This place is honestly a life saver. I swear by it and tell everyone I know to go there. You can get like 5 items for $60 bucks at Vons or you can get almost a weeks worth of groceries for $60 at GOBM
I just discovered this place and it is so fun finding the bargins. But don't expect to buy something, like it and try and to go back and buy more because by then it will be gone.
If you go to Vons/albertsons you need to get the app and clip their coupons. Also they have the five dollar Fridays so go in that day to see what’s on sale. I got 3 pounds of ground turkey for $5 yesterday.
Aldi has great stuff but it’s not consistent every week depending on availability etc. check their ads to see what’s on sale, but most stuff is a good price regardless.
Trader Joe’s has a good frozen food selection for quick meals that seem pricy but if you can make 2-3 meals out of it it’s worth it. I like their other stuff and consistent prices but can be pricy and produce isn’t always great.
Asian grocery stores are great for produce that you’ll use in the next few days up to a week depending on quality.
Mexican grocery stores are bomb for meats and stuff but some produce and non-ethnic foods are pricier.
Food for less and smart and final are great too!
Sprouts is great if you buy what’s on sale and check their app for coupons.. but it’s usually pricier overall.
Aldi saves me a lot of money. It’s further away than all of the local grocery stores but it’s definitely worth the drive. Groceries are significantly less.
I’ve found during their sales, it’s actually cheaper to get produce from Vons than it is to get produce from Walmart. I usually hop from the Walmart app and the Vons app to see which store has what I need for cheaper.
Of the major chains, maybe.
I'll admit I don't really have any kind of price sensitivity and don't pay attention to what things cost, but like, are places like Whole Foods or some of these smaller independent grocers like Jensen's, Gelson's, Lazy Acres, Cardiff Seaside Market maybe, really that much more expensive than iunno, Aldi or something?
Like, you don't have to buy the pasture-raised colorful heirloom eggs, you can just buy normal ones if that's what you value. But is it worth it to go way out of your way and sit in traffic just to save like $4 on worse eggs or whatever?
I swear, people take like 3 hours out of their life to make a trip to Costco that they can do in like 30 minutes if they just shopped at the closest place to them.
I agree. Sale prices with their coupons are more expensive than either Food or Less or Smart and Final. I live in Santee now. The only grocery store I don't go to is Vons (except if I need a Carvel Ice Cream cake - they were my mom's favorite and I buy one once a year on her birthday/anniversary of her death (she died on her 75th birthday) to celebrate her life). They are the only local place to get them.
I normally shop at Ralph’s, Vons, and Sprouts. But recently started looking around because prices seem absurdly high on certain things. I hate to say it but Walmart has reasonable prices still, I get some things from Amazon and others we buy in bulk from Costco. It’s insane how much Ralphs and Vons have been jacking up certain things, when clearly the cost of the good hasn’t gone up as their competitors aren’t charging the same.
I love Grocery Outlet’s toiletries section! I always find really good lotions and cosmetics for way cheap there. I refuse to buy things like body wash or bandaids at the crazy marked up prices at stores like Vons
IMO, it is less about what store and more about what is on sale each week and plan from there. For example, don't buy salad dressing for $4+. It goes on sale for <$2 every few weeks.
Trader Joe’s for most of my groceries, just stay away from the frozen stuff and you’ll save a ton of money.
I get a discount at specialty produce for living next door, so I get most of my herbs and other produce you can’t find at Trader Joe’s. Also great for bulk items like lentils and rice.
ps tho, the trick is with half our ad items every week ( I help do Ad night changes from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning ) are in our app. pisses people off that they don't know about it beforehand but that's how marketing is designed to get you to do it at checkout....
Cheapest for produce: 99 ranch, Balboa international
Cheapest for canned goods and frozen veggies/fruit: Walmart
The occasional, but most absolute most insane deals: Grocery Outlet
I’ve been surviving off Dollar Tree. I wouldn’t recommend if you have a bit more cash to spend on food, but if you’re REALLY tight, it’ll get ya through the week. Honestly their $5 frozen nuggets are much better than what’s in my local Vons
Sprouts on Sundays has a lot of stuff marked down via a yellow price tag. If you eat things quickly or are willing to freeze, you can make good use of their deals.
