Disappointed with ALDI, coupons and grocery shopping in general

[Jake&IzzyLand]

I USED to save a ton of money by shopping at ALDI. I don't feel like that is the case recently. ALDI is not super close to me, so it was something I had to take time to do, but I used to feel it was woth it when I saw an overflowing cart of groceries for $112.00 or something. I have watched thier prices creep steadily, and I convinced myself that it was still worth it to go because of the canned goods and staples. After my trip there this weekend I don't think I will bother. I was shocked! For example milk was $2.50 and canned goods were .49 cents. This is really no different than Kroger.

And on a side note, I have found (after two similar trips) that if I go to my small hometown grocery where prices are at a premium and only buy what is on sale (they have great sales) that this is where I will save the most. There is not as much as Kroger, etc. which cuts down on what you can purchase and that really helps me.

As far as coupons go, I don't think they help me out very much and I'm sure I'm not using them right anyway. Trying to use coupons and match sales usually means I am buying what I did not need in the first place. Plus, there are not many in the paper!

 

[momx2]

I USED to save a ton of money by shopping at ALDI. I don't feel like that is the case recently. ALDI is not super close to me, so it was something I had to take time to do, but I used to feel it was woth it when I saw an overflowing cart of groceries for $112.00 or something. I have watched thier prices creep steadily, and I convinced myself that it was still worth it to go because of the canned goods and staples. After my trip there this weekend I don't think I will bother. I was shocked! For example milk was $2.50 and canned goods were .49 cents. This is really no different than Kroger.

And on a side note, I have found (after two similar trips) that if I go to my small hometown grocery where prices are at a premium and only buy what is on sale (they have great sales) that this is where I will save the most. There is not as much as Kroger, etc. which cuts down on what you can purchase and that really helps me.

As far as coupons go, I don't think they help me out very much and I'm sure I'm not using them right anyway. Trying to use coupons and match sales usually means I am buying what I did not need in the first place. Plus, there are not many in the paper!

I still love Aldi and mine's milk is $2.89. It is still cheaper than my Kroger. Yes, Kroger will run canned goods on sale occasionally for .50 cents, but it is rare and then you have to stock up. My Kroger is now calling 3 for $2 on canned vegetables a bargain. Also, my Kroger charges $1 minimun on frozen veggies and that's the 12oz bags. Aldi still has them at 16 oz and .69 to .99 cents. The fruit at Aldi is so much cheaper as is granola bars, etc.

IMO, food is just going up everywhere. I used to get an overflowing cart at Aldi for less than $100, now it is $110 to $120, but that same cart would probably be $150 plus at Kroger. Going for to Aldi for their frozen boneless, skinless chicken breast bags at $5.49/3lbs is enough to keep me coming back! They are $6.99 and up at Kroger. I guess it's all regional, because I used to get mad to read on here how some posters Aldi's sell milk for less than $2, but it's just not going to happen where I live.

 

[eliza61]

A few years ago the Aldi's in NJ came under a bit of scrutiny from the state inspector. Evidently they were taking expired meat and repackaging it. Unfortuantely after that I haven't stepped into an Aldi, I'm not really store loyal but bad health reports tend to scare me. So I can't comment on that.

Basically I do a few things.

Scour the local store sales ads for the weekly specials. Luckily I have 3 different chains close to me. Rarely will I go out of my way to a grocery store. spending 7 bucks on gas to save 4 dollars is pretty counter productive.

different weeks, mean I purchase different things. Generally if shoprite has a sale on chicken products that one week may mean stocking up on those. some times paper products are on sale.

I think coupons are getting a bad rep from these new so called "reality" shows. remember they have to be "over the top" or people would watch them. Generally I can save 10-12 dollars with coupons. Not much but you know what 10 dollars is 10 dollars. I'll take it.

some times I will have to go to 2 different stores.

Now more htan ever I am a knowlegable shopper.

 

[ancestry]

I'd be thrilled to have milk for $2.50. Where I live it is usually about $4.00!

 

[Kies99]

A few years ago the Aldi's in NJ came under a bit of scrutiny from the state inspector. Evidently they were taking expired meat and repackaging it. Unfortuantely after that I haven't stepped into an Aldi, I'm not really store loyal but bad health reports tend to scare me. So I can't comment on that.

That's not confined to just Aldi's. Similar situations have happened at other grocery store chains as well (most notably Food Lion in the 90's).

We are lucky in that we have 2 large grocery stores and Aldi's within I'd say about 200-300 yards of each other. We can hit all three and get what we need at each. We're not locked into any one store.

 

[Pigeon]

I've noticed Aldi's prices creeping up, but not as much as the regular grocery stores. My normal grocery stores NEVER have canned goods for $.49. I'm lucky if they are under a dollar on sale. So Aldi's is still a bargain for me, but it's a bit of a trip and I don't get there as often as I'd like.

