March Update – The REAL cost of living
We reported in January about the food prices at area stores. It seemed like a good idea.
Today, with oil prices going as high a $105/barrel, we felt that it was time to do an update on our local cost of living.
We added Walgreens to the mix because their outside sign is advertising milk prices this week. We also added eggs after discussing how much we all use eggs each week in our menu planning.
|
Wed 3/5/08 |
Aldi | Bi-Lo | Food Lion | Walmart | Walgreens |
| Whole Milk | $3.69 | $4.19 | $4.09 | $3.78 | $3.59 |
| 2% Milk | $3.59 | $4.19 | $4.09 | $3.78 | $3.59 |
| Skim Milk | $3.49 | $4.19 | $4.09 | $3.78 | $3.59 |
| White Bread | $.75 | $1.15 | $1.07 | $1.16 | |
| Wheat Bread | $.99 | $1.59 | $1.89 | $1.52 | |
| 1 doz, Large Eggs | $1.75 | $2.19 | $1.99 | $1.82 |
We appreciate the competition between the chain stores on these particular staple food items. But the obscene amount of displayed food at Walmart puts all the other stories to shame and our editors to tears. Our one Walmart over in Montcross has more food on the shelves in one day than many stores in Haiti or Pakistan can display in a year.
We live in a land of plenty and we are thankful for the options and choices that we have in this community.
The REAL cost of living in Belmont
While the Gaston Gazette tracks gas prices, the Belmont Front Porch watches for things that we consider to be closer indicators of cost of living and quality of life: Milk and bread prices.
We tracked milk and bread prices from four local outlets of national/regional chain stores:
|
Wed 1/16/08 |
Aldi | Bi-Lo | Food Lion | Walmart |
| Whole Milk | $3.79 | $4.79 | $4.19 | $4.52 |
| 2% Milk | $3.69 | $4.79 | $4.19 | $4.08 |
| Skim Milk | $3.59 | $4.19 | $4.19 | $3.73 |
| White Bread | $.75 | $1.09 | $1.07 | $1.16 |
| Wheat Bread | $.99 | $1.49 | $1.69 | $1.52 |
All prices reflect the “house brands” of each store, not the name brands.
Oh, and you can get unleaded regular gas at the station on Pole Branch Road (Hwy 273) just over the state line below Seven Oaks for $2.84/galllon (Friday 1/18/08 prices).
The Belmont Front Porch 