Why We Don't Shop At Costco or Sam's Club

We don't shop at big warehouse club stores.  There are only two people and a dog in our household.  We live in an apartment.  We don't have the space required to store a two month supply of anything.  It only makes sense to buy in bulk if you have storage space and a big enough appetite to eat all that food.  You can't buy anything that will spoil in bulk unless you can actually consume it all.

We find that it makes much more sense for us to buy small packages that we can consume in a reasonable amount of time.  That drives us towards stores that have smaller package sizes and low prices.  We find ourselves in Target, Aldi, Trader Joe's, and traditional grocery stores like Publix on a regular basis.  Plus, who really needs to buy books, a printer, and an exercise bike when shopping for groceries.

How To Save Kmart

Over the weekend, I saw a $500 blender a Target.  It made me pause and wonder if the chain was leaving working people behind.  Target has gone designer in every category.  Walmart is struggling to keep up.  They want value-oriented upper middle class customers, too.  I hope that leaves a space in the market for Kmart.

Kmart in Cobb County, Georgia

When I was growing up, Kmart was the place cheap parents shopped.  Now, that I'm older, I need to be cheap, too.  But, to succeed Kmart has to improve and differentiate itself from Wal-Mart and Target.

 Kmart has some valuable tools in their toolbox.  For example, they can sell respected Sears tool and appliance brands.  They also have affordable big and tall clothing for men.

But, success is a long road.  In my opinion, Kmart has to do a better job ensuring that sale prices are reflected by floor scanners and registers.  They also need to be faster at processing returns at customer service.  Finally, they need to attract more customers through advertising and great sales.

The Weakest Links: Kmart, Sears, and JC Penney

Can you imagine a world with nothing but Wal-Mart and Target?  It would suck.  They would only sell the items that their computers deem most profitable.   Prices would rise and the diversity of products offered would decline.  We would find yourself in situations like my wife and I found ourselves in a few years ago.  We were looking for a lampshade and we found one.  But, Target didn't have lamp harps so we had to abandon the project.

We need o keep diversity alive, buy shopping at all the different stores.  Buyng something from Sears, Kmart, and JC Penny helps keep them in business.
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The Little Stereo from Kmart

I like Kmart because it helps keep Target and Walmart honest.  Plus, we have a nice Kmart tucked away in suburban Atlanta.  On a recent shopping trip to Kmart, I found a great little stereo system for our apartment.  It only cost $45.  It's not super loud, but it does connect to all my devices.  It's a great little stereo for a small space.  Here is my review:

Compact Stereo Review:  GPX Home Music System with CD Player

GPX Home Music System with CD Player

Features to Look for in a Mini or Compact Stereo

Whenever I visit a Big Box Store, I have to breeze through the electronics section.  I don't really have the money to refresh my consumer electronics right now, but I like to see what's on the market.  Right now, I'm most interested in small stereos called bookshelf, compact, or mini stereos.  They seem like the perfect size for an apartment.  It's also interesting to see about electronics companies are adapting to the changes in the way people listen to music.

Over the past few months, I've distilled the features that I would look for in a bookshelf stereo into one convenient list.  You can read about the best features to look for in a compact stereo here:

How to Buy a Compact Stereo

An Older JVC Mini Stereo

Target has Cool Audio Gear

In our big box wanderings, we've noticed that Target has a great selection of audio gear.  They have Crosley AM/FM radios for $50.  They incorporated ducted tube speakers like you'd see on the Bose Wave Radio and they sound great.   They also have Bose speakers for your PC for about $99.  These too sound awesome!

Last Minute Gifts from the Drugstore!

Sometimes, your last best hope for a Christmas gift is the small box stores - your local drugstore.  Many times they are just more convenient than the big box stores and they have some good deals.  If you are at a loss for a gift or you need to pick something up quick on the way to an event, here are some ideas for last minute gifts from the drugstore.

Last Minute Gifts from Your Local Drugstore