going to the us...what should i stock up on?

[jaybird]

I'm going down to Kalispell, Montana for a girl's weekend and beyond the usual bargain hunting at Target and TJ Max does anyone know what are the "MUST BUY" for groceries? I know of a lady who goes down and does all her grocery shopping swearing it's way cheaper but when I've gone down before I wasn't bowled over by the prices. Maybe I was shopping at the wrong store? Not looking at the right products? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[julies1949]

The things that i find are the best buys are milk, cream butter, chicken and beef.

[sparklecoupons]

If you haven't already - print coupons from coupons.com to use in the U.S. I did that last month and the best part about using coupons was the EXPERIENCE at the cash register. The cashiers at any of the locations took the coupon, swiped the code and that was it. The coupons were not over analyzed - it was just swipe and move on!

[tinkb]

I'm going down to Kalispell, Montana for a girl's weekend and beyond the usual bargain hunting at Target and TJ Max does anyone know what are the "MUST BUY" for groceries? I know of a lady who goes down and does all her grocery shopping swearing it's way cheaper but when I've gone down before I wasn't bowled over by the prices. Maybe I was shopping at the wrong store? Not looking at the right products? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I live in Windsor, ON and go to Michigan all the time to do shopping - groceries and otherwise. We do have a little bit of an advantage because my husband's best friend lives there so we can pick up packages, he lets us know about good sales, etc. We honestly buy for about 3-4 weeks at a time and spend on average $150 less than we would here.

We have a Kroger card. It is truly amazing. It also helps you get 10 cents/gallon off your visit to a Shell gas station with your gas points. (However much you spend in store you can earn points) Also, on the website you can add coupons to your card on top of the savings listed in store AND usually use a coupon with it as well. The best things we get there are eggs, cheese and milk. Also, snacks (especially for kids - although my husband and I love them for ourselves) and baby products (diapers and wipes especially) are much cheaper.

Hope that helps a bit!

[jaybird]

Thanks everyone! Guess I better bring the cooler...or two

[Sunshyne1]

I find personal health care products to be way cheaper over in the US.
The shampoo i use cost me at least $10 a bottle here, at Wal Mart in the states it's about $6.
Coffee too....I got extra Large Cannisters of Tasters Choice over there for about $6...you pay about that for just the normal size container here.

it pays to know your prices, that's for sure.

[tinkb]

I find personal health care products to be way cheaper over in the US.
The shampoo i use cost me at least $10 a bottle here, at Wal Mart in the states it's about $6.
Coffee too....I got extra Large Cannisters of Tasters Choice over there for about $6...you pay about that for just the normal size container here.

it pays to know your prices, that's for sure.

I second this about health care products. Make up, shampoo, body wash I found were all cheaper. Even my make up remover (the Netrogena wipes) I couldn't find here and were much much cheaper than any other remover I've seen.

[Angela273]

Thanks for another US list. We're planning on going to Hawaii for our honeymoon.

[crowsnest]

cheese, eggs, butter, chicken, beef, snack foods, clothes. If you like cheesestrings, usually you can get huge bags at walmart for around $7. The costco is good too! I go to Kalispell about once a month and stock up while I'm down there. check out totallytarget.com for the coupon stacks you can use for the weeks sales.

[jaybird]

Awesome. Thanks so much guys and gals!!

[leda]

If you have children, things are way cheaper over there. My sister went over when my son was an infant and I was floored at the prices she told me things were. Even formula was WAAAAAYYY cheaper than here. Toys, clothes, you name it. My friend even bought a bunch of clothes for my son in the US when she was there because they were so cheap. Clothes for yourself too. One of my fav shirts, I paid less than $5 for (regular price) in NY (of all places)

Have fun!!! So jealous