Small Talk: The Polygamous Cul-de-Sac

[deirdra]

19 minutes ago, Sandy W said:

When in the US, I have enjoyed shopping at Target and was excited to hear that they were arriving in Canada in 2015. 

I was too, although things at Target in the US (my sister lives in Maryland) seemed overpriced to me, especially with Walmart in the same mall offering the exact same brand/model for 5-10% less.

At Target in Canada the prices were 20% higher, so I rarely bought what little they did have on the shelves.  I wish we had Zellers back!

I always wondered if Target didn't understand exchange rates, import duties, corporate taxes and minimum wage laws involved when you expand to a foreign country.

Edited October 13, 2021 by deirdra

[Yeah No]

46 minutes ago, deirdra said:

I was too, although things at Target in the US (my sister lives in Maryland) seemed overpriced to me, especially with Walmart in the same mall offering the exact same brand/model for 5-10% less.

At Target in Canada the prices were 20% higher, so I rarely bought what little they did have on the shelves.  I wish we had Zellers back!

I always wondered if Target didn't understand exchange rates, import duties, corporate taxes and minimum wage laws involved when you expand to a foreign country.

That's too bad about Target in Canada.  Learning about this made me look to find articles on it and it seems that there were several reasons they failed, and you're right about two of them.  Another reason put forth in a few articles was that the Zeller stores they took over were often too small and had to be expanded, which cost a lot, plus they were often in run down strip malls, which is not in keeping with Target's upscale image in the US.  Target's core customers here are middle to upper middle class.  Also, it seems as though they expanded way too rapidly, before they figured out how to to business successfully in Canada.  Other US businesses have been successful in Canada but only because they grew there more gradually and absorbed losses due to having to lower prices to stay competitive with the competition.  Target definitely suffered from overconfidence in Canada.  And that's sad because I would think that Target could succeed very well in Canada if not for that.

I have always thought Target was a little overpriced compared to Walmart, but I figured it was a small price to pay because at least here in the US Walmarts can be in dicey, higher crime neighborhoods and going there involves a risk, plus the stores didn't provide the best shopping experience overall.  Target in the US gives it's credit card customers a 5% discount so that helps compete with the Walmart prices, plus they have a no-fee debit card option that I use to avoid interest.  I still go to Walmarts here in my area, but they are smaller ones.  There are a few Super Walmarts with groceries in the area but they are a drive plus I have to be up for going there for all sorts of reasons which now include Covid because they are usually in areas with higher Covid rates than mine.  I didn't go to any of those Walmarts for a long time since the pandemic but started to go back this Spring and Summer, about once a month or so.   I try to pick days and times when they're likely to be less crowded, like early in the day on a Tuesday and never the first week of the month, LOL (government check time).  I'm due for another trip to one probably next week or so, which according to my calculations should be the best time to go.

Another reason I read for Target's failure in Canada was that they had supply chain issues and the shelves were often not stocked more than 50%.  Another aspect of misjudging the ins and outs of importing goods to Canada.  Interestingly this Summer Walmart's shelves were starting to look like that, but of course now the pandemic is to blame for it.  It was really shocking there for a while, and sad.  They've since gotten a little better stocked but it still hasn't been great.

 

[Cetacean]

On the flip side, Tim Horton's moved into the midwestern US from Canada.  I am a huge Timmie's fan but sadly they are rapidly closing their doors all over the place. Wonderful bagels, great soup, a soup-and-sandwich combo lunch, and coffee drinkers were addicted to it.  Broke my heart to see them go, it was the one different place in town.  

I hate Wallie World, loved Target when I lived in a city that had both.  Now I am stuck with Wallie World so it's online shopping for me.  Their stuff is just crap.

[TurtlePower]

9 hours ago, Yeah No said:

That's too bad about Target in Canada.  Learning about this made me look to find articles on it and it seems that there were several reasons they failed, and you're right about two of them.  Another reason put forth in a few articles was that the Zeller stores they took over were often too small and had to be expanded, which cost a lot, plus they were often in run down strip malls, which is not in keeping with Target's upscale image in the US.  Target's core customers here are middle to upper middle class.  Also, it seems as though they expanded way too rapidly, before they figured out how to to business successfully in Canada.  Other US businesses have been successful in Canada but only because they grew there more gradually and absorbed losses due to having to lower prices to stay competitive with the competition.  Target definitely suffered from overconfidence in Canada.  And that's sad because I would think that Target could succeed very well in Canada if not for that.

