"Be charitable before wealth makes thee covetous." - Sir Thomas Browne

SavingAdvice.com Blog

Bridging the gap between saving money and investing

Shopping

Best Black Friday Deals 2020

By Leave a Comment

Best Black Friday Deals 2020

November 27, 2020, is Black Friday. It’s traditionally one of the biggest sale days of the year, with nearly every retailer offering discounts to savvy shoppers. While COVID-19 has altered the landscape, causing many stores to provide deals earlier, Black Friday will still be an event. Here’s a look at some of the best Black Friday deals 2020 will have to offer.

Amazon

Technically, Amazon is already promoting Black Friday-style discounts. In fact, the retail giant is actually launched many of its biggest deals on November 20. For example, Kindle e-readers are going for as little as $60, while you can snag a Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Echo Show 5 bundle for a shocking $150.

Electronics and smart home devices are two of the showstopping deals categories. However, you’ll also find price reductions on toys, apparel, and much more.

Walmart

Walmart is launching many of its Black Friday deals early. You’ll see discounts online starting at 7:00 pm EST (4:00 pm PST) on Wednesday, November 25. There will also be a second round of deals starting online at 12:00 am EST (9:00 pm PST online), as well as 5:00 am local time in stores, on November 27.

For example, you can snag a 70-inch 4K Vizio television for just $478 starting on Wednesday. AirPods Pro earbuds are available for $50 off, too. There are also a ton of deals on video games, electronics, home goods, toys, and more.

Once the second round of deals starts, you’ll see even more savings. A T-fal 22-piece cookware set is just $49, and Wrangler men’s 5-star jeans are only $12. Some children’s bicycles are on sale for $29, as well, and that just scratches the surface.

Target

Target has been offering Black Friday deals all month long. Every Thursday through Saturday, there are discounts to be had.

But if you’re waiting until it’s closer to Black Friday, you won’t be disappointed. Between November 22 and November 28, Target is offering KitchenAid Professional stand mixers for just $199.99. Beats Studio wireless headphones are only $175, and you can get your hands on a 65-inch 4k Samsung television for only $480. There is a slew of other electronics discounts, as well as deals in video games, movies, books, and more.

Best Buy

Another retailer known for massive Black Friday discounts, Best Buy has also been offering discounts all month long. However, some are being reserved for Black Friday.

You can pick up a 70-inch 4K Samsung TV for only $530 and get $100 off on a Canon EOS M50 mirrorless camera. A GoPro HERO9 will only cost $399.99, and you’ll get a bonus $50 Best Buy e-gift card with that purchase. Plus, there are laptops on sale, as well as more televisions, smart home devices, appliances, and more.

Do you know of any other amazing Black Friday deals? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Read More:

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. If you want to be able to customize your blog on your own domain and need hosting service, we recommend trying BlueHost. They offer powerful hosting services for $3.95/month!

Is Walmart Open on Thanksgiving Day 2020

By Leave a Comment

Walmart Thanksgiving Schedule

If you’re a Walmart shopper then you probably get excited about Thanksgiving weekend shopping. After all, you have the opportunity to get great deals for the Black Friday weekend. However, everything is different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s right; even the Walmart Thanksgiving schedule differs in 2020 from years past. Learn all about it here.

Before Thanksgiving, Get a Free Meal From Walmart

One of the most exciting announcements from Walmart this season was that you can get a free Thanksgiving meal from the store! They’ve teamed up with Ibotta to give you 100% cash back on what amounts to a full dinner. Why would they do this? Well, it’s because they recognize the hardships that people are facing this year. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a huge strain on people economically and emotionally. Whether or not you get the chance to celebrate in person with your family this year, they want you to be able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Here’s how it works:

  • Download the Ibotta app. Of course, if you’re a savvy shopper, then you might already have this app. After all, it’s an easy way to get cash back for the shopping you do regularly.
  • Add any or all of the following nine items to your Walmart list:
    • Butterball turkey breast roast
    • McCormick gravy, 0.87 oz. pouch
    • Great Value stuffing mix, 6 oz.
    • Idahoan mashed potatoes, 8 oz. pouch
    • Campbell’s condensed cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 oz. can
    • Great Value cranberry sauce, 14 oz.
    • Great Value green beans, 12 oz.
    • Frenchy’s crispy fried onions, 2.8 oz.
    • Coca-Cola, 2 liter bottle
  • Shop at Walmart to get those items. You have options. On one hand, you can use the Ibotta app in the Walmart store to get the free meal. On the other hand, you can order Walmart pickup/delivery online. However, you’ll have to link your Ibotta account to that online order.

