Do you think the Duggers are really saving money shopping at Aldis?

[C.Ann]

My one and only visit to Aldi's convinced me that it would cost me money.

The place was DIRTY, "frozen" was more of a theory then a fact etc..... Looked to me like I was buying stuff that would be ruined. That's a waste!

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That's a shame.. I've had the opportunity to shop in Aldi's in four different locations and found all of the stores squeaky clean, well stocked with fresh produce, and excellent quality for dairy and frozen food products..

I wonder if they are sold like "franchise" places.. If so, that would account for the widely different conditions of the stores and the quality of items offered..

I have saved so much money at Aldi's since they first came to our area back in 2000.. When I get back to DD's for the winter, I'll be back to shopping in Aldi's for a large portion of our groceries.. (And of course all of the staples and such that I need for my Christmas baking will be a quarter of the price that I would pay elsewhere.. )

 

[emma'smom]

Always used to turn my nose up at Aldi's...but when gas prices hit 4.35 last summer---I was looking for any and all ways to save a few bucks and I ventured in!

I can't tell you how much money I save each week. I usually go to Aldi's first to do my first round of shopping and then to our nicer, gourmet grocery store for the rest. What do I buy at Aldi's?:

Granola bars, dried fruit, canned soups, yogurt, salad, coffee creamer, cheeses, bread, some produce, juice, cat food, laundry detergent, paper towels/napkins, etc.

It isn't a good place for fresh foods (except some produce). I mostly find my boxed goods there. Also, we buy organic milk....and they don't sell that at Aldi's. However, I am always amazed at how low the total is for what I buy!

 

[lauradenise4779]

I have a question....Does aldi sell "name brand" type foods, like Campbells, Kraft, etc??? If not, are they comparable to the name brands? Thanks!

 

[stitchlovestink]

That's a good question! I wonder if, using coupons, their savings would be minimal because there's a limit on how many items you can get for sale with a coupon? I didn't see the show so I don't know how much stuff they were getting. I imagine it would be a LOT ...

Exactly! None of the stores I shop in will let you buy 20 of the same item and use 20 coupons. Plus I know I invest a LOT of time in my coupons for our family of 4. I couldn't imagine trying to use coupons for a family of 18!

I save more money at Aldis, even with the best coupon Aldi is still cheaper

Not on everything, at least here where I live. when Super fresh does triple coupons up to 99cents, I walk out w/ about $150 worth of groceries for $25 to $30. I use many coupons then that make products free or only pennies. Occasionally, they'll pay me (towards other mds) to take the item out of their store. That's either thru self checkout or a lax cashier.
Side note, their choices are very limited too as it is much smaller here than the average grocery store.

I have a question....Does aldi sell "name brand" type foods, like Campbells, Kraft, etc??? If not, are they comparable to the name brands? Thanks!

Often they do have name brand items, but it is hit or miss as to what it will be and if they'll have it the next time you are there.
They stand behind their own product lines w/ a guarantee. I think it is if you're uphappy, they'll double your money back. It's on their labels that are owned by them. I have found most of their brands are pretty decent. but I do have my specific list of items I get there about every 4 to 6 weeks.
I really like their cream of chicken soup for casseroles. Their canned diced tomatoes are a great deal too. I didn't care too much for their rice (too mushy) and their instant potatoes. I didn't try the $ back guarantee as they weren't awful, but I wouldn't buy them again. JMO

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Is it cheaper than a military Commissary? I've never been to Aldi's (stitchlovestink - is the closest one in Edgewood?) but have heard alot about it and would love to check it out.

 

[heartsy77]

I don't know have the number children they do however, I have 4 of my own children and eight daycare children. In the summer, when all the big kids are home, I shop @ our local grocery store and Walmart. I do make 1 trip to Aldi's a summer for canned fruits and vegetables for the summer. I have bought a few things @ Aldi's some things are okay some don't meet my quality standards. IMHO I would rather buy name brand products match sales and coupons and have it come out cheaper than cheaper food @ Aldi's. During the school year I spend about 200 a week in the summer it jumps to about 250 because I am serving lunches as well as breakfast snacks and dinners.

 

[cmaee]

I'm sure that the Duggar's save a ton of money shopping at Aldi's. I'm also sure Jim Bob has done the math on it and knows that they save the most money at Aldi's. I doubt he does anything by accident when it comes to his families finances.

I love Aldi's. I shop there first and then fill in the rest of my shopping list at another grocery store if they don't have everything that I need there. I love having a full cart and getting to the checkout and paying such a low price. As far as brand comparison (generic vs. name brand), I think that name brand isn't always better. When I compare the taste with the price, if the taste isn't so much better, then price will win anytime. In fact, I've found that numerous generics or store brands are better than the name brand.

 

[mangocanon]

I would think so. Coupons aren't ususally for anything but new processed foods.

 

[delmar411]

Exactly! None of the stores I shop in will let you buy 20 of the same item and use 20 coupons. Plus I know I invest a LOT of time in my coupons for our family of 4. I couldn't imagine trying to use coupons for a family of 18!

Actually it's called multiple transactions. And I can run whatever I like in the way of 'same' coupons at 2 of my grocery stores (everyone can! LOL). The other one only doubles 2 like coupons but I can run as many transactions as I like. If those kids are all planning on having giant families then they'd better get acquainted with coupons and sales.

And if you get the paper and there is a coupon you can use multiples of then go on Ebay and buy multiples. Not very hard to do and is definitely not time consuming.

And the Duggar's have yucky meals. Lots of processed foods. I thought they were growing all their own foods and cooking everything from scratch? What happened to that lifestyle for them?

