99c stores intimidate me. Unnaturally so. I will try giving them another try; typically the only thing I get in such stores is anxiety attacks.

I’m still getting used to everything; a year ago 90% or more of what I ate was processed, packaged, frozen, microwaved single-serving junk. In a few years I’ll be caught up with where Zoe was a few years ago, maybe.

Oh, and I try to avoid soy as much as possible, so margarine is basically non-existant. We exclusively use canola oil mayo, and canola oil or olive oil (hah! Now, that’s expensive!), never “vegetable oil” (though I do double-check labels), and I try to avoid any product with much soy.

Batteries is good. We definitely compare prices with WalMart (sometimes better prices than Sam’s). I’m also building a database of prices/places/dates/sizes so I can compare actual values & changes over time at various retailers that’s finally helping make decisions instead of just collecting data. On the other hand, thinking that much about money, costs, and value usually makes me feel bad, get sick, or collapse into depression, so it comes in fits and starts, a little increase in value at a time.

99c stores intimidate me. Unnaturally so. I will try giving them another try; typically the only thing I get in such stores is anxiety attacks.

I’m still getting used to everything; a year ago 90% or more of what I ate was processed, packaged, frozen, microwaved single-serving junk. In a few years I’ll be caught up with where Zoe was a few years ago, maybe.

Oh, and I try to avoid soy as much as possible, so margarine is basically non-existant. We exclusively use canola oil mayo, and canola oil or olive oil (hah! Now, that’s expensive!), never “vegetable oil” (though I do double-check labels), and I try to avoid any product with much soy.

Batteries is good. We definitely compare prices with WalMart (sometimes better prices than Sam’s). I’m also building a database of prices/places/dates/sizes so I can compare actual values & changes over time at various retailers that’s finally helping make decisions instead of just collecting data. On the other hand, thinking that much about money, costs, and value usually makes me feel bad, get sick, or collapse into depression, so it comes in fits and starts, a little increase in value at a time.

We don’t buy butter, too expensive… we generally get blue bonnet margarine for $.77 lb at Wal-Mart. Come to think of it, most of the “case lot” stuff at Fry’s can be found at those prices year round at the $.99 only store or Wal-Mart if you need to stock up even more.

Maybe some bullions, tomato, chicken, beef. Rice is mighty tasty cooked in a “broth” rather than water.

If you’re serious about dooms-day, get a gas or propane generator, but if you’re broke like us, you’re laughing at me right now for even mentioning it.

We were at the $.99 only store today and they had fairly large containers of pure vanilla for a buck, also Cocoa powder.

Maybe stock up on frozen or canned vegetables…

Herbs and spices.

Boxed mashed potatoes.

Batteries.

I can’t think of anything else right now.