Counting the Cost & Making it Count

When I took the time to price check and compare, it turns out weaning yourself off the mighty online "giants" is not only attainable but basically makes you a better human.

Like most of us I've grown to favor convenience over all. Convenience is KING. And the king of convenience for the last 5-10 years has been....Mr.Bezos. The #1 item(s) I purchase the most of online are all health related, namely - supplements. I have my go-to places for them, but it dawned on me that they're all online. I stopped clipping coupons in the late 90s/early 2000s and unless it's a purchase in the triple digits I honestly don't shop around for a bargain. Again - convenience is king. I just want it at my doorstep within a reasonable amount of time, I want to avoid the trek to a store, and sometimes I honestly just want to avoid having to interact with people, LOL.

But after seeing how much local businesses needed me as a neighbor and their community in my vicinity to help keep them from, literally, closing up shop during this pandemic - I've gained a bigger understanding of the reasons. So I decided to weigh it all out; the pros/cons and cost/prices of keeping my money in my city. Giving it directly to a local small business which technically is my neighbor, which in turn indirectly gives it, in some small way, to my neighborhood.

“A good neighbor increases the value of your property.” - Czech Proverb

Depending on who you are and what your lifestyle/living set up/location is, the type of items you purchase the most of will vary. For some of us it's decor, household goods, tools, art supplies, or simple random stuff that a local market would not generally have; find a local vendor accordingly. Since my top purchases are mainly supplements this season of life, I did the footwork to find out what it truly "costs me" to lose some convenience in order to support my local vendor.

Below I've listed the price points for my year-around supplements that are the foundation for optimal overall wellness and anti-sickly-ness in our home; with (A)mazon, (S)prouts, (WF)hole Foods, (OVP)itaminPro.com, (FS)ullscript.com, and ("PV") my local mom-n-pop herbal vitamin place in the neighborhood I live.

*Some things to factor in:

> Amazon offers free shipping with a Prime membership.

> Sprouts and Whole Foods prices listed are to "pickup" in-store.

> OVitaminPro.com has free shipping when you spend $39.95 or more. Otherwise it's $3.95 to ship on top of your shopping cart total. BUT, with each purchase you get "point" coupons towards your next purchase i.e. $5 off with 150 points, $10 off with 300 points, & $25 off with 600 points. (1 point gained for every dollar you spend with them)

> FullScript.com offers me a 10-15% discount by being connected with a provider. Free shipping with $50 or more purchase. Otherwise $8.75 to ship on top of your shopping cart total.

> My local vendor (PV) offers to price match, so check with your local shop to see if they do too, you never know!

The Headliners

Buffered Vitamin C, Integrative Therapeutics Brand, 1000mg daily:

(A) $14.40

(S) does not offer this brand

(WF) does not offer this brand

(OVP) $18.20

(FS) $12.24

(PV) $12.96

Arctic Cod Liver Oil, Nordic Naturals, 750mg daily:

(A) $19.51

(S) $22.99

(WF) does not offer this brand

(OVP) $37.36

(FS) $19.51

(PV) $37.36 - for 180 cap count/better bang for my buck of my normal go-to option & double the amount of product!

Magnesium Citrate, Pure Encapsulations, 150mg 1-3 times daily:

(A) $15.20

(S) does not offer this brand

(WF) does not offer this brand

(OVP) $18.60

(FS) $12.92

(PV) $13.68

Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol a.k.a Silver Shield, 2 fl. oz by Sovereign Silver, 1-5 TSPs daily:

(A) $11.99

(S) $12.99

(WF) TBA

(OVP) does not offer this brand

(FS) $12.74

(PV) $11.99

5-HTP, by NOW Foods, 100mg:

(A) $13.66

(S) $12.99

(WF) TBA

(OVP) $20.00

(FS) $14.44

(PV) Offers to price match!

Honourable mentions:

Ancestral Supplements, Brian Johnson the owner is amazing

Roots of Health supplements, the owner Darcy Borst is extremely knowledgable

SULU Organics on Etsy, for all your internal & topical oil needs

Apothecary Teas by Sarah Taylor Moore , for healing aromatherapy/art & more

Salt Light Botanicals by Jessica Garza, for holistic eco-friendly sprays & soaps

The Detox Market(TDM), for EVERYTHING else :)

What To Do Next:

1. Go to more outdoor green markets and buy your fruits/vegetables/baked goods/honey/spreads there!

2. Find more stuff to take to your local dry cleaner, shoe repair shop, watch/jewelry repair shop

3. Shop for clothing at the nearest boutique storefront and have a few meals at that taco/sub shop you always overlook.

4. Shop a little less at chain/brand name places and instead visit their less known counterparts

5. Leave positive Yelp reviews!

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