Best Value Grocery Store: Aldi

I still remember the first time I went into my local Aldi grocery store. It has been about three years now. I had heard about the value from friends and family members, but I never really gave it much thought. I just assumed there would be a few cheaper grocery items but I had shopped at my local Kroger grocery store for so long and I didn't think there would be that much difference in prices at Aldis or any other grocery store for that matter.

I had heard from friends that an Aldi grocery store was a little different from the typical grocery store. I knew ahead of time that I would need my own grocery bags or would have to purchase Aldi grocery bags. Aldi sells brown paper bags for a nickel and large sturdy plastic bags with handles for a dime. They also carry the same size large plastic bag in a heavy duty-insulated bag for frozen items for about a dollar. I also knew they kept the grocery shopping carts locked together outside. A quarter would be needed to unlock the shopping carts. Okay, I was ready for my first Aldi grocery shopping experience.

When I entered an Aldi grocery store for the first time, I remembered thinking how small the store was. There are no fancy displays or store shelves for that matter. Items are in boxes and on pallets. I also thought they probably wouldn't have much that I would want. I also felt a little disappointed by the appearance and found myself feeling like I just probably wasn't going to like this new Aldi grocery that had moved near my suburb. My husband was with me and we decided to go ahead and check out this new value priced Aldi since we were there anyway. We both ended up pleasantly surprised at the grocery bargains we were seeing.

Most of the grocery items available at Aldi are not the usual brand names that I was accustomed to. I had always tried generic and store brands at my local Kroger and was always impressed with the quality for the price. Of course I wasn't at all familiar with these various value brands I saw at Aldi, but I skeptically purchased quite a lot of things that first shopping trip to an Aldi grocery store. I assumed these value brands of items I had never heard of would probably be the reason I would never return to my local Aldi grocery store. I was very wrong!

I can honestly say, after that first shopping experience to my local Aldi grocery store, I changed the way I looked at grocery shopping forever. My husband and I left Aldi that day with a loaded shopping cart full of grocery items as well as an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Our grocery receipt was almost half of the amount we would have normally spent for the same amount of groceries. For instance, five pounds of sugar at Aldis is always $1.59. A loaf of 100% whole wheat bread is .79 cents, bananas are .25 cents per pound, one dozen large eggs are .49 cents. They also carry some generic medicines. I purchase the brand of acetaminophen pain reliever they have for the unbelievable price of .99 cents for fifty pills. Aldi also has great prices on paper products, 100% juice varieties, bottled waters and the list could go on for days!

An Aldi grocery store will sometimes get in brand name items of food and non food items which they will have for limited time at fantastic prices. They also have a specialty aisle of various special purchases which changes all the time and the prices are always great. A good time to check this section out is before Christmas. Aldi will have available assortments of gifts and toys that are way below regular retail and will not last long! I recall one such item a couple of years ago. I purchased a Barbie Laptop Computer toy for my grandchild and the price at that time was $20.00 less than any other store. I did a price comparison before purchasing.

For three years now I have enjoyed the tremendous value at Aldi. Not only does my family enjoy the brands available there, but my grandchild actually prefers many Aldi brand products.

She prefers Aldi brand of frozen waffle over any other brand. She also prefers their granola bars and several other items. I love the value and varieties of fresh produce at Aldi. They still do not carry the variety of items available at other large chain grocery stores, but they also won't carry items that are not readily available as a good value. Aldi does not have a large fresh meat section, but the fresh meats they do sell are of excellent quality. I purchase their 90% lean ground beef in a two-pound package for around $2.99 per pound. My husband loves an Aldi huge tender T-bone steak. He also prefers their pork chops over other stores because the quality is consistently great for the value.

Aldi is definitely a no-frills grocery store, but for that very reason they are able to give tremendous value to their customers. I'll gladly give up frills to keep my budget happy. There will always be items not available at my Aldi that I have to purchase at other grocery stores, but it is so nice to know there is a store that I can do the bulk of my shopping and know will always give me value and quality. Aldi will also give a double your money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their products, so there is really no reason not to give them a try. I know I'm glad I did!