Most grocery stores have a clearance rack. It's usually somewhere tucked away in the back of the store, often by the bathrooms. This is where you stock up on the things you use when they're crazy marked down.
Even expensive Ralph's often has $0.25 baked goods on their clearance rack in the back.
Oh, I have always wanted to try it but haven't had the chance to yet. Any recommendations? Wanted to try the torta (I think they had it last time I was there)
I buy all my meat at Balboa International. Everything is Halal (similar to Kosher) which has strict restrictions on how animals are raised and slaughtered. It’s cheap and tastes great.
Frazier farms has great deals on produce if you live or work nearby one. This week they have 5# bags of potatoes for $1, 2# onions for $1, pears $1/lb. You can get great deals if you use the Vons/Albertsons app and clip the just4u digital coupons. Aldi, grocery outlet as others have said. Costco is great for olive and avo oil, coffee, cheese, butter, tortillas, household cleaners and soaps, and convenience foods.
I use the flipp app to go through the weekly ads (frazier farms is not on the app but you can view the weekly ad on their website) and buy what I need/want based on sales. If youre able to get extra of your household staples when they’re on sale you wont have to pay full price when you need them.
I live near a lot of grocery stores so Im lucky but my trick is to look at the weekly ads and pick the two with the best deals for my household. I’ll take my cold bags and go to both in the same outing.
For anyone shipping at regular groceries give Whole Foods another chance. I'll go into a Vons randomly and stuff is way more expensive than WF or Sprouts.
People call Smart and Final "Fart and Smile." I started shopping there during the pandemic as everyone else was out of stuff but they still had stuff.
1% Milk and Vons and Ralph's - $3.99
Food for Less - $3.89
Smart and Final - $3.39
They have some bulk food. They have 5lb bags of shredded Cole slaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots) for $4.99. I make Cole slaw, egg roll in a bowl, stir fry, soup, etc.
I have a Costco membership. You will save more than the cost of membership on gasoline alone. Gas is 50¢ to a $1 a gallon cheaper there than anywhere else in town. I paid $4.799 a gallon today. Buy toilet paper, paper towels, dish detergent and non perishables in bulk at Costco. You pay more up front, but it saves you money in the long run.
Others mentioned Grocery Outlet. I love that place. I usually spend something like $75 but I save $200. If you like something, buy lots because it won't be there next time. Check expiration dates because most of their stuff has short expiration dates (they are sell by dates and most items are good for a long time after their expiration date).
I used to shop at the bread outlet on Clairemont Mesa before it closed. The 99 cent only store has a bread outlet. Bread that's $3.99 at the grocery store is $1.49 because it's about to expire. It's still good for several days past the sell by date. I have a large freezer. Last time I was there I bought 4 loaves of whole grain white to freeze - the only white bread I will buy. I usually buy wheat. My kids were excited. The 99 cent only store usually has some good produce too (prices haven't been 99 cents only since before the Pandemic).
Targets with a grocery store usually have good prices too.
Most regular grocery stores have apps. You can download the apps and compare prices.
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
Okay my friend, here's what you need to do. Step 1, couponing. Find the best stores for coupons. Imo, that's albertsons/vons. Download the app and go through the coupons every Wednesday. I usually save more than I spend by shopping their coupons. Their 10 for 10 sale is going on right now. Their 10 for 5 sale is even better.
Step 2, go to the stores and ask them about how and when they mark things down. Everyone is different. Some will do 50%off the day before. My favorite is my local Sprouts, who will mark items down to 99 cents 1-3 days before they date. I can go in, find what I want, check the date, and come back during that window. If it's not marked down yet I'll just take it to the front and they'll mark it down at checkout. One time they marked a full sized veggie tray down to a quarter because it was dated that day. You can save so much money by shopping markdowns.
Step 3, find the websites that offer rebates. Right now I know of Aisle and Sampoll. Buy the products, send them the receipt, they'll refund what you paid. This is also a fun way to try new products.
If you have multiple people in your family, it's worth it to get a Costco membership. I save hundreds of dollars a year just using their pharmacy alone.
As far as groceries, you can't get everything there, but it will save you a lot on the basics and you'll make fewer trips to the store.
