I am getting ready to go to Aldi's, and after looking at the web site I am quite excited! I have been there once or twice, but was not in the fugal mineset. I was scared to try their brands. Not anymore I can not wait to see all the great deals I can find!
Know your prices. I've found better deals thru loss leaders at other grocery stores but some items are a good buy. I usually buy tomato sauce, baking items, cereal, lunch snacks and some veggies.
Yeah, you do need to watch some of their prices on things. Our Aldi's has gone much more "high-end" (ok, for an aldi's anyways!). They now carry better meat, and produce. I usually find good prices on meat (we don't have any stores here that discount meat). But usually their own Aldi's brand stuff is cheaper than the other stores. And I love some of their stuff! I love their spaghetti sauce, it is better than the other stuff I can get at Wal-mart! I have found that if you buy their "fresh meat" or their produce, you do have to use it up or freeze it very quickly.
Just don't forget to bring your quarter for the cart (I assume they do that at all Aldi's stores)!
Meat packaged in those extra-tough containers which have plastic sealed around the top, as opposed to a flimsy styrofoam tray and saran wrap, has been flushed with gas before packaging. This causes the unusually bright red color which makes people think it's fresh. Problem is, this meat can remain red, because of the gas (CO2 usually) and can even be ROTTEN inside. The cheapo stores use this because meat can appear fresher longer. I've seen it at Aldi, Marc's, and Wal Mart.
Not necessarily bad for you, but you don't know what you're getting from appearance. Besides, fresh meat doesn't look bright red, it looks purplish. We've been trained to look for red, so now the stores figured out how to fake it.
Aldis' has been a life saver for my grocery bill. I do not buy the meats or the produce...am not very happy with their quality on those where I am at. Otherwise, it's a great store for me..dont' forget to bring your quarter for the cart and some bags.
You're right squirt! I grew up on a farm, and ate only processed "organic" meat that was raised on our farm. Chicken, pork & beef. It was processed by a friend of my dad's who runs a butcher shop, and until I went to college, I didn't know that they sold "red" meat! It makes me sound like a hick (I wasn't that sheltered), we just NEVER bought meat at a grocery store, because we raised our own, and as a kid, I just never thought about it.
We buy straight from the butcher when we can, but around here it is actually more expensive to do that, becuase the butcher has higher prices trying to keep his shop open, etc. But we support him when we can, and the meat from a real butcher (who gets the animals directly from the small "hometown" farmers) tastes totally different too. It is soooo much better!
I saw frugalchick's comment about the bags. I thought I'd share what I do. I take 2 laundry baskets. I put the laundry baskets in the trunk of my car, and I take the cart out to the trunk, and unload it directly into the trunk.
The added bonus, it's only 2 trips into the house when I get home! It works really well, don't have to spend money on their bags, and I don't have to keep recycled grocery bags on hand!
Just thought I'd share. I've been doing it that way for years, and I have yet to see anyone else at Aldi's doing the same thing!
Went to Aldi's today and their 1 lb. frozen ground turkey was .89 a roll. I bought 4 because last time I went they were $1.00.
I bought bacon also and it was only $1.79 for a pound.
The best part though - I met a very nice woman from Louisiana and she told me how they make their macaroni and cheese and picked out the cheeses for me. I don't know what the comparison prices are because I don't usually buy much cheese. But the recipe made the whole thing worth it.
Tomorrow for dinner -Louisiana Ladies Mac and Cheese.
Speaking of meeting people in Aldi- I have rarely spoken to people in our huge Giant Eagle. I've only been in Aldi 2 or 3 times now, but each time people have talked to me. And they're usually outgoing and down-to-earth. I think I have fun there! Because it's so small and quiet, you run into the same people several times during your tour of the store so you can't help but talk to them.
I've found that the cashiers are pretty darn cool, too.
:grnwave: Thank you again for the heads up on the turkey rolls...I will buy them. I use them to stretch alot of my ground beef meals..and nobody has noticed a difference! :grwave:
ROFL! Do you have Heinen's on the west side? If you really want to pay a lot, go there. I think it's a social thing, to be honest. It's the grocery store to see and been seen at!
Our local walmart now has white lilly 5 lb bag on regular price 40 cents lower then aldies flour.. 40CENTS!! I buy my flour by 8 so i saved .. $3.20 just on flour.
Shortening is very close to being the same price here as well.
I like Aldi, especially the canned goods and the baking supplies. I used to buy the TP, but I noticed the price went up just enough to make the generic brand at my local grocery store cheaper.
One of the only things I don't like there is the boxed brownie mix. I don't usually buy the produce or meat either.
Squirt - If I can't find what I want, as far as food, I go to Heinens. I love Heinens. I want to live there. Actually, I did some price checking. They are actually about the same as Giant Eagle. Their meat is more expensive but OMG sooooo much better, their produce is stunning and they have small portions of everything for those of us who live alone
I see we have a Heinen's snob in our midst; I never thought it would be you!
:rollsmile
I didn't realize their prices were on par with Giant Eagle- but then that is probably because I can only recall buying their special items which can't be found elsewhere- like the fresh oysters and shallots needed for oyster stew this christmas. I paid 14.99 for a pound of oysters, betting that they would make a significant improvement over the 1.49 canned oysters at Aldi. They sure did! This is why I should not be allowed to shop there
I havent been to Aldis in a while but I love their spaghetti sauces. DH and I have gone and filled up our car with canned goods and such for under$50 before.
I don't trust their meats or produce at all. But, they are good for things like canned vegetables, condiments, frozen foods, peanut butter, jelly, etc.
It's very possible to feed a family on a tiny amount of money for the week with their canned salmon, tuna, and frozen chicken and Italian sausage.
And, our area recently remodeled the store so it's cleaner now and easier to find things.
I do not know if its the same prices through out the US .. but when i go shopping i put down prices of items ( not the exact, but the rounded up to the next dollar prices ) To the amount my budget would be.
So around here the veggies ( Green Beans, Corn, Peas, and Mixed veggies ) are under $5 for a flat.. usually when i go i get 2 of each of those *lol* People think i am feeding an army.. now i am slowing down though and only getting what i need to restock my pantry.. since we do not use as much corn as the other veggies.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Frugal Village Forums
1.8M posts
47.5K members
Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to the frugal lifestyle and the enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about simple and green living, cost effective tips, life hacks, debt reduction, recycling, gardening, other homesteading techniques, and more!