Last week I was trying to decide which bulk toilet paper package would be the most economical, and posted my dilemma on my Facebook status. A friend promptly suggested Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program (S&S). So, I checked it out. Since I make an effort to make conscious choices, my toilet paper brand of choice is Seventh Generation, and I was happy to find that many Seventh Generation products are offered as part of the S&S program. And, I would get much more for my money that if I ordered through my current wholesale co-op. Shipping and handling is free.
I love ordering bulk. It makes me feel more secure, knowing that if Nate were to lose his job, or at the very least get sick and lose some days, that we’ve got plenty to last us through to the next month. It also means less grocery trips AND I get to do what I love, which is online shop (actual, physical shopping of any kind if very draining for me).
I used to think that buying/ordering bulk was some sort of over-consumption gone wild. This sort of obsession that one of something wasn’t enough, that the more the better. My worst fears have not been realized, mostly because I strive to make conscious choices; to vote with my dollars, if you will.
I’m still checking out the S&S program, to see what it all offers. Feel free to leave in the comments something you’re doing to save on everyday household purchases.
3 Comments
April 28, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Maria…We live in Bend. You should check out the toilet paper at Trader Joe’s. You get 12 rolls for $3.99. It lasts 2 weeks for our family of 4. It’s recycled and I bet it’s made by the company Natural Value, but much cheaper.
April 28, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Maria,
Save on everyday purchases? We have been in “forced frugality” mode for so long that I don’t know the difference between saving and making ends meet. Last year I decided that Cable TV was a luxury. We now watch over the air Digital TV thanks to a DTV converter and a homemade antenna that I cobbled together. For movies, there is Redbox and the library. We also have an internet line run to where the TV is and can watch internet TV.
I am blessed with a wife that can stretch a dollar until it screams for mercy. All meals are home cooked. And no Hamburger Helper for this family. I can make twice as much for half the price by buying my own pasta and sauce. (yeah, I share the cooking duties). We shop at WinCo (the best bulk foods section in town), The Grocery Outlet, Franz’s outlet and Reeser’s outlet. Hagen, New Seasons and Whole Paycheck, Uh, I mean, Whole Foods are out of the question.
I’m sure there are many ways that I save, but I have been doing them for so long, they have become habit, and I can’t identify them.
April 30, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I got to thinking about this. And thinking about all the things we could spend our money on. And the things that our parents spent their money on.
Then: Mortgage or Rent, Phone, electricity, Heating oil, water, newspaper subscription, magazines, etc.
Now: Mortgage or rent, phone (with deluxe voice mail, call waiting, caller id, etc) , CELL PHONE, (but it’s more like a Sell Phone. There are ring tones and premium services to buy.) Internet access, (and that brings a whole host of memberships to Classmates.com, Genealogy.com, Club Penguin, fliker, etc.), Cable TV (and it’s premium services), DVD rental, Even electricity is not immune. We can have the privilege of paying a higher rate to support green power. It’s all the nickel and dime things that drain away our money.
Then there is the over reaching. Cars, for instance are not that more expensive (adjusted for inflation) today than they were 30 years ago. But 30 years ago, a 3 year car loan was typical. Today, most people have 5 year loans. But, the 5 year loan lets a buyer buy more car than they can afford. And they pay more interest on the 5 year note.
Nuff said: This is turning into a rant.