The word “Aldi” is an amalgamation of the brothers’ family name with the word “discount.” In the early 1960s, the brothers split the business.

(Source: Better Management)

Since I’ve had some emails about Aldi shopping, I asked my favorite Aldi’s expert, who is also a dear friend, to write something up on them to help ya’ll out on shopping at Aldis! I’ve been there once and I was a little overwhelmed on what to buy and how to check out! Deanna, Carrots Should Take like Cheetos, gives you all the lowdown!

I’ll admit it – I adore Aldi. It’s my favorite place to shop. It’s a bargain shopper’s paradise. No coupons, no frills. Just great prices.

So advice on shopping at Aldi. Basically, if you’re lucky enough to have several within reasonable driving distance of home, work, school, etc – go to ALL of them at least once. There are 3 Aldis next to places I go anyway. And all three have different prices on the staples. Canned goods, pasta, flour, sugar, rice, milk, and eggs, to be exact. For some reason, Aldi stores change those prices based on the local chain stores. I will not buy these items at 2 of the locations, only the one, since it is a full 10 cents cheaper there. Yet all the other prices are the same.

Unless you can get the great deals and coupons together at other stores, Aldi is FAR cheaper for cereal – and their cereal is made in the same factories as the big name brands. Just a different box.

Eggs are most often cheapest at an Aldi, as well – unless your local grocery store is advertising 99 cents or lower, stick to Aldi.

Their soda pop is also far cheaper – but it tastes just like (or better, in my family’s opinion) Coke and Pepsi brands. 55 cents for a 2-liter, $4.69 a case.

There are weekly deals at Aldi as well – name-brand items, limited quantity items, etc. They’ll have clothing, food, appliances, even furniture and toys. Once again – it’s a good idea to be familiar with all the Aldis nearby. One of my 3 is always overstocked on their Special Purchases, and they are the place to go 2 weeks after the ad expires to get the items at clearance prices.

The basic advice about Aldi is – start with the staples. Flour, sugar, coffee, baking spray, cereal, canned foods, macaroni and cheese mix, milk, eggs, half and half – these are the items I do not buy anywhere else, unless I’ve found a killer, amazing, once-a-year kind of deal. Often, their American Cheese (exactly like Kraft Deluxe) is about half the price of Kraft. Their hot dogs, bagged salad, rolls, and bread are often cheapest as well. Potato chips and snack foods are FOR SURE cheaper. I’ve never, ever had chips that taste this good, cost only 99 cents a bag. EVER.

Their frozen foods are very good. The ice cream novelties are fabulous and a fraction of the price. The hamburgers they have pre-made are better than the boxed at the store. I’ve gotten rave reviews at parties for the Bratwurst and sausage.

So basically, they have “generic” or “their brand” products that taste as good or better than the name brands carried at the regular grocery stores – but cheaper. They also have a double back guarantee – they’ll refund your money and give you another product if you’re not 100% satisfied. I’ve NEVER had to call them on this, and my husband always swore up and down he hated all generic items.

We do laugh about the brand names they’ve given their products, but that is just an added bonus. Stop by an Aldi – you’ll be glad you did! Oh, but don’t forget a quarter (you use it to “rent” a cart, but get it back after you put it away) and your own bags or boxes (you bag your own stuff). Those are just 2 more things that help save the money!

Related Links:

• Aldi’s Official Website (Store Locator, hours, Special Purchase Ads, etc.)
• Aldi Wins Converts (No Frills grocery shopping)
• Aldi Wiki
• Aldi Song (In German)
• Aldi the European Powerhouse (Old article but still interesting!)