Price Comparison: Milk, Eggs and Butter

As a family of four on one income (thank you, dear husband!), we have to be really selective in where we spend our money. When both Justin and I were working, I paid attention to what we were spending, but certainly not the extent that I do now. Because my husband works his tail off to care for us and allow me the opportunity to stay home, I feel the responsibilty to spend our money wisely. I don’t want to be cheap, but I don’t want to be wasteful. There is a balance.

When price comparing milk and eggs at Hy-Vee, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, I had to price compare the product I would buy at that location since there are different brands at each location.

Almond Milk (on average we buy 3 half gallons each week)

Hy-Vee: We purchase the Hy-Vee brand over Silk and Almond Breeze mainly because the ingredient and nutrition information are similar. There is not an organic option available. Cost … $2.69 PLUS a 10% discount if purchased on Wednesday … $2.42.

Trader Joe’s: We purchase the Trader Joe’s brand. This is the only brand available so there is not an organic option available. Cost … $2.99.

Whole Foods: We purchase the Whole Foods organic brand. I honestly cannot remember if there are other options available, but this is the only organic almond milk I’ve ever seen. Cost … $3.39.

Costco: Sometimes I picked up Silk almond milk. They offer 3 cartons for $7.99 = $2.67/1.

Summary: I’m still not sure why companies don’t offer almond milk in gallons. More milk, less waste. Get with it, almond milk makers! That said, I loved the taste of the Whole Foods organic milk best. It seemed smoother and less “nutty.” However, price wise, we just can’t do $10.17/week for milk, knowing that will increase when Evie starts drinking milk. A few dollars here and there, as we all know, helps every month. We end up with Trader Joe’s or Hy-Vee normally, depending on where our errands take us for the week. I am working on Finn drinking more water, less milk.

Eggs

Hy-Vee: We purchase Hen House Cage-free Large eggs. I like many things about them, namely that they are from an Iowa-based farmer. Cost … $2.49/dozen.

Trader Joe’s: Two options here that we purchased are the regular TJ eggs ($2.49/dozen) or the organic version ($4.29/dozen). However, we no longer purchase eggs from TJ’s which I’ll explain below.

Whole Foods: The Whole Foods 365 eggs are what seemed most in line with our egg criteria. Cost … $3.49/dozen.

Thankful Harvest: Tom and Kristi are the amazing leaders at Thankful Harvest, an Iowa-based farm selling grass-fed beef. In addittion to fantastic meat, they also sell farm fresh eggs and local honey. Sign-up for their mailing list and order some product. When available, we purchase their eggs. Cost … $4.00/dozen.

Summary: Hands down, Hy-Vee carries our favorite eggs as the best price. I also love suppoorting Thankful Harvest. We won’t buy the Trader Joe’s eggs again because Finn had a terrible reaction to them. He is able to eat eggs when they are cooked in things, but after one egg was in a recipe we’ve ate several times before with Hen House eggs, Finn reacted. He started rubbing his face then his eyes. From there, he laid his head down on the kitchen table and asked to go to bed.  Within minutes, he was puffy, scratchy and lethargic. It wasn’t good Hen House and Thankful Harvest all the way for this house!

Butter

The only “butter” we buy is Earth Balance. Hy-Vee offers a small tub for $5.69 (throw in a 10% Wednesday discount), but hands down the best deal is the large tub from Whole Foodss for $9.99. I’ve even found it on sale at Whole Foods for $7.99. If you use Earth Balannce regularly, Whole Foods is the way to go.

Do you purchase other brands for a better price? Would love to hear about it!