Tom Cruise was Right

Wal-Mart sucks.
I went there today. For the first time in a long time. In fact, I don't think I have been there since Abby was on formula. Before then, really, cuz I stocked up and swore I would never go back to WalMart again.
It is disgusting. Fat, dirty, poor people who ride scooters simply because of their size shop there. Lots of them. I saw a few people that were missing teeth. Huge gaps. And I'm not talking about little old ladies who forgot to wear their teeth, I'm talking about people younger than me. I also have an image burned into my mind of one young woman with the biggest teeth I have ever seen, gunning for me, coming right at me. And ya know what? I could lit-er-ally SEE the plaque build up on her giant teeth. I could see her plaque. It was that thick.
Wal-Mart sucks.

I was willing to forgo any sense of dignity, though, ad battle it out with the scurge of Willi-town - to save money. This is a difficult economy, money is tight for everyone and where you can save a buck or two, you should. Especially since oil companies are LOCKING us IN at $4.88 per gallon right now.

But that's the thing. I didn't save any money. Wal-Mart is not that cheap. Maybe it never was but in prior years, I was not as savvy a shopper, perhaps.
Today I was following my list so closely and I didn't buy more than half of it.
Examples:
6 pack of Dove. WalMart price: $6.56 Stop & Shop price: $5.99
Case of Pampers. WalMart price: $19.99 Stop & Shop price: $18.99
Bounty "Big Roll" 6 pack. WalMart price: $9.97 Stop & Shop price: $8.99
All Small & Mighty, HE. WalMart price: $4.66 Stop & Shop price: $3.99
Bananas. Walmart Price: $0.64/lb Stop & Shop price: $0.50/lb

There were things I saved on.
I picked up a couple of Wal-Mart cans of formula for $14 per can. That's a good price and Abby was on WM brand and she has certainly thrived. But Wyatt is a little more sensitive than Abby so I only bought a couple as back-ups. The actual formula he takes, Similac Isomil Advance was $26.99. It is $25 in Stop & Shop.
Milk was $3.92 which is decent for Garelick Farms but the normal sale price at a regular store. Lubriderm was only $7.50, J&J Baby Wash was $3. I dunno... I am not "sold" on the "Low Prices" thing. You really have to know your products & prices. And I do. I know what things should cost and what they will go on sale for and if a coupon is worth clipping. I pride myself on it.

I used to shop at S&S all the time in Southington. The Shaw's was so gross. Then, when I stopped working and had Abby, I went 100% Shaw's because of the prices.
Now, I am back at S&S. First, because Shaw's is so gross, it doesn't matter what town you live in. Then, I realized that the prices at Stop & Shop are comparable if not better than Shaw's. Plus, you can't beat the service or quality. At least around here.
My mil shops at Big Y and loves it. I think it's a little too pricey and their sales are always "Buy 1 get 2 Free" and we just don't need 15 pounds of potatoes or strawberries all at once.
My mom shops at the A&P and their prices really are good. Is that geographical or do I wish an A&P would open near me? Dunno.

Anyway. The point of my Blog, this evening, is that WalMart sucks. I will never go there again. Never, Ever.