I have a confession.
In fact, I have written before about this issue, but now, it is officially and awfully and horribly true.
I am now a Wal-Mart shopper. It hurts even typing that.
I went about a year ago when I was inflicted with bronchitis and I had to get tons of prescriptions, that would cost hundreds of dollars. At Wal-Mart? Sixteen dollars TOTAL. But I had not gone back since, because I loathe, abhor, detest, and hate the evil that is Wal-Mart.
But, times are tough. Our mortgage went up for this year because of the whole Florida homestead taxes thing, so our taxes went up. It will go back down after this year, but sadly, it went up. Plus, I bought a car, which also made our car insurance go up. Combined with the fact that this is FP's slow months at work (thank god beach weather started this weekend, which makes people want to buy beer), so though we can pay our bills, there is not much left over.
Today, we needed groceries, I needed some toiletries, and we needed medicine because not only is my salmonella still around (it sucks STILL four weeks later), but FP now has the flu and pneumonia. I think our house is officially a hot zone. So, we needed some things, and I didn't want to spend a ton of money. Swallowing my pride, my morals, and all that is good in the world, I went to Wal-Mart.
And let me tell you, I saved a lot of money. Really a lot. Like 50 percent of what I would have spent at Publix or Target. And now? Now? How can I justify spending $40 or $50 more on my groceries when I know I can get them for a hell of a lot less? I just can't right now. I never thought I would see the day, but the economy has led me to admit:
I am so a Wal-Mart shopper.
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8 thoughts and stuff:
Wal-mart and I have a love-hate relationship... LOVE the prices... HATE shopping there!
Have you tried a good-quality probiotic to help get the salmonella issue under control? I know you're under a doctor's care, but thought I'd suggest... feel better soon!
eew
Ick, how can you talk about new cars and owning a house and cry poor. Those kids making Walmart products, those workers out of a job because China can make a cheaper tv--what an insult your rationalization is.
I'm anonymous #2 (Jemmie) and I wanted to apologize for my post--I did not know how to delete it. It is not that I'm condemning you for shopping at Walmart in this economy, esp for prescription medication. I just think it is not so great to rationalize shopping there in a kind of blithe-seeming way, when laid-off factory workers and small businesses owners usurped by Walmart have probably lost their homes, and the destitute kids who work in the sweatshops where they buy their materials surely would experience the economic situations of Americans who are feeling financially squeezed as undreamed of wealth.
jemmie, i totally appreciate your point of view and agree with it. i know everyday that my husband and i are very lucky. if you have been reading my blog for a while, you know how lucky because for about two years, we had zero health insurance, we were working four jobs to just try and pay bills, and things were really bad. also, i have taught in a very underprivileged area, have traveled all over the world, and know about true poverty and hardship. not that i have to justify anything, but i used to be so morally opposed to shopping there and trying to only buy local, but now there is no choice.
when warren buffet is talking about shopping at wal-mart, i know that i am not the only one feeling the way i am feeling about this.
For the short term, I think a lot of people are dropping their idealistic notions for practical ones until things get better.
I see you supporting local businesses and restaurants all the time, sure we have all done things that we regret, but if your biggest evil right now is shopping at WM to help pay your bills and keep your house...you are doing what people the world over have always done: what they must.
I'd rather see you save $40.00 at WM, then have that $$ available to sink back into the local economy whether it's Shakti Raw Foods or the Fly's Tie.
thanks maddie :)
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