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In an economy that is demanding more from people to budget their money, and cut costs on everyday items, analyzing when it is acceptable to pay the higher costs associated with buying items at a convenience store versus buying at a grocery store is relative and noteworthy.

First off, with the ever increasing prices on fuel, one must first weigh the cost of the fuel to get to a grocery store plus their cost of the projected items, versus the cost of going to a more local convenience store. If you're getting 10 miles to the gallon and your grocery store is 5 miles away, then at three dollars a gallon, it wouldn't make sense to go to the grocery store to save the buck on the pint of Cherry Garcia ice-cream you're craving. On the other hand, convenience stores typically have less selection, and may not have your Cherry Garcia.

There are certain things that, without a doubt, you want to avoid buying at a convenience store. Canned goods are an excellent example of this, as they have an indefinite shelf-life, and can often be had for as little as 20 percent of that which a convenience store may demand. For that matter, all items with an indefinite shelf-life should be bought in bulk at the grocery store, provided you have sufficient space in your home to store it.

Another item that is a definite no-no at a convenience store is cheese. Cheese is pretty expensive as it is, and I've seen more often than not, an increase of at least 50 percent at a convenience store. Something that some people don't seem to realize about cheese, is that with proper handling, it too has an indefinite shelf-life, as it virtually already is "bad."

One more definite thing not to buy at a convenience store is coffee. A frugal person not attached to any particular brand of coffee might be able to find a can of coffee that would cost them 99 cents on a good day at a grocery store, whereas that same size can will most likely only be offered in top brands in a convenience store for 6 dollars.

Some items that may be worthwhile to buy at a convenience store are items that are a high turnover in your home, and perishable. Items like milk, bread, and eggs. In my house, we might go through a gallon of milk in a day, but then we might have a gallon last a week, so it is not something that I would want to buy in larger quantities. I would avoid meats and produce, unless you know for a fact that they sell a lot of it, if you have any interest in your health (smile).

And finally, some other items that are worth buying at convenience stores; items that have the prices pre-marked by the manufacturers; work gloves; shoe-laces; magazines; cigarettes (if you smoke); and maybe coffee, if you want it already made for you, it usually is cheaper than many of the coffee chains.

And then, there's always those times at two o'clock in the morning that you're okay with comprimising your health for a 99 cent chili-cheese-dog or nachos!

It is nice that Helium endorses people stealing other peoples ideas, so long as they change around the words, and adding very little. I have copied both copies, and I will leave it to a court. You need to reformat the way this is done. People should not be able to read an article and then write one immediately after reading I'm taking Helium to court if the person that took my lead on the contest is not removed. I'm speaking of "Convenience stores vs. grocery stores" They're eerily similar.

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