10 Things To Buy At Aldi

I need to shout it from the rooftops: I LOVE Aldi!

This grocery chain seems to get mixed reactions from my friends and family though. “I don’t like going there because it’s confusing,” or “I don’t like buying off-brands,” seem to be the most common phrases I hear. These statements wouldn’t bother me too much if they weren’t also following it up with “We’re broke so I can’t go out.”

PEOPLE. Aldi is AMAZING for saving money at the grocery store!

I understand that sometimes buying the name brand pays off, but certain things can be purchased for 50% less than the big chains at Aldi. In fact, I estimate doing a good chunk of shopping at Aldi saves me around $100/month. That’s a huge savings for our family.

To ease your fears, I’ve created a list of 10 things to buy at Aldi to help save money.

Here are my top 10 things to buy at Aldi for MUCH less than its competitors:

1. Milk. This milk is made in Michigan! {Just look for the #26 on it} Also, it’s almost always at least $1 cheaper than the other stores I frequent. We go through at least one gallon a week, so that adds up to a $52 savings each year.

2. Baking supplies. If you love to bake like I do, Aldi is an awesome place to shop for the staples like flour, sugar, pure vanilla, butter, and chocolate chips. Again, I usually see at least a 50% savings. Perfect for the upcoming holiday cookie season!

3. Bottled water. We love to have bottled water in our garage fridge for friends who come over, or if we need some for our emergency car stash for the girls. Their water tastes great and is $2.29 in my local store for a 24-pack. Similar packs are at least $3-4 at the bigger grocers without coupons.

4. Canned items. You cannot go wrong with buying any brand of canned items at Aldi. This time of year, I’m stocking up on cream of soups, chicken/beef stock, kidney beans, black beans and canned corn for chili. Cans run about 59 cents each. Even when the name brands are on sale, they are mostly about $1, if not more.

5. Produce. I love to buy local when I can and will spend extra money to do so. But there are many things I can’t buy local — like bananas. We go through a ton each week! Aldi almost always has the best pricing on them {though many aren’t ripe yet, so plan accordingly}. I also love their mini sweet peppers, fresh mushrooms and more things that don’t bother me to go non-organic with. Sometimes when the prices are marked super low {like $1 for ripe strawberries}, I’ll just buy them to freeze.

6. Frozen fruits. All of their frozen fruit is offered at a great price point, which is awesome if your family loves smoothies like mine does. Also, in the summer, we LOVE their real fruit strawberry and piña colada popsicles. So.Good.

7. Seasonal plants. They typically sell out fast, but I almost always buy mums, poinsettias and Easter lilies at Aldi for a great price. In fact, my poinsettia from last year lasted until Easter…It was that good.

8. Cheese. Their Happy Farms and Fit N’ Active brands rock. I love their string cheeses for the kids, as well as their blue cheese {only $1.99! Generally about $4 other places}, Laughing Cow knock-off, and more. BONUS: This isn’t cheese, but their roasted red pepper hummus is AWESOME for $1.99 and is in the same section!

9. Chocolate. My weakness there is their Choceur brand, which is made in Austria, but doesn’t have “natural flavors” or other junk typically in chocolate. I like to indulge in the large dark chocolate bars and have a little square whenever a craving hits. Honestly, it’s my favorite brand of dark chocolate and that says a lot because I don’t discriminate with ANY chocolate 😉

10. Name brands at Aldi prices. I have stocked up on Nature’s Path