WalmartWhat to buy and what discounts there are

Walmart is the largest chain in the US with the lowest prices on basic goods: groceries, household cleaning products, vitamins, kids' clothing and shoes, toys, electronics, mass-market cosmetics. There are few fashion items, but basic kids' clothing, pajamas, socks and vitamins cost less than at most competitors.

Three departments deserve a separate mention. There are a lot of toys: LEGO, Mattel, Hasbro, Squishmallows and others. A big selection of stationery and craft supplies (Crayola and others). And a lot of supplements and vitamins: Nature Made, Nature's Bounty, Centrum, Vitafusion, Garden of Life, Vital Proteins and the own brand Equate. Around Christmas there are Starbucks gift sets here.

When we moved to America, I read local groups and chats: where to buy what for the first time. Everyone recommended Walmart, and I did the same - we went there and bought several thousand dollars' worth of things. Only half a year later, when I got to know other stores, did I realize: the same things could have been bought both better and cheaper - at department stores, TJ Maxx, Ross and others.

Walmart really is cheap. But if you know where and when to look for deals, for the same money you can find much better quality - and not just an item, but a popular brand.