Check out my progress on Cheating on Harry
As I’ve mentioned on several occasions, I do much of my weekly grocery shopping at Harris Teeter (aka the Teet). Recently, however, I saw an advertisement for Lowe’s Foods, and there was one key phrase that piqued my interest: “We double coupons everyday!” The Teet doubles coupons only once in a blue moon…soon scenes from Extreme Couponing danced in my head, and I mapped out the nearest store. I set out to cheat on Harry.
Sadly, my shopping experience was very disappointing. It turns out that this instance of “cheating” was much like what I imagine cheating in a relationship is like—it convinced me that nothing out there even compares to what I already have. I left the store without buying a single item—I can’t even remember the last time I left a grocery store without at least a bag of carrots. I was just so uninterested in buying anything from that store.
The Lowe’s location that I visited was poorly maintained, didn’t stock my favorite grocery items, and, perhaps most importantly, did not offer quality produce. Harris Teeter may not offer rock-bottom prices, but at least it provides the foods I need along with friendly service.
Are you loyal to a particular grocery store? Which one? Why or why not? In an effort to maximize my dollar, I spread my shopping among three stores: Whole Foods (for tofu, eggs, organic produce), Target (for miscellaneous grocery items and household items), and Harris Teeter (for produce and some grocery items). It takes a lot of planning, but it has helped me saved hundreds of dollars over the past few months!
Now onto the eats of the day!
My love of the banana-bloob combination is not limited to oat bran, my friends. It’s pretty amazing in smoothie form too.
After my disappointing shopping trip, I drowned my sorrows in a vegan club sandwich.
For dinner, I made a simple chickpea curry, along with some leftover Steamfresh rice.
Extreme Couponing starts in five minutes—later!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I’m pretty sure HTeets doubles coupons up to 99 cents every day. The “once in a blue moon” days are usually for coupons up to 1.98.
Also, the Kroger at Six Forks & Wake Forest has a decent (but small) organic/natural section, though the produce is pretty lacking.
I am not loyal to Amy groceries store, I am more of convenience and what I want to eat. Usually I go to ti’s, wf and Asian stores.
@Erin –
Great tip! Thanks so much, Erin!!
I go to Whole Foods (oh yes), Super Target, and Publix. Some things are cheaper at certain stores so I shop around
Well, you KNOW we are big Publix fans and are so glad they came to Birmingham. We first experienced them on trips to Florida–they do a pretty darn good job at being above-average at everything. Not Whole Foods, but not WF prices either. Now, if we could just get a Trader Joe’s.
PS Love the yellow with white polka dot placemats. Someone with taste must have given them to you.:)
@Louise a/k/a Mom –
I miss Publix so much! Their produce is better than what I find at Harris Teeter. PLUS, they sell my favorite kind of cottage cheese, which I can’t find anywhere around here:(
I am loving the placemats–I would get them in every color if I could!
I’m loving your yellow polka dot placemat– Target, maybe?
I do most of my food shopping at Whole Foods, New Leaf, Trader Joes and the farmer’s market.
What a Bummer- I’ve heard such good things about that store too! I’m a Publix girl! Love that store. I also get the occasional item from Whole Foods. Our TJs opens in July and I know I will be hitting it on the regular. I plan to alternative TJs/Publix weeks. The club sounds interesting! I haven’t had a club sandwich (sans the bacon since I’m not a fan) in ages. I always love how they stack up the sandwiches
@Emilia –
I would have to ask my Mom where the placemats came from, as they were a gift in my Easter basket!
What is New Leaf? Is it a California’s based chain?