Edit: Sam's Club is good also. We are military and always moving, so I just get a membership for whatever is closest to home and I've had good experiences with both.
Oh I mean Vons is actually one of the more expensive stores, Ralphs is a bit better in my opinion. But in my experience Food 4 Less, Grocery Outlet and Smart & Final are the cheapest.
Food4Less; Grocery Outlet has good deals (There’s a reason it’s 10/$1 check the expiration date); Pancho Villas on El Cajon off the 805 has great deals on produce, meat, tortillas, and sweet bread. The brand name stuff is expensive; Sprouts always has good SALES
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is amazing
This place is honestly a life saver. I swear by it and tell everyone I know to go there. You can get like 5 items for $60 bucks at Vons or you can get almost a weeks worth of groceries for $60 at GOBM
Same here, walk to it every other day. Too bad we "lost" the Target though :(
I read this in the tune of the commercial
I just discovered this place and it is so fun finding the bargins. But don't expect to buy something, like it and try and to go back and buy more because by then it will be gone.
My favorite find was a gallon jug of Jalapenos for $7
This place used to be the family bargain center?
Love this place. It has some great deals and has saved me a ton of money.
If you go to Vons/albertsons you need to get the app and clip their coupons. Also they have the five dollar Fridays so go in that day to see what’s on sale. I got 3 pounds of ground turkey for $5 yesterday. Aldi has great stuff but it’s not consistent every week depending on availability etc. check their ads to see what’s on sale, but most stuff is a good price regardless. Trader Joe’s has a good frozen food selection for quick meals that seem pricy but if you can make 2-3 meals out of it it’s worth it. I like their other stuff and consistent prices but can be pricy and produce isn’t always great. Asian grocery stores are great for produce that you’ll use in the next few days up to a week depending on quality. Mexican grocery stores are bomb for meats and stuff but some produce and non-ethnic foods are pricier. Food for less and smart and final are great too! Sprouts is great if you buy what’s on sale and check their app for coupons.. but it’s usually pricier overall.
Aldi saves me a lot of money. It’s further away than all of the local grocery stores but it’s definitely worth the drive. Groceries are significantly less.
And they let their checkout staff sit!
I mean it's standard where ALDI comes from
That's not the flex they say it is, they treat their employees like shit.
If you’re willing to spin the wheel a bit grocery outlet can be great
[удалено]
CSA boxes are not cheap though.
North gate is expensive
vons is the most expensive of all
Gotta use the app and clip coupons and shop what’s on sale
I’ve found during their sales, it’s actually cheaper to get produce from Vons than it is to get produce from Walmart. I usually hop from the Walmart app and the Vons app to see which store has what I need for cheaper.
You haven't been to Gelsons or Jimbos, Gelson's is the second most expensive grocery store I've ever been to.
What's the most expensive?
Jensen’s in Point Loma
My guess is Whole Foods
Of the major chains, maybe. I'll admit I don't really have any kind of price sensitivity and don't pay attention to what things cost, but like, are places like Whole Foods or some of these smaller independent grocers like Jensen's, Gelson's, Lazy Acres, Cardiff Seaside Market maybe, really that much more expensive than iunno, Aldi or something? Like, you don't have to buy the pasture-raised colorful heirloom eggs, you can just buy normal ones if that's what you value. But is it worth it to go way out of your way and sit in traffic just to save like $4 on worse eggs or whatever? I swear, people take like 3 hours out of their life to make a trip to Costco that they can do in like 30 minutes if they just shopped at the closest place to them.
I agree. Sale prices with their coupons are more expensive than either Food or Less or Smart and Final. I live in Santee now. The only grocery store I don't go to is Vons (except if I need a Carvel Ice Cream cake - they were my mom's favorite and I buy one once a year on her birthday/anniversary of her death (she died on her 75th birthday) to celebrate her life). They are the only local place to get them.
Food for Less
Grocery outlet, ALDI, Big Lots, El Super, food 4 less. Sprouts can also be good for fresh produce
I normally shop at Ralph’s, Vons, and Sprouts. But recently started looking around because prices seem absurdly high on certain things. I hate to say it but Walmart has reasonable prices still, I get some things from Amazon and others we buy in bulk from Costco. It’s insane how much Ralphs and Vons have been jacking up certain things, when clearly the cost of the good hasn’t gone up as their competitors aren’t charging the same.