 

[hsmamato2]

I think with a lot of scrambling,you can save over Aldi (or in my area Pricerite) *sometimes* on items,but overall, the cost is so much lower to begin with,that it's hard to beat the savings upfront.
That said,I coupon the loss leaders in the local grocery stores,but it costs money to save that money,KWIM? driving,gas,paper costs for coupons(or ink for printer)
In the end,I do all my basics at pricerite (similiar to Aldi) and add on when the cost justifies at other stores. Last weeks shopping cost less than 65.00 total,milk,meats,fresh fruit/veggies,breads,snacks,froz veg(lots )
This was just average,weekly cost,no coupons,etc.(and I am CHOOSY about my meats)
Oh,forgot,we're a family of 4-one with allergies......I've found that if you look carefully,healthful foods can be found at discount stores-

 

[AllesonWonderland]

We don't have any stores that do double coupons here...at least not that I've seen. I have run into Mrs. Duggar in Walmart and Sam's as well, so she does shop around. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw her, I was like, "Hey, that looks like Michelle Duggar!" I get so excited when I see her. Sad, isn't it? LOL

 

[stahshee]

Maybe they should make it a jurisdiction for one of the girls to sit down & figure it all out - coupons vs. Aldi!

Glad you all have nice Aldi's - ours is horrendous - filthy & full of junk. I wish I could find a nice one close enough to make it worth my while.

our Aldi's bath romm is soooooooooo bad.. I told them that I would call the department of health... mind you my dd had to use it at 10 am in the morning..no excuse

 

[girli565]

We don't have any stores that do double coupons here...at least not that I've seen. I have run into Mrs. Duggar in Walmart and Sam's as well, so she does shop around. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw her, I was like, "Hey, that looks like Michelle Duggar!" I get so excited when I see her. Sad, isn't it? LOL

Yes, they do use Sam's because the show I was watching last night showed them making tatertot casserole and the tots were from Sams. It does seem like they use a lot of canned and processed foods. Not what I would like to feed my family but I guess when you make the decision to have that large of a family you make sacrifices in certain areas. They chose lower quality food.

 

[delmar411]

We don't have any stores that do double coupons here...at least not that I've seen. I have run into Mrs. Duggar in Walmart and Sam's as well, so she does shop around. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw her, I was like, "Hey, that looks like Michelle Duggar!" I get so excited when I see her. Sad, isn't it? LOL

I would probably do the same thing! LOL

 

[tink2dw]

Where I live they NEVER do DOUBLE DOUBLE coupons or even a Manufactures and a store coupon together. 1 only.

So, shopping at the discount food stores are a must!! We have 2 kinds, 1 that buys overstock food, and one that is a reg. grocery store but it's hook is that it sells Everything Cheaper than all big Chain Grocery stores.

The discount food store sells brands we don't see in the chains. Like we don't see Kruger's. They have way way discounted cheese, vitamins, Shampoo's, juice, butter, deli items, cleaning products, can goods, soups are hit and miss and many have other launages on the lable, frozen pizza, frozen dinners, burritos, canned fruit, crackers, noodles of every kind, also dry beans, dry peas, boxed dinners, cake mixs, canned frostings, baking products, chips, cookies, candies, spices and seasonal misc., gifts.

I buy as much as I can at the Discount Store anywhere from $50.00 to $200.00.

My Everything for Less store I buy milk, eggs, frozen fruit bars, paper plates,
paper products, soups, pickles, cereal, bagels and bread and anything I need and didn't find at the discount store.

 

[Beechnut]

It makes me think how much they make from the tv show and having the cameras on at all times.
There was a repeat of when they moved into their new home (finally!!) and the shots of the rooms prominently showed the BRANDS. It focused on most of the names of the appliances and stopped long enough in the pantry to show the labels on the soup (neatly front faced ) .

I am not saying they are not frugal, I am saying it's easier when TV programs help out.

I think the same of Jon and Kate plus 8. Companies want to get exposure and the reality shows give them a new outlet. The more viewers the more exposure.

Mind you I'm watchin with you!

 

[girli565]

It makes me think how much they make from the tv show and having the cameras on at all times.
There was a repeat of when they moved into their new home (finally!!) and the shots of the rooms prominently showed the BRANDS. It focused on most of the names of the appliances and stopped long enough in the pantry to show the labels on the soup (neatly front faced ) .

I am not saying they are not frugal, I am saying it's easier when TV programs help out.

I think the same of Jon and Kate plus 8. Companies want to get exposure and the reality shows give them a new outlet. The more viewers the more exposure.

Mind you I'm watchin with you!

I totally agree!! Last night they were using Scrubbing Bubbles to clean the bathroom and made it a point to say the name and show them using it.

 

[iheartdisney]

And the Duggar's have yucky meals. Lots of processed foods. I thought they were growing all their own foods and cooking everything from scratch? What happened to that lifestyle for them?

What happened? Celebreality happened!

 

[stahshee]

It makes me think how much they make from the tv show and having the cameras on at all times.
There was a repeat of when they moved into their new home (finally!!) and the shots of the rooms prominently showed the BRANDS. It focused on most of the names of the appliances and stopped long enough in the pantry to show the labels on the soup (neatly front faced ) .

I am not saying they are not frugal, I am saying it's easier when TV programs help out.

I think the same of Jon and Kate plus 8. Companies want to get exposure and the reality shows give them a new outlet. The more viewers the more exposure.

Mind you I'm watchin with you!

also Extreme Make over is the same way

 

[erin.w]

I think Jon and Kate are much less so because they often have company names covered, or the labels removed. I've seen some brands go by but not as many or as obvious as with the Duggars. On a repeat of J+K from Valentine's day she got Jon a gift card to "a popular coffee place," rather than saying the name.

I thoroughly enjoy both shows though!