Do you always shop at the commissary/NEX/BX/PX???

[lizamac]

I go to the commissary a couple times a week, but if I need something and don't want to trek down there, I'll go to the grocery a couple blocks away from my house.

Well, I was talking with another wife who just couldnt believe that I would ever go to a regular store, and basically inferred I should plan better, so I could do all my shopping at the commissary/exchange.

Am I weird for not always taking advantage of the commissary privilages? I do usually, but sometimes I like the produce better, or a brand isn't carried at the Commissary or whatever the case.

How about you? How often do you shop at the commissary?

Liz

[Colleen]

We use the Commissary as much as we can, but sometimes I just cant get there. After a year in Japan and having only the commissary...I like to venture out to other stores as well. Plus..traffic is a factor. As far as I know Quantico is the closest base to us. It usually takes 20-25 minutes to get there, but sometimes it can take an hour with traffic!

As for the Exchanges, I do like getting some things there. Meghan's shoes usually are a good savings. Its a noticable discount. Also, I usually buy my make up. On average my Estee Lauder make up is about 20% cheaper and no tax.

I guess it depends on the week :)

[hapo2nd]

I do all of my major shopping at the commissary. THe savings are just too good not to. I have no problem with going elsewhere for a milk/bread run, though. I'd say I do 95% of my grocery shopping at the commissary.

I only go to the PX if it's convienent. IMO there isn't much savings to take advantage of there. About the only thing I try to buy there is books as they are usually well priced. I also buy my perfume there. THat's it, though.

[Pilotswife]

I didn't do one single bit of shopping at the commissary. I avoided it like the plague. But I'm one of those people that doesn't like to be on post b/c I like my life seperate from the military.

[LadyEo]

I do about half my grocery shopping at the commissary. I usually do the big trips there and the smaller ones at the nearest grocery store. We're not too close to base so that is one reason. I shop at hte NEX occasionally. It's not the biggest store and I don't find a lot there to buy.

[3xMama]

I do probably 95% of my shopping at the commmissary. The savings are just too good. I also do some at Sam's Club. Since I live on post, I have 2 commissaries within 3 miles of my home. If I need bread or milk and I"m already at WalMart, then I'll get it there, but for me it's just closer to use the commissary. As for the PX, I do shop there sometimes. If I'm looking for something specific, I'll look there and at WalMart and buy wherever it is cheapest. I did most of my Christmas clothes shopping for the kids last weekend b/c they had all clearance clothing an additional 50% off, so prices were super low. It was great! In all, I got $400 worth of clothes for less than $75. Couldn't beat it. :)

[MardiGrasGirl]

I always go to the commissary if it's open. There is just too much of a varience in the prices at the stores in town (sometimes up to twice as much). I live on base, though, so it's easier to just go to the commissary anyway. When we were off base in GA we shopped at Super-WalMart just as much as the commissary.


I don't shop as much at the PX. I usually go to WalMart or Target. Our PX isn't very big and doesn't have much stuff. I'd prefer to go to the bigger store and get it all done at once. And the PX isn't usually that much cheaper anyway...

[Becky]

When I was vising Jeremy we wnt to the commissionary and PX. The prices were great! I bought them some groceries, but was too broke to do much other shopping.

[lizamac]

I should say that 99% of the time I do buy meat, milk, bread, salad dressings, etc at the commissary. ;) You ladies are right, the $$ saved is usually well worth it. Our commissary here is good, but definitely not quite the caliber that you get on most army or AF bases, so for a BIG run we go to Ft Meade (love that commissary, like Belvoir as well). Diapers and wipes are also much gets at the commissary. Ohhh and coffee.... 5.99 for starbucks ground at the commissary, when it is 8.99 in town!


At the NEX I get makeup (you are right colleen MUCH cheaper), and often some clothes for the kids., heck and sometimes when they have Liz Claiborne on sale (they have good sales!) I can outfit myself for next to nothing. ;)


Didn't want y'all to think I avoid it or anything, I feel lucky to have it. :) But I just do not ALWAYS go there.

[susi8573]

since we got back to Germany I have been once at the Commissary........I just don't like going there and the only thing I would buy is cereal and chips, not much else....I buy most of the groceries here in town (some is even cheaper than the commissary and whatever I would "save" at the commissary my gas would eat up the difference anyways...we live 20 min. away. Plus I'm an organic shopper and I barely get organic food at the commissary (freeland eggs/organic yogurt/organic milk etc.)
In the States I bought most food at the commissary but the produce and some deli items I got at different grocery stores cause it seems they are fresher and better there and not always out of stock like the commissary in leavenworth was)
I rarely use the PX ......I barely buy make-up anyways, so it doesn't bother me where I buy it and how much it is......as for clothes, I buy them since we're overseas online only....the PX selection is tiny and my husband uses the powerzone more than any other store ;)

[Countrymommy]

Considering I have to drive further to get to the commissary, gas prices being what they are here in Germany and elsewhere, the exchange rate is evening out the trek to the military facilities, and I am buying more on the economy. In the states, I would probably still price check around.

[Robin]

I have to shop on post as much as possible to take advantage of the savings. We're stationed in Alaska and it's definately expensive. Plus I live on post so it's just convenient. However, when we were stationed down at Fort Carson Colorado, we lived off post and I never saw the inside of the px. Dont feel bad or weird for not shopping on post. If the prices weren't as low as they are here overseas, I'd never go there either. The selections are rather limited at times.