Kitchen

[LisaMofSLC]

As a coffee drinker, I need my cup of Joe every morning. The 12 oz store brand ground went from $4.99 to $6.29. I had a dollar off coupon I didnt get to use in time. $3.99 vs $5,29. No thanks. I now use instant which is fine but it goes up 50 cents every month. So from $3.49 when I discovered it to $4.99. I just wonder where it will end.

[River Song]

I buy coffee beans from Costco online because the brand I like isn't available in the warehouse.  As soon as talk of tariffs started up, I bought enough coffee beans to last me the rest of the year.  Good coffee is my one food indulgence.  Back in April, the price was $7.50/lb.; the price for the same coffee is now $10.00/lb.  

[ScrapHappy]

I shop Kroger, Publix, Costco and occassionally Walmart for groceries.  Kroger used to be my main store, but very little from there now.  I do much better at Publix, especially with their BOGO's.  I use stores digital coupons as well.  I shop the sales and build my menu off that.  At Costco I buy chicken, beef and hot dogs and then freeze in small portions.  I like Costco for items like paper towels, TP, garbage bags, coffee, etc.  

[Tinkrbl44]

Paper towels have gone through the roof. 

I don't like Bounty and never buy them, but I saw a package of two big rolls for $10.49!    Have they lost their minds?  

Anyway, I read a money-saving hint about PT economizing which I really like. 

Instead of using just PTs for the kitchen spills and whatnot, also buy packages of the lightweight paper napkins and use them half the time for spills and other things you'd use paper towels for.   

I bought a package of 200 "lunch time" paper napkins and they are good subs for PTs, making each roll last longer.  

I used to be brand-loyal to Brawny, but Kroger has a good PT and they have them on sale regularly.   Last time their $10.49 6-pack was on sale for $5.99!  

[drizzellla]

I read this article dated Friday, July 25, 2025. It stated.

"NetCredit analyzed prices at over 2,000 grocery stores across the U.S. to find which is the most affordable.

In Pennsylvania, Walmart surpasses all other grocery stores for the cheapest price.

Walmart is also the cheapest in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, Maryland, Oklahoma, and California.

In Pennsylvania, Walmart's offerings are 24.75 percent less than the state average.

Price Rite comes in second at 22.60 less than average, followed by Food Lion (21.97 percent), and the Grocery Outlet (20.30 percent) Target, Kroger, Food Bazaar, and even Wegmans represent the next tier, sitting between 5 and 8 percent cheaper than average.

On other end of the spectrum, ShopRite and Giant are 3 to 5 percent more expensive than average, while Acme is a whopping 20.30 pricier than the average store. "

[gardenman]

I get a six-pack of the Sparkle paper towels from Amazon for under $8. They last a long time and are fine. Those are double rolls also, so it's the equivalent of 12 rolls. A good paper towel bargain, and that price has been stable for a year or more. ($7.92 as I type this.)

[LisaMofSLC]

Yes, why so much for paper products, like TP and PT? My regular TP just went up 50 cents for 4 rolls. $10 for a 12 pack, the better deal. I used to buy single rolls of Bounty, so good I can use them awhile before tossing. Now you have to buy two rolls minimum and nearly $10. I have found smaller single rolls at Dollar Tree though.

[gardenman]

@drizzellla 

Yeah, Acme's "normal" prices are absurd, but their sale prices are very good. Their "For You" program also helps lower costs. If you shop their sales and specials, you can come very close to Walmart's prices or even beat them. If you just blindly shop in Acme, you'll go broke. It's a good store for smart shoppers. Not so good for those who aren't.

They're the only "real" full-sized supermarket within twenty miles here in my part of South Jersey (Assuming you stay on the Jersey side.) If you go to Delaware, you can get more variety in stores, but the bridge toll and extra gas pretty quickly offset any savings. The local Walmart has a minimal grocery selection. Acme has a stranglehold on the local grocery market. You don't have much of a choice as to where to shop if you want fresh meat or produce. We have a small Save-A-Lot, but it's a much smaller store.

[PARedbird]

@gardenman - thanks for that info on Sparkle!  I just ordered them off Prime to give them a try!  I normally get my paper towels at Wegman's but what a price difference!  I'm anxious to give them a try!  

[gardenman]

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@PARedbird wrote:

@gardenman - thanks for that info on Sparkle!  I just ordered them off Prime to give them a try!  I normally get my paper towels at Wegman's but what a price difference!  I'm anxious to give them a try!  

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I've been using them for about a year (maybe longer?) and they're fine. Oddly, Amazon tends to mail them to me, so you may find your mail carrier delivering them.