Electric, Gas and Other Prices

[Barli]

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

Nope Organic is higher. I don't shop at Walmart, though. Living on the coast seems to make prices higher. I listed full price but some things do go on sale and I buy then.

One of my childhood friends who lives in South Florida told me the stores there don't accept coupons. Is that true of Melbourne?

[clnewman]

My wife shops at Walmart all the time, for all but produce (Publix for that). Walmart takes most coupons, including 2-for-1. We just discovered a great little meat market down in Melbourne. We'll definitely be going back there.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by Barli

One of my childhood friends who lives in South Florida told me the stores there don't accept coupons. Is that true of Melbourne?

No, you can use coupons, but not like up North where they double them etc. They often limit the amount you can purchase so you would have a hard time doing the buy 20 of something like the big couponing shows show you they do and walk out paying $0 or $1 etc. Most stores will also have their own electronic coupons you can use. Not all will take coupons from other stores or match sales.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by clnewman

My wife shops at Walmart all the time, for all but produce (Publix for that). Walmart takes most coupons, including 2-for-1. We just discovered a great little meat market down in Melbourne. We'll definitely be going back there.

I don't like to shop at Walmart. Meat is processed elsewhere so not cut or ground in stores which means the meat is older and has a higher chance of contamination than in stores where they have meat cutters. Here you have to watch very closely for out of date products and the cheaper price is often for a size smaller than at other stores where that amount is not offered. For example ; detergent may have enough for 30 loads instead of 32 loads like the other stores and sell for 10 cents less. No savings actually. Fruit and veggies are not as good as Publix or WD. I don't like buying them at outdoor stands either because I have gotten so many bad watermelons and the fruits and veggies have to be eaten so much faster because of being out in the heat and not in air conditioning.

Wassis is too far for us to go on a regular basis. You also might want to check out Petty's Meat and Downtown Produce out on Ellis so not too far from Wassis.

[Barli]

Originally Posted by Florida Vince

HOA - $210 (covers a lot - lawn, weeding, pest, painting, roof, exterior insurance, pool, gate, common areas)
Viera HOA - $12

Is Viera a town in itself? Or like a big neighborhood? I'm not quite understanding why you pay 2 different HOA fees.

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

I don't like to shop at Walmart. Meat is processed elsewhere so not cut or ground in stores which means the meat is older and has a higher chance of contamination than in stores where they have meat cutters.

I feel the same way. I buy all our meats at Harris Teeter and usually watch the butcher cut my order for me.

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

No, you can use coupons, but not like up North where they double them etc. They often limit the amount you can purchase so you would have a hard time doing the buy 20 of something like the big couponing shows show you they do and walk out paying $0 or $1 etc. Most stores will also have their own electronic coupons you can use. Not all will take coupons from other stores or match sales.

LOL I am by no means an extreme couponer! Kinda bummed to hear that nobody doubles though. Maybe that's what my friend told me and I remembered incorrectly. Walmart doesn't double, but the actually grocery stores do and when I shop the sales and use coupons, I tend to bring my bill down 40-60%.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by Barli

Is Viera a town in itself? Or like a big neighborhood? I'm not quite understanding why you pay 2 different HOA fees.



I feel the same way. I buy all our meats at Harris Teeter and usually watch the butcher cut my order for me.



LOL I am by no means an extreme couponer! Kinda bummed to hear that nobody doubles though. Maybe that's what my friend told me and I remembered incorrectly. Walmart doesn't double, but the actually grocery stores do and when I shop the sales and use coupons, I tend to bring my bill down 40-60%.

Publix has BOGO free every week and sales like 2 for $5 that are pretty good. I usually save between $45-$60 a week in spite of my spending $200-$250 a week. They also have some good store brands. We probably spend $75 on fresh fruits and vegetables every week alone. Not as much now that grapes and peaches are down to $1.99 Lb.
We cook from scratch so there aren't a lot of coupons out there for the type of stuff I buy, but each store has their own e-coupons that I do use because they are so easy to get by accident if I happen to splurge sometimes.

[Florida Vince]

Originally Posted by Barli

Is Viera a town in itself? Or like a big neighborhood? I'm not quite understanding why you pay 2 different HOA fees.

Kinda both. Viera is actually part of northern Melbourne and southern Rockledge. Locals know it as Viera and future plans (not sure when) will make it into its own town. The $210 monthly pays for our community's maintenance free amenities. The additional $12 is paid to Viera for the upkeep of the areas outside of our neighborhood which include common areas like parks, pools, sidewalks, landscaping ....