Big Lots

[Spot]

We are on a limited budget , but still try to add a little to our preps . We have found some good items at Big Lots. We get Hormel caned ham 5 oz size foe $.99 a can , and Bear Creek potato soup mix in the 240 ml pack that makes 4 servings for $.99 , and the 1 lb. 6 oz. resealable size that makes 16 servings for $2.99 . the main thing is to watch the experation date .
Spot

 

[blueberry]

Big Lots is great for preps - I have found pasta very cheap there. But you are right, you have to really watch out for those experation dates.

 

[yellowsprings]

Thanks for the tip! I will add Big Lots to my shopping trip!

 

[Gingergirl]

Big Lots will also have some good prices on the toilettries that are so expensive.

And I like to check out things like batteries and blankets.

(Their Hom Dec can be wild!)

 

[Anjou]

If you're in an area where there's a 99 Cents Only store, those are *phenomenal*... makes Big Lots (which I also like) look pricey! (And the 99 Cents Only stores I've seen are super clean and well-stocked.)

 

[MoonGazer]

Yes, I think when Big Lots (Odd Lots) first came about, it didn't get much respect when it came to certain items. But they have come around where you can trust their food products.
I love that store! You can find so much there!!!!!!!!!

Just an added note: I used to buy name brand canned chicken for preps, but I had bought a can of ValuTime canned chicken. It was SO MUCH better than the name brand. Whiter meat and fresher.

Amy

 

[Tweakette]

I just discovered that we have a Big Lots in our area, just went there last night.

Great deals on toothbrushes - 38 cents each! I bought 4, as we were getting low on them. Should've bought 8 .

Lots of other stuff that is cheap as well.

Tweak

 

[Dinghy]

I buy a lot of spices there. The Dollar Store got rid of their usual 2/$1 size and got smaller ones. Big Lots still has the regular size ones. I really like their French Fry seasoning, I put it on my baked chicken all the time. I bought a lot of my canning jars and lids there last year. I haven't been there for awhile, so I don't know if they have them again this year. I wanted to stop today, but by the time we got done working at our son's house we were so dirty and tired that we didn't bother. Hopefully when we go back tomorrow we'll stop on the way before we're too filthy to go out in public!!! The store is 35 miles away from us, so I don't get there much. Now that my son is moving over there that just might change!

 

[Splicer205]

I buy a lot of spices there. The Dollar Store got rid of their usual 2/$1 size and got smaller ones. Big Lots still has the regular size ones. I really like their French Fry seasoning, I put it on my baked chicken all the time. I bought a lot of my canning jars and lids there last year. I haven't been there for awhile, so I don't know if they have them again this year. I wanted to stop today, but by the time we got done working at our son's house we were so dirty and tired that we didn't bother. Hopefully when we go back tomorrow we'll stop on the way before we're too filthy to go out in public!!! The store is 35 miles away from us, so I don't get there much. Now that my son is moving over there that just might change!

Dinghy, did you ever have problems with your Big Lots jars not sealing? Last year I got some and they were the only ones I had a problem with not sealing. After that, I tried using the jars and getting Ball lids to use instead of using the ones they came with, it worked out fine and all jars sealed. Just wondered if it was something I did, or if it was the lids. Even with the added cost using different lids, they're still cheaper than buying jars at a regular store, and I use the lids that come with the jars on things like hamburger rocks, or dehydrated things that don't need a seal. Am thinking of trying again using the lids they came with, but hate doing all that work and having it not turn out. Have you had any problems?

 

[yellowsprings]

I have bought jars at Big Lots every year and never had a problem with any of the lids not sealing. I have opened boxes and found lids that do not have a coating on the inside. I do not use these for canning, I usually save them for vacuum sealing. Has anyone used the lids without the coating for canning?

