Stores I Love and Why You Should Too!

In Econ 1010, you learn that there's rarely ever a fixed price for anything.  Those who provide services or goods have a target price they'd like to receive for their goods as a whole rather than individually.  You don't see a Fortune 500 Company creating staff meetings about how much they want to make for each little product, rather they set a dollar amount for what they'd like to collect at the end of the fiscal year.
   If ever you've traveled on an airplane, and you ask those around you how much they paid for their tickets, you'll find that some paid their proverbial arms and legs, while others practically fly for free.  How is this?  Because at the end of the day, businessmen know that some profit is better than none at all, and they'll take the highest amount from whomever is willing to pay that price.  What this creates in the market place (or rather, should, if a free market is left to its own devices without government interference) is that you can shop around for the same product from several different merchants before acquiring the best deal.  Now that the econ lesson is over, here's my list of favorite stores, and why you should love them too!

COSTCO:  You may be thinking, "I'm not paying $55 to a store just so I can shop there!"  That kind of thinking is both absurd and asinine.  Costco will refund your membership fee at any time if you are unsatisfied.  Costco offers an amazing American Express card with 3% cash back on all purchases.  We shop using the card and then pay the bill off each month and then at the end of the year, we receive 3% back in the form of a check.  We always get more than enough to pay for the next year's membership and by being a member, you become privy to all sorts of amazing deals.  You might be thinking, "I don't own a business, what on earth would I do with that enormous can of black olives?"  Costco is more than a store full of oversized canned goods.  Costco carries different merchandise based on location, so each time you PCS, each store will carry its own unique perks.  Costco's brand (Kirkland) carries the best baby wipes on the planet (no, that's not my opinion, it's fact).  You can get a box of 900 wipes for $20.  Let me tell you something about these wipes.  I've been known to accidentally wash a wipe or two and they come out of the dryer strong as ever.  I've found myself holding it up thinking, "What is this washcloth?"  That's how strong and amazing they are.  In addition to wipes, Costco carries both Kirkland brand diapers and Huggies.  These big boxes of diapers are the same price ($39 a box) but they almost always have one brand on sale at any given time (for $32/box).  If you're pregnant or already have babies in the home, you'll want a Costco membership.  In addition, they have monthly coupons that are outrageous.  They have everything at Costco!  Furniture, amazing food at amazing prices (did I mention you can get a hot dog lunch with a drink for a buck fifty?!), pharmacy (which accepts Tricare ExpressScrips) as well as Gasoline that is always cheaper than market value.  "I don't need Costco gasoline, it's cheaper at the PX."  True, it usually is cheaper at the PX, but the Costco membership card travels with you.  If ever you need gas and there's not a PX around, Costco will still save you money.  And in case you already forgot, if you get an American Express Costco Card, you receive cash back on every purchase!! So, get a Costco membership already!!!

TARGET:  Walmart's better looking and nicer cousin, right?  "Duh, Jane.  Everyone already knows that!"  But did you know that Target offers a Debit card which gives you an automatic 5% off your total purchase at checkout?  I know the cashier has already talked to you about it, and if you're like me, you instantly heard white noise and said, "Not interested, thank you."  But the next time you are at Target, ask them for a pamphlet so you can read all of the fine print at your leisure.  It's a Target Debit Card which connects directly to your existing Debit Card/Bank Account.  It's not like a credit card, there's no APR or annual fee or anything like that.  If you're already using a debit card at Target, for heaven's sake, do yourself a favor already and get the Target Debit Card!  It's free, and you save an instant 5% on every purchase (in store or online AND you get free shipping)!  I absolutely love it!!!

