Mummy in the foothills

Don't forget to get a Vons/Pavilions/Safeway card so you can get money off at their gas station and all the sales deals too.

Bob

Around where I am, definitely agree with the meet being expensive, but it's very good quality...the dairy is a lot cheaper, the soft drinks about the same, canned goods about the same, soups are lovely but a bit pricey....the bread is very cheap for the regular loaf of bread but the rolls etc are rather pricey too.

laety

is it me or does the bread taste sweet ??

btw while in trader joes yesterday, I was looking at some rose wine (well between 2 bottles of white zinfandel) which were about $5/$6 each and this guy came to me and said "if you want a good white zinfandel, go for the one over there (pointing at another place in the store) the bottle was $1.99!!! I took one to try and it was actually very nice!
so to anyone wanting a good and cheap bottle of rose, go for the $1.99 in trader joes!!

Noorah101

Here in Arizona, I shop mainly at Safeway for everything except meat. Safeway's generic brands are great...they're cheaper and taste even better than name brands, in my opinion.

I buy almost all meat at Costco. Their prices are great, the quality is excellent, and even though it's "bulk" size, I cut it up into individual sevings and freeze it. It's usually just me at home, so I only have to go "meat shopping" a few times a year!

I've gone to Trader Joes many times and never find anything in there I've wanted to buy, except that's the only place I can find pistachio nutmeats and raw hazelnuts.

I tried Fresh n Easy for a while, and their produce is cheap enough, but it also is always on the verge of expiring. I was throwing away a lot because I couldn't use it fast enough, and I don't like to go grocery shopping every other day. They are good for canned goods and stuff like rice or beans, but I also don't like to make multiple trips when grocery shopping. I figure the gas I'd spend going from Safeway to Fresh n Easy is the same as the few cents more I pay at Safeway for the canned goods.

Rene

Mummy in the foothills

Yes the bread is sweet isn't it, I hate it. I got a bread maker and make my own probably three or four loaves a month just to get away from the sweet stuff.
You have discovered 2 buck chuck at Trader joes, I thought it had gone up to $3 now.
Check their freezer they have really good frozen whole haricot beans, nicer than anywhere else I've tried, and I like the jam and ketchup, they have sugar in it not high fructose corn syrup.

laety

ahah so its not like a promotion or anything?? I told hubby (after testing the wine) that I must go back to take more bottles before the promotion runs out
if its a normal price then I wont as I dont want to look desperate

Bob

You get a % off for buying crates of 6 bottles or more I think....I've seen people walking out with 5 crates of the Chuck stuff...but then down my way, there's only one TJ that sells booze, so folks come from aways and stock up

Bob

Depends on the bread, the white is a bit sweet, but the oat and wheat aren't sweet.

The wines aren't bad either if going for the budget end of the scale, which is me The house red isn't to bad of a Frog wine either and it's nicer than the $3 two buck chuck stuff, which still isn't entirely shit if using it for cooking.

jackattack

A few years ago we used to buy quite a lot of this two buck chuck. One of the things the discerning wine consumer used to do, apparently, was buy one bottle of the type they wanted to stock up on. Go out to the parking lot, taste it. And if it was good, go in and buy a few cases. Apparently the quality is highly variable.

Sally Redux

Yes I've noticed that.

Michael

When Safeway has it's specials on meat (especially beef), I think it would be hard to beat the prices. New York steaks at $5.99 per pound is hard to beat.

I don't know if you also login to the their web site for the personalized deals. Usually the personal deals last about 3 months and are not advertised but the discount is automatically taken when you check out if you purchase that item and previously checked that that item on their web site. For example, Rib Eye streaks will be $10.99 per pound (unless on a weekly special) if you don't check the item on the web site but $5.84 per pound if you do.

Normally about every three months I go to the web site and check the items that I might buy.

S Folinsky

Fresh & Easy for many every day stuff -- milk, coffee ice cream. If you can, go in about 4 pm and check the section where they put the stuff about to expire -- 50% off -- hit or miss. I often buy their ready made meals there to be frozen and pop in the microwave when I don't feel like cooking. Their ginger snap cookies are good.

Trader Joe's -- it used to be better and they don't seem care about salt content. However, they are the only place that carries salt free crunchy peanut butter! And of course, Two Buck Chuck.

Ralphs seems to have the best produce.

Gelsons has three stores in OC -- Irvine, Newport Beach & Dana Point. Pricey but good.

I think it is worth it to join Costco. They have the cheapest gasoline around [Unfortunately, my local one does not have a gas station]. Some of their food items are not all that bad. It is good for toilet paper [one of their best selling items!]. Same for dish-soap & laundry detergent. For a family dinner, meat is good. Much of the problem with Costco is that they do not sell items in small packages! I buy their Kirkland "House Blend" coffee beans for my morning coffee. Also, a good place to purchase several gallons of bottled water for your earthquake kit.

laety

earthquake kit? what earthquake kit??

Noorah101

Good tip, thanks for that!

Rene

Bob

You prepare one....anyone in a disaster zone probably has some kind of kit easily reachable in case they lose power/water for a few days.

Bottles of water, torches and batteries, copy of important ID locked in a box, canned foods and opener, blanket....that kind of stuff....either under your bed or the garage etc.