I have always thought Target was a little overpriced compared to Walmart, but I figured it was a small price to pay because at least here in the US Walmarts can be in dicey, higher crime neighborhoods and going there involves a risk, plus the stores didn't provide the best shopping experience overall.  Target in the US gives it's credit card customers a 5% discount so that helps compete with the Walmart prices, plus they have a no-fee debit card option that I use to avoid interest.  I still go to Walmarts here in my area, but they are smaller ones.  There are a few Super Walmarts with groceries in the area but they are a drive plus I have to be up for going there for all sorts of reasons which now include Covid because they are usually in areas with higher Covid rates than mine.  I didn't go to any of those Walmarts for a long time since the pandemic but started to go back this Spring and Summer, about once a month or so.   I try to pick days and times when they're likely to be less crowded, like early in the day on a Tuesday and never the first week of the month, LOL (government check time).  I'm due for another trip to one probably next week or so, which according to my calculations should be the best time to go.

Another reason I read for Target's failure in Canada was that they had supply chain issues and the shelves were often not stocked more than 50%.  Another aspect of misjudging the ins and outs of importing goods to Canada.  Interestingly this Summer Walmart's shelves were starting to look like that, but of course now the pandemic is to blame for it.  It was really shocking there for a while, and sad.  They've since gotten a little better stocked but it still hasn't been great.

 

I like Target better than Walmart because Target has more choices—better brands available. The Walmart in the town we lived was a shithole—we complained to corporate many times about opened packages in the shelf for sale, spills never cleaned, lazy employees and perpetually trashed bathrooms. They rarely had higher-quality brands available, just the garbage ones. 

I don’t care for Walmart anyways—they may have low prices, but we don’t know the working conditions or pay of the workers in some of these countries where products are so cheaply made. We insist our own workers get a fair wage, but we want cheap products made by someone in another part of the world who may be in abusive conditions. Walmart is a bag of d*cks. 

[Sandy W]

1 hour ago, Cetacean said:

On the flip side, Tim Horton's moved into the midwestern US from Canada.  I am a huge Timmie's fan but sadly they are rapidly closing their doors all over the place. Wonderful bagels, great soup, a soup-and-sandwich combo lunch, and coffee drinkers were addicted to it.  Broke my heart to see them go, it was the one different place in town.  

I hate Wallie World, loved Target when I lived in a city that had both.  Now I am stuck with Wallie World so it's online shopping for me.  Their stuff is just crap.

People take their brand loyalty seriously, and that brand loyalty may be what caused Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme to fail here in Canada.  Once people have established a routine for their quick breakfast/lunch and coffee fix, it's hard to break.

Does anyone else elevate the status of shopping at Target and claim their item was purchased at "Tar-Jay"?  We once had a chain of discount department stores in western Canada called Army & Navy.  They possibly started out as surplus military goods (not sure about that) but when I shopped there, they carried ends of lines from upscale stores as well as off-shore manufactured junk.  If you happened to be an odd shoe size, you may hit it lucky and pick up a pair of $200. shoes for $20.  These Army & Navy stores were usually located in seedy parts of the cities and were fondly referred to as "Madam Mar-May", rather than admit you bargain shopped.  I was always rather proud if I could score a great find there but still referenced Madam Mar-May if asked where purchased.

 

[laurakaye]

24 minutes ago, Cetacean said:

On the flip side, Tim Horton's moved into the midwestern US from Canada.  I am a huge Timmie's fan but sadly they are rapidly closing their doors all over the place. Wonderful bagels, great soup, a soup-and-sandwich combo lunch, and coffee drinkers were addicted to it.  Broke my heart to see them go, it was the one different place in town.  

I hate Wallie World, loved Target when I lived in a city that had both.  Now I am stuck with Wallie World so it's online shopping for me.  Their stuff is just crap.

I was like, Wallie World?  Like from the Vacation movie?  Duh....:)

I loathe our closest Walmart so it's Target all the way for me.

