Homestead mailing list

["Tracy J" <tracy9j AT frontiernet.net>]

Well, I do as much purchasing as possible in my little town, but most of the 
businesses are gone.  I get most, if not all my gas there and most all of my 
groceries.  We also hit the hardware store here.  The nearest Wal-Mart 
Superstore is about 30 miles away.  I make a haul once every other month or 
two from Wal-Mart with stuff that I can't get in town.  Mostly, though, I
watch the prices in my small grocery and I do well with getting stuff on 
sale.  I guess I buy stuff locally even if stuff costs a little more than 
the big stores.  I find that the things I really save money at Wal-Mart on 
are light bulbs, rugs, books, underwear, glue traps.  The Superstore food 
prices aren't that low except on things like nuts and candy.  The canned
goods are more, the cold cereal is less.  So, I just stock up at my local 
grocery when the stuff I need is on sale.  Also, I won't drive that far 
unless I really need something that they don't have here.  By the time I pay 
for the extra gas, it's not worth it for me and it helps the local stores.

When I was more strapped for cash, there were no big box stores, so I had to 
look for stuff on sale or go without.  I have found that I really don't 
spend anymore if I buy locally than Wal-Mart, of things available at both 
places, if I check the sale prices and don't impulse buy.  I do more impulse 
buying at Wal-Mart and other big stores than I do at the little ones.  Plus, 
I want my little store to stay in business.

Tracy Julian
in East North-Central Minnesota

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "VAN DELL JORDAN" <vdjor AT yahoo.com>

> I would be interested in a little feedback.  I'm sure
> that along with our preference for self sufficiency
> most of us are concerned with our local communities.
> Or is that just my ideal?
>
> Van Dell