Well today I took a trip to Sam's Club to do some research on whether or not it would be smart for us to get a $40 membership for a year. Upon entering the Sam's property I was immediately sold on the gas that was 15 cents cheaper than our station down the street ($2.24 to $2.39). After I walked in though I was reminded how huge these kind of stores are and the Stuff Mart song came to mind. I was like Madame Blueberry trying to remind myself that I did not need all these things. (Coincidently the sermon this morning was on placing value on your life instead of your things in life). So the green friendliness of my book reminds readers to buy in bulk only when the purchases are things that can actually be used and not throw leftovers to waste (like toilet paper for example would be a good buy). Bulk is good when you can avoid less packaging- but this is not what I found inside the Club. My bleeding heart was just aching at all of the wrapping and packaging that was around everything.
Needless to say, the gas savings are not going to add up to the membership value for me. We will continue to hit up our vitamin dealers (Nate and Bekah) to purchase the gummivites on their club card- but I can't do it. I was also reminded of a great reflection and song by David Wilcox called "That's what the lonely is for." It is a fabulous musing about his trip to Hearst Castle and how bothered he became by the ostentatious place that was not shared but for a single person with a table that fit 30. If you don't know his stuff yet- check out the live songs and stories cd. The short of his reflection is that there is a good benefit to feeling lonely and we shouldn't try to surround ourselves with stuff and things to try and fill it. That is a great reminder that I know I can always use! Thanks for listening. ~Lyndsy
Lyns! You crack me up - and I love this post. Even if you think of the difference in gas ($.15/gallon). On a tank of gas its only $2.25 savings. Which means that for the gas alone to be worth it, you'd have to fill up over 20 times! Now you and J-dub might fill up twice a month, but I'm guessing not every month. And if you read about big-box warehouses like that, you'd be even more sad to learn that things like TP are not even that much cheaper per roll or square than at the grocery store. Its on paper products that stores like Sams and Costco make their money.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, i can't justify a membership either (if only because I live in 400 square feet and have no place to put bulk anything!) - but I do sometimes use my mom's membership to buy shampoo or toothbrush heads. :)
My real reason for replying initially was to say that I love Madame Blueberry and that video and my friend Karen and I will always say to each other - whenever we see something advertised that is totally unneccesary to life: "Air Compressor?" from the Stuff Mart!
LOL! Thanks for reminding me why its good to shop in my neighborhood and that bulk is not the answer! (we don't even have a walmart! there is only one in the whole city limits....)