Now I don't know what I have to do to get a Dunkin' Donuts around here that's closer than a 30-minute drive....every time we get one, it's open for a year and then closes.  But we have 1,430 Starbucks.  Give me my Dunkin' coffee!

[iwantcookies]

I hate dunkin and Starbucks regular coffee. Iced or Frappuccino are okay. 
 

I buy a lot of stuff from the Walmart site. I have never been to an actual store.
 

Target is overpriced… it used to be more affordable.  

[Yeah No]

1 hour ago, TurtlePower said:

I like Target better than Walmart because Target has more choices—better brands available. The Walmart in the town we lived was a shithole—we complained to corporate many times about opened packages in the shelf for sale, spills never cleaned, lazy employees and perpetually trashed bathrooms. They rarely had higher-quality brands available, just the garbage ones. 

I don’t care for Walmart anyways—they may have low prices, but we don’t know the working conditions or pay of the workers in some of these countries where products are so cheaply made. We insist our own workers get a fair wage, but we want cheap products made by someone in another part of the world who may be in abusive conditions. Walmart is a bag of d*cks. 

Yup I agree on all counts which is one reason I try to avoid Walley World as much as possible.  The only thing is that the supermarkets around here are REALLY expensive comparatively and Target just doesn't have all that Walmart does in stock.  So I tend to go there on "targeted missions" to get stuff I can't find elsewhere or would just be too expensive otherwise. 

1 hour ago, Cetacean said:

On the flip side, Tim Horton's moved into the midwestern US from Canada.  I am a huge Timmie's fan but sadly they are rapidly closing their doors all over the place. Wonderful bagels, great soup, a soup-and-sandwich combo lunch, and coffee drinkers were addicted to it.  Broke my heart to see them go, it was the one different place in town.  

I hate Wallie World, loved Target when I lived in a city that had both.  Now I am stuck with Wallie World so it's online shopping for me.  Their stuff is just crap.

Tim Hortons failed in CT.  They had opened a few locations but all are gone now.  Same for Krispy Kreme.  They once had several locations all over the state but now only one at one of the Casinos.  This is the land of Dunkin' and nothing is going to change that it seems.

12 minutes ago, Sandy W said:

Does anyone else elevate the status of shopping at Target and claim their item was purchased at "Tar-Jay"? 

Yes, the same person that taught me that one over 20 years ago also called it "The Bullseye Boutique".  That one is my favorite, LOL.

Speaking of that, back in the 90's when visiting friends in the Midwest I visited my first Target and my first Kohls and wished we had them.  Neither one was in the Northeast yet.  We didn't start getting either one until the very late 90s and early 2000s.  Both stores were expanding here at the same time and did very well doing so.  They were in the right place at the right time.  Caldor had just closed down so we needed a Target, plus Walmart wasn't so big here back then either.  We only had a few Walmarts then so there wasn't much competition.  And somehow Kohls met a need here as there was never enough clothing retail in the suburbs outside the mall unless it was aimed at teenyboppers.  Now we are back to not having enough clothing retail unless you want to shop online.  And Kohls is hanging on although I am not in love with some of the big changes they have been making lately, like opening up that big Sephora inside some stores.

[iwantcookies]

These are the best. Cookies. Ever.

Jenelle buy a few boxes. You are welcome.

[iwantcookies]

I bought this one. Looks cute and has a hood!

 

 

[Pickleinthemiddle]

14 hours ago, Yeah No said:

That's too bad about Target in Canada.  Learning about this made me look to find articles on it and it seems that there were several reasons they failed, and you're right about two of them.  Another reason put forth in a few articles was that the Zeller stores they took over were often too small and had to be expanded, which cost a lot, plus they were often in run down strip malls, which is not in keeping with Target's upscale image in the US.  Target's core customers here are middle to upper middle class.  Also, it seems as though they expanded way too rapidly, before they figured out how to to business successfully in Canada.  Other US businesses have been successful in Canada but only because they grew there more gradually and absorbed losses due to having to lower prices to stay competitive with the competition.  Target definitely suffered from overconfidence in Canada.  And that's sad because I would think that Target could succeed very well in Canada if not for that.