In other words, if you haven’t learned to use Ibotta yet, then now is the perfect time. You can get turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and soda pop for free! However, you have to make the purchase before Thanksgiving Day, because the new Walmart Thanksgiving Schedule means the store will close on the holiday.

Walmart Closes for Thanksgiving Day

Usually, Walmart is open on Thanksgiving Day. However, they’ve changed that this year. In fact, this is the first year in the past three decades that Walmart has opted to close its doors on Thanksgiving. Like their Thanksgiving meal offer, they’ve made this Walmart Thanksgiving schedule decision as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CEO made the announcement, saying that Walmart recognizes how hard this year has been for everyone. Moreover, they want their employees to know that they as a company are grateful for how much the employees have stepped up to keep their doors open during this trying time.

Therefore, while it might be frustrating that Walmart is closed on Thanksgiving this year if you discover last minute that you need something, try to remember the reason behind the unusual closure. They’ve chosen this Walmart Thanksgiving schedule strategically to recognize their employees as well as to keep everyone safe during the holidays.

Receive FREE 2-Day Shipping on select orders $35+ at Walmart.com

Walmart Black Friday Hours and Deals

Usually, shoppers get very excited about heading to the store for Black Friday Deals. Of course, that’s different this year as well. Many people are concerned about the coronavirus risks posed by crowded shopping areas. In fact, many counties and states have significantly reduced retail shopping capacity. Therefore, even shoppers who wouldn’t mind the risk will find that they can’t just barge into the store at any hour without waiting in a line first. It’s just different this year.

Walmart, as well as several others stores, recognizes that change. They don’t want to encourage people to come crowd the stores for one big shopping weekend. Instead, they’ve opted to host a series of Black Friday deals throughout November. The store announced last month that they would forego a single day or weekend of big deals in favor of three separate events called Black Friday Deals for Days. They’re calling it a “reinvented Black Friday shopping experience,” which they’ve created because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first two events in the series have already passed, with deals starting in store on November 7th. New deals were released November 14th. Hopefully you got the chance to get some early holiday shopping done at a discount. If not, though, you do still have the final event in the series, which is the official Black Friday Walmart Sale.

Shopping In Store for Walmart’s Black Friday Deals

Stores will open at 5 am on the Friday following Thanksgiving for people who want to head to Walmart for discounted shopping. Here are some of the COVID-19 changes that you should know:

  • Store associates will ask customers to form a single line outside the store before it opens.
  • They will limit the number of customers allowed in the store at one time. This may delay prolong the shopping experience, with a wait in the line, but will help keep everyone safe.
  • Associates will hand you sanitized shopping carts as you enter.
  • You can only enter the store if you wear a mask.
  • In the store, they’ll ask that you only shop down the right-hand side of each aisle.

All of this should help keep people safe while shopping.

Shop Online for Walmart’s Black Friday Deals

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Walmart encourages people to take advantage of the opportunity to do Black Friday shopping online at their website. In fact, the deals that you can get starting at 5 am on Friday in the store are actually available early online. They will reveal early deals on 11/25 and 7 pm ET online only. Then they will reveal additional deals online 11/27  at 12 am ET. When you order online at Walmart, you can opt for delivery to your home or for contactless curbside pickup at the store.

Read More:

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. If you want to be able to customize your blog on your own domain and need hosting service, we recommend trying BlueHost. They offer powerful hosting services for $3.95/month!

Retail Stores Open/Closed Thanksgiving 2020

By Leave a Comment

Retail Stores Thanksgiving Schedule

Thanksgiving weekend is a busy weekend. Of course, there are all the celebrations that happen for the holiday itself. But on top of that it’s also Black Friday weekend. If you’re looking for retail stores Thanksgiving schedule to discover what is open, what is closed, and where you should go to get your shopping done, then look no further. We have you covered.

