Many of you have asked how I manage to stay under budget when my grocery budget is so small ($50/week), and my #1 answer is… I shop at Aldi! I don’t go every week, since my nearest Aldi is 40 minutes away, but I make the drive usually twice a month. I definitely think it’s worth the drive, and while I’m there I stock up on favorite items!
If you’ve never shopped at Aldi, you should know a few things. You’ll need to bring shopping bags (you bag your own groceries), cash or a debit card (they do not accept checks or credit cards), and a quarter (you will “rent” your cart). The store is small – about the size of a drug store – and stocked with Aldi-labeled brands.
In my next post, I’ll share my favorite buys at Aldi, but for now I’ll start with my top reasons to shop at Aldi!
1. Prices are amazing!
Because of Aldi’s unconventional style (smaller store, all store-brands, fewer employees, etc.), they can keep prices waaaay lower than other national grocery store chains. Other grocery stores I shop at can’t even compete! The biggest compliment I can pay another grocery store is to remark of their sale price: “Wow! That price is Aldi good!” Aldi prices don’t fluctuate as much as other stores, which helps me know what to expect every time I go (and helps me stick with my cash budget!).
2. Food tastes as good as the national brand, or better!
We love the Aldi brands and have found them to be just as tasty or better than name brand products (not that we buy name brands often!). I haven’t tried everything in the store, of course, but almost everything that I have tried I like!
3. Employees are very helpful and friendly
Aldi treats their employees well, from what I understand, paying them 50% more than the average grocery store pays their clerks. They also offer good benefits, so maybe that’s why the employees are always so friendly!
4. Shopping takes less time since the store is smaller.
I can get “sucked into” big stores like Walmart, but shopping at Aldi is quick and more efficient! I can dash in and grab what I need quickly without having to deliberate about which brand to buy – there’s only one! If it’s your first time shopping at Aldi, you may find it takes a while to find things, but once you get used to your store’s layout, I guarantee it will be faster.
5. Aldi listens to its customers
Earlier in 2013 Aldi launched a “trial” line of organic products to see if there would be an interest. After many people purchased and raved about the new line, Aldi has decided to make the organic line permanent, even expanding it to produce and adding more dairy and meat! I’m really excited about this, since it will make organic food more attainable to my family and others like mine that are on a tight budget.
6. Weekly special buys are really fun!
Aldi offers select weekly buys that range from kitchen supplies to bath towels to toys to gardening supplies! I’ve found gifts and products I need for great prices! It’s always fun to be surprised with what they’re offering each week (though you can look online ahead of time too).
Do you have an Aldi near you? Do you shop there regularly?
Next up… my favorite things to buy at Aldi!
I am an Aldi fan too. I used to have an hour to shop there but this summer a big new Aldi opened just 3 miles from our home. It is just amazing how our money stretches there. Even if I have a long list, going to Aldi for a long list is quicker than going to a superwalmart with a short list.
Having three teenagers in the house, Aldi has been a huge budget saver. Thankfully, we have several Aldis very close to use so it is a convenient,fast, choice.
Thanks for taking the time to talk about Aldis for those of us who don’t know much…