WALMART:  Not as nice or clean as Target, I know, I know.  But they're always busy, aren't they?  Why is that?  They have good prices, sure, but the competition has caught up with them, and there's really not that much of an edge for shopping at Walmart as opposed to, say, Target.  However, I will say this for all you Walmart snobs.  Over Christmas, we were in the market for a TV after Porter took a crayon to our existing one.  Being myself, I shopped around online, in stores, etc, looking for the absolute best TV for the best price.  I found one.  It was a 47" Vizio 3D, SmartTV.  It was a beaut.  It was amazing.  It was incredible.  It was refurbished.  It didn't work when it arrived, regardless of everything we tried.  When we returned it to the store, we found they had one in stock.  The difference between this new one and the refurbished was a mere $100.  We decided that it was worth paying the difference.  But, oh no.  Walmart exchanged the TVs so we paid exactly $0 extra dollars for a brand new TV!!!  That's Customer Service that keeps a business on top.  Furthermore, at another Walmart trip, I purchased an HDMI cable.  It was a Vizio and the tag said $14  (what a steal!)  When I checked out, the final price sounded much too high so after reviewing the receipt, I saw that the cable was $24 as opposed to $14.  Dismayed, I immediately took it to Customer Service and explained that I thought the tag said it was $14 and that $24 for an HDMI cable was just too rich for my blood. The Customer Service rep asked if I'd like to return it, or if I'd just like the difference.  She explained that if Walmart has something marked at a different price from what it rings up as, the Customer gets it for the marked price (in Monterey, they give it to you for the marked price and an additional 3% discount).  That is why I continue to shop at Walmart...

OVERSTOCK:  Overstock simply has amazing prices and what else, is they have flat rate shipping ($3) and free shipping on any purchase over $50.  Like anything, Overstock has better deals in some areas as opposed to others.  I always purchase our memory foam mattress toppers from Overstock because they're priced so well.  In addition, they have great quality dining chairs at a fraction of the cost of what you'd spend at the Exchange or any other store.  If you've not yet visited this site, do so!  You'll never know what you'll find!

KOHL'S:  The reason I love shopping at Kohl's is because they always have sales.  My mom says they artificially raise their prices so that when they tell you, "You saved $250 today!"  It sounds better than it actually is.  But, keep in mind, that Kohl's has a better priced clearance section than even Target.  If you sign up for Kohl's emails, you're almost always guaranteed an additional 15-20% off your entire purchase, and if you get a Kohl's Credit Card, you'll often receive an extra 30% off with an opportunity to earn Kohl's Cash...which is exactly what it sounds like).  I always buy the boys' clothes for the following season from the clearance rack (shorts and pants go for about $2 a pair.  That's about on par with a thrift store, but they've never been worn!)  Lastly, I love Kohl's because each month they get a new stock of children's items called "Kohl's Cares".  Everything in this section is $5 and 100% of the proceeds go to Children's charities.  This month, their special is Dr. Seuss books and stuffed animals.  We bought "Green Eggs and Ham" and two others that have now slipped my mind, all for $5 each (hardback!)  Trust me.  Kohl's is one you want to add to your repertoire!

IKEA: If you've yet to experience the glory that is IKEA, you owe it to yourself to drive to the nearest one and find out what you've been missing.  John and I like to eat before we shop.  They have an amazing cafeteria (try the Swedish Meatballs!).  IKEA is also one of the most family-friendly stores in existence.  They have a nursing room, complimentary diapers (should the need arise) a bottle-warming station, a children's dining area, as well as play stations throughout the entire store.  If your child is potty trained, they can even spend time in Smaland (a supervised play area while you shop).  What can you expect to find at IKEA?  Everything from furniture to toys to home decor and dinnerware.  But best of all?  You can expect INSPIRATION.  Upstairs, IKEA consists of what they call the Showroom.  You walk along a curving path throughout the store seeing entire rooms constructed with IKEA products.  You can physically lie down on a bed or sit on the couch, or work in the Kitchen to see exactly what you like and what you don't.  If you have a hard time figuring out what your style is, IKEA offers a bit more of a hand's on experience than say, HGTV.  Also, what I love about IKEA, is  that you can find inexpensive stuff for your college dorm or your newlywed pad OR spend a little more for your brand new home.  For every level of your life, IKEA will be there.  As one of my all-time favorite stores, I've been known to drive 4 hours just to spend the afternoon indulging in the IKEA experience.  Sounds extreme, right?  Check it out for yourself, then you'll understand!