I have always thought Target was a little overpriced compared to Walmart, but I figured it was a small price to pay because at least here in the US Walmarts can be in dicey, higher crime neighborhoods and going there involves a risk, plus the stores didn't provide the best shopping experience overall.  Target in the US gives it's credit card customers a 5% discount so that helps compete with the Walmart prices, plus they have a no-fee debit card option that I use to avoid interest.  I still go to Walmarts here in my area, but they are smaller ones.  There are a few Super Walmarts with groceries in the area but they are a drive plus I have to be up for going there for all sorts of reasons which now include Covid because they are usually in areas with higher Covid rates than mine.  I didn't go to any of those Walmarts for a long time since the pandemic but started to go back this Spring and Summer, about once a month or so.   I try to pick days and times when they're likely to be less crowded, like early in the day on a Tuesday and never the first week of the month, LOL (government check time).  I'm due for another trip to one probably next week or so, which according to my calculations should be the best time to go.

Another reason I read for Target's failure in Canada was that they had supply chain issues and the shelves were often not stocked more than 50%.  Another aspect of misjudging the ins and outs of importing goods to Canada.  Interestingly this Summer Walmart's shelves were starting to look like that, but of course now the pandemic is to blame for it.  It was really shocking there for a while, and sad.  They've since gotten a little better stocked but it still hasn't been great.

 

My daughter worked for Target around the time they tried to make a go of it in Canada.  They were also not allowed to use the technology ( hand held scanners ) to make the work easier.  Something to do with the local stores already there not being able to compete on the same level as Target.  So they had to adhere to the same work standards.  She said the stores they had in the US along the border, had a lot of shoppers from Canada.  

[Yeah No]

2 hours ago, Pickleinthemiddle said:

My daughter worked for Target around the time they tried to make a go of it in Canada.  They were also not allowed to use the technology ( hand held scanners ) to make the work easier.  Something to do with the local stores already there not being able to compete on the same level as Target.  So they had to adhere to the same work standards.  She said the stores they had in the US along the border, had a lot of shoppers from Canada.  

I just read another one of those articles about Target in Canada and it said that most Canadians live within 100 miles of the U.S. Border so many of them were already used to going to the U.S. to shop at Target.  They got used to the U.S. prices and had sticker shock when they saw how much more expensive the prices were at the Canada Targets.  Now that the border is supposed to be opening up again to Canadians they can come back and shop here again.

I wanted to say that that Target I photographed myself in was previously a Walmart Neighborhood Market.  Walmart thought it was going to open up supermarkets all over the place, but they didn't do as well as planned here in CT and they all closed.  That one opened in 2013 and closed in 2016.  The manager told me they were jacking up the rent astronomically.  I don't think the town liked the idea of a Walmart there and they were pushed out.  The people were complaining online like it was beneath the town to have a Walmart.  It's one of those snooty places that thinks it's much higher class than it really is if you ask me.  My town borders that one and is IMHO a nicer place, lower crime, beautiful scenery and we love our Walmart, but it is much nicer than that most I've ever been to, to be honest.  I am lucky in that way.  It's small but extremely nice and civilized.  When I first moved to this area and discovered it I would go there almost exclusively.  I called it the "Walmart in Heaven".  It's no wonder we eventually moved to this town.  A Whole Foods just opened only a mile and a half from me.  It is bigger and more spectacular than the two in that other "snooty" town, LOL, plus it has great outdoor seating under an overhang.  😜

"Whole Paycheck".  😄

[Cetacean]

2 hours ago, Yeah No said:

My town borders that one and is IMHO a nicer place, lower crime, beautiful scenery and we love our Walmart, but it is much nicer than that most I've ever been to, to be honest.  I am lucky in that way.  It's small but extremely nice and civilized.

Good for you, mine is one of those where they can film "People of Walmart" videos.  Nobody wears a mask and people confront you when they do.  I only do curbside pick up there and only if I can't get what I want at the independently owned grocery.  Because there isn't anyplace else to get a lot of stuff, Wallie World thrives. The closest place to even buy a shower curtain is over an hour away.

[Pickleinthemiddle]

12 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I just read another one of those articles about Target in Canada and it said that most Canadians live within 100 miles of the U.S. Border so many of them were already used to going to the U.S. to shop at Target.  They got used to the U.S. prices and had sticker shock when they saw how much more expensive the prices were at the Canada Targets.  Now that the border is supposed to be opening up again to Canadians they can come back and shop here again.

