New Aldi in my area!

**MommyinTX** · 03-05-2010, 01:50 PM

I just found out Aldi is opening a new store 8 miles from my house! Will this really help my grocery bill? I currently make a weekly loop of grocery loss leaders, coupon deals, the bakery thrift store, and Sprouts for produce and the bulk bins. Thrifty, but time consuming!

I mostly cook from scratch and buy whole foods. Does Aldi carry these pantry and refrigerated staples? What about natural foods like whole wheat flour and real peanut butter? How are their prices on dairy...milk, cheese, butter?

If I think something is a good price, should I stock up? Or are their prices stable enough to catch more on the next shopping trip?

Thanks,
Becky

**cheles2kids** · 03-05-2010, 02:40 PM

Hey Becky!
I can answer some of you're questions for ya'~
No to the natural foods, if you're looking for things you would find in a natural food store, then Aldi's won't have it.

They do have a "Fit & Active" line of "healthier" snack foods, for lack of a better term, that alot of people really enjoy.
I personally don't buy alot of snacks, so I don't buy alot of this particular line.

Do they have fresh produce? Yes. But it is hit or miss, and each store is very different as to how fresh it will be or what they will carry week to week.

They have the basics and most items they carry there is only one choice, while others, such as potatoe chips...they carry several different varieties.

There are several threads around The Village that talks about people's favorite Aldi's products, you can just do a search for them.

Do I think you can save money shopping at Aldi's? Yes.
But if you are couponing and shopping weekly sales, then you're other stores may still be cheaper on some items.
So...like any other store, take a trip through you're new Aldi's and make note of the prices.

For instance...last week, *normally* milk & eggs are always cheaper for me at Aldi's, but with Kroger's sale on them, Kroger's beat out the Aldi's price on both items.

Here is a link to a lady who loves Aldi's and does most of her weekly shopping there, she has a good explanation of why she shops at Aldi's:
The Frugal Girl ? cheerfully living on less

Hope this helped ya' some

**Grainlady** · 03-05-2010, 04:32 PM

YOU BET YOU'LL SAVE!!! On many, but not all things. This is why I carry my PRICE BOOK with me.

As an example, for some time Aldi had really cheap sugar ($1.75 while C&H was $3.45 and Kroger was $2.75 for 5#), but it went up like a rocket from $1.75/5# to $2.68/5# over the coarse of one year. When it jumped from $1.75 to $1.90 in one week and the sugar in the other stores was MUCH higher in price, I figured that was a sign of things to come so I put 50# in storage, and never regretted it. It keeps indefinitely when properly stored. I doubt I use 5# a year, so I earned more money in home storage than that money would have earned in the bank.

You'll also have to get accustomed to their brands of things because not all of them will be your "normal" name brands you are accustomed to. I've only had a few things I didn't purchase again. Off-set that by the things I ALWAYS buy there. Mandarin oranges are 49-cents for 11 oz., and that's as low as I generally find them.

I do enjoy buying some of the items from Germany. Our daughter and her family lived there for 4-1/2 years and she would send us many of the same "goodies" from Germany that they sell during the holidays at Aldi.

**Palooka** · 03-06-2010, 04:11 PM

I think you will love it and really save!!

They have a great baking selection with great prices to go with it. I can't beat their milk prices anywhere.

That's a cool link, Cheles.

**Ceashels** · 03-06-2010, 09:14 PM

I find it is hit or miss on some of the prices compared to my other haunts but there are definitely things I specifically go to Aldi's to buy though. I started with trying one new item when I needed it some of them are not on my staples list. Most all of their products are the store brand.

**sinopa27** · 03-06-2010, 09:31 PM

I went to Aldi once and didn't recognize any of the brands. Where do they get their food from?? I didn't buy anything cause I didn't want to waste money if I didn't like the different brand of food.

**ravenmaniac** · 03-06-2010, 10:02 PM

I am jealous! I wish they would put one near me.

**cheles2kids** · 03-07-2010, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by sinopa27

I went to Aldi once and didn't recognize any of the brands. Where do they get their food from?? I didn't buy anything cause I didn't want to waste money if I didn't like the different brand of food.

Not sure of their suppliers, but I do know that the same man who owns Aldi's also owns Trader Joe's.
Just thought I'd share that bit of interesting info.

**Palooka** · 03-08-2010, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by cheles2kids

Not sure of their suppliers, but I do know that the same man who owns Aldi's also owns Trader Joe's.
Just thought I'd share that bit of interesting info.

True and I'm jealous of the people that have Trader Joe's in their area. lol

I think their mac and cheese is made from Kraft. I can't remember for sure though.

**frugal is fun** · 03-09-2010, 09:41 AM

I never buy produce at my Aldi's and I've been to three different ones. Just doesn't look "right" to me. BUT I stock up on their canned goods. I'm also starting to buy some of their meat products. Their ground turkey is $1.19/lb. Can't come close to that at regular grocery stores in my area. And I just bought their bacon but haven't tried it yet.

If you're not sure about trying a different brand then buy just one. If you like it great, and if you don't then you didn't loose alot.

Give it a try!

**cheles2kids** · 03-17-2010, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by frugal is fun

I never buy produce at my Aldi's and I've been to three different ones. Just doesn't look "right" to me. BUT I stock up on their canned goods. I'm also starting to buy some of their meat products. Their ground turkey is $1.19/lb. Can't come close to that at regular grocery stores in my area. And I just bought their bacon but haven't tried it yet.

If you're not sure about trying a different brand then buy just one. If you like it great, and if you don't then you didn't loose alot.

Give it a try!

Also something else to remember, they have the replacement guarantee.
I've never personally had to use it myself, but if you don't like a product that you buy, you are supposed to be able to return it for another product.

I will say though that I was a bit saddened by the fact that all of their canned beans contain HFCS, so I won't be buying those there.

Someone above also mentioned their produce. I agree, although I have in the past lucked up and bought some good peppers, onions, grapes, etc.
Their produce is very hit or miss at my Aldi's but I always check it just to see if they have anything good on that particular day.

MommyinTX, have you had a chance to go there yet? What were you're thoughts?