The World's Best Stores for Bargains - Recession Busters

The first time I went into Aldi for a peek, one word came to mind, as I quickly left. - welfare mother. It's a low budget operation. Some items are displayed directly in cartons. But when my mother who was a very picky shopper, and regularly shopped at an expensive upscale supermarket, told me she bought produce there, I quickly returned.

Aldi is great for staples like 5lbs. of sugar, salt, spices, etc. All of it sold at cheap prices. The produce is of good quality and cheaper than other supermarkets. I especially like the NY State Eastern Apples sold in 3lb. bags for $2.50. ( Red Delicious, Macintosh, etc.) They're excellent quality.

The oatmeat cookies are tasty and a good bargain. $.99 for16oz.-Wow!

A 42 oz. container of oatmeal- quick oats for about $1.79, is a bargain - If you can detect any difference between this and the Quaker Oats you're probably a certified lunatic.

Try the Happy Farms 8oz cheeses ($1.69) in Colby, New York Cheddar, and other flavors. It's as good as any I've tasted.

Aldi is actually a large European based operation. They own Trader Joe's. It's the tightest run operation I've ever seen. I've never seen more than 3 employees working in the store at one time. The cashiers are faster than NASCAR racers, so the lines move really fast. They don't bag, The thick plastic shopping bags with the handles are $0.10 and they're great to carry stuff in, afterwards.

Produce Junction - In Philadelphia & South Jersey

Produce Junction is one of those produce places where they sell pre-packed produce in plastic bags, for prices usually ranging from $1 to $2.00. They sell potatoes and yams really cheap. Yams - about 4lbs for $1.00. Romaine Lettuce- 2 heads for $2.00. The quality varies, so you just have to get to know the place, and know the vegetable varieties. For example, Premier Carrots, from California are better than carrots grown in Canada.

They throw the produce around a lot. So, don't be afraid to ask for another bag if you detect a bad piece of fruit. If you're single you might want to split everything up with a friend and share the cost, to avoid wasting anything. I just got some of those,little, tasty, tangerines there -10 for $1.00 - Wow! I think they purchase their produce from the spot market, so occasionally prices can spike up, and then come down a few days later.

Warehouse Clubs:

Sam's Club

Always know your prices by comparison shopping, before purchasing. There are some great bargains at warehouse clubs. But, don't be like the hundreds of people I see shopping at warehouse clubs, loading their giant carts with every product they can get their hands on. Not everything at the warehouse club is a bargain. For instance, many fruits and vegetables can be purchased down the street from the Franklin Mills, Sam's Club, at Produce Junction, at much cheaper prices. Many food staples like sugar, salt, cookies etc. are cheaper at Aldi's, where you can purchase generics in small quantities. That's because Sam's (Walmart) likes to rely on name brand food items. Their goal is to further corporate profits, not to save you money.

Other products are sold in such large quantities that they may go to waste. Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where Kramer purchased a case of canned beef stew, at the warehouse club, that he ended up feeding to a flatulent horse? See my article on bargain cleaning supplies to look at some actual Sam's Club, cleaning products I recommend.

Again, you might want to split your warehouse club purchases, with a friend and share the cost, especially if you're single.

To get prices at Sam's Club website you must insert your zip code and then click select club.

The best deals by far at Sam's Club are the generic Member's Mark, over the counter, drugs, and vitamin supplements. You can't beat their prices. Like generic Zantac maximum 150, (Rantidine 150 mg.- $8.82 for 190 tablets. (Wow) http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=409970

They have the best prices on vitamins and supplements. (Like Omega 3 fish oil - 1000 mg. 350 tablets. - $9.84) Their generic drugs are usually of very high quality. However, a few months ago they had a bad patch of fish oil, where the tablets were sticking together, and we had to return a bottle. So shake the bottle. If you can hear the tablets shake, they're good.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?&dest=5&item=372150&cid=SearchResult|768421|Member%27s+Mark%C2%AE+Omega+3+Fish+Oil%2F1000mg+-+350ct

Almost everybody over 50, takes calcium. (Calcium + vitamin D, 400 tablets -$8.64)

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=192569

Is your memory slipping? Can't remember why you're reading this article? Try (Ginkgo Biloba - 60 mg -250 tablets - $7.17 ) These are easily swallowed tablets, not those annoying capsules with the crushed herb.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?&dest=5&item=394129&cid=SearchResult|184896|Members+Mark%C2%AE+Ginkgo+Biloba+-+60mg%2F250ct

The Dollar Tree

It's everybody's favorite dollar store. It's the generic king. Sometimes they will abruptly run out of items due to their purchasing practices. Once you try and like certain items, it pays to stock up on them. Here are some of my favorites:

1) Anti Plaque 16 oz Pre Brushing Formula - (compare to Plax-$1.00) Tastes just like the Plax.

2) Fruit of the Earth - Aloe Vera Gel 12oz. ($1.00) - I've seen the same brand sold elsewhere at 3 times the price.

3) Monet Stone Ground Wheat Crackers 8.8 0z. - ($1.00) - This is a healthy alternative to regular crackers. I've seen these type of crackers at Whole Foods for

triple the price.

Have you ever wondered how commercial cleaning services save money by buying their supplies at wholesale prices? This is the real deal. I have links to the actual products I've been using for over 15 years in the house cleaning business, where to purchase them, and instructions on how to use them.

I also show you, which cheap household items like baking soda and ammonia you can use, and the ones I don't recommend. See my article on cleaning supplies, by scrolling down to the bottom of the page.

The End.