I wanted to say that that Target I photographed myself in was previously a Walmart Neighborhood Market.  Walmart thought it was going to open up supermarkets all over the place, but they didn't do as well as planned here in CT and they all closed.  That one opened in 2013 and closed in 2016.  The manager told me they were jacking up the rent astronomically.  I don't think the town liked the idea of a Walmart there and they were pushed out.  The people were complaining online like it was beneath the town to have a Walmart.  It's one of those snooty places that thinks it's much higher class than it really is if you ask me.  My town borders that one and is IMHO a nicer place, lower crime, beautiful scenery and we love our Walmart, but it is much nicer than that most I've ever been to, to be honest.  I am lucky in that way.  It's small but extremely nice and civilized.  When I first moved to this area and discovered it I would go there almost exclusively.  I called it the "Walmart in Heaven".  It's no wonder we eventually moved to this town.  A Whole Foods just opened only a mile and a half from me.  It is bigger and more spectacular than the two in that other "snooty" town, LOL, plus it has great outdoor seating under an overhang.  😜

"Whole Paycheck".  😄

Our Walmart is somewhat new.  They keep it very clean and it's better than most I have been in.

[Yeah No]

13 hours ago, Cetacean said:

Good for you, mine is one of those where they can film "People of Walmart" videos.  Nobody wears a mask and people confront you when they do.  I only do curbside pick up there and only if I can't get what I want at the independently owned grocery.  Because there isn't anyplace else to get a lot of stuff, Wallie World thrives. The closest place to even buy a shower curtain is over an hour away.

Wow, I didn't know you were so far away from shopping.  I'm in what is considered a suburb but by my NY standards it leans a little more toward country than suburb in places given that there are small farms all around here.  The population density is at least 2/3 lower here than in the NY metro. area so there are suburbs and there are suburbs.

I just heard that Social Security got a 5.9% COLA this year, higher than any in 40 years.  That's telling about inflation since the pandemic.  That's one reason I'm continuing to shop at Walmart.  Prices have gone out of control this year and I do believe the official numbers on inflation are grossly underestimated.  I recently saw an article saying that our prices in this area are almost as high as in NYC for groceries and necessities.  Meanwhile the salaries don't measure up to NYC levels.  So I'm really struggling to keep within a budget these days.

[Mahamid Frauded Me]

Back in the 90's when I moved into my first apartment my go to store was Big Lots. I would buy home décor, sheets and towels, back then I didn't really care about quality, it was cheap and being I had to use the apartment complex laundry mat, find quarters, I wound up with tons of towels, sheets.. This was before Home Goods, Tuesday Mornings started popping up. Back in 2008-2009 when that recession hit, they jacked up their prices by quite a bit, but the quality was still junk. I went there a few months ago, I think Walmart was still cheaper (was looking for outdoor lighting). I still go to Target occasionally (their Market Pantry pickles are really good and inexpensive, if you are a pickle person like me and Claussen's are not on sale). I do Walmart, but never buy cloths. I went several years ago and picked up a cotton lightweight summer dress, one wash and it shrunk to almost 1/2 the length. However, if you have a super Walmart or Neighborhood market, they do make a banging coleslaw.

[Yeah No]

7 minutes ago, Mahamid Frauded Me said:

Back in the 90's when I moved into my first apartment my go to store was Big Lots. I would buy home décor, sheets and towels, back then I didn't really care about quality, it was cheap and being I had to use the apartment complex laundry mat, find quarters, I wound up with tons of towels, sheets.. This was before Home Goods, Tuesday Mornings started popping up. Back in 2008-2009 when that recession hit, they jacked up their prices by quite a bit, but the quality was still junk. I went there a few months ago, I think Walmart was still cheaper (was looking for outdoor lighting). I still go to Target occasionally (their Market Pantry pickles are really good and inexpensive, if you are a pickle person like me and Claussen's are not on sale). I do Walmart, but never buy cloths. I went several years ago and picked up a cotton lightweight summer dress, one wash and it shrunk to almost 1/2 the length. However, if you have a super Walmart or Neighborhood market, they do make a banging coleslaw.

