Tell me about ALDI...

[aliwolly]

There are at least 2 ALDI stores near me and I've never been in either... I've seen the flyers on Sunday and from what I've gathered, it appears to be a cheap grocery store with some other items? I looked at the website and didn't recognize many of the brands - is it basically all generic? How is the quality? Are the prices good? Could I get all of my grocery shopping done there? Is it worth shopping there?

I've been lurking on this budget board for a while... You all have such great ideas!! I've been trying to cut down on expenses while I pay down my debt - I'll be debt-free within 2 years!! Also, this vacation is the first one ever that we won't be putting on any credit cards - I'm really proud of that. I know that we should probably not be vacationing while we've got so much debt, but it'll be our first vacation in 2 years and after this past year (lost everything in a fire) I think we need it! I'm hoping, though, that I can really start cutting back on our expenses in general because it's rediculous the amount of money the two of us waste.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Shagley]

I love Aldi. I can't get all my groceries there, but I go there for staples like milk, eggs, cereal, crackers, cheese. They don't have name brands, but I think I have heard that some of their items are made by name brand companies, but just labeled different for Aldi. My favorite is the Peanut Butter Crunch cereal, but I also like their ice cream and their frozen french bread pizza. I eat healthy, can you tell?

 

[julsmom]

Hello Shagley, from another Central Illinois-ian!!

 

[nuke]

I love Aldis.
Today I went shopping for our cup scout camping trip this weekend.
I bought:
48 hot dogs
24 hamburgers
6 packages hot dog buns
3 packages hamburger buns
8 tomatos
bag of onions
3 bunches of bananas
ketchup
mustard
2 bags big marshmellows
4 packages of 12 donuts
a carmel danish coffee cake
2 boxes pop-tarts
gallon of Oreo ice cream
oscar mayer bacon
4 bags of chips
Total $51.00!!

 

[staceyfe]

Just went to Aldi's today. Here's a sample of what I got:

milk 2% 1 gallon: $2.48
taco seas: $.29
canned veggies: $.35
plain chips and tortilla chips(large bag): $.99
box of saltines: .69
frozen OJ: .89/can frozen grape juice: .79
boxed instant (flavored) potatoes: .89 (2 pkg/box)
bagged garden salad: .99


And yes, they do carry some name brands (I saw Kid Cuisine, and North star push ups, and Pringles chips--.89--just today) but it's very hit and miss. The name brands are "special purchase" items.

Some other prices I remember:

spaghetti sauce: .99
applesauce (32oz) .89 or .99


They also carry paper items, some personal hygeine items, and dog food, all store brand.

 

[jeanadave]

I love Aldi. No, you can't get everything you need there, but you can get alot and their prices are better than the grocery store (usually). I also think that the majority of their brands are as good or better than name brands.

 

[MELSMICE]

I'm a huge Aldi convert. I have saved so much money shopping at Aldi. I do the majority of my grocery shopping there about every 2 weeks. In between I shop the sale items at the 2 major grocery stores in my area.

I truly believe that many of their products are made by Kraft, as I have seen Miracle Whip, Eggo waffles & other things made by the Kraft company.

Their grilled chicken strips are great for salads, fajitas, etc. My DD's love their cereal & apple juice is always 99 cents. I buy all my cream cheeses - they have flavored, shredded cheese, not from concentrate OJ, dinner rolls & "pillsbury" cinnamon rolls, as well as bagels, which are only 99 cents. They have great seedless rye bread & I love their soups.

I could go on & on but you get the idea. I save a ton of money for my family of 5. I guess the down side is that you have to pack your own groceries, but I don't find it a hassle at all.

At least give it a try!

 

[Kevenswife2]

I'm another Aldi lover. Great prices on salad mix, spinach salad, and baby carrots.

When DH starts cutting back on the grocery money I 'get him back' by buying Aldi toilet paper .

If you do try Aldi, leave your charge card at home as they don't accept them. I think they do take all other forms of payment. (Which I don't have...no check book, no ATM card, no debit card ) They love cash.

 

[Shagley]

Hello Shagley, from another Central Illinois-ian!!

