Now that I've reached Social Security/Medicare age, and wasn't smart enough to have taken a Govt/Union job with a guaranteed pension when I was much younger, I need to make EVERY nickel I spend SQUEAL :thumbup: !
I live in a small town north of Scottsdale. It does NOT have it's own Police or Fire Dept, no trash collection. It recently bought the private water company servicing it, and my rates tripled. The quality of life here is de-grading with each year as more Blue-Dots move here and re-zone for more density and congestion.
Walmart expressed interest in a parcel here a decade ago. The Town let the residents know that IF Walmart's Sales Tax were not added to it's budget, property taxes would need to increase up to 50% to cover the true cost of the increased burden of new homes/businesses in the area :eek: . Walmart won, and my taxes are somewhat stable, if not declining slightly.
A few years later, Tractor Supply and Autozone built across the street. There is a Lowes and a Home Depot within sight of each other, but not in my town since the intersection is a "4 Corners-type" area. I can now drive less than a mile to any of these stores, and save time and $$$ not having to drive 20+ miles into PHX like I did for the 1st 10 yrs I lived here.
Bought a lot of ammo at Walmart, always paid cash. You could always tell when the Blue-Dots were talking Gun Control because all the popular ammo would become scarce due to hoarders. My grocery bill is 25% less at WM for the same national brands as I used to buy at Frys.
Over the last year, I've started looking on Amazon for anything I need trying to save $$$. It's paid off HUGELY in savings, from car parts, camera gear, clothes, to even the dreaded firearms accessories. Shipped to my PO Box often in 1-2 days, free shipping and often tax-free as well.
I DO boycott, and speak ill of any national brand that infringes on the 2A and other American values. From Dicks to Yeti to Levis to Nike and Gillette.
Walmart is one brand that I need to be able to stash a few extra $$$ in the safe each month.
Here's a little tale you might not know about Walton's son John, and his heroism in Viet Nam;
https://army.togetherweserved.com/ar...rson&ID=261457
:cheers: