Shopping at Aldi

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Anybody shop at Aldi to save $ on groceries? I've heard good things online but admit I have some preconceived notions on the store.

I have to admit seeing .49 avocados is amazing if they're not completely rotted.

I usually shop at publix (mix of conventional and organic) and have found some off produce there too.

 

[mickeymousemom]

I really like Aldi and shop there off and on. I do get produce there, but some of it seems to go bad faster than others. I think most of their stuff is pretty good and I do get frozen bags of chicken there a bit cheaper than even WalMart. A lot of their snacks are good as well. They have some good cheeses once in awhile too . A lot of the items used to be mediocre years ago, but they have gotten better. I do think its a place to supplement your regular shopping and save money.

 

[PrncessA]

I shop at Aldi occasionally, I would shop there more but we have an amazing produce store with a very cheap deli that I shop at when it isn't packed. I actually really like Aldi produce. It is normally very fresh and in fact their strawberries are usually better than other places! Their milk is also hormone free, fyi.

 

[girli565]

I love Aldi's. The produce is good, only caveat is that it has to be used within a week (sometimes less). But in my house things like berries, carrots, avocados, and tomatoes don't usually last that long, lol.

We save significant amounts buying staples and produce from aldis. If they weren't so far I'd go regularly. A new one is being built about 4 miles from my house so I'll be able to go more often. Between Aldi's for staples and BJs for meat and paper goods, I'll be able to save a lot!

 

[CoolMom2112]

For those who have 'notions' about Aldi...

Let me illuminate you:
Aldi Süd operates as Aldi, and Aldi Nord as the now ubiquitous Trader Joe’s.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat..._best_in_america_related_to_trader_joe_s.html

Their produce does seem to 'spoil' quicker than 'American' grocery store produce, but if you think about it, isn't produce SUPPOSED to spoil? I know that when I pick something out of my garden, it doesn't last as long as a grocery store bought item does. Makes me wonder what they do to the produce at grocery stores...

Anyway, I shop at Aldi preferentially. I only shop at Kroger/Publix if I can't get something at Aldi.

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

Try it, you just may love it.

I try to get there about once a month. We've had an Aldi here for as long as I can recall, my parents shopped there when I was a kid. I don't find that I can do all my shopping there but I certainly enjoy what I do get there. I also love the size, you can be in and out fairly quickly if the checkout line isn't too bad.

Their frozen green beans (long, skinny kind) are fantastic. We love them roasted in the oven.

They usually have a decent selection of very reasonably priced produce.

Their bag/packaged salad and spinach are cheap.

I prefer their soft flour tortillas, which I initially bought just because of the price. We eat way too many of those every week lol.

You rarely can find 16.9 oz bottled water any cheaper than their 24 packs are.

Go on, get over to Aldi and pick up some stuff to try

 

[fluffykalie]

They have a double guaranty. meaning if you get a bad product or item that you do not like you can get your money back plus a replacement product for free. it only applys to there regular items. But they will still let you return a special buy item just wont give the double guaranty on that item.

 

[mcorbo]

We shop at Aldi's weekly and usually spend $60-$80, mostly on frozen foods, produce, snacks, dairy and canned items. Occasionally you can find some good bargains on fresh meat and boneless chicken breasts($1.69/lb.)

Sometimes it amazes me how inexpensive their brands are and are just as good as national brands.

 

[girli565]

We shop at Aldi's weekly and usually spend $60-$80, mostly on frozen foods, produce, snacks, dairy and canned items. Occasionally you can find some good bargains on fresh meat and boneless chicken breasts($1.69/lb.)

Sometimes it amazes me how inexpensive their brands are and are just as good as national brands.

I was reading an article about their brand and it said that some items may be packaged at the big name manufacturers, just has different packaging labels. And this article about their milk even proved it was from a big name milk plant.

 

[albarellic]

We also shop at Aldi's, mostly just for produce, but have recently added milk and some dry goods also. We started going there a couple of years ago when I realized that we were spending about $50-$60 a week on produce at our regular grocery store. By shopping at Aldi's we're down to around $15-$20 a week. There are a few things we still get at our regular chain- ginger, garlic, apples, potatoes... things Aldi's either doesn't carry or we just don't like from there.

We started buying milk there a few weeks ago when the price jumped again to over $4.50 a gal and Aldi's was still $2.50. The really sad part is we have to drive by a milk processing plant to get to the either store and Aldi's is 2 miles further than the other store!

