Reply #96: What do you need to buy? [View All]

[Mabus]

I know there are Wal-Mart that have grocery stores. Our doesn't. Or at least it didn't the last time I went there about ten years ago. Otherwise, our local Wally World is more of retail discount store.

What alternatives are there in your area? We are lucky in that we have a number of grocery stores to choose from. I shop at a huge, locally owned store that's actually got a bigger variety than any of the local chain grocery stores. It's huge and dingy but the prices are right. We've got a day old bakery nearby. I also have the luxury of shopping at a small, locally owned hardware store and the locally owned feed company for dog food and dog medical supplies (flea, tick, heart worm, etc.). For clothes, it is the local Goodwill and thrift stores. We've got one a few blocks from our house where you can have up to a sack of clothing and other goods per day for free. They can be pretty lax about it too. You can also get small appliances, books and coats for free. If you have anything that you've outgrown or don't need, you can take it there and leave it for someone else. You don't go in expecting to find a certain item but you can find some good stuff that you need.

Once in a while I'll go to Target but it is usually in conjunction with picking up a prescription or a toner cartridge. I admit it. We're very fortunate to live in a liberal university community and we have a lot of choices. But if you don't have an alternative, you've got to go where you can to get food and other necessities of life.