Target prices (sales, lease, insurance)

[Slinkygirl]

I flew the red-eye out of Kona last week and had an hour to kill before going to the airport so I walked through Target and took photos of the prices of things I buy frequently or thought I might need to buy if I were to relocate. Here's what I found, rounded up to the nearest .50:

Wooden barstool 24
Lamp base 24
Organic cotton queen sheet set 53
Cranberry juice 4.50. 64 oz
2-liter coke. Sale, 3 for $4
6 pack Kona breeding 9
Quaker instant oatmeal packets 4.50
kashi go lean cereal 3.99
CPK 12" frozen pizza 2 for 15.50 (sale)
Soy sauce 10 oz, 2.00
Ben and jerrys pint 3.79
Loaf of orowheat bread 5.50M
Scott bath tissue 12 rolls 9
Ziploc 100 sandwich bags 3.14
SOS pads box of 10, 2.29
7th Gen Multipurpose Cleaner 26 oz, 3.99 (sale)
Kleenex 112 3ply 1.97
13 gallon trash tie bags , 200 bags, 14.79
Colander 5.99
Frying Pan 41
Kitchen aide 6-slice toaster 111.99

Scott grape. 2.89. N

[KonaKat]

Out of morbid curiosity could you find those same items where you live now and see what those prices are?

[mdgilmore]

I live north of Seattle, and not knowing which particular items those are (which brand toaster/fry pan/lamp base), the prices are very close to what our prices at our local Target are. The difference is really a matter of a few cents in many of those things. Doesn't look too terribly horrible. The price of the toaster is really high though so I'm glad we already have a toaster oven. I think Seattle is supposed to be kind of expensive too...although, we moved here from the Jersey shore, before that overseas and California so we were already accustomed to high prices...I guess my point of view may be skewed then. I may not experience that sticker shock afterall! Well, that's not such bad news For me, anyway.

[FallenIntoGreatness]

Should I feel bad that some things are MORE expensive here in MS, "low cost of living land"? I am referring to the soda prices, ziploc bags, juice, oatmeal not the household goods.

[AlohaHuey]

Taxes in Seattle run nearly 10%, so that adds to the purchase price.

[Ghostgecko]

Seems like everywhere people WANT to live the prices are higher. Being from the Midwest, I often hear that I could never pay those prices...how sad they base their decisions on money on where to live and then accuse the locals of being materialistic. Life being short...I am going to live it. Not just nestle in a cave I can afford.

[SoCal Gal]

Don't forget to check Longs! Lots of small appliances, we bought a coffee maker there (our hotel in Kauai only came with the 1-cup pod-style maker, ugh) and also check Safeway sales for these items. The prices are sometimes surprising (not in a bad way).

[AlohaHuey]

Costco has the best prices on almost everything. I always start there, but of course, supplies are limited.

[aloha_silverlining]

Ok...here's LA area Target prices, did mostly the food, furniture/accessories to many choices cheaper or higher:

Cranberry juice 4.50. 64 oz $3.89
2-liter coke. Sale, 3 for $4 $1.79 Regular price
6 pack Kona breeding 9
Quaker instant oatmeal packets 4.50 $2.50
kashi go lean cereal 3.99 $3.49
CPK 12" frozen pizza 2 for 15.50 (sale) $7.19 regular price
Soy sauce 10 oz, 2.00 $2.80
Ben and jerrys pint 3.79 $4.39
Loaf of orowheat bread 5.50M $4.49 Wheat
Scott bath tissue 12 rolls 9 $10.19
Ziploc 100 sandwich bags 3.14 $4.39
SOS pads box of 10, 2.29 $3.49

In our case, most items are no big difference or cheaper in Kona than LA. We're should be in Oahu by June 9 or 10, picking up keys on the 11th!

LA housing: Lease = $1800 + Utilities (Electric/Gas/Water/Trash/Cable) $435 min = $2235

Oahu High Rise Condo = $1000 Includes Utilities

$1235 just in housing savings. My average groceries in CA for 2 adults = $125/wk so even if Hawaii is 40% higher in food to bring it $175/wk, an extra increase of $200 per month, I'm still $1,035 ahead.

Already have quotes for car and renter's insurance both more than 30% less.

Each family has to decide what is important to them, what concessions they are willing to make, what income base they will have that's secure (savings/investments), what the job market in their field is in Oahu or whatever island they want to go to.

Each situation is different, make the best decision for you and yours. It's a go...best of luck! There are no guarantees in life, just death and taxes - and they both suck!

Aloha! Ruby

[dkalaska]

Originally Posted by ghostgecko

seems like everywhere people want to live the prices are higher. Being from the midwest, i often hear that i could never pay those prices...how sad they base their decisions on money on where to live and then accuse the locals of being materialistic. Life being short...i am going to live it. Not just nestle in a cave i can afford.

amen