General Guidelines for Retails Stores Thanksgiving Schedule

Each store has its own schedule for Thanksgiving and the weekend following the holiday, of course. However, generally speaking, many stores follow a basic practice:

      • Most retail stores Thanksgiving schedule is that they are closed entirely on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.
      • Most retail stores Thanksgiving schedule is that they are open the next day, Friday.
      • Many stores choose to open late at night on Thursday or very early on Friday for Black Friday shoppers.
      • Many stores choose to stay open late hours on Friday for Black Friday shoppers.


 

COVID-19 Impact on Retail Stores Thanksgiving Schedule

The country has seen a surge of COVID-19 cases as we head into the winter flu season. As a result, many cities and states are tightening up mandates for shopping. This might impact retail stores Thanksgiving schedule. Stores that intended to stay open may now be closed.

Alternatively, stores might be open but have very limited capacity, which has the potential to result in long lines for Black Friday shoppers. Several large stores have announced multiple or ongoing Black Friday sales prices this month to reduce the number of people coming to the store at the same time in one weekend.

Although we’ve done our best to outline the correct retail stores Thanksgiving schedule below, make note that stores in your area may vary due to these changing pandemic restrictions.

What Retail Stores Are Open on Thanksgiving Day?

Good Housekeeping reports that the following twelve retail stores are likely to be open on Thanksgiving Day:

  1. ACME, which is a market / grocery store. Don’t discount these locations for retail shopping on Thanksgiving Day. Gift baskets, home goods, and bath supplies are all great gifts that you can stock up on at stores like this.
  2. Big Lots, with likely hours from 7 am – midnight on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.
  3. Dollar General is also likely to open at 7 am. They remain open until 10 pm.
  4. Five Below. Although closed most of the day, this store opens at 6 pm on Thanksgiving Day. They stay open until 1 am for Black Friday shoppers.
  5. Lilly Pulitzer retail stores Thanksgiving schedule varies from location to location. However, some stores will be open.
  6. Macy’s. Like Five Below, they open in the evening. However, they stay open much longer. In fact, upon upon at 5 pm on Thursday, they don’t close again until Saturday night. Shop anytime for Black Friday deals.
  7. Michael’s is like to open at 6 pm on Thanksgiving Day for early bird Black Friday shoppers.
  8. Old Navy. You can expect the store to open at 3 pm on Thanksgiving Day. They won’t close again until Friday night.
  9. Ulta is a beauty store that opens at 6 pm on Thanksgiving Day.
  10. Victoria’s Secret opens at 5 pm on Thanksgiving Day.
  11. Walgreens stores should be open on Thanksgiving Day. Hours vary significantly by location.
  12. Whole Foods Market will be open on Thanksgiving Day. Hours vary by location. Like with ACME, you can pick up a variety of different gifts at Whole Foods even if it isn’t the first place on your mind for holiday shopping.

Country Living adds that the following stores are open on Thanksgiving Day:

  • CVS should be open on Thanksgiving.
  • Family Dollar will be open. However, hours vary by location.
  • Gordman’s will open at 5 pm for Black Friday shoppers.
  • Rite-Aid will most likely open at 7am

Most Stores That Are Open Will Open Later Than Usual Thanksgiving Day

As you can see, the stores that are open on Thanksgiving Day tend to follow a pattern. Most of them open in the afternoon or early evening. This allows their workers to get to spend at least a portion of the day with their families before coming in to work. And it allows retail shoppers to get to the stores in the afternoon to start shopping for their Black Friday deals.

Which Retail Stores Are Closed on Thanksgiving Day?

According to Good Housekeeping, the following 30 retail stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day:

  1. A.C. Moore
  2. Ashley Furniture
  3. Barnes & Noble
  4. Bath & Body Works
  5. Bed, Bath and Beyond
  6. Best Buy
  7. Bloomingdale’s
  8. Burlington Coat Factory
  9. Calvin Klein
  10. Costco
  11. Crate and Barrel
  12. Dick’s Sporting Goods
  13. Forever 21
  14. Home Depot
  15. HomeGoods
  16. Homesense
  17. J.C. Penny’s
  18. Kohl’s
  19. Marshalls
  20. Petco
  21. PetSmart
  22. Publix
  23. Sierra
  24. Sur La Table
  25. Target
  26. TJ Maxx
  27. T-Mobile
  28. Trader Joe’s
  29. White House Black Market
  30. Walmart

Other stores closed on Thanksgiving Day include:

  • Academy Sports
  • BJ’s Wholesale
  • Foot Locker
  • GameStop
  • Office Depot
  • Office Max
  • REI (which will also be closed on Friday)
  • Sam’s Club

Walmart Closes on Thanksgiving But Offers Free Dinner to Customers

Walmart is an interesting one to note this year. They’ve historically been open sometimes on Thanksgiving. However, as Country Living reports:

President and CEO John Furner announced, “This year we have decided to close our stores on Thanksgiving Day – November 26.” In a July 21 memo to employees, he said, “We know it’s been a trying year, and you’ve stepped up. We want you to enjoy the day at home with your loved ones.”

However, Walmart is offering Free Thanksgiving Dinner to customers this year. They are really stepping up in recognition of how hard the year has been. Therefore, they’ve teamed up with Ibotta to offer a huge meal for free. You make the order at Walmart (in advance of Thanksgiving day, of course, since they’re closed that day.) You use Ibotta together 100% cash back. You’re able to get turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and more for your holiday dinner.

Black Friday Retail Store Hours

As mentioned above, Macy’s and Old Navy will open on Thursday evening and will not close again until Friday night or Saturday. Therefore, you can enjoy Black Friday shopping all day at those locations.

After giving employees the day off for Thanksgiving, Walmart will open its doors at 5am for Black Friday shopping. Note that their online Black Friday sales start on November 25th. In fact, this is the third in a series of Black Friday sales they’ve had starting earlier this month.

Like Walmart, Target announced that they would close for Thanksgiving this year. They will be open on Black Friday but have not yet announced official hours. Also like Walmart, they decided to start offering Black Friday deals early. In fact, they’re offering their deals all month long. Stores are doing this in 2020 because they don’t want customers all crowding in at the same time during the pandemic.

Target isn’t the only store to wait to announced their Black Friday hours. In fact, many stores have made a similar decision this year, likely expecting to adjust depending on pandemic conditions. Dick’s Sporting Goods, for example, expects to have normal hours on Wednesday, remain closed on Thursday, and then have Black Friday hours that they’ve not yet announced.

Other stores that are closed on Thanksgiving, and open as-yet-unannounced Friday hours alongside extended deal days (not just Black Friday weekend) include Home Depot and Lowe’s.

Read More:

 

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. If you want to be able to customize your blog on your own domain and need hosting service, we recommend trying BlueHost. They offer powerful hosting services for $3.95/month!

Retail Stores Open/Closed Veterans Day 2020

By Leave a Comment

Retail Stores Open/Closed Veterans Day 2020

Veterans Day is a federal holiday celebrated on November 11th each year. In 2020, that’s a Wednesday. Many stores and services close for the holiday. However, plenty of stores remain open each Veterans Day. Here is your guide to what is open and closed on Veterans Day.

Why Do We Celebrate Veterans Day?

First of all, what is Veterans Day? The president established the holiday at the end of World War I, then called Armistice Day, to recognize the veterans who served in that war. At the end of World War II, we as a country began recognizing it as Veterans Day. It now serves to honor and recognizes all veterans who serve in the American armed forces, during wartime or times of peace.

Veterans Day is a Federal Holiday

Veterans Day is one of the United States’ ten federal holidays. These are also called bank holidays, indicating that banks and credit unions will close for the day. Like other federal holidays, such as Christmas, other government services close as well. Post offices and courthouses, for example, will close for Veterans Day.

What Retail Stores Are Open on Veterans Day?

The majority of retail stores choose to stay open on Veterans Day. Therefore, if you want to do some shopping on your day off, then you should be able to do so with minimal interference from stores closing. Here are some of the major retail stores that stay open on Veterans Day:

Convenience Stores, Grocery Stores, and Gas Stations

Most convenience stores, grocery stores, and gas stations will be open on Veterans Day. In particular, if you shop at a big chain such as 7-11 ad Whole Foods then you should be able to shop regular hours. However, if you shop at local corner stores and markets then you might want to call in advance. Some of those smaller stores may close on Veterans Day.

Costco

Costco chooses to stay open on Veterans Day. Therefore you can do your grocery shopping, fill your gas tank, and pick up other goods on Veterans Day. Costco is open regular hours on Veterans Day. For most locations, regular store hours on a Wednesday are 10 am – 8:30 pm. Costco gas station hours are 6 am – 9:30 pm. Veterans Day shouldn’t change those hours. However, some store locations’ have changed hours due to COVID-19 so check with your local store if you aren’t sure if current hours.