 

[mamatohaleybug]

I love Aldi and do as much of my shopping there as possible. Most everything I've tried is great quality. Produce and dairy have great prices. Just wish there was one closer!

 

[Soulsearching]

I'm very happy with my produce and they last more than a week in my fridge!

I buy and have been very happy with:
Milk
Coffee
eggs
All Produce
Chicken on sale is $1.59 per pound! and other meats.
Cheeses
Canned Black Beans
Canned Diced tomatoes
Brown Rice
Chicken Broth
Seasonings

I don't love their yogurt, greek or otherwise.

I love that I can pop in and out of there and their prices are great! but I still need to go to a larger Supermarket every other week.

 

[3happydancers]

We also shop at Aldi's, mostly just for produce, but have recently added milk and some dry goods also. We started going there a couple of years ago when I realized that we were spending about $50-$60 a week on produce at our regular grocery store. By shopping at Aldi's we're down to around $15-$20 a week. There are a few things we still get at our regular chain- ginger, garlic, apples, potatoes... things Aldi's either doesn't carry or we just don't like from there.

We started buying milk there a few weeks ago when the price jumped again to over $4.50 a gal and Aldi's was still $2.50. The really sad part is we have to drive by a milk processing plant to get to the either store and Aldi's is 2 miles further than the other store!

I couldn't help noticing the price of milk you pay at your Aldi's. DH and I shopped there for the first time a few days ago. Our Aldi's milk is $3.29 a gallon. Still better than the grocery store but geez, sure wish we had your pricing!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

To help you get over your pre-conceived notions about Aldi (I had them too):
1. A lot of their foods are made by the big name manufacturers and are just in a different package
2. Aldi and Trader Joe's are owned by the same company

Some of the stuff is not great, but a lot of it is. Give it a shot.

 

[sheetz]

I like Aldi just fine and the prices are really cheap, even compared to Walmart. Not everything is good--I think their salad dressings are watered down--but most stuff is about the same generic stuff you can get at kroger. They've even started stocking name brand stuff, too.

I grew up on the West Coast where we didn't have Aldi so I never knew it had a negative image elsewhere.

 

[EMode]

I couldn't help noticing the price of milk you pay at your Aldi's. DH and I shopped there for the first time a few days ago. Our Aldi's milk is $3.29 a gallon. Still better than the grocery store but geez, sure wish we had your pricing!

Our Aldi's milk is $1.99 a gallon. I love Aldi, their prices are great and most of the stuff we have tried we have been very happy with.

 

[Egdisney]

Love Aldi, I only shop elsewhere for items in the sale circular and when I can get a really good deal using coupons. I cannot extreme coupon, I am not organized enough for it, shopping at Aldi saves me a lot of money without having to think about it. It is also nice because there aren't a lot of options for impulse buying. I will say I seldom buy meat there, we get usually get ours straight from the farmer.

 

[sniderman]

Check out the Aldi review site called The Smart Aldi Shopper. That will definitely change your mind about shopping at Aldi - they've got everything you need to know. Let go of those preconceptions and just give it a try for yourself!

The money you save can be put to much better use - maybe a resort upgrade?

 

[GC&S]

We finally got an Aldi's and it is wonderful. I haven't tried a lot of their frozen food, but the produce, eggs, milk, and snack foods have been great. My dd takes her lunch almost everyday and I have cut our bill in half on what I spent on her lunch foods. She loves their ice cream and they just started putting out their novelty ice cream bars and they great. They just started carrying organic fruits and vegetables too.

My only beef is that they don't carry 1% milk. So I have to get that elsewhere. Love that the store is small and I don't wander the isles aimlessly. I'm usually in and out within 1/2 hour.

 

[Marsheliz]

I am loving our Aldis.. My brother swears by it and I just never believed him but I have been going for about a month... I buy a lot of our kids snacks- crackers, cereal bars, fruit snacks, cereal, waters, yogurt tubes... I have even bought the canned fruit, creamer, sugar, pancakes on a stick, k cups for keirug, trash bags and paper plates... And obviously you can't beat the produce... Now I do still shop at a " regular" store to get meat, laundry stuff and Diapers but I have saved lots since I've been going.. Probably at least 20-30 a week.

The milk at our Aldis is $3.70.