Wal-mart Creams Market Street… at Least in Price

So, remember way back, when I promised that I was going to go comparison shopping at Wal-mart and Market Street? I finally did! And was I disappointed. Wal-mart really is cheaper.  I went with a list of 35 different items, from strawberries to Parmesan cheese and almost every single item was cheaper at Wal-mart. The very few items that were cheaper at Market Street were on weekly special. The total bill ended up being $10.00 less in the end. So, if you went once a week, after a year, your savings would add up to over $500.00! Dang those everyday low prices and that yellow smiley face that goes around dropping prices – I wanted Market Street to win! Since we moved to Lubbock, grocery shopping has actually been fun to me! And I think that Market Street is definitely superior in several other areas:

1. Special parking spaces for new and expectant moms (love that one!)

2. Sackers that take your groceries to the car and take the buggy back

3. The produce employees are always really nice and will let you sample anything

4. The environment seems less stressful to me for some reason

5. They have a “cooking cottage”

Plus, it’s always nice to know you’re supporting a more local business. I don’t know where United/Market Street is headquartered, but they’re a lot more local than Wal-mart for sure.  So, if you appreciate the way Market Street does business, want to support that, and have the money – shop at Market Street! If you’re trying to pinch those pennies, give in and go to Wal-mart, that’s what I’m going to do. I may be compromising my desire to support what I think is the better business, but sometimes you just have to go with what’s cheaper. Unfortunately, I think that’s why Wal-mart has nearly taken over the world.  (: Anyhow, I think I’ll still treat myself to Market Street occasionally.

National Pretzel Day

Pretzel Time is the pretzel place at the mall. I got the following off their website:

“Sunday April 26, 2009 is National Pretzel Day - a day to celebrate the art of pretzel making and the history of the pretzel – the world’s oldest snack! On Sunday April 26, 2009 Pretzelmaker and Pretzel Time locations will celebrate National Pretzel Day by giving away FREE Original Soft Pretzels. Participation and times vary by location. Check with your local Pretzelmaker/Pretzel Time store for details. (limit one per customer)”

All I know is, I’m going to be there! To quote Stanley from ‘The Office’ – “I wake up every morning in a bed that’s too small. Drive my daughter to a school that’s too expensive and then I go to work to a job for which I get paid too little. But on pretzel day….Well, I like pretzel day.”

Lubbock Freecycle

What’s better than free stuff? Not much I can think of. Just thought I would tell you about the Lubbock Freecycle Group. It’s a Yahoo group where people post offers of stuff they want to give away. You can also put up “wanted” posts if you have a specific item you’re looking for, and someone might just want to give one away to you. The only bummer thing about it is that it’s hard to get the free stuff unless you sit at your computer and wait for new offers to pop up and then reply immediately. Apparently there are lots of people out there who like getting free stuff. I recommend putting up a “wanted” post if there’s something you need, and it’s also a GREAT way to get rid of stuff that you don’t want to haul off. I’ve given away several different things on there… a box of canned goods, an old table, and an old sofa. It’s perfect for getting rid of big stuff, since we don’t have a truck. Just find someone who wants it and they’ll pick it up. Also, if you’re like me, you have a stack of stuff in your garage that you never get around to donating to the thrift store. It’s the perfect way to get rid of that stuff, too. And chances are the person picking it up really needs it.

Keep looking for improvements on this site. I realize it doesn’t look so good right now, but as soon as my graphic designer has time, he’s supposed to re-design it for me. He’s fabulous, so I know it’s going to look great! No more yucky wordpress template.

$5 Off Coupon – Babies ‘R’ Us

Get $5 off with this coupon if you spend $25 or more! Valid 4-13-09 thru 5-2-09.

$5 Babies ‘R’ Us Coupon

Restaurant E-clubs

First of all, I’m sorry I haven’t gone comparison at Wal-mart and Market Street yet. I’ve been a little under the weather and had a busy week, but I’m hoping to get it done this coming week. In the mean time, I thought I would post about restaurant e-clubs, one of my favorite methods of getting free stuff! Lots of restaurants these days have e-clubs and you can usually sign up at the restaurant or on their website. You’ll get several random emails throughout the year, but the payback usually comes on your birthday and anniversary. If you have kids, they may even send you coupons for their birthdays too. Here’s what I received for my birthday this year from my e-clubs:

Abuelos – $5.00 off coupon

Fuddruckers - FREE shake coupon

Pretzelmaker - FREE small pretzel bites coupon (I know, it’s sad that I’m signed up for a pretzel e-club, but I just love them!)

Orlandos - FREE Chocolate Rum Cake coupon

 

By the way, Lil’ Footprints, at 8201 Quaker Avenue, is having a buy one, get one 1/2 off sale. Thanks, Stephanie for sharing!

 

Note: You may have noticed I changed the blog name to “Lubbock Love Nuggets” in honor of friends that once made me a list of the same name that contained things to love about Lubbock. This was when we had first moved here and I was not so happy about it. Now I’m learning to make the proverbial lemonade out of my Lubbock lemons. (:

Getting the love rolling…

Greetings, citizens of our windy Lubbock town! Welcome to my new blog. My name is Sarah and I’m always looking for great deals and fun, exciting finds in Lubbock. I decided to start this site as a way for Lubbock moms, and all ladies of Lubbock, for that matter, to share any kind of “good stuff” we find around the city. I know that is a kind of vague description, but just stay tuned and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

A little about me, in case you’re wondering. I’m twenty-seven and I’m going to be a mom for the first time somewhere in the vicinity of early June. We are having a baby girl, Kendi Claree, and we absolutely can’t wait to meet her! I’ve lived in Lubbock for a little over 3 years and I’m still trying to accept the wind. (I don’t think it cares if I do or not.) Thanks for reading this and be sure to share it with your friends and leave a comment!

My first real post, to come in a couple of days, is going to be a doozy: Wal-mart vs. Market Street! I’m going to shop at both stores with an identical grocery list and then see which one ends up the better deal, overall and on individual items. Now don’t get too excited Wal-mart fans, I think you might be suprised! I have to say that I love Market Street, but of course everyone seems to think Wal-mart is cheaper. However, since I’m constantly looking for ways to pinch pennies with all of my super-penny-pinching-abilities, I will personally switch my shopping to Wal-mart if there is a significant difference. Those of you who know me well know this is a big deal for me! I have thought of moving to Oregon just because they don’t have very many Wal-marts. (:

I’m looking forward to many fun posts and getting to know some of you out there. This is just the beginning, so expect this site to grow and change for the better in the near future. If you have any great finds or interesting topics you’d like to see on here, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your ideas! By the way, they have a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for pork tenderloin in the weekly ad at Market Street and eggs are 99 cents this week at Target!