Sam’s Club Warehouses

If you are a Sam’s Club shopper then you’re in luck because the store is open to members on Veterans Day. They only close for two holidays in the fourth quarter of the yearL Thanksgiving and Christmas. Otherwise, they’re open for shopping. Sam’s Club will be open regular store hours on Veterans Day. Therefore, you can shop from 10 am – 8 pm. Additionally, if you are a Sam’s Club Plus Member then you get the extra two hours of morning shopping starting at 8 am.

Target

Here’s another major store that will be open on Veterans Day. If you need to pick something up at the last minute, Target is often a good place to do so. Therefore, it’s nice to know that they stay open on some federal holidays including Veterans Day. They should be open regular store hours. For most locations, that means you can shop at Target on Veterans Day between the hours of 8 am and 10 pm. Of course, check with your local store to make sure that those are the hours they keep.

Walmart

Of course, Walmart is the go-to shopping destination for many people. You can go there to get affordable items across many categories. Whether you want to start your holiday shopping early or just pick up some groceries, Walmart might be your spot. If so, then you should be happy to know that Walmart is open regular hours on Veterans Day. Walmart store hours vary so check with your usual location. That said, if you know your location’s usual hours, then you can fairly safely assume that those hours will remain the same on Veterans Day.

Additional Retail Stores Open on Veterans Day

According to Mental Floss and The Holiday Schedule, the following retail stores should also be open on Veterans Day.

  • Ace Hardware
  • ALDI
  • Barnes and Noble
  • Bed Bath & Beyond
  • Best Buy
  • Big Lots
  • BJ’s Wholesale Club
  • CVS
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods
  • Dillards
  • Dollar General
  • Dollar Tree
  • DSW
  • Factory Mattress
  • Family Dollar
  • Foot Locker
  • GameStop
  • Gap
  • GNC Gymboree
  • Half Price Books
  • Hallmark
  • Home Depot
  • Home Goods
  • IKEA
  • JCPenney
  • Kohl’s
  • Lowe’s
  • Macy’s
  • Marshalls
  • Mattress Firm
  • Michaels
  • Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack
  • Office Depot
  • Party City
  • Petco
  • Petsmart
  • Pier 1 Imports
  • Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids
  • Rite Aid
  • Ross
  • Sears
  • Sephora
  • Sherwin-Williams
  • Staples
  • Williams Sonoma
  • World Market

Remember that some stores have new rules and/or new hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, you might want to call in advance to find out if the stores are open. Alternatively, you should spend Veterans Day shopping at a mall or big shopping area. Most stores will be open in those locations. Therefore, you should be able to get everything done that you need to in regards to Veterans Day shopping.

NOTE: Extra Services Inside Big Stores

It’s important to note that many big stores, such as Walmart and Costco, have additional services that locate within them. For example, you might use their pharmacies, tire centers, vision centers, banks, and so forth. Whether or not those stores will be open depends on a variety of factors including the service itself and the location. For example, Veterans Day is a bank holiday so most bank branches are closed even if they are located inside of a big store. Therefore, if you need to utilize the extra services, then you might want to visit these stores on Tuesday or Thursday, rather than on Veterans Day 2020.

What Retail Stores are Closed on Veterans Day?

It sounds like most retail stores are open on Veterans Day, right? Correct. However, each store has the right to set its own hours. In particular, small business may opt to close for Veterans Day. After all, a family business might want to close their doors in order to recognize family members who have served in the military. Therefore, if you prefer to shop at small, local, artisan, craft, or indie store then you will want to call them in advance to find out if they are open on Veterans Day. Remember to make sure of their holiday hours.

Read More:

Is Costco Closed On Veterans Day 2020

By Leave a Comment

is costco closed on veterans day

Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11, 2020. If you have some of all of the day free then you might want to do some shopping. If you are a member of Costco then you might want to know if Costco is closed on Veterans Day. After all, you don’t want to get to Costco ready to load up on bulk goods only to find out that the store is closed.

