Without getting into a debate about how Walmart is destroying small town business with its ridiculously low prices, I thought I’d mention two things I’ve figured out I can’t purchase from Walmart.

Kid’s tennis shoes (or sneakers whichever you prefer) and fresh produce.

Kid’s Tennis Shoes from Walmart

Thought I’d try the cute little white and silver sparkly ones for my daughter since they’re only $15.00. Needless to say, by day 2 they looked like they were a year old; worn out, beaten up and just old. It’s not like my daughter ran a marathon either, she’s five. By week 2, the Walmart tennis shoes looked two years old. The sole thing on the inside of the shoes had come loose and needed to be tucked in to wear them and they just looked cheap and raggedy. A Walmart week is equal to a regular tennis shoe year…I guess. I’ve decided that no matter how fast she grows out of them, it’ll make more fiscal sense to pay $30.00 for one nice pair of tennis shoes.

Walmart Fresh Produce

I am not the only person that has realized that Walmart’s produce sucks. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a large bin full of mushy cucumbers and not one was edible. I’ve also had fruit turn downright rotten the day after it’s purchased. I thought it was just me, but I’ve heard the same thing from family and coworkers. I guess it has something to do with the produce being thawed after freezing.

For the most part though, Walmart is still at the top for cheapness. I buy most of my groceries there, as well as clothing for my daughter and little household items. I think the key is to find the things that work well for you and which stores have the best prices. Plus, whether it’s worth driving from store to store to get what you need. In my case it involves trips to the grocery store for produce, but now that the farmer’s markets are around it’s easier.

Thank you to the following hosts for including Miss Bankrupt in their Carnivals…

Carnival of Debt Reduction

Carnival of Personal Finance

Money Hacks Carnival

Carnival of Family Life