Through my Foster Care group, I met a single woman who has adopted 5 children... all boys... all from one family. So they're all biological brothers. She, obviously, has some issues with budgeting because having five children is expensive!
I told her about NPS (a salvage grocery store) and she said she'd tried going but was overwhelmed. I met her at the store and we (she, myself and two of her boys) did a little tour. I spent $30 and she spent $80 but both of us were thrilled. I got a lot of raspberries and pears, both of which I'm excited about.
She said she was overwhelmed at times because the store is kind of crazy---and I can totally understand that. For some people, they like having the knowledge that what they need will ALWAYS be at the store they're going to. If you go to Walmart, you'll never be in a spot where they don't have Charmin toilet paper, for example. At NPS, you might find toilet paper but the prices and brands might not be what you're expecting.
I think it is easy to be overwhelmed at a store like NPS or any other bargain basement grocery store. Salvage stores are a hodge-podge mix of everything. You won't be able to easily live on only the food found in those stores, but you can easily supplement your food budget with salvage goods. I think that it is the same principles for shopping at Deseret Industries or Goodwill.
I always avoid the stress by following a couple of principles:
1) Never go with a to-buy list... you never know what you'll find. Don't set yourself up for disappointment. If anything, write a very general list. I would say "Look for fresh fruit and cereal and juice"... for DI, I never write shopping lists because it is too random.
2) Be open to whatever is on sale, since this is the only stuff you should be buying anyway. You might have to buy brands you've never heard of.
3) Be aware of what you have at home
4) After going to NPS, you can then go to your local "normal" grocery store and get the things you couldn't find.
5) To be successful shopping at discount stores, you need to go regularly. 1x a week at least. Even if it is for 10-15 minutes.
Even if I only have 20 minutes at NPS, I can usually find some good deals. Don't expect discount stores to be clean and organized. Do not expect all the same varieties you'll find at Smith's, Sam's Club, H&M or the Gap. Be aware these are DISCOUNT stores so you might not find the exact shirt, pants, or brand of peanut butter you like.
The point is to save money. Anytime I save money, I am happy. So go into these stores with an open mind and you'll probably end up saving some money.
I told her about NPS (a salvage grocery store) and she said she'd tried going but was overwhelmed. I met her at the store and we (she, myself and two of her boys) did a little tour. I spent $30 and she spent $80 but both of us were thrilled. I got a lot of raspberries and pears, both of which I'm excited about.
She said she was overwhelmed at times because the store is kind of crazy---and I can totally understand that. For some people, they like having the knowledge that what they need will ALWAYS be at the store they're going to. If you go to Walmart, you'll never be in a spot where they don't have Charmin toilet paper, for example. At NPS, you might find toilet paper but the prices and brands might not be what you're expecting.
I think it is easy to be overwhelmed at a store like NPS or any other bargain basement grocery store. Salvage stores are a hodge-podge mix of everything. You won't be able to easily live on only the food found in those stores, but you can easily supplement your food budget with salvage goods. I think that it is the same principles for shopping at Deseret Industries or Goodwill.
I always avoid the stress by following a couple of principles:
1) Never go with a to-buy list... you never know what you'll find. Don't set yourself up for disappointment. If anything, write a very general list. I would say "Look for fresh fruit and cereal and juice"... for DI, I never write shopping lists because it is too random.
2) Be open to whatever is on sale, since this is the only stuff you should be buying anyway. You might have to buy brands you've never heard of.
3) Be aware of what you have at home
4) After going to NPS, you can then go to your local "normal" grocery store and get the things you couldn't find.
5) To be successful shopping at discount stores, you need to go regularly. 1x a week at least. Even if it is for 10-15 minutes.
Even if I only have 20 minutes at NPS, I can usually find some good deals. Don't expect discount stores to be clean and organized. Do not expect all the same varieties you'll find at Smith's, Sam's Club, H&M or the Gap. Be aware these are DISCOUNT stores so you might not find the exact shirt, pants, or brand of peanut butter you like.
The point is to save money. Anytime I save money, I am happy. So go into these stores with an open mind and you'll probably end up saving some money.