I agree with you about Big Lots.  I used to buy clothes at Walmart but after the recession of '08 they deliberately cheapened their clothing to the point where I wouldn't buy it anymore. They said they were getting out of the fashion side of women's clothing and eliminated a lot of stuff.  I used to find really cute and well made stuff there cheap, in fact I was marveling the other day about a few tops I have from back in that day that still look great.  But I haven't bought any clothing there in years.  OK I bought a couple of T shirts and leggings to wear around the house and a few pairs of slippers but that's about it.

Does anyone shop at Aldi?  They are growing in my area and I shop there all the time now too because their quality and prices for what they offer are amazing.  Some of their prices are better than others but overall I save a lot going there and often like their stuff better than the name brands.

[Mahamid Frauded Me]

We don't have an Aldi out here, but I was just back in NJ (mom fell broke her hip) and my sister likes that store. I did go to a store called Giuseppe's, and OMG I would be there everyday. Everything looked delish, pricey but they have tons of premade meals, their hot deli department....Im now hungry

[iwantcookies]

Free assembly clothing line from Walmart is decent. I bought it this year. 

 

 

[Yeah No]

9 minutes ago, iwantcookies said:

Free assembly clothing line from Walmart is decent. I bought it this year. 

So far it looks like they only sell it online.  I haven't seen it in stores and when I searched to find it in store it came up with nothing.  Hopefully that will change.

[lookeyloo]

1 hour ago, Yeah No said:

I agree with you about Big Lots.  I used to buy clothes at Walmart but after the recession of '08 they deliberately cheapened their clothing to the point where I wouldn't buy it anymore. They said they were getting out of the fashion side of women's clothing and eliminated a lot of stuff.  I used to find really cute and well made stuff there cheap, in fact I was marveling the other day about a few tops I have from back in that day that still look great.  But I haven't bought any clothing there in years.  OK I bought a couple of T shirts and leggings to wear around the house and a few pairs of slippers but that's about it.

Does anyone shop at Aldi?  They are growing in my area and I shop there all the time now too because their quality and prices for what they offer are amazing.  Some of their prices are better than others but overall I save a lot going there and often like their stuff better than the name brands.

We have an Aldi that I don't like for various reasons - some of their items are priced well.  But a LIDL opened up two blocks down and I love that store.  Great prices, a good enough selection that I can start there and then just fill in at another store.  Also they have grass fed organic beef and pasture raised chicken at very reasonable prices.  

[iwantcookies]

23 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

So far it looks like they only sell it online.  I haven't seen it in stores and when I searched to find it in store it came up with nothing.  Hopefully that will change.

probably will be only sold online. 

[laurakaye]

I love my Aldi except that they need to stop bringing in new and amazing candles because my secret candle stash cupboard is nearly full and I am running out of hiding places.

But I love their southwest salad mix, their port wine cheeseballs (seasonal), their white cheddar puffs, and while some people shy away from their meat section, it has gotten tons better in the last several years and we have never once had any issue with what we buy from them.  Occasionally I will find something there that I don't like (not a fan of their peanut butter or pasta sauces) but I just live and learn and don't buy it again.

I had the pleasure of going into a Whole Foods for the first time when we were in Denver.  Hard pass.  Lovely food, but way too expensive.  Also I felt like I needed to be dressed in workout gear to shop there, with a dog patiently waiting for me outside. :)

LIDL and Aldi are owned by the same company, yes?  I wonder how they determine which locations get an Aldi and which get a LIDL?

 

 

Edited October 14, 2021 by laurakaye

[lookeyloo]

https://www.aldireviewer.com/how-are-aldi-and-lidl-related/

Ours are very close by on the same road.

[ginger90]

@Mahamid Frauded Me sending healing vibes to your mom.

[Mahamid Frauded Me]

4 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

@Mahamid Frauded Me sending healing vibes to your mom.

Thank you, she is doing well, made some good progress while I was there, but she is a stubborn lady and everything is her way or no way...she is 83 and extremely pessimistic  

[Yeah No]

1 hour ago, laurakaye said:

I love my Aldi except that they need to stop bringing in new and amazing candles because my secret candle stash cupboard is nearly full and I am running out of hiding places.