 

[JeffreyY]

I too was disapointed in Aldi's. A store opened about 10 miles from me so I thought I'd try it. It was tiny only about 6 aisles, the prices were not that great and the produce was bad and not any cheaper then the fruit store I go to. I got english muffins for.99 (my dad got them at Target for $1.39) and baby carrots for .49 instead of .99 at local store, so I saved .80 and had to pay $2 to park. I will not be going back.

 

[flateacher]

I just went to Aldi's for the first time this weekend. I WAS shopping at Publix - then DH got laid off (2 yrs ago). We then discovered Save-a-lot and bought their store brand. I went from $120-$140 a week to about $70.

I went to Aldis because someone on here said they got a great deal. I wanted to check it out. It is farther for me to drive. But I liked the selection. They have more to choose from. Some things are cheaper than others. Milk was 2.89 and I was ELATED! Because at Savealot it is 3.19 at the cheapest. (and I buy 3 gallons at a time) But Aldis cheese was more expensive (but - they had low fat cheese/skim milk) which Save a lot doesnt.

Aldis also had better seafood. So I was very excited about that!

Unfortunately, I agree with other posters - food is just getting really expensive! I am starting to pick a choose what we eat for dinner and lunch based on the price! (meat is just outrageous any more!)

 

[AmandaRG]

I've only bought stuff from Aldi's once. The canned veggies had ends and pieces and WAY more water than food after removing the junk.

I clip coupons on anything I will buy if it is a good price. If it isn't something we wouldn't be willing to pay full-price for, I wouldn't buy it on sale. That said, I really work to combine coupons with the sales for those items.

What I did in the beginning was buy things that were a really good deal and buy a few more than I would have before. It didn't add much to my bill, and I started watching closer for the best price.

Drug stores are one of the places I have saved the most with. At Walgreens yesterday I got Crayola Washable markers and Keri lotion for "free" (after recieving register rewards to be used on my next week's shopping trip). I paid $1 a bottle for Head and Shoulders shampoo. Toothpaste and toothbrushes are free or $.25.

For some people it seems to work better than others. We are not brand-loyal, so it isn't too hard for us.

My toiletries needs are nil right now, so the deals I am getting now help out my mom. She is retired and on Social Security. I have about $50 worth of products in a box for the next time I see her, and I paid about $5 for it, including tax!

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

I've only bought stuff from Aldi's once. The canned veggies had ends and pieces and WAY more water than food after removing the junk.

I clip coupons on anything I will buy if it is a good price. If it isn't something we wouldn't be willing to pay full-price for, I wouldn't buy it on sale. That said, I really work to combine coupons with the sales for those items.

What I did in the beginning was buy things that were a really good deal and buy a few more than I would have before. It didn't add much to my bill, and I started watching closer for the best price.

Drug stores are one of the places I have saved the most with. At Walgreens yesterday I got Crayola Washable markers and Keri lotion for "free" (after recieving register rewards to be used on my next week's shopping trip). I paid $1 a bottle for Head and Shoulders shampoo. Toothpaste and toothbrushes are free or $.25.

For some people it seems to work better than others. We are not brand-loyal, so it isn't too hard for us.

My toiletries needs are nil right now, so the deals I am getting now help out my mom. She is retired and on Social Security. I have about $50 worth of products in a box for the next time I see her, and I paid about $5 for it, including tax!

I live in a SMALL town. We have one privately owned grocery store and a CVS-you have to drive elsewhere for everything else even a KROGER! I really would like to take advantage of the Extra-Care Bucks, I am going to practice . Yesterday I received our grocery store's flyer and if I go and buy ONLY what is onsale, I think I will do fine. And I found a deal! Tide is onsale for $5.99 and I have a $2.00 coupon to use! The strategy will take some getting used to though, as opposed to thinking of what you want to make and making a list based off of that, you have to base your meals off of what is onsale.

I think if I could concentrate on getting really good deals on non food items I would be really happy! Toothbrushes for .25 would make my day

 

[jakenjess]

I'd be thrilled to have milk for $2.50. Where I live it is usually about $4.00!

Yes! Every time I read people talking about milk prices I realize how ridiculously high it is here!! I probably average $10/week on just milk!

 

[GinnyEmma]

OP, here it depends on the item. Aldi sale brocolli can't be beat. And I love their trash bags even though they've gone up. But Kroger milk is cheaper here. I just pick one store to hit a week.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I was just in Aldi's yesterday and noticed their chips went from $.99 to $1.39. However, overall they are still a HUGE money saver compared to the chain stores.

I am fortunate to have a Dollar General Market about 5 miles from me (its a Dollar general that also sells groceries, for those who don't know). Their canned goods were 3/$1.00 for the longest time but they are now 2/$1.00 as well. I shop there often because Aldi's is farther from me.

We have an H.G. Hill and they have just gotten insane. Shopped there for 30 years but no more.

