Where I Shop-Part 3

 

If you are just jumping in here today this is the third in the serious of three answering “Where Do I Shop?”  Today I share my lists from bulk shopping stores.  Bulk shopping is a learned art!  My shopping list never includes all of these items at one time.  That would be a super expensive trip.   The great thing about purchasing in large quantities is that time and money can be saved by purchasing enough for several weeks or months!  I love saving time and money!

 

 

Costco

I was recently asked if I actually saved money with my Costco membership.  I save enough in almond milk and rice milk to break even on the cost of the membership.  The membership gives me access to foods that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to get in bulk, and I like that.

·         Almond Milk

·         Rice Milk

·         Uncooked tortillas (Yes, they are white four, but we do not normally eat white flour so this is an area where I give.  These are a great price-about $7 for 44 tortillas, and have a very short ingredient list.)

·         Nuts

·         Canned salmon

·         Organic tortilla chips

·         Organic salsa

·         Organic lettuce

·         Fruit leather

·         Toilet paper

·         Paper towels

·         Olive oil

·         Grape seed oil

·         Honey

·         Maple syrup

·         Fish sticks (Yep, one more convenience food, but they are made with 50% less breading and wheat flour so I justify!)

·         Frozen tilapia

·         Natural peanut butter

·         Organic eggs

·         Dairy-free chocolate chips

·         Oranges

·         White vinegar

·         Baking soda

·         Contact solution

·         Organic frozen green beans

·         Organic frozen broccoli

·         Coffee

 

Azure Standard

At first I was skeptical about ordering from Azure.  It seemed a little complicated to me.  I order online and pick the order up off the back of some semi?   It has never been difficult.  First, I signed up to join the online co-op which was painless.  You cannot see prices unless you sign up to join the co-op.  I don’t like to sign up for things that I am unsure of, but they do not inundate my inbox with sales and specials as do most online stores.  I appreciate that.  Once a member a phone call can get you the contact information for you area’s co-op organizer if you have specific questions about your drop.  (ie. Where is the specific location of the drop?) There is a minimum order of $50.  The part that made me the most nervous was that I cannot find out about the exact time of our drop until the DAY BEFORE THE DROP!  That made me nervous.  I signed up with a friend so that if one of us was unable to go the other could pick up the order.  The pleasant surprise has been that in the 8 months that I have been ordering from Azure my drop has always come on the Wednesday after the order cut off between 5-6 p.m.  It isn’t as vague of a drop off as I feared.  The prices from Azure are worth any inconvenience.  Organic whole wheat pastry flour is $0.50/ pound.   (Last month we went through around 19lbs of flour!) Organic apples this month were $0.98 per pound.  I love stocking up on a great deal!

·         Organic whole wheat white pastry flour

·         Sucanat

·         Rolled oats

·         Seasonal organic produce (Apples, carrots, peaches, potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, etc.)

·         Coconut yogurt

·         Fish oils

·         Coconut ice cream

·         Coconut oil

·         Frozen organic berries

·         Palm shortening

·         Organic raw cheddar cheese

·         Organic crushed tomatoes-canned

 

Another great online resource worth mentioning is Vitacost.  They do not have the produce deals that I am always looking for, but they do have some really great deals on fats like coconut oil, palm shortening and ghee.  They also carry vitamins and fish oils.  They will often run shipping specials or buy one get one 50% off, but they send me many emails.  I think that is annoying.  They will ship directly to your door which for many is worth something too!  Vitacost is worth checking out.  Email me if you would like a $10 discount code! (simplymadehome@gmail.com)

 

I think that should wrap up my shopping lists.  Did I forget anything?  Were these lists helpful?   Where do you find the best deals?  I would love to know!

 

 

If you missed Part 1 or Part 2 you can read them at these links!

 

This post is linked up at http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/ http://frugallysustainable.com/ http://authenticsimplicity.net/ http://wearethatfamily.com/