Recently, while preparing breakfast, I noticed something that made me stop and take a photo.
My kitchen counter was full of Walmart products.
From sugar to shelled peanuts to semi-sweet chocolate chips to sliced Colby Jack cheese, my countertop was covered in the chain’s Great Value brand. That’s intentional. Still, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had no idea how deep my devotion had grown.
Looking at the photo now, I count 16 Great Value products. There’s milk and mini marshmallows, walnuts and honey wheat bread, black pepper, grape jelly, green beans and more.
The picture tells you everything you need to know about where I shop and what brand I prefer. Now let me tell you why I’m loyal to America’s low-price leader and how I got here.
When I fell in love with dividends, I started buying products only from companies in which I was a shareholder. Everyday household items that we all use are sold by companies like Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, and Johnson & Johnson. When I needed toothpaste or mouthwash, soap or deodorant, dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent, I looked for brands made by those companies.
But then my common sense and contentment prevailed.
I spread my money across several companies, most of which sold more expensive products. I quickly realized that Walmart and its private label brand could meet most of my basic needs.
Before I streamlined my shopping with Walmart, my grocery shopping was chaotic and a mystery from one day to the next. I visited national chains and local grocery stores alike: Target, Pete’s, Mariano’s, Jewel-Osco, Fairplay, and Aldi, without rhyme or reason. When I needed dinner, I stopped and figured it out on the fly. When I needed groceries, I went where there was the best deal on my preferences.
I’d grab some fresh fruit at Pete’s and raid the bakery at Mariano’s. I’d take advantage of the buy-one-get-one deals at Jewel and grab a quick booze at Fairplay.
But as inflation rose and there was talk of a recession in late 2022 and early 2023, I became more cost-conscious. Prices for eggs, milk, and more skyrocketed. Basic necessities were beyond my budget. I felt financially stressed, even though I was earning a good salary.
I remember how paralyzed I was one afternoon sitting in my car in a Walmart parking lot, afraid to get out and pay the rising prices. I had just bought a new transmission and the price of an 18-pack of eggs had just nearly doubled to six dollars. My old habits were no longer sustainable.
Walmart became my preferred retailer because of its low prices and nationwide presence. I also benefited from proximity before the company closed four Chicago locations in April 2023. A Walmart Neighborhood Market was just a 10-minute walk from my apartment before it closed. I had every reason to stick with Walmart.
I also became a Walmart investor. The company is a leader in its industry and will always have a strong market for low-priced goods. When I opened an individual retirement account in December 2022, I invested 10 percent of my portfolio in Walmart stock. To fund my long-term investment, I now rely almost exclusively on Walmart’s private label for household items.
As of this writing, my Walmart share is the best performer in my Roth IRA, up 51.54%.
The change has helped me simplify my decision-making and create more clarity between my wants and needs. By streamlining my shopping and limiting myself to one store, I’ve also regained control over my spending.
According to my credit card statement, I spent $324.51 per month on groceries in 2022, compared to $266.97 in 2023.
My grocery savings have to do with both smarter choices like less alcohol and red meat and simply switching to Walmart. The number may also be inaccurate depending on how my financial institution categorizes my purchases.
But it does provide a rough estimate of how much money I’ve saved through my shopping habits.
I used to despise generics. Now I see the tremendous value of Great Value.
