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Over the last 7 years of running Southern Savers I have met so many people that are true Walmart loyalist. Blindly heading to Walmart though could be a pricey mistake. The problem with heading here for all your groceries though is that you really aren’t getting the savings that they make you think you’re getting.
I walked a local Walmart to get their “always low prices” for each item on sale this week at Publix. After lots of math, I think you’ll be a little surprised at the savings. I’m pretty sure the numbers will speak for themselves.
If you are new to this, start at the Learn to Coupon Page to learn all about using coupons.
With Coupons
Publix – all B1G1 items + sale items with coupons: $169.87
Walmart – Same items with same coupons: $260.93
(you save $91.06 in Publix!)
Publix (no doubles) – B1G1 sale items & coupons: $177.13
(you save $83.80 in Publix!)
Without Coupons
Publix Sales – $222.01
Walmart Always Low Prices – $295.42
(you save $73.01 at Publix!)
A few notes:
1. Publix is running a massive ad with over 78 buy one get one deals.
2. Math was done assuming you bought one of each item. If you buy more, your savings would only go up!
3. Where a store had a house brand B1G1 a similar Walmart house brand price was found.
4. Remember with most Walmart stores not doubling coupons and not accepting competitor or store coupons, that the coupon savings in a grocery is always better!
5. Obviously you aren’t going to buy every single B1G1 item, this is just a way to show the numbers.
For many of you that are just starting you still wonder is it better to shop at Walmart if I don’t have any coupons?
The slogan “Always Low Prices” is really them telling you that nothing is on sale, ever. The biggest way to save on your groceries though is to buy only the items that are on sale each week. If nothing is on sale, then this makes that impossible in Walmart. They realize that people see through this slogan so they do allow you to price match other stores and now offer SavingsCatcher. To price match requires your time to find the best deal and then tell the cashier the better price on every single item you buy (think craziness for a big trip) or requires your complete trust of Walmart to find the best deal for you. SavingsCatcher doesn’t catch all the deals and actually doesn’t even compare some sections of the store (produce and meat). It also doesn’t compare against drugstore ads or any grocery store that is running an instant savings promotion (Kroger Mega Events etc.).
It is eye opening to see that even if you don’t use coupons, the grocery store sale price already beats the Walmart price!!
I don’t share this so that we can all spend the next day bashing Walmart, I just want you to see the numbers. I hope this helps you see just how great buying items on sale can be towards saving money! We don’t want to just make a list and run in to buy what we need, but wait for the best time to buy the items we will use.
If you are interested in learning more about how to shop sales and coupon at grocery stores, check out the Learn to Coupon page to get started!
