$100 trip to Wal-Mart today

[disneysteve]

DD needed to buy some make-up for the show she is in next week so we took a trip to Wal-Mart figuring that would be the cheapest place to get it. Neither she nor DW wear make-up normally, so we wanted to get the cheapest stuff we could since it won't get used after next weekend. I just went along for the ride, or so I thought.

I ended up doing what, for me, qualifies as a lot of shopping. I bought 3 shirts, 2 3-packs of socks and 2 packs of ink refills for the pens I use at work. The socks and pen refills were needs. The shirts weren't exactly needs, though I have been browsing the past few times we've gone out hoping to find a good summer clearance to pick up a few new shirts.

I looked for socks at Kohl's last week and a 3-pack was over $10. At Wal-Mart, a 3-pack was $3.74. The pen refills, which we normally order from Staples for over $2.00/pack were $1.94. And the shirts were $6.98 each. So I spent a grand total of just over $32 that I wasn't exactly expecting to spend, but all things I needed or had been looking for, and got good prices on all of them. All in all, I think it was a productive trip.

DW also picked up a couple of shirts on clearance for under $5 each. DD got the make-up she needed for theater. And we picked up a few routine items that we usually buy at Wal-Mart. That all brought the total to $101. The nice thing was we had a rebate card from Cingular from DW's new phone and we used that to pay $50 of the bill.

[humandraydel]

I am always amazed at how quickly little things add up! I recently went to Kohls to buy new socks. While I was there I started looking at boxers (TMI, I'm sure!), some khaki pants, and shirts. Before long I realized I was about to spend $100 without even trying! I put everything but the socks back

[QueenOphelia]

I have the same affliction in TARGET.

[n_vizion]

I definately have to watch myself while I am at Walmart. I had to limit myself to going there only once a week. I would find myself just running in to pick up one item that I needed and would spend more than I bargain for. I just realized that Walmart was not the place to go to if I only needed one or two things.

[cschin4]

I avoid Walmart as much as possible. I call it the $100 dollar store! I never get out of there without spending at least $100.

[shopgirl]

I'm like that at Target. I actually managed to get out of there with only one item, an item I needed, recently. I was really proud of myself!!

[Daylily]

I have not been to WalMart since Sept 2005 and I am all the richer for it.

[brig2221]

This is the sole reason why I resist getting a membership at Costco. Sure, there are great deals to be had everywhere, but that doesn't mean you need to buy them. Best for me to avoid the temptation all together, lol.

As much as I can't stand Wal-Mart at times, you simply cannot beat their pricing. I also have been going there for so long that I simply know where everything I ever need is at. I hate walking into a Target or another store and having to search endlessly for an item or two. There is something to be said for familiarity.