Shopping - Utica,MI

I usually shop the ads and sometimes end up at 2 to 3 different stores at to get what I need. I save a lot that way and the drive time between the stores doesn't add any more to my cost. The truth is some stores are cheaper on some things and more on others, this is true of all of them actually. When i shop at just one place it is usually about the same in the long run as if I had gone to the other one. Hope this helps

If you're just shopping without watching sales and using coupons, Walmart is cheaper. If you track sales and match with coupons, Kroger is the better choice. I do my shopping at Kroger. I used to hate that my husband always wanted to shop there because they are so much more expensive. But once I started couponing, Kroger has been the clear choice.

keep in mind that Walmart will price match an ad, so if your kroger is having a sale on something, bring the ad in and you can get the same thing at that price at Walmart. It saves on gas and makes it easier to shop in one spot.

Funny, I have found for the things that I buy, Kroger is cheaper. I like to buy Kroger brand . But I live in Kroger country (Texas), so maybe it makes a difference. I found that while Wal-mart seems cheaper, if you check quantity and sometimes quality, Kroger is always better. Our Wal-marts around here, the produce is very poor, as goes bad even faster.

I found Wal-Mart to be overall cheaper, and their own brands of items are often very good, so it's easier to buy generic at Wal-Mart. However, Kroger doubles coupons and in that case, especially when items are on sale, it's cheaper to go to Kroger. Take the 5-10 minutes a week and clip coupons and compare ads.

Walmart will match any of Kroger's on sale prices. It has to be the exact same product. I shop both places myself and for somethings I find that Krogers is cheaper. I think they have better "sale" items and their brand of some canned goods are cheaper.

Hi, My experience Meijers (also a Michigan Company) has great prices. Kroger can be high on certain items, but their dollar day sales are great. Don't exclude Target also. They have great prices on staple foods and if you go to a super Target there is even more selections. And a real discounted grocery store that also has fresh food and canned is Aldi. Hope this helps.

Like someone else said, watch the unit prices. I usually shop at Meijer and I have noticed on a few items that the larger container is more expensive per unit than the smaller, when usually it's the opposite. The 48 oz. chicken broth is more expensive per ounce than the 32 oz. container. Also, make sure to compare the sale price to the original. I have seen sale tags advertising diapers for $8.97 when the original price was $8.99. Whoopie.

Another perk to shopping at Kroger is using the points you accumulate for gas. We don't have a Kroger gas station near our home, but there is one near my work. I have saved as much as 70 cents a gallon and as little as 10 cents. My thought is, I have to buy groceries anyways, why not get a little bonus (money off gas) while doing so!!

My husband does the shopping and he noticed that kroger has some things cheaper. plus he gets coupons down loaded to our kroger plus card and than they have reward points at sunoco which helps.

Wal-mart!!! Kroger is ridiculous! I avoid going there at all cost. They might be cheaper on a sale here and there, but Wal-mart's regular prices can't be beat. I don't like their produce too much, but I often go to Meijer instead for produce or Randazzo's in the Detroit area (super cheap!).

Actually we did an experiment with this and Wal-Mart came out to be cheaper. But like everyone else said definately watch the sales cause Kroger has good deals sometimes, as does Meijer. But as far as regular priced items, it WalMart by a long shot. Also like everyone else I'm not too fond of Walmart's veg and meat selection. If it's pre-packaged I don't really care but when I want some good fresh veggies and good meat I go to Meijer. Aldi's is also a good place, and I don't know if you have a Sav-Alot but they're very cheap too.

Also, maybe if you don't already clipping coupons is a great way to save.

Walmart in general is cheaper for most food items. What I do is look at the sales circular and write down the prices of things I need that are on sale and then go to Walmart. While I am there, I compare. If Walmart is cheaper than the sale item, I buy it. If not (and it is still worth the gas to go across town) I will make a pit stop on the way home.

I shop at both stores. I go to Walmart for my core items, basics and toiletries. They have good generic brands but always look at the labels - sometimes they are filled with sugars and have fructose corn syrup where the name brand will not. I go to Kroger for the items that are not carried at Walmart and for produce and meat. Make sure you have a Kroger Plus card, that is where the savings come from at Kroger. Look thru their circular, they always have a good sales too.

Hi K.---Living in Michigan, I think Meijer has a better selection with the best prices. Shopping at Walmart is more of an ethics thing for me. I don't like their buying practices.

Having said that, as others have shared, I usually go to different stores for different things. Prices differ at even different Kroger stores. Selections are different as well. Take a little notebook with you, or make a list from your receipt and then take that with you for comparison each time you shop. You do have to take some time to check out unit prices as well. It's not always more economical to buy larger containers. And, be watchful of price increases. They do change and you might have to start purchasing certain items at a different store.

Lastly, be sure that you are not buying unhealthful food just because it's the cheapest. You diet is the single biggest investment in your health. If you trade dollars for health, you will realize that lack of investment as you age by increased risk of degenerative diseases. Even now, if you have allergies or get bad colds or flu, that is you immune system responding to a need for an optimal diet. Purchasing healthy food doesn't have to be expensive, it's actually more a matter of avoiding unhealthy food. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. The fewer ingredients on a package, the better. If you can't pronounce it, don't get it. Do not get foods that have HFCS, MSG (goes by lots of different names-manufacturers hide it), artificial sweeteners or colors and all preservatives.

On a side note, K., would you be interested in attending a health education workshop next Tuesday, Sept 21 in Troy? If interested, let me know and I can send you a flyer. I would be happy to bring you a shopping list with healthy basics on it. Good luck with your best price exploration. Take care, D.

It sort of depends on what I'm shopping for. I won't buy produce or meat at WalMart. The quality is far better at Kroger, but I usually buy it from our local grocery since they cut all their meat there. WalMart is good for things like paper products, toiletries, and breakfast items. In my personal opinion, Kroger brand food is much better than WalMart brand food and usually about the same price. Our WalMart won't double coupons and our Kroger does up to $.50. They used to triple and double, but they don't anymore. WalMart will price match, but it has to be the EXACT same item. I've found that different WalMarts have different prices too. Make a list of your basic items. One week go to Kroger and write down the prices. The next week go to WalMart and write down the prices there. That will give you sort of an idea.
I also find that I spend less at Kroger because I just get my groceries. If I go to WalMart we wind up with an outfit for the kids (they're always on clearance) a toy (on clearance) and just other junk in general. For me, it makes sticking to a budget really hard.

I like Super Target for cereal, snack food, some canned and jarred goods, some frozen food, ice cream etc.... also you can use a 'target coupon' together with a manufacturer's coupon...

I shop at Kroger for most things. They double and triple coupons so if you use coupons, it comes out way cheaper. Kroger has better produce and meat selection and quality and is always having their "buy 10" sales and you can save even more!