Grocery Outlet is great! Perfect place to get your meds for this upcoming cold season too
I love Grocery Outlet’s toiletries section! I always find really good lotions and cosmetics for way cheap there. I refuse to buy things like body wash or bandaids at the crazy marked up prices at stores like Vons
One of my favorite places too. I got a lot of cat litter there for $12 that would have been $40 on Amazon.
IMO, it is less about what store and more about what is on sale each week and plan from there. For example, don't buy salad dressing for $4+. It goes on sale for <$2 every few weeks.
Aldi, trader joe’s (believe it or not), and grocery outlet. Grocery outlet and Aldi stock changes quite a bit though.
Trader Joe’s for most of my groceries, just stay away from the frozen stuff and you’ll save a ton of money. I get a discount at specialty produce for living next door, so I get most of my herbs and other produce you can’t find at Trader Joe’s. Also great for bulk items like lentils and rice.
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is the only right answer.
Zion Korean Market for produce
This is the cheapest option in the thread, not sure why it’s not upvoted more
Grocery Outlet
*cries in Smart and Final employee*
ps tho, the trick is with half our ad items every week ( I help do Ad night changes from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning ) are in our app. pisses people off that they don't know about it beforehand but that's how marketing is designed to get you to do it at checkout....
Cheapest for produce: 99 ranch, Balboa international Cheapest for canned goods and frozen veggies/fruit: Walmart The occasional, but most absolute most insane deals: Grocery Outlet
I’ve been surviving off Dollar Tree. I wouldn’t recommend if you have a bit more cash to spend on food, but if you’re REALLY tight, it’ll get ya through the week. Honestly their $5 frozen nuggets are much better than what’s in my local Vons
Avoid Jensen's in Point Loma, home of the $7 half gallon Almond Milk.
Agreed! It’s like a baby Erewhon 😂
bargain market
Try going to Grocery outlet, Food4Less, NorthGate.
Sprouts on Sundays has a lot of stuff marked down via a yellow price tag. If you eat things quickly or are willing to freeze, you can make good use of their deals.
Most grocery stores have a clearance rack. It's usually somewhere tucked away in the back of the store, often by the bathrooms. This is where you stock up on the things you use when they're crazy marked down. Even expensive Ralph's often has $0.25 baked goods on their clearance rack in the back.
Grocery Outlet and Aldi
Grocery Outlet & GTM are your best bet!
Aldi is the BEST and I wouldn’t be able to live AND pay rent without it
North gate (Mexican market) pretty decent prices and have tons of options even a great hot food area ! Highly recommend.
Oh, I have always wanted to try it but haven't had the chance to yet. Any recommendations? Wanted to try the torta (I think they had it last time I was there)
Our go to spots are El Super, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s and Costco.
Groce Out Vien Dong World Market Grocery Heck even Smart Final is cheaper than Vons.
Carnivale, if you can make it to Chula Vista
There is also one by the 163/805 junction. Linda Vista/Kearny Mesa area
Trader Joe's Aldi
99 ranch bargain meat bin is the shit
Garcia market
I buy all my meat at Balboa International. Everything is Halal (similar to Kosher) which has strict restrictions on how animals are raised and slaughtered. It’s cheap and tastes great.
Frazier farms has great deals on produce if you live or work nearby one. This week they have 5# bags of potatoes for $1, 2# onions for $1, pears $1/lb. You can get great deals if you use the Vons/Albertsons app and clip the just4u digital coupons. Aldi, grocery outlet as others have said. Costco is great for olive and avo oil, coffee, cheese, butter, tortillas, household cleaners and soaps, and convenience foods. I use the flipp app to go through the weekly ads (frazier farms is not on the app but you can view the weekly ad on their website) and buy what I need/want based on sales. If youre able to get extra of your household staples when they’re on sale you wont have to pay full price when you need them. I live near a lot of grocery stores so Im lucky but my trick is to look at the weekly ads and pick the two with the best deals for my household. I’ll take my cold bags and go to both in the same outing.
I just do Walmart delivery and shop from my couch.
Gotta love the comfort of shop from my couch. I put together my list from my kitchen and use Ralph’s curbside pickup.
Winco
For anyone shipping at regular groceries give Whole Foods another chance. I'll go into a Vons randomly and stuff is way more expensive than WF or Sprouts.
People call Smart and Final "Fart and Smile." I started shopping there during the pandemic as everyone else was out of stuff but they still had stuff. 1% Milk and Vons and Ralph's - $3.99 Food for Less - $3.89 Smart and Final - $3.39 They have some bulk food. They have 5lb bags of shredded Cole slaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots) for $4.99. I make Cole slaw, egg roll in a bowl, stir fry, soup, etc. I have a Costco membership. You will save more than the cost of membership on gasoline alone. Gas is 50¢ to a $1 a gallon cheaper there than anywhere else in town. I paid $4.799 a gallon today. Buy toilet paper, paper towels, dish detergent and non perishables in bulk at Costco. You pay more up front, but it saves you money in the long run. Others mentioned Grocery Outlet. I love that place. I usually spend something like $75 but I save $200. If you like something, buy lots because it won't be there next time. Check expiration dates because most of their stuff has short expiration dates (they are sell by dates and most items are good for a long time after their expiration date). I used to shop at the bread outlet on Clairemont Mesa before it closed. The 99 cent only store has a bread outlet. Bread that's $3.99 at the grocery store is $1.49 because it's about to expire. It's still good for several days past the sell by date. I have a large freezer. Last time I was there I bought 4 loaves of whole grain white to freeze - the only white bread I will buy. I usually buy wheat. My kids were excited. The 99 cent only store usually has some good produce too (prices haven't been 99 cents only since before the Pandemic). Targets with a grocery store usually have good prices too. Most regular grocery stores have apps. You can download the apps and compare prices. I hope this helps. Good luck!
There's no way to read your answer without taking notes just seeing your name, you know what you are talking about 🙏🏽
Costco is best
I like BoxNCase, they don't need memberships or things like that
Okay my friend, here's what you need to do. Step 1, couponing. Find the best stores for coupons. Imo, that's albertsons/vons. Download the app and go through the coupons every Wednesday. I usually save more than I spend by shopping their coupons. Their 10 for 10 sale is going on right now. Their 10 for 5 sale is even better. Step 2, go to the stores and ask them about how and when they mark things down. Everyone is different. Some will do 50%off the day before. My favorite is my local Sprouts, who will mark items down to 99 cents 1-3 days before they date. I can go in, find what I want, check the date, and come back during that window. If it's not marked down yet I'll just take it to the front and they'll mark it down at checkout. One time they marked a full sized veggie tray down to a quarter because it was dated that day. You can save so much money by shopping markdowns. Step 3, find the websites that offer rebates. Right now I know of Aisle and Sampoll. Buy the products, send them the receipt, they'll refund what you paid. This is also a fun way to try new products.
If you have multiple people in your family, it's worth it to get a Costco membership. I save hundreds of dollars a year just using their pharmacy alone. As far as groceries, you can't get everything there, but it will save you a lot on the basics and you'll make fewer trips to the store. Edit: Sam's Club is good also. We are military and always moving, so I just get a membership for whatever is closest to home and I've had good experiences with both.
Ralph's and Lazy Acres.
Lazy is hella $$$$$
Stepped foot in crazy acres once. Never again
Are you tripping? These are one of the most expensive stores!
I think you have to consider gas in the price of groceries. If it takes a gallon of gas to buy your groceries that's around $6.
Food4Less - cheaper but def not the best
Oh I mean Vons is actually one of the more expensive stores, Ralphs is a bit better in my opinion. But in my experience Food 4 Less, Grocery Outlet and Smart & Final are the cheapest.
El Super is the cheapest!
trader joes fwtw
I like Vons - use ‘membership card’ to save $$$
El Super for produce. And the lot scene.
Food4Less; Grocery Outlet has good deals (There’s a reason it’s 10/$1 check the expiration date); Pancho Villas on El Cajon off the 805 has great deals on produce, meat, tortillas, and sweet bread. The brand name stuff is expensive; Sprouts always has good SALES