Archives for December 2012

This is not everything I bought.  I couldn’t fit it all in the picture!  The cucumbers were the cutest ever!

I have been hearing about Aldi’s grocery stores for years and we finally got 2 of them where I live.  My grandmother is always telling me how great Aldi’s is but until today I hadn’t gone.  I have to say I am kicking myself for not going sooner.  I saved a ton of money and got lots of great things for our New Year’s Eve celebration and our regular shopping, too.
The Aldi’s adventure starts off before you even get in the store.  There are 3 things you need to remember to bring with you when you go to Aldi’s- 1 quarter, reusable shopping bags, and cash or a debit card.  Aldi’s doesn’t take credit cards to help keep their costs down.  Instead of spending time chasing after missing carts, when you go to Aldi’s you insert a quarter into the shopping cart lock to release a cart.  Don’t worry, when you return your cart you will get your quarter back.  When you shop at Aldi’s they don’t bury the cost of paper and plastic bags in the cost of their food so make sure to bring your own reusable bags.

Don’t worry if you forget.  They do sell them at a nominal cost and they have empty display boxes on hand as well to load your groceries into.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first entered Aldi’s.  It wasn’t like a regular grocery store.  The items were not on shelves like at other grocery stores.  Everything was in it’s own display box.  I am sure this is to cut down on the cost of labor which helps make their prices so low.  Since everything comes in it’s own box, the employees just need to stack the boxes.  No need to have someone stocking shelves every night.  Most of the food at Aldi’s is their own brand but it all looks very much like the brands I am used to.  All of their food is guaranteed.   If you don’t like it they will replace it or refund your money.

I was really surprised at the variety of different items that I found at Aldi’s.  I went specifically to shop for our family’s New Year’s Eve “party”.  My husband, daughters, and I have a tradition of getting a bunch of fun appetizers and desserts for our New Year’s Eve meal.  I was pleasantly surprised at just how many choices they had.

Hot chocolate cupcake mix!!!
I found lots of different dips, hummus, cheeses (everything from cheese  cubes, cheese sticks, slices, whole wheels of Gouda, Brie, and lots of other yumminess.  I had a hard time not just buying one of everything because my family are big cheese eaters.  My girls were excited to see that I bought some feta, blue cheese, and parmesan cheeses plus cheese sticks for them to eat during the week.  I also got a cheese fondue that just has to be microwaved (it was AMAZING!), some hummus, and several different dips as well as pita chips, potato chips, crackers, and more to dip into the various dips and spreads I bought.


I was also able to buy lots of fresh fruits and veggies both to dip into our fondue and to eat the rest of the week.  I was surprised how low the prices were.  I was even able to grab a bag of mini sweet peppers (red, yellow, and orange) and some mini cucumbers.  They were much cheaper than at my regular grocery store and because they are so cute and small, my girls will eat them.  Any way I can get extra veggies into my kids!

Aldi’s even had a selection of specialty fruits and veggies like yuca!

Aldi’s also had a selection of meats, poultry, and prepackages deli.   I didn’t need any meats this time but I will be trying out their beef the next time I go.  Aldi’s also has a whole selection of frozen foods from appetizers, to chicken tenders, frozen crab legs, and more and they are all at great prices.   If you are going to a party they also have cookie assortment packages, wines, fresh flowers, and more so you don’t have to show up empty handed.

I think I was most surprised that in addition to foods, Aldi’s had other items as well.  They had a selection of toys, household products, toiletries, personal care items,  and things like back massagers and even a convection oven.  I love that I was able to get both my “fun” prepared foods for our New Year’s Eve celebration as well as lots of fresh fruits, snacks, and foods for my family to eat all week long.  My girls are already begging me to take them to Aldi’s the next time I go which will be soon.  I plan on making Aldi’s part of my regular grocery shopping.  They may not have everything I need, but I will be able to do much of my grocery shopping there and save a ton of money, too.

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for ALDI. I received a gift certificate to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.”