Comments on: Frugal Friday- Aldi

By: Elizabeth Bailey

Elizabeth Bailey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:43:31 +0000

I am HOOKED on Aldi!!! Started shopping there five weeks ago and haven’t gone back to my true blue “snobby” grocery store I’d been shopping for 20 years…I’ve reduced my weekly grocery bill from approx 55-60 bucks a weeks down to 25-31 bucks a week!! Quite a savings..I only wish i’d switched sooner..my local Aldi is spotless and has a terrific selection of fresh produce and dairy. I especially love the Fit and Active line and also the Grandessa line – I’ve only found one item that was so-so – but for the price I paid I’m still buying it in place of the same item I was paying double for at my old fave grocery store..As for the meat, I am slowly adding more meats to my basket – so far so good – I can tell you that the frozen fish (Tilapia and Salmon) have been pretty good, and at half the price even more delicious!!! I am finding that I’m eating a more healthful variety of foods and at half the price – how can anybody argue with that…all you Aldi skeptics just need to give it a chance…go in with a quarter for the cart (you’ll get it back when you return the cart) and bring some bags to pack all your treasures it…walk slowly through the isles and DON’T BE AFRAID TO BUY SOMETHING BECAUSE IT’s SO CHEAP – The food REALLY is good…seriously..and you’ll be happy with all the extra $$ you have left in your wallet when you leave
**be sure to try the “Clancy’s” brand of snacks (tortilla chips, potato chips, etc) They’re really yummy and cheap ( 99 cents for a bag of white tortilla chips).

By: Need A Nap2

Need A Nap2 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:25:23 +0000

I LOVE Aldi’s too, but I also remembered going as a kid thinking ugh, um I’m never choosing to shop here! But my friend told me about it about 5 years ago, so I gave it another try and had to agree – clean, bright, well laid out. I love the Fit & Healthy brand too but probably don’t buy as much as you do! They have unsalted peanuts which are hard to find elsewhere, though the Planters brand is a little crispier (and makes that great popping sound when you open them). But I do give in to the knock-off nacho cheese Doritos sometimes. My kids love the cereal bars. Their milk is the cheapest, but I would usually buy 1% and they don’t have that so I get 2%. I usually buy their canned pumpkin and canned cranberry sauce (used in a sausage and pineapple recipe I make year round). LOVE their chocolate ice cream drumsticks!!!! Much cheaper than name brand. My kids like their corn dogs but prefer Tyson chicken nuggets and Great Value (Wal-Mart) fish sticks. They have the BEST price on spiral sliced honey ham for Thanksgiving/Christmas and Easter! It is really really good. I wasn’t impressed with the ground turkey and can usually get meat cheaper elsewhere. The produce seems to depend on the day, I’ll usually look it over and decide if I want to get it there or elsewhere. My kids love the baby carrots and they stay fresh longer than the date. I like the paper (table) napkins too though I’ve been buying Target’s lately. We just moved so I’m not very close to Aldi’s and am quite sad about it.
.-= Need A Nap2´s last blog ..Missy Moment =-.

By: Staci @teaching money to kids

Staci @teaching money to kids — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:48:02 +0000

Ummm….Chocolate…. Is there a different reason to go there?
They have the most amazing dark chocolate ever invented. Well for cheap folks like us anyways.
.-= Staci @teaching money to kids´s last blog ..Feeling Rich #3 Coming From Generous Families =-.

By: Jodi

Jodi — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:46:51 +0000

I shop at Aldi for everything. I actually LOVE their meat and veggies! My husband was a grocery snob and I started subtly replacing the brands we were using with Aldi brand. I eventually told him and now he is in LOVE! Happy Aldi adventures! .-= Jodi´s last blog ..A Ohio Controversy... =-.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:30:43 +0000

I too, am from Australia. The main things we get there are diapers, wipes, fabric softener, juice, yogurt, dish soap, and the special buys that abba12 mentioned – I picked up some pink boxing pads for $20 a couple of weeks ago, and in the sports shop they cost $50! But the diapers are the big savings, I won’t lie. And the quality of them is good – even overnight.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..I Is Doing Stuff… =-.

By: Devin

Devin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:08:27 +0000

I have reservations about Aldi, too–mostly because of things that tend to be a real inconvenience when shopping with children. But as far as the food is concerned, I have liked mostly everything I have bought. I find the produce to be wonderful, and have not had any problems with it rotten quickly. I have bought bananas, pears, apples, grapes, lettuce, carrots, celery, potatoes, onions….the list goes on…and have been very happy with it.

Still a fraidy cat when it comes to buying the meat, though. I did do the frozen chicken breast in a 3 lb. bag once, and was very unhappy–haven’t ventured out to the meat since. Glad you’ve discovered something that can save you some grocery money!
.-= Devin´s last blog ..Confusion =-.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:46:33 +0000

We LOVE Aldi. Thats the only way I can keep myself in budget while still getting the wants. (I am pregnant and we have a toddler, so it happens all the time.)

In general, the produce lasts me days longer than produce from any other store. Usually if you look at the produce first (like you do at any other store) you can see if it looks like its going bad.

We also like their sandwich meat. Where else can you get a 16oz package of sliced ham or turkey for less than $3? Trust me, its rare to find that at other stores. My husband swears by their hotdogs as well as frozen pizza, but to me the hot dogs are hot dogs and nothing special. We don’t buy the fresh meat because a local grocery store has great prices in their ‘mile long meat counter.’
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..News from the homefront =-.

By: Tiera

Tiera — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:54:34 +0000

We buy milk, eggs, chips, cheese, crescent rolls, produce, usually very good, and sometimes some of the frozen goods, ice cream etc… We like it, our store is clean and well taken care of, they are bringing in more and more branded items. We don’t shop there exclusively, but it is great for teen night at our house, snacks, frozen treats etc…. the kids don’t care.

By: Becky

Becky — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:42:57 +0000

I shop Aldi and love it! I actuall usually do better getting meat on sale from other grocery stores…but I do LOVE their ground turkey. It comes frozen in 1# packages for $1.19!! It’s great in chili, tacos, etc….it’s frugal AND healthy!! Don’t be afraid of their produce…it’s actually good (except the bananas..they have no shelf life). Again, sometimes I do better getting the fruit that’s on sale at other stores, but the prices still great at Aldi. Happy shopping!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..God’s BIG story!! =-.

By: Courtney W

Courtney W — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:23:36 +0000

I went there once. I just can’t bring myself to go back. But,I am sure I am in the minority — a lot of people LOVE it.