But I love their southwest salad mix, their port wine cheeseballs (seasonal), their white cheddar puffs, and while some people shy away from their meat section, it has gotten tons better in the last several years and we have never once had any issue with what we buy from them.  Occasionally I will find something there that I don't like (not a fan of their peanut butter or pasta sauces) but I just live and learn and don't buy it again.

I had the pleasure of going into a Whole Foods for the first time when we were in Denver.  Hard pass.  Lovely food, but way too expensive.  Also I felt like I needed to be dressed in workout gear to shop there, with a dog patiently waiting for me outside. :)

LIDL and Aldi are owned by the same company, yes?  I wonder how they determine which locations get an Aldi and which get a LIDL?

I agree with you about the Southwest Salad Mix.  I also love their milk prices and found out how to tell what dairy it really comes from - It turns out it's a regular supermarket brand that is normally sold in supermarkets for twice the price.  So no contest there.  I got over my aversion to their meat when people in the store told me it was very good and I have not been disappointed, in fact their chuck roast is better and cheaper than the supermarket even when on sale.

Where Whole Foods (paycheck) is concerned, I only shop either their big sale items or 365 brands as they are often high quality at excellent prices.  Those are mostly staple items like milk, butter, eggs, etc.  So you have to ignore all the other high priced stuff and stick to that.

I know about Lidl from a friend on Long Island that has both Aldi and Lidl and she says she likes both for different things.  I doubt we'll ever get Lidl around here as I don't think the population density could support both.  Oh well.

2 minutes ago, Mahamid Frauded Me said:

Thank you, she is doing well, made some good progress while I was there, but she is a stubborn lady and everything is her way or no way...she is 83 and extremely pessimistic  

That is so good to hear, thanks for updating us!!!

[iwantcookies]

6 hours ago, Mahamid Frauded Me said:

Thank you, she is doing well, made some good progress while I was there, but she is a stubborn lady and everything is her way or no way...she is 83 and extremely pessimistic  

Wishing your mom a speedy recovery.

[Teafortwo]

1 hour ago, iwantcookies said:

Wishing your mom a speedy recovery.

@Mahamid Frauded Me Same here. I'll keep you both in my thoughts. Stubborn and pessimistic is a tough combo!

[MsTree]

On 10/13/2021 at 10:21 AM, iwantcookies said:

These are the best. Cookies. Ever

Dumb question...what exactly is "cookie butter"???  I understand cookies, and I understand butter. Never heard of cookie butter, or whatever that stuff is in the middle.

[ginger90]

4 hours ago, MsTree said:

Dumb question...what exactly is "cookie butter"???  I understand cookies, and I understand butter. Never heard of cookie butter, or whatever that stuff is in the middle.

Here you go: https://www.brandeating.com/2015/01/review-trader-joes-cookie-butter-sandwich-cookies.html

[MsTree]

Thanks! I will give them a try even though I'm more of a crispy, crunchy cookie lover.

[Kbo]

Some poor soul near me is trying to unload their LLR.  I’m particularly struck by the Statue of Liberty print, that’s got to be a prime candidate for creating awkward situations around delicate lady parts. 

[xwordfanatik]

Even if I wanted to buy any of those hideous things, looking at the sheet they're lying on would make me say no!  Filthy.

What a sad thing to be stuck with.  The person probably is in hock up to their eyeballs because they bought into that shit MLM.

[ginger90]

23 minutes ago, Kbo said:

Some poor soul near me is trying to unload their LLR.  I’m particularly struck by the Statue of Liberty print, that’s got to be a prime candidate for creating awkward situations around delicate lady parts. 

How much are they selling them for? Near me there’s always a bunch on Facebook marketplace, from $3-$5.

[Cetacean]

12 minutes ago, xwordfanatik said:

Even if I wanted to buy any of those hideous things, looking at the sheet they're lying on would make me say no!  Filthy.

Yeah, the marketing scheme is not exactly a selling point - a dirty sheet over cracked concrete against the side of the building.  Charming.  But, sadly, this is someone who bought into the schtick who could clearly not afford to and has done poorly.

[Kbo]

1 hour ago, ginger90 said:

How much are they selling them for? Near me there’s always a bunch on Facebook marketplace, from $3-$5.

