Now that Aldi stores are popping up here in Texas, I thought I would share what I know about shopping at Aldi. I lived in Ohio for a short time with an Aldi store just minutes from my house. While I usually preferred shopping at grocery stores where I could get better deals with coupons, I would shop at Aldi occasionally for their fantastic prices on produce and dairy. I have really missed that store since moving back to Texas, so I’m really excited that there is now an Aldi not too far from my house!
Here is your guide to shopping at Aldi:
1. Everday Low Prices. Aldi regular prices are great compared to grocery store regular prices. They have excellent prices on produce and staples like milk, eggs, and cheese. If you don’t use coupons, then you might find that you can save a lot more by shopping at Aldi.
2. No Coupons. Aldi does not accept coupons. It wouldn’t make much difference even if they did because they carry very few brand name items. The brand name items that they do sell could probably be purchased for less with a coupon at another store.
3. Bring a Quarter. You will need to bring a quarter to rent a shopping cart. The carts are held together by a sort of chain system. You have to insert a quarter to remove a cart. To get your quarter back, you have to return your cart and hook it back up to the chain system. I actually think this is a brilliant idea. (Though I have had to borrow a quarter from someone a time or two, lol!)
4. Bring Shopping Bags. At Aldi you will have to bag your own groceries and bring your own grocery bags. They do sell some (5¢ for paper, 10¢ for plastic) in case you forget though. You can also collect empty boxes from around the store to use to transport your groceries. At checkout, you place your items on the belt and the cashier scans them and places them back in your cart. You then take you cart to a table along the wall where you bag up your groceries yourself.
5. Double Back Guarantee. Since most of the products sold at Aldi are private label brands you might be wary to try them. They offer a double back guarantee – if you are dissatisfied with the product, they will replace it AND refund your money! I have yet to try something from Aldi that I did not like though!
6. Bring Cash. Aldi only accepts cash, debit, or food stamps/EBT cards.
7. Small and Simple. Aldi is able to offer their low prices because they don’t spend a lot of money on “frills.” They don’t advertise very much or pay for greeters, baggers, or cart-chasers. They do not really decorate their store or offer a deli, bakery, or butcher. The store is also very small – which really saves you time!
I really love the simplicity and ease of saving money at Aldi. If you have one nearby, you might consider stopping in to check it out!
Do you shop at Aldi? What do you like or dislike about it?
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Aldi is awesome!!!
Love Love LOVE shopping at Aldi!! I've recently decided that I won't shop at Wal-Mart unless I absolutely HAVE to because I don't agree with many of the ways that their employees are treated, but for my groceries, that put a serious wrench in the works. The bigger name chain grocery stores around my area are just too expensive and I've never gotten the knack for couponing. I can always run into Aldi with a limited budget and walk out with almost everything I needed plus some money to spare!!
I am a big fan of Aldi's since I shopped there when we lived in TN. We didn't have it when we moved to MS, but with Kroger deals & double coupons I could make it work for our budget. I was thrilled to find two stores within a 30 minute radius when we moved up to PA. I find it's worth the drive once a month for the deals. As another reader wrote above, I usually dread to watch the items pile up in my cart because I know the total will be so much more than I anticipated. At Aldi, it always seems to be lower than I expect. That's a pleasant surprise! A few of my favorite Aldi products are: whole wheat bread, bagels, shredded Parmesan cheese (a steal at $1.99 for the real stuff!), almond milk, hummus, & Clancy's chips (esp. kettle cooked bbq). Just keep in mind their produce & meat can both be hit-or-miss.
Great! So glad you like it and have found a store you enjoy shopping at! :)
One of my favorte grocery stores is Aldi's.
Aldi's kitchen trash liners are great, have yet to have one leak. The only difference between Lactaid and the Aldi's brand is the price, so much lower. Love the chocolate and the english muffins are so good.
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I must admit that the produce as some Aldi's is better than at other Aldi;s, I don't know if it has anything to do with the volume of business that the stores get. I do like their packages of what I call the fancy lettuce, you get different types in one package, never had a problem with that. I love the fresh pineapples that they sell, they are the perfect size smaller families.
They are building one right now in my town. Port st. Lucie, Florida.
We love bargains here. Can't wait.
I just migrated to the US from The Netherlands. Neighbor of Germany ;). Aldi in the Netherlands is pretty popular. Its a low budget store, and obviously it shows. They have great products tho! Any time there is a party, I would go there to stock up on wines, olives, cheeses, crackera and chips etc!! And yes, all sorts of random, cheap non food items. The coin in the cart, with the chain system, that is standard in the Netherlands. Not sure if its standard in Germany also but I would think so.
Many times here in the US, especially the first few times, I am so bohered by people leaving their carts out on the parking lot. Its so "unkept", it shows an amount of laziness, for the "cart parking" is usually about 20 feet away. So I totally agree it is a great system. Often at supermarkets, if you forgot or dont have a coin, the store provides some sort of coin, usually just a metal coin with their logo on it, that you can hook to your keychain and use any time anywhere after that.
I LOVE Aldi's! We live in a VERY rural area of Alabama, and only get to go to Aldi's about once a month. When we do, I buy Their big "can" of coffee- nothing can beat it, and it's only $5.96 (I think) The Folger's that I used to buy elsewhere is usually at least $2 more.
Their "Sloppy Joe" canned sauce is better than anything else that I've tried.
Their hamburger- the one pound rolls, has a MUCH better taste. We made our usual run to Sam's before going this last time- they (Sam's) had a better price on a bulk package of hamburger (80/20) so I bought that instead. I just used 2 pounds of it for burgers last night- it was horrible. The meat was tough and had no flavor. I will have to adjust my meal plan to include more chilli, spaghetti, etc where there are lots of sauces to cover the lack of flavor in the meat itself.
Their cookies- all are cheaper and better tasting in my mind than the "big store brands." Our favorites: Healthwise Devils food cookies, their oreo's, their chocolate chip soft cookies.
Naturally, we always buy milk, eggs, and sliced cheese (for the flavor, not necessarily the price) at Aldi's. Their "fully cooked" maple sausage patties are great too!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing! :)
I love Aldi's too! I used to live in Ohio and miss the one from down the street. I vote for an Aldi in Southern California!
I only go to grocery stores for produce and items with coupons that makes them virtually or literally free. Everything else I get at Aldi. I ran myself ragged trying to coupon for everything I bought, only to find out that Aldi sold the same stuff for less.
FDA items like dairy products are all identical (its the law)
Aldi Chili is made at Hormel factory in Beloit Wi.
Canned veggies are Delmonte
Pastries are Sara Lee (cinnamon rolls are amazing!)
Frozen Lasagna is Stoffers
Close enough for me, and with gas prices thru the roof-- Aldi is REALLY closer for me.
We have been faithful Aldi shoppers for years (Madison, WI). Their products are not 'off-brand'-per the Aldi website, they work with small independent producers. We find their products to be as good and many times better than national or store brands. The chocolate is awesome-highly recommend it:)