 

[Dinghy]

Dinghy, did you ever have problems with your Big Lots jars not sealing? Last year I got some and they were the only ones I had a problem with not sealing. After that, I tried using the jars and getting Ball lids to use instead of using the ones they came with, it worked out fine and all jars sealed. Just wondered if it was something I did, or if it was the lids. Even with the added cost using different lids, they're still cheaper than buying jars at a regular store, and I use the lids that come with the jars on things like hamburger rocks, or dehydrated things that don't need a seal. Am thinking of trying again using the lids they came with, but hate doing all that work and having it not turn out. Have you had any problems?

I've never had a problem with them sealing. I get the same kind at the Dollar Store when they have them and never had any trouble. Once in awhile I find a jar in the basement that unsealed, but they're from 1999! Our basement is damp and the lids start to rust, so that's not unusual. But I've never had any problems with them originally sealing.

 

[MoonGazer]

I know this is a little off topic, but since we are on the subject, how long do you think is the general rule for eating home-canned food?

Amy

 

[Splicer205]

I've never had a problem with them sealing. I get the same kind at the Dollar Store when they have them and never had any trouble. Once in awhile I find a jar in the basement that unsealed, but they're from 1999! Our basement is damp and the lids start to rust, so that's not unusual. But I've never had any problems with them originally sealing.

Thanks Dinghy, I think I'll try them again with the lids that come with them.

 

[Deena in GA]

I've bought canning jars at Big Lots for years too and never had a problem with the jars not sealing. In fact, this is the first year I haven't had to buy new jars. Yeah!!

They do have really good prices on a lot of food items, along with other things.

Amy, home canned food lasts for many years, but I don't know exactly how many. You do start losing food value as they age, just like regular canned food. We've eaten home-canned food that has been 6 - 7 years old and it's been fine. The pears start deteriorating after a couple of years - at least ours do, but everything else seems fine.

 

[Warren Bone]

When I was a kid (about half a century ago!) we had "dime stores" in our town.

They actually called them "five and dime" or just "dime store". McClellan's was one name. Woolworth was another "five and dime".

All I can remember is the smell of popcorn! They made lots of popcorn; in a paper bag, for ten cents. And lots of little toys and junk.

And, a food counter/soda fountain area.

Now, we have a local company called Dollar General; they just put one in my little town. So we're big-time now! Got a signal light and a Dollar General!

warren.

 

[MoonGazer]

LOL @ Warren!

 

[Antik]

Don't know if anyone else has shopped at Save-A-Lot but have found many things cheap there. Their soup, stew, vegetables and fruit have all been good quality and much less than anywhere else. I shop Big Lots, Dollar Stores, Family Dollar Stores, Sams and several other places. Haven't found one here yet, but if you have a damaged freight store in your area check that out. Used to find all sorts of stuff, even the little bottles from hotels and samples. As long as you know your prices you can find many bargains. Even regular stores on their ads to get you to come in. I find since I am stocked up it is easier to wait until I find a bargain then stock up more.

 

[LilRose8]

Dinghy, did you ever have problems with your Big Lots jars not sealing? Last year I got some and they were the only ones I had a problem with not sealing. After that, I tried using the jars and getting Ball lids to use instead of using the ones they came with, it worked out fine and all jars sealed. Just wondered if it was something I did, or if it was the lids. Even with the added cost using different lids, they're still cheaper than buying jars at a regular store, and I use the lids that come with the jars on things like hamburger rocks, or dehydrated things that don't need a seal. Am thinking of trying again using the lids they came with, but hate doing all that work and having it not turn out. Have you had any problems?

I wonder if it was because they were LAST years jars and the lids had been too hot in a storage area?
I have 4 new cases of their jars...I think I will replace all the lids with new before using them.

 

[Splicer205]

That's a good thought LilRose. You could be right. I've used them since and was feeling real protective of my Ball lids, so I used the ones that came with it...........after
Deena said she didn't have any probs. They worked fine. I'm still watching them though, ya know, ever the skeptic! Thanks for that idea; you might just be right.