ALDI's

ALDI's is a grocery store that sells food basics at low cost. I have found that shopping there has kept our food expenses down, and allows us to buy certain products that would normally be too expensive for our budget. There are a couple drawbacks, though, but overall I would like to recommend it and share some helpful tips from things I have learned in the past 3 years of my grocery shopping experience.

1. ALDI's is not glamorous.
In Memphis, it was located on the other (read "wrong") side of the interstate. It was amply staffed with security, though, so I felt safe going there during daylight hours (well, sort-of). Also, most of the shoppers didn't speak English or were of a different ethnicity (which was fine, just different). You must remember a quarter in order to get a shopping cart, and bring all your own bags. There are no decorations, and the food is stacked throughout the store in the shipping boxes.

2. Check out is a little, let's say, different.
Or maybe I should just say, FAST! As soon as you get your items on the counter, they are whisked through the scanner and then thrown into the previous person' s empty cart in no particular order. I have learned to place the heavy items on the belt first, followed by the breakable or smashable ones so they will end up on top. There is no one to bag groceries for you. You must have a debit card or cash to pay, and then bag your own groceries. I have found that it is easier for me to take the basket out to the car, and then bag them as I put them in the trunk.

3. There are some great deals there!
The best thing about ALDI for me is that I don't have to worry about sales, I can just buy what I need when I need it and know I am getting a good price. Here's a sample of what I buy, and I can list more if anyone is interested:

Snacks:
Specialty nuts are a favorite in this section: cashews, almonds, mixed nuts and chopped pecans
Rodeo Bill crispy potato chips (my husband says the Peppercorn Ranch are his favorite chips ever!)
Fit and Active wheat thins
Dark chocolate bars

Dairy:
Organic milk! this is a new item which I have been very excited about
Eggs
Block cheese

Meat:
Fit and Active turkey bacon
lunch meat
Talipia (a fish)
Mahi Mahi (fish)
(I haven't tried much else... has anyone tried their red meats?)

Bread:
Whole wheat bread or oatnut is good
sometimes they have frozen dinner rolls

Baking:
flour
sugar
baking soda
olive oil
salt
(I saw this week that they have started stocking some spices as well)

Produce:
I am not wild about some of their produce. You have to look it over pretty good. Sometimes they will have some great items in season though. Right now the grapes are good. I consistly buy:
green peppers
mushrooms
squash
cucumber
carrots
celery

Canned goods:
Everything! I like especially like their Fit and Active line and low sodium products

Cereal:
Some are not that great or too sugary. I buy the generic cherrios

Household:
paper towels
tp
kleenex
colgate toothpaste
shampoo
conditioner
claritin (loratadine)
sandwich bags
freezer bags
trash bags
Baby wipes (has anyone tried their diapers?)

Specialty:
These usually change by the week but are worth looking through.

Freezer:
Egg rolls (I like the pork)
Crab cakes (a little rich but good)

I usually go to ALDI's every other week, and then a regular grocery for my other meats and produce. Hope this is helpful! -A