Opinion wanted

[gymstx]

We are staying in a rental house in July. Once we get to Florida we plan on going to Walmart and buying groceries. So it got me thinking, maybe I should just buy personal items there as well instead of packing them. Such as shampoo, sunscreen ect. What are your thoughts? Would I be spening more than it would be worth?
Oh by the way we are flying and then renting cars, there are 12 of us.

 

[dogodisney]

If you are shopping at Walmart, I don't see how it would cost you any more than if you brought your own things. One way or another, you wil need to purchase those items.

 

[gymstx]

Thanks, that's what I thought. Just wasn't sure if things were going to cost a lot more there in Florida as in comparison to Minnesota. But anyway I'm going to stick with that plan and buy things there.

 

[srwarden1928]

I know it would probably be a good deal for us buying in FL because of the low sales tax.

 

[dyna]

I would buy them before leaving home not have to spend the extra time shopping for them. Every Walmart is laid out a bit different an where you know your store at home you might end up spending time looking on vacation...

 

[LoriNSC]

I would buy what you know you'll have room for since you're flying. We drive so I have a good bit of things I can take for our rental condo (toilet paper, paper towels, dish detergent, laundry detergent). But I'd bring along coupons for your shopping trip in FL. We have a Publix near the condo we're renting & they dbl coupons up to .50 everyday. I'm all for saving money.

 

[BradyBz12]

Not a huge difference in WalMart prices from here in NH to FL. The one thing that hurts us is that NH has no sales tax. But it's still worth it for us for the convenience.

 

[gymstx]

Thanks for all the great advice. I will definately be bringing some coupons along to help with the cost.
Thanks again!

 

[WillCAD]

Price at the WalMart on SR535 are about the same as prices in my WalMarts at home, so I often buy a few personal items instead of packing them. But which items I buy depends on how much space I'll save in my toiletries bag and how much money it will cost me when I buy them.

Buying a $1.27 botle of contact lens saline and throwing half of it away before I come home is okay, but buying a $25 electri toothbrush and leaving it would not be.

The most wasteful thing I buy when I arrive is a fan. I typically get a $12 box fan from WalMart, because I can't sleep without a fan running, particularly if I'm in Orlando in hot weather. Of course, I can't take it with me, so I generally leave it behind in the room, which isn't really wasteful - I'm sure the Mousekeepers take it home and use it. You can never have too many fans in Orlando!

 

[tami82]

I would definitely get prepared before leaving home with the personal items. However i would get your bottled water & drinks, snacks, any other food you will need for the week once you arrive in Florida, you probably dont need to ride around with a case or two of bottled waters, soda, etc........along with everything else that you will have packed in your car. We have a van with a luggage rack and still its very cramped without having to lug these items from home.