She’s asking $15!  Wishful thinking on her part.  I was so mesmerized by the hideous prints I didn’t even notice the sheet, that’s gross.  

[iwantcookies]

On 10/15/2021 at 3:24 AM, MsTree said:

Dumb question...what exactly is "cookie butter"???  I understand cookies, and I understand butter. Never heard of cookie butter, or whatever that stuff is in the middle.

https://www.shopbiscoff.com/lotus-biscoff-crunchy-cookie-butter-1-jar?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx5XT4K_P8wIVhbLICh09PQQmEAQYAiABEgL-LPD_BwE
 

try this! Omg it’s divine. 

[iwantcookies]

Any of you go back to the movies? Thanks to Janelle now I want to go and even buy popcorn lol. 

[HighlandWarriorGrl]

11 minutes ago, iwantcookies said:

Any of you go back to the movies? Thanks to Janelle now I want to go and even buy popcorn lol. 

Glad I wasn’t the only one thinking, God, I love movie popcorn!

[Rabbit Hutch]

41 minutes ago, HighlandWarriorGrl said:

Glad I wasn’t the only one thinking, God, I love movie popcorn!

As do I!  But  now I only eat it rarely...getting older and tummy doesn't absorb it like it did in my 20s.  But what a yummy, delicious mess it is!!!  😍

[iwantcookies]

I think I will brave it and go see the James Bond movie. 

Edited October 24, 2021 by iwantcookies

[DakotaJustice]

3 hours ago, iwantcookies said:

Any of you go back to the movies? Thanks to Janelle now I want to go and even buy popcorn lol. 

I went on a date last month to see Shang Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings. 

I'm an MCU fan. 

However the guy I went with not only bogarted most of the popcorn (including the unpopped kernels) but he was an ice chewer which is so bad for your teeth it's like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. We only had one more date after that. Good movie though. 

[iwantcookies]

9 minutes ago, DakotaJustice said:

I went on a date last month to see Shang Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings. 

I'm an MCU fan. 

However the guy I went with not only bogarted most of the popcorn (including the unpopped kernels) but he was an ice chewer which is so bad for your teeth it's like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. We only had one more date after that. Good movie though. 

I was about to ask you how the movie was. You answered in the last sentence. 

[xwordfanatik]

35 minutes ago, DakotaJustice said:

I went on a date last month to see Shang Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings. 

I'm an MCU fan. 

However the guy I went with not only bogarted most of the popcorn (including the unpopped kernels) but he was an ice chewer which is so bad for your teeth it's like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. We only had one more date after that. Good movie though. 

I've broken a crown, chewing ice.  It's a hard habit to break!

I rilly don't even remember the last time we saw a movie in a theatre.  I'd rather watch at home and be comfy.  Especially now.  Covid is still rampant around here, unfortunately.

[DakotaJustice]

43 minutes ago, iwantcookies said:

I was about to ask you how the movie was. You answered in the last sentence. 

I'm going to renew Disney + just to watch it again! 

[iwantcookies]

My little rant: 

too many streaming services and they all add up to a pretty penny every month. Plus internet. I wish it was all cheaper! I have 2 Hulu and HBO. Netflix only a few months a year.

 

Side question: anyone watching the show You on Netflix? I have not seen S3 yet. But oh my what a show.

[Mahamid Frauded Me]

yes @iwantcookies I totally forgot Netflix dropped S3 about 2 weeks ago, started watching S3E1 last night. S1&2 were really good, I hope S3 does not disappoint

[outtahere]

Yes I just finished the third season of YOU.  It will blow you away.  Another excellent show on Netflix is OZARK.  There are many others including BREAKING BAD and BETTER CALL SAUL.

Enjoy.

[Yeah No]

6 hours ago, iwantcookies said:

Any of you go back to the movies? Thanks to Janelle now I want to go and even buy popcorn lol. 

No, I'm not ready for that yet.  I'm still doing outdoor seating at restaurants.  I'm ready to wear my parka out there this Winter although I'm not sure anyone would join me, LOL.

I just got my Moderna booster about 6 hours ago.  So far no symptoms, all is good, just feel a little tired.

Edited October 24, 2021 by Yeah No