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New Year's Resolution: Saving money at Grocery Outlet in Olympia

Throw a holiday get-together for $20

Get more for your money at the Grocery Outlet in Olympia. Photo credit: Nikki McCoy

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I've eaten vegan pizza at the new Vic's Pizzeria in Olympia, I've done the sultry stand-up at a pole dancing class, and with New Year's just five days away, I will research my final resolution - saving money.

While Olympia has many fine options to stretch your cash, such as dollar stores and second-hand stores, there's only one place to get your discount groceries - Grocery Outlet.

Started in 1946, when some smartypants decided to sell government surplus food products in San Francisco, Grocery Outlet grew to have numerous independently owned locations throughout seven states. Grocery Outlet specializes in discount overstocked and closeout products, like salted seaweed crisps that probably couldn't sell in some test market in a redneck town, or organic hair shampoo that doesn't quite get your hair clean but would make a nice back-up bottle in the shower, because, hey - the price is unbeatable and it's organic.

It's also known for its quirky advertisements, like commercials with puppets that look like they are on loan from Crank Yankers, and the stores often have silly/clever/stupid signs with sayings like, "You are way too good looking to pay full price."

In Olympia's Westside, Grocery Outlet is affectionately known as the Gross-Out, or the GroHo, and is a frequent stop for Evergreen students, parents-on-budgets and hoarders. Where else can you get 24-can flats of super-cheap veggies?

So, with a pending holiday get-together, and only a $20 bill in my pocket, I searched the aisles for deals on delicious snack items I could offer my guests.

While I was tempted to take advantage of those seaweed crisps for 99 cents, I figured I would go for more traditional party fare. So, a stroll to the chip aisle brought me to tortilla chips for $1.69. Yeah, they are probably GMO, but we're on a budget here, so I toss them in the cart and check out the avocados. Priced at 2-for-$1, I grabbed four of them, as well as a lime and a packet of seasoning. Nothing like fresh guacamole to show guests that, while you might be pinching pennies, you still care enough to mash up some ‘cado.

I couldn't resist a bag of Clementine Cuties, because they add color and bulk to the spread, plus they taste delish. I also found brie cheese ($1.49!) and a package of dill-flavored Triscuits. Those two will pair nicely. I also grabbed a bottle of organic red blend wine for $3.99 and a package of chocolate macaroons.

All in all, I spent $19.50 (including non-party items, a cucumber and a box of yogurt tubes). My receipt said I saved $26.34. Awesome! Maybe I'll treat myself to those seaweed crisps after all. 

Grocery Outlet, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 2100 Harrison Ave., Olympia, 360.570.9449

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