Thursday, October 23, 2008

Bread Outlet Stores Rock!

Our household consists of a 6 year old, 4 year old, 18 month old, me and a husband who eats like a teenager. We go through exactly 1 loaf of bread each day. At our local supermarket a good brand name whole grain loaf costs around $2.69 not on sale (I’m sure that has increased like everything else since the last time I checked) and $1.99 when on sale. There are two different bread outlets in our area. One sells whole grain loaves for .89 each (up from .79 a year ago) and the local Pepperidge Farms outlet sells their loaves for $1.29 each. Pepperidge Farm has a “customer appreciation day” on a Saturday about once a month which offers a 20% discount bringing each loaf down to $1.03. Unfortunately the cheaper bread outlet (Schwebels) is a bit of a drive for me and when gas prices skyrocketed I could no longer justify the trip although I honestly never sat down and did the gas/mileage calculation. So let’s say I buy all my bread at the more expensive outlet and I can’t get there on the 20% discount day so I pay $1.29 per loaf. In one month I save $42. I know 42 bucks means different things to different people but that’s real money in this house. That’s $504 a year. Keep in mind that is a minimum savings. Occasionally when gas prices drop and I find the time or if we happen to be near the Schwebels outlet I always make sure I stop in and I also try to hit the 20% sale at Pepperidge Farms least every other month and I just know that the bread has to be closer to $2.89 at the grocer now.

$504 = > 1/2 a terrificly fabulous Christmas budget
More than enough to justify the occassional beer purchase on sale or at wholesale club.
More than enough to justify occassional wine purchases at Trader Joes.
More than enough to justify occassional soda purchase at Aldi's.
The list could go on . . . .

What allows me to fit a bread store run into my hectic three rug rat life is the less frequent grocery store trips that I make due to my monthly meal planning which would have to rank as the second biggest convenience that makes my family life easier and saves our household the most money. I feel a top 10 list coming on soon . . .

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