Hi julsmom!!

 

[aliwolly]

Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for the replies, examples and advice! Everyone is so helpful here! Looks like I'll give ALDI a shot this weekend...

Thanks!

 

[dbgardener]

I have shopped at Aldi's for years. I love the fact that it is small, yet has 90% of what I need. I can get in and out fast. The prices are a lot better than the chain stores and because it isn't filled with thousands of other items that you really don't need, you really end up saving even more money by not buying those impulse items. The quality and taste is comparable to brand names.

A few years ago I was involved with cub scouts and we had a concession stand at the ball field in the summer. We always got a lot of compliments on the hot dogs. People would say they were the best they ever tasted. We had to laugh, because we bought them from Aldi's and I know a lot of people that ate them probably never would have shopped at Aldi's because they don't have brand names.
If they only knew






*****

 

[lovesmurfs]

Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for the replies, examples and advice! Everyone is so helpful here! Looks like I'll give ALDI a shot this weekend...

Thanks!

Just bring your own bags and a quarter for the shopping cart (refundable when you return it to the bunch). I always seem to forget the quarter....

 

[TENIA66]

i love aldis!!! i just forget the cash only thing.............we buy almost everything there now

 

[tinaluis]

Give them a try -- I think you'll be glad that you did. This past week the focus of their "sale" flyer was Chinese products. We tried several new things and especially liked the Stir Fry Vegetables with Mango Ginger sauce. DDs thought we'd ordered from the Chinese restaurant.

They also have Hazelnut flavored coffee creamer for $1.99 for the 32 oz. bottle and it tastes just as good as the name brand. Large bag (32 oz. I think) of chicken nuggets for $3.29 (or $3.99 can't remember). My girls prefer the Aldi brand of Macaroni & Beef over Chef Boyardee and it's only $.59 a can.

 

[Twende]

I shop there for most things. The prices can't be beat and the quality is very good on most items.

Ours takes debit cards although you do need a quarter to get a cart and like everyone says you get that back when you return the card.

Once in a while they have name brand things, like French's Onions for green bean casserole at Thanksgiving.

DH loves the Roseland brand sausages and I like their brand of spagetti sauce. Ours does not have great produce, in fact not even good produce

We have a small local store that has good meat prices( they butcher their own meats) and very fresh produce so I get those things there.

 

[ToyStory#1fan'sMom]

Ours takes debit cards.

Love Aldi! Ours has just remodeled and now carries gourmet cheese, meats, etc. They are also carrying fresh meats instead of just the frozen. A loaf of bread for 59 cents, can't beat that! Bagged cheeses, $1.29. Excellent! We buy all pantry staples, milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, snacks (the animal crackers are DIVINE!) there. There is also a chocolate there that is really good, can't remember the name. It's in a rectangle shaped box, has about 10 individual wrapped bars, and comes in a few "flavors". We like the pink one, strawberry maybe. So good, and I am a chocolate snob!

Try it! You'll be surprized!
Kate

 

[PaulaSue]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[amp078]

I love Aldi's for my soy milk, cottage cheese, and baby spinach. I also go through the produce section in the morning- ours doesn't keep the produce refrigerated throughout the day so I find it best to shop early- right after they pull everything out of the coolers when they open. Bananas are always 3 lbs for $1.

Friends of mine have told me how good the steaks are- I still haven't tried them though.

I did have one bad experience with a corned beef brisket- it smelled spoiled when I opened it so I took it back and got another one. This one smelled better but it was terrible after I cooked it. I will never buy corned beef again from Aldi's!!!

 

[Plantlady]

I have been shopping at Aldi for many, many years. It would be possible for me to shop exclusively there, but I have to pick up some extras typically. Their refried beans aren't vegetarian, for instance.

A couple of weeks ago, our Aldi was closed for remodeling, and I had to shop at Super Walmart that day, and I imagine I spent an extra $10 that day (It adds up over time).

Definatley give it a shot. The quality is just fine, and the prices can't be beat.

 

[PirateKitty]

I love Aldi's for canned fruits and veggies. You can't beat those prices!