Did someone say 'cheaper'?

OK, so we are all feelin' the pinch; gas prices are going back up, food prices are rising faster than I can keep track and the boys need new shoes...cha-ching!

There are a lot of ways to save money, I suppose. I think I need some reminding. I don't waste money, or spend frivolously, but it would seem that we need to 'trim the fat' a little more. One of the things we are doing is shopping for food at WalMart, as opposed to our regular grocery stores, Fred Meyer and Safeway. A friend told me that she wouldn't be able to feed her family if it weren't for WalMart, and I scoffed at the thought. "Could it really be that much cheaper?" I asked.

The answer is a resounding YES! We, the kids and I, were dumbfounded at the savings on every item that we put in our cart as we strolled down each aisle in our new local WalMart. I think, that first shopping trip, we must have saved close to $50 (for our weekly shopping) over what we would have spent for the same items at Fred's. And, mind you, that is for the name brand items, not the Sam's brand.

Am I the last one to know this?

I have also noticed that McDonald's has substantially lowered prices for meals as of late, and has begun charging $1 per drink (any size). What?? The soda pop is one of the highest profit items in a fast food restaurant - I can't believe they would cut profit like that! Some of the meals are so cheap that you could feed your family for less than it would cost to prepare a home-cooked meal. Now, I'm not advocating that you eat at McD's...far from it. You could seriously add some pounds to your frame in a red-hot hurry eating there. I'm just surprised at the way things are going.

The prices at Sonic must be pretty good, as I see a lot of people eating there. I wouldn't know, since I haven't been able to go to our new Sonic that opened four weeks ago just five minutes from my house. Why? Well, I just don't want to sit in a line for 30 - 60 minutes to eat at Sonic. *shrug* I heard that folks are coming from all over the state, the region even, to get their own cherry limeade.

Even keeping the kids in clothing and shoes is a struggle. We used to buy shoes pretty 'cost-effectively' at Payless. However, the last time I went in to see what they had, I was unpleasantly surprised at the rising prices. So, I guess we wait for BOGO to buy shoes now. ::sigh:: We shop at Sears for clothing, usually, and find some good deals on the clearance racks. (When you can wait a few weeks and buy the same item on sale for half off the original price, why would anyone pay full price?) The thrift stores are another option, but even their prices have gone towards the sky (especially Goodwill). You can buy a new pair of jeans at WalMart for what you might pay for second-hand at some thrift stores. *shaking head*

And, don't even talk to me about gas prices. Here in Washington State, we are always higher than the national average price per gallon, thanks to our friends in the state capitol. Grrrrrr....

It's no wonder folks are going into foreclosure.

Got a good idea for saving money? Let me in on your secret money-saving tips!