Do people actually buy some of the things at the grocery!!

**DixieJ** · 10-12-2006, 03:24 PM

I was looking at some of the things at the grocery store the other day and I thought do people actually buy some of these rediculous things (At least they are to me) For instance the mashed potatoes, (I think they were crockpot brand) for $3.50 for a small container. Another thing I noticed was Three dollars and something for a small container of cinnamon sugar. I mean how hard is it to mix a little cinnamon into some sugar and put it in a shaker container.

Well anyhow, it just blew my mind that someone would actually spend money on that stuff.

Dixie Jean

**autumnlynn** · 10-12-2006, 03:32 PM

And what about the pancake mix that comes in a bottle and you just add water. You hardly get anything for the money.

**Emjo** · 10-12-2006, 04:29 PM

My favorite is the frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that come with the crusts cut off. Because you know, cutting crusts off a sandwich is pretty time consuming! LOL

**Persimmon Lace** · 10-12-2006, 05:24 PM

Ok you can beat me but I buy those pancake mixes that you just add water. They are great for camping!

What about .99 for a baking potatoe ready for the micro wave?

**celina** · 10-12-2006, 05:43 PM

i think she means the bottled pancake batter.....pre mixed...those are funny...

**kabin63** · 10-12-2006, 07:03 PM

I think the cinnamon and sugar ones are pretty funny too....LOL

**ewokgirl** · 10-12-2006, 10:29 PM

As a SAHW, I often shook my head at those expensive convenience items. However, I've been substitute teaching lately, and I now remember why I quit my full-time teaching job 7 years ago! I come home exhausted and not wanting to do anything, such as cook dinner. I'm now learning to plan carefully in advance for easy homemade stuff on the days I sub, but I recall eating a lot of Taco Bell back when I was a teacher!

All that to say that I now understand why there are so many expensive convenience items out there. Obviously, they fill a need, and there are people willing to pay it. I can't see paying $3.50 for a tub of mashed potatoes considering how easy they are to make, but then again, there are some nights I'm just too exhausted to do much by way of cooking. Thankfully, I'm far more experienced in the kitchen now than I was back when I taught full-time, so cooking isn't quite the daunting task it once was.

**i.m.cheap** · 10-12-2006, 11:34 PM

I would never buy the mashed potatoes in the tub. I do buy the Hungry Jack Easy Mashed in the pouch (just add boiling water, nothing else). With double coupons, I get these anywhere from FREE-30¢ for a four serving pouch.

I have purchased the Bisquik "Shake 'n Pour" pancake mix in the little bottle (just add water, shake and pour), but I would not have if they had not been FREE with a doubled coupon. I try lots of new crazy products if they want to give them to me for nothing. Will I buy most of them again without a coupon? Not usually, but sometimes I find a winner.

**yankeegal** · 10-13-2006, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by Emjo

My favorite is the frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that come with the crusts cut off. Because you know, cutting crusts off a sandwich is pretty time consuming! LOL

This is mine as well. And the "lunchables" also!

**JustJoy** · 10-13-2006, 09:06 AM

When DH and I were both working full time I would by convenience foods ALL the time. Looking back on how much money I spent on it, I could just *smack* myself!

**nuisance26** · 10-13-2006, 09:20 AM

~I just saw a coupon for Oscar Meyer hot dogs packaged with the bun. The coupon was for $1.50 off a pack of 3. I did actually laugh! It takes me 3 minutes and .75 to make 3 hot dogs. How much are they charging for them if they offer you $1.50 off?Amazing.~

**i.m.cheap** · 10-13-2006, 09:26 AM

Those "Fast Franks" retail for $2.99 for a package of three. I did try them (with a $1.00 coupon, doubled). DH laughed when I brought them home, but they are REALLY GOOD hot dogs! I would never pay regular price for them, but if I can get them for 99¢ again, I might buy them. I normally pay around $2.19-$3.00 for a package of Hebrew National Beef Franks with seven in the package, and no buns.

**Neeley** · 10-13-2006, 11:18 AM

My mom buys a lot of these things. She always gets my kids the Uncrustables, Mac & Cheese singles etc...I have told her that these things are expensive and not worth the price. But she insists and continues to get them. I was shocked when I went grocery shopping with her one week. She easily spends $200-$300 per WEEK on just two people. I spend around $300 a month for four people.