Interesting shopping today - made me grateful

[MJames41]

I went to an Aldi's today (if they don't have them in your area, it is a really, really cheap supermarket - you bag your own stuff, and usually they only have super-generic stuff for sale). They just built it near where I used to live (almost across the street) and a few blocks from where I live now.

What made me grateful was that I used to have to shop there all the time, because it was all we could afford. Today I was there because it was convenient, and some of the stuff I don't mind getting generic (for instance, lettuce doesn't really have to be a name brand for me). I was just so grateful that I didn't have to shop there, but that I had a choice. I said a silent prayer of thanks to God and moved on. Just wanted to share.

 

[chell]

 

[kbeverina]

Hey!

 

[ilovepcot]

It's a good feeling to hear that someone is truly grateful for their good fortune. May you always have a choice in where you shop!

 

[Disney Ella]

I know what you mean. I am grateful every month that I have the money to pay the bills. I still remember what it was like trying to scrape enough together to pay the basic bills and having next to nothing left over.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

We have a Price - Rite, which is just like Aldi. I still shop there for things like soda and the basics, sometimes.

I'm very thankful for where I am now too. I used to go from job to job, and live in house with about 8 other people to share expenses. That kind of lifestyle gets old after awhile.

 

[powellrj]

we mall shopped for school clothes this year with my last 2 children. I remember the years with my first child that we yard sale and goodwill shopped for back-to-school clothes. I have to admit we use to shop at aldi's because we had to, I have gone back to shopping at aldis because I like the new lines of products they are selling and its a lot smaller and easier to get in and out of than the "super" stores. I can box it the way I want it and it makes it easier to un pack at home.

 

[BrerMom]

 

[Saffron]

Awww James, that's a wonderful feeling and a wonderful realization, isn't it, when we realize how grateful we are for what we have.

I'm thankful every day, for little things in life that I take for granted, like going TO a grocery store, any grocery store. I'm thankful that I have food, ANY food. I also pray for those that can't and don't.

Thank you James for the reminder of how fortunate many of us are, even if things are tough or sad for us right now.

Now I have to look up Aldi to see if there is one near us because I love a good bargain!

 

[Pembo]

Non-union store!

 

[perdidobay]

so what... people have a right to work and shop where ever they choose.

.......................................................................................................
I am grateful for my children's health every time I go to work... at the Disney Store where I work at I see alot of St Jude kids come in, makes you realize so much you take for granted

 

[mamajoan]

James.. very nice thought behind this thread


Yes perdido people have the right to shop/work where they choose...but that is not always financially possible.
To me it makes more sense.. if you have $100 for groceries to spend it where it you will get more bang for the buck. If you have WIC or food stamps it makes more sense to me to utilize them at a store that has lower cost averages.


I am one of those who also remember the early days.. living from check to check and stretching those dollars as far as possible. Yard sales, the yellow box generic foods... hec.. anybody remember KROGERPRO.... ground beef stretched with soy protein?? I try to teach my kids the differences btwn needs and wants.. there is a big difference imho...

Here in my little town we have Nob Hill, Safeway, Albertsons and Hollister SuperMarket which caters more to the Mexican poplulation as it has tons of Mexican products that the other stores do not carry. Me.. I shop at Nob Hill even tho it is a bit more expensive than the others. The clerks unload your cart, check you out, bag it up, take it to the car and unload it .... the store is smaller(easier for me to manage)... but big enough to carry a wide variety. People make choices for a variety of reasons.
I am thankful that I am finacially able to make a CHOICE...

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I think perdidobay was answering Pembo's comment about it being a non union store, not a knock on where people can afford to shop. At least that's the way I took it. My dad retired from Ford Motor Co. after 40+years of service (talk about union!), and my mom still shops at Aldi's. In SC, I couldn't even tell you where a union run grocery store was, if there even was one.

I also shop at Aldi's, not because I have to (thankfully), but because they have good deals, and a lot of times they have some really unique products. I like the no frills approach to shopping. When I am helping my sons' school's church to stock their food bank, I go to Aldi's and buy tuna (3 cans/$1 example), canned goods, mac and cheese, etc. I can buy 2 cases of canned goods for about $10. That can make a difference to a needy family, who is more interested than quantity of food rather than name brands..

 

[mamajoan]

now I see... thanks hrh!! I was a wee bit confused.. sorry if I jumped to the wrong conclusion perdido! mia culpa!!

 

[Robinrs]

aMEN!

 

[Cinders]

Non-union store

Cool!! I'll have to shop there more often now. I've been slacking lately on saving money on some grocery items but I think this week I'll stock up some items. The boys love the Maple Leaf chicken cordon bleus that ours carries. Not to mention Maple Leaf is a local company.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

It IS awful nice to be able to shop where you want to--we haven't always had the luxury, either, but I'm glad we do right now. I HATE shopping with a toddler, and Aldi's (and equivalent, by us it's Save-More) isn't worth the few bucks for the extra hassle. it might be down the line, though, if DH loses his job again (not likely, but...), or even if I had more time and energy. I love saving money, but right now, I shop for SPEED!

P.S. DD9 LOVES the Aldi's frozen pizzas, so she and I stop on the way home from the orthodontist to stock up.