Fave Frugalitarian™ Stores
ALDI—This discount food store is one of the best things that ever happened to me because it cut my grocery bill by almost 65%. ALDI’s no-frills style means savings are passed on to customers and here’s how:
- You pay a quarter for a cart which you get back when you return the cart. The store does not have to pay an employee to collect them in the parking lot and it also keeps cars from getting damaged by strays.
- Items are not stocked on shelves, but kept in the boxes in which they arrived—yet another way to make the most of employee time.
- Items, mostly off brand, are considerably less expensive.
- Shoppers must pay for bags.
Here are a few tips for a successful ALDI experience:
- Always keep an “ALDI” quarter in your car for the cart.
- Pick up empty boxes in the store (which are free) or better yet bring your own market bags and use them instead of grocery bags.
- Leave your checkbook or credit cards at home because ALDI only accepts cash and debit cards.
Goodwill—My home away from home. Great finds:
- A practically new coffee maker.
- Name brand clothes with the price tags still on them.
- Vintage dishes that can be mixed and matched for a unique table setting.
- A new Homedic massager that you place in a chair (retails for $180) STILL in the plastic for only $9.99
- Lamps, globes and other household accessories.
Half Price Books—Actually, they’re usually less than half price. Not only can you find great books, but it’s another great form of recycling. They also have CDs, albums, DVDs and magazines. You can bring your old media there, they pay you for it and then you can spend what you made on other used books and magazines while you’re there. One caveat: they don’t pay a lot for many items, even books on the current best seller list, but again, you’re recycling and others enjoy what you would have left on your shelf.
JC Penney Outlets—I find most outlet prices too high, but JC Penney never lets me down. Whether you go to their furniture outlet or their catalog outlet, the value is consistently and unbelievably great. For example, my JC Penney living room furniture was originally $6,700. At the outlet, I paid $1600 and saved more than $5000 for 6 large pieces.