Currently, the grocery store Aldi has expanded into the Atlanta, Georgia area. The grocery store is different from what we’re used to seeing in a grocery store from its basic, square-like design to its store hours. But what exactly is Aldi about and how can it help us save money?
When we decide to cut expenses in our budgets, the first step is usually to look at our food expenses. The reason why is simple. While food is necessary for living, it is also an expense that we have control over and can therefore be cut.
We may start shopping at Wal-mart or another discount grocery store that can cut costs. We also might start clipping coupons.
With our busy schedules, though, what if we do not have time to clip coupons and yet we want better prices than what Wal-mart can consistently give us?
The answer can be found in Aldi. Aldi is a different type of grocery store that prides itself on low prices. It delivers. In my casual shopping, I have found Aldi prices to be 30% – 50% below grocery store prices.
Of course, this comes with a catch. When Aldi states that it passes on its savings to its customers, it means that it has figured out a way to cut costs at every turn. You “rent” your grocery cart. Most items are Aldi’s private label brand. The stores do not accept credit cards.
All of this can be a scary experience with a newcomer. It is only scary, however, for the first time. Here are some tips to get you thorough your first Aldi shopping experience.
The Shopping Cart
An expense for grocery stores is paying someone to bring in the carts from the parking lot. Aldi cuts this out by having you “rent” your cart. Now, you really are not renting it. You are putting in a quarter in a slot to release the cart. When you are finished shopping, you return the cart and the quarter pops out. This ensures that you do not steal the cart or leave it out in the parking lot. I just keep a quarter in my cup holder in my car at all times.
Selection
When you enter the store, the one thing that will you notice is that everything is Aldi’s various store brands. Do not let this scare you off. Aldi has excellent quality and a guarantee. If you do not like something, bring it back. This makes it easy to take chances.
The actual store selection is small. In order to cut prices, Aldi stocks the items that most people buy at the grocery store. You rarely will find specialty items. For example, you will find white, but not wheat flour. Aldi offers semi-sweet chocolate chips, but not toffee bits.
It is not a mistake that Aldi stores are usually stationed close to a major grocery store. They know that you can pick up your majority items, there, but you will need to go somewhere else for your specialty items.
Price and Quality
Aldi will give you the best price if you can not combine a sale with a coupon. As a baker, I regularly buy their semi- sweet chocolate chips. Wonderful quality and over 50% less than the grocery store price. Their brand of Oreo cookies is a family favorite as are their Corn Flakes.
Aldi is the first place where I have bought generic items that taste as good as the name brand. After the first hesitant tries at food, I started sampling a different item each week to figure out what I liked. You will go through a series of trial and error, at first. The experiments, are well worth the trouble. Plus, with Aldi’s money-back guarantee you are really not taking a chance.
Aldi is a Like a Box of Chocolates
One thing about Aldi is that you do not know what you are going to get. Each week they have specials. It may be Halloween costumes or a rice cooker. They have offered laptops and digital cameras. The store is literally different every week. I bought a pair of bareroot roses that are now thriving in my yard. Go to the Aldi web site to get on their email list so the specials will be mailed to you.
Payment
Another way that Aldi saves money is by only taking cash. The available options are cash and debit card. They do not take credit cards. This means that you have to plan your trip to Aldi carefully.
Bagging Groceries – Paper or Plastic?
Aldi charges you for bags. You also have to bag your own groceries. You can easily get around this by just keeping extra bags in your trunk.
Aldi is a place where they really do pass along the savings. If you have been thinking about trying it, go ahead. Now you have all the information to make your first trip to Aldi an easy one.