You can't expect all other grocery stores to increase prices and one grocery store to remain the same. The market doesn't work like that. When food prices increase, all stores will have to increase the prices as well, even Aldi's. But still, by far (at least here) Aldi's is MUCH cheaper than any other store.

 

[bpesch]

What's important about using coupons is how you do it. Only use coupons on items you have to buy and match them up with sales as much as possible. Manufacturers put out coupons hoping to get consumers to try their products and become loyal customers. But if you are using coupons on things that you don't use, you're defeating the purpose of using them to try to save money.

And forget about the Extreme Coupon shows and how much money they save. It's all smoke and mirrors. When you get right down to it, using coupons wisely is the best way you can save money.

 

[bonna girl]

Couponing does take work and I have been doing it for about 5 months now. At first I was buying and signing up for every coupon in site. Now I am a bit more selective about what I purchase. I think everyone goes thru this "honeymoon" phase. It took this long for my household to get used to shopping this way as well. We purchase things when they are on sale and if I have a coupon... all the better. BUT there are times when I have to pay full price and that is when Aldi's, Wal Mart and Dollar General come into place. Aldis has gone up on their price but then I notice it at the other stores as well. I am lucky as I have a WalMart, Dollar General, Aldi, Publix and Kroger with a mile of other. Plus there is a Sav-A-Lot in there as well. I don't shop them all in a weekend - just pick and choose by who has what deals.

My payoff is that my hubby is now getting into looking for sales. In the past two weeks he found two boxes of the HE detergent for our machine on clearance for $3 (normal price $9) and several bottles of KFC BBQ sauce on sale for .50 each. So now it is not just me looking for sales!

 

[mrseace711]

When I first got layed off 3 years ago we happened to live right by an Aldis as well as Wal-Mart and a Meijer, that was when I first discovered Aldis I was tired of clipping coupons and running around to get the best deals. There were times when we only had $20 left after bills for a week!! And I could make it work at Aldis! The prices on many things have creeped up and sometimes I do just run over to Wal-Mart when I need to buy other things like toilet paper. My previous grocery bill was around $140 for a family of 6 cart always over flowing at Aldis, now its closer to $200. I still always buy my ground turkey was .99 cents now its like 1.29 a frozen pound there as well as my chicken breast 5.99 (frozen bag) and the frozen pizzas are YUMMY.

 

[aprilgail2]

We had one of these Aldis stores open a few towns over from me this weekend- I had never heard of them before. Maybe I will go in and see that they have once its been open for awhile.

 

[amberdburke]

I have only been to Aldi's once, because I do so well at Meijer. I would like to try it again - maybe this week.

Meijer is seriously the best place for me to shop. They have an amazing produce selection and good deals on fruit.

I spend around $200 a month on groceries for my family of 3 (and my daycare kids). And we RARELY, if ever eat out. I have several meals that I know are cheap to make, and we really have pared down on breakfast/lunch choices. My DH is a car salesman, so I never know how much money we are going to have. Typically I spend around $60 every two weeks and then $20 for milk, fruit, etc. on the weeks he doesn't get paid. We don't eat a ton of meat, but have chicken about once a week, some kind of fish (or tuna) once a week, and we have beans in between.

It is nice that Aldi has the "Fit" items.

 

[Mom_Rides]

I've noticed some of the prices starting to creep up at Aldi as well, but it's still a huge money saver for us to shop there. This last week, we spent $87 at Aldi and had a cart full. We had a lot of fresh fruit and veggies, some meats and other items. Then we went to Meijer to get what we couldn't pick up at Aldi....$120. For like less then half the amount of stuff that we got at Aldi. It always just amazes me how much money we really do save by buying at Aldi.

I really became a fan of Aldi two years ago when I lost my job and our budget took a huge hit. DH was kind of snooty about it and wasn't sure that we should shop there This same man now shops with me every two weeks and I hear "hey do you want to try this?" or "wow, this is way cheaper then Meijer" or "did that come from Aldi? that was good"

As far as coupons go, I rarely use them anymore. I found I was buying things just because I had a coupon. I go through the coupons now and clip the ones I know we'll use (TP, toiletries, cleaning, etc) and pitch the rest. Just seems silly to be tempted to buy something we really don't need.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

We don't get much in the way of coupons here in Canada, and I find the ones I see are usually for things I just don't buy anyway.

I have decided, for my family, that I want to focus more on good nutrition than on keeping food costs to a minimum. We are vegan, so we don't buy meat or cheese which probably saves us money right there. I try to stay away from processed foods as much as possible, so most of what I buy are fruits, vegetables, dried or canned beans, some nuts and seeds, spices, some soy or almond milk, etc. (although we do make our own almond milk at times.)
I will try to purchase mostly the fruits and veggies that are in season, but if, say, sweet potatoes are a bit pricey I still think it's a good use of my money to buy them instead of (for example) the potato chips that might be on sale. I try to save money in other areas rather than on food because I think nutrition is so important.

Teresa