Cheapest source for...

**Kimberlina** · 01-01-2006, 05:27 PM

It occurred to me that many of us take for granted that everyone knows the cheapest place to buy certain items.

So the idea of this thread is to share with each other our cheapest UNUSUAL source for things, By unusual, I mean either a place someone might think would be an expensive source, someplace you couldn't find that item, or someplace most people don't purchase goods from.

I would like to exclude homemade or homegrown goods in this. I'll just be jealous if you tell me your cheapest source for eggs is from your hen house.

I realize we don't all have the same chains of stores etc., but this might give us all some food for thought.

So, my cheapest source for:

milk- often the convenience store
gasoline- BJs (wholesale club)
dried herbs and spices- mail-order co-op
barley, tvp, rice, cous cous- health food store (in bulk)

**dwallyfam** · 01-01-2006, 05:37 PM

This is a good thread.

Spices - Planters Seed co
Candles - Empire factory outlet
Scrapbooking - Expos

**Missy** · 01-01-2006, 07:25 PM

I can get most of my pastas, dried beans, dried peas, etc really well priced at the natural foods store. I can buy in bulk there.

**justmeD** · 01-01-2006, 08:23 PM

Aluminum foil at Big Lots.

**peanut** · 01-01-2006, 08:44 PM

Candles (votives) at Walmart.
Spices at Walmart too.
Cards at the Dollar Store.
Fabric off the bargain wall at Fabricland.

I just give the fabric a squeeze test to determine the type of fabric it is. They rip the tags off the bargain wall fabric. Once I see how they wrinkle, I know what I'm dealing with. I've got $20/m silk for $1/m this way.

Also cheap sheets at Walmart for duvet covers. Sew two together and put buttons and buttonholes on top. Sew some twill tape in on the sides to tie around the duvet and hold it in place.

Old king and queen size sheets at garage sales...cut them down to twin size and make a couple of pillowcases from the excess fabric.

**SHOPGIRL** · 01-01-2006, 08:53 PM

This is a good thread. If there is an online store,please include the web address.

**camismommy** · 01-01-2006, 09:20 PM

I agree with the bulk buys at the health food stores (Whole Foods or Foodworks for me here in RI) for dry items. I have found flour, sugar, nuts, etc the cheapest in bulk. Pet food, condiments, cereal, pasta, sauces are the best price at Job Lot.

**PrairieRose** · 01-01-2006, 09:29 PM

Great thread Kimberly~

Coffee at Sam's
Toilet Paper at Sam's
Deoderant at Big Lots
Baby Oil at Big Lots
Gas at Sam's

**Hollyhandi** · 01-02-2006, 07:11 AM

I guess then Kim, I can't tell you my best milk store is the barn,

or my eggs ...
( sorry couldn't resist teasing you )
I don't really have any place I shop other than Walmart and Aldis,and Dollar General
Great thread though.....

**mommymath** · 01-02-2006, 08:37 AM

Great thread!

Here are some good costco prices from my price book:

Kirkland (Costco brand) Claritin-D 24 hour, 6.55 for 20 doses, 0.32 per dose. [This is hands-down the best price we've found for Claritin-D -- plain Claritin without the decongestant is cheaper]

Frigo string cheese, 6.85 for 48, 0.15 per unit.

Orville Red. Smart Pop microwave popcorn, 6.99 for case of 24, 0.29 per unit.

**Jeanna** · 01-02-2006, 09:12 AM

Cheapest source for spices is my local health food store.
Gift bags and cards is the dollar store.
Meat--grow your own

Bread--Bake your own or day old bread store

**ironmaiden** · 01-02-2006, 09:34 AM

Cheapest source for spices is the Asian/Indian grocery store. Good quality and vast amounts. Like an entire quart ziplock sized back of cinnamon sticks for under $5. Since this is something heavily used in Indian cooking, they buy vast amounts.

This store is also great for buying 10 pound bags of rice. Also dried beans.

I just wander the aisles looking for interesting stuff. Frozen dumplings are something else the kids like that I pick up there. Far cheaper than the grocery store or Trader Joe's.

**frugalnana** · 01-02-2006, 09:54 AM

I go to Odd lots, they have alot of spices for under $1.00 and other food items. I get shampoo and laundry detergent there also.

Aldis food store is the cheapest for canned items and some shelve items, such as grahmn crackers, frozen chicken is another item that is cheap a bag (leg quarters) is about 4.98 and when you cut them up its about 28 to 20 pieces.

I go to the Dollar store for gift bags and cards, they sometimes have food items I use there. I go to Nickels bakery and get bread, muffins, etc. ITs about 50% to 70% cheaper than the stores.
Thats all I can think of at the moment, except for the thrift stores for clothes and yard sales.

**Persimmon Lace** · 01-02-2006, 12:09 PM

I get a lot of my spices at Orscheln's farm and ranch store for 1.00, I usually get garlic and onion powder.

**Telephus44** · 01-02-2006, 01:17 PM

The cheapest place to buy Victoria's Secret bras is NOT during the semi-annual sale (where you can get clearance colors for $15-$20). It's eBay - If you buy in lots of 5 or 6, you can get them between $8.50-$10 each, including shipping.

If anyone else has a one cup coffee maker that uses K-Cups, the cheapest place for these is also eBay. I can buy them directly from Green Mountain Coffee for $15 a box, free shipping on 4 boxes OR I can buy them on eBay for $9 each and free shipping.

The cheapest place I can find candles is Candlemart.com (sometimes a good Walgreen sales can beat them with shipping, but Candlemart has low prices everyday).