Beef was $1.00/lb more at Costco than the advertised price in the Stater Brothers Circular Ad
• Stew Meat was over $1.50 more at Costco than the Albertson's Ad
• Chuck Roast was $1.75 more than the Vons' Ad
• Whole Fryer Chickens weren't expensive ($.99/lb), but this week they are on sale for $.67/lb at Stater Brothers
• Chicken Breats were $1.80/lb more at Costco than the non-sale price at my regular grocery

The other items I buy frequently were very similar in price (but of course in larger quantities: Pro-less frequent shopping; Con-higher grocery bill at least one week out of the month). So, my fact finding mission led me to this conclusion - if someone wants to buy me a membership to Costco for my birthday, I will accept it :-), but for me to make up the cost of the membership in savings, it will take me months (and if I factor in the drive and the time spent doing it, I might as well stick to store hopping right here in my own neighborhood, checking the reduced to sell quickly bins for meat and seafood and buying our extra-special snack-treats when they are on sale and appreciate them all the more), and I am not sure that is worth it!

How are you contributing to the bottom line in your home? I'd love to hear!