What is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is an American federal holiday. President Wilson established the holiday in 1919, then called Armistice Day, in recognition of the end of World War I. At the time it specifically celebrated the veterans who fought in that war. However, in 1938, the day was renamed Veterans Day. Today we celebrate all veterans on this day.

Veterans Day 2020 Marks Many Anniversaries

Veterans Day 2020 is a big holiday because it marks several key anniversaries for veterans:

  • 75th anniversary of the end of  World War II
  • 70th anniversary of start of Korean War
  • 30th anniversary of end of the Panama Invasion
  • 30the anniversary of start of Desert Shield

When is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is always on November 11th. However, if that date falls on a Sunday then the federal holiday is recognized on Monday, November 12th. That’s not an issue in 2020, though, since November 11th is a Wednesday this year.

Is Costco Closed on Veterans Day?

Costco is closed on some federal holidays throughout the year. Therefore, you may wonder if Costco closes for Veterans Day. However, the answer is no, it does not. Costco is open on Veterans Day.

Costco Hours on Veterans Day

Since Costco does not close for Veterans Day, you are welcome to shop there. The store will be open normal business hours. Those hours are typically:

  • Monday through Friday: 10:00 am to 8:30 pm
  • Saturday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Sunday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Since Veterans Day falls on a Wednesday, you can expect the store to be open from 10 am until 8:30 pm on Veterans Day 2020. However, certain stores have different hours, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, you should check with your local store to confirm those hours before you head out to do your shopping.

Costco Gas Station Hours on Veterans Day

The Costco Gas Station hours differ slightly from store hours. The usual hours are:

  • Monday through Friday: 6:00 am – 9:30 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 6:00 am – 7:00 p

Costco gas stations will operate regular hours on Veterans Day. Therefore, they’ll be open from six in the morning until nine thirty in the evening.

What Holidays is Costco Closed?

As aforementioned, Costco does close on some federal holidays. Those holidays are:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Easter
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas

Costco also has different hours from usual on certain days of the year near holidays. For example, they often offer extended holiday hours on Black Friday. And they usually close early on both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Read More:

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. If you want to be able to customize your blog on your own domain and need hosting service, we recommend trying BlueHost. They offer powerful hosting services for $3.95/month!

How Much Does A Bag of Ice Cost?

By 4 Comments

Bag of Ice Cost
There are a variety of reasons why you might purchase a bag of ice. A special occasion, like a holiday, is a perfect example of why you may need to buy ice in bulk. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, and it is a good time to start planning ahead. If you’re one of those who prefers to have all anticipated finances determined for such holidays, especially if you are this year’s host, then this post is for you. So, how much does a bag of ice cost? And where is the best place to get it?

Benefits of Buying Ice in Bulk

Of course, the cheapest way to get ice will most likely be to make it at home. If you live in an apartment where the landlord pays the water bill, then it doesn’t cost anything at all to make ice. Of course, even if you pay your own water bill, the cost to make your own ice is negligible. So, why do people buy ice in bulk?



Get a Lot of Ice Quickly

The primary benefit of buying ice in bulk is that you can easily get a lot of ice at one time. You probably have a limited number of ice cube trays in your home. Plus it takes time for each tray of ice to freeze. Then you have to pop the ice out, save it in a different container, and refill the ice cube tray to get more ice. Therefore, it’s a lot quicker to just buy a bag of ice.

You Don’t Have Freezer Space

When you need a lot of ice, it’s usually because you have a lot of food and drinks planned. The aforementioned holiday example is a common one. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or a big Thanksgiving dinner, you want to have a lot of ice for the guests. However, you’re also going to have a lot of food for them. Therefore, your freezer might be filled with food.

In other words, there isn’t any extra room for ice in the freezer. Therefore, it saves space to just buy bags of ice. The bag of ice cost, whatever it may be, is worth it. You can just stick the bags in a cooler and save the freezer space.

You Need Ice on the Go

Speaking of barbecues – or picnics, or road trips – oftentimes people want to know the bag of ice cost because they’re going to be on the road. If you’re traveling, then it makes a lot of sense to take snacks and drinks with you. It’s so much easier to buy a bag of ice from the corner store on your way out of town than it is to make your own as you’re getting ready to go.

Some People Like the Taste of Bagged Ice Better

Many people feel that the ice in the bags of ice tasted better than ice from your own freezer. Sometimes this is because the water was filtered before the ice was frozen for the bag. Other times it’s because the process of freezing differs slightly from what happens in your home freezer, creating a slightly different flavor. Moreover, it can be a nostalgic thing; you like the taste of bagged ice because of memories you associate with having it in the past. If you like the taste of bagged ice better then the bag of ice cost is worth it.

You Want Specialty Ice

Maybe you want square or sphere ice cubes for special cocktails. Or perhaps you want chipped ice. Or maybe you want a unique shape of ice for a party theme. Of course, most regular bags of ice that you get from the store don’t offer these options. But there are retailers who do. You’ll pay more for this ice, but if you’re looking for something special, then the bag of ice cost might be worth it.

How Much Does A Bag of Ice Cost?

Of course, at some point, the bag of ice cost wouldn’t be worth it. If it cost too much then people would most likely just make their own. Therefore, while the bag of ice cost is higher than what it costs to make your own ice at home, it’s still relatively affordable.

Average Bag of Ice Cost

There are many different sizes of bags of ice. For example, Walmart sells

Here are some of the most common sizes along with the average cost you can expect to pay per bag:

  • 5 pound bag: According to CleverDude, $5 pound bags usually cost between $1.47 and $1.79 per bag.
  • 10 pound bag: $1 to $3; Walmart’s 2020 bag of ice cost is $1.88 for this size; How Much Is It reports prices as low as $1 at Arby’s and as high as $2.50 at 7-11.
  • 20 pound bag: CleverDude reports that costs may be as low as $2.79 at Costco or $4.99 at a convenience store. However, online prices for Sam’s Club are slightly lower at $2.33.

Generally speaking, you’ll pay between $1.50 and $5 for your bag of ice.

Factors Affecting Bag of Ice Cost

As you would most likely guess, the cost of bagged ice does vary per store. Moreover, the cost varies considerably depending upon location. In other words, what you pay in Pennsylvania for a bag of ice will not surprisingly differ from what you would pay in California.

The size of the bag and company who packages it also determines the amount you will spend. Obviously, you’re going to pay more for a 20 pound bag than for a 10 pound bag. You can get bags of ice as small as 1 pound or as large as 40+ pounds. If you need a lot of ice, then you’ll want to consider the cost per pound, as well as the cost per bag.

As aforementioned, if you eat specialty ice (large, small, interesting shapes, etc.) then you’ll pay a premium.

Where To Buy Bags of Ice

Believe it or not, you do need a license to sell bagged ice. It’s held to the same FDA standards as any other food item. Therefore, you can’t expect every retailer or grocery store to carry contained ice cubes for you. But many do.

Buy Bags of Ice at Major Stores

Most grocery stores and gas stations will sell packaged ice. Some convenience shops will even have limited options for you as well. Liquor stores often sell ice as well.

Popular national chains including Walmart and Sam’s Club normally sell multiple brands of ice. Their bag of ice cost varies depending on brand, size, etc. Albertsons, Safeway and Target are other examples of chain companies that usually sell ice with varied prices and sizing.

Buy Bags of Ice at Fast Food Restaurants

Another option that is also less known is that sometimes you can buy ice at fast food chains. Some of these establishments will reportedly sell bagged ice at the drive-thru window; however, this is only at participating locations and may not be advertised.

The bag of ice cost can be the least amount you would typically spend when taking this route, should the fast food restaurant provide it. In fact, according to one article, McDonald’s was selling eight pound bags of ice for as low as $0.99. In order to prevent wasting your time, though, call ahead and see if your local fast food chains sell ice. And How Much Is It reports that Burger King sells a 5 pound bag for $1.

Buy Bags of Ice Online

Uncommonly, you can buy packaged ice online from certain companies like Home City Ice. Depending on your party size, this could be a good option for you.

Of course, you can also use delivery services like Instacart to have a bag of ice delivered to you. The bag of ice cost goes up because you’re paying for the delivery. However, if you need the convenience, then it might be worth the price.

Likewise, if you want creative shapes and sizes of ice, then you can get them online at a higher price. For example, Creative Ice sells a case of 48 1.75″ spherical craft ice cubes for cocktails at a price of $72.

Read More:

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. If you want to be able to customize your blog on your own domain and need hosting service, we recommend trying BlueHost. They offer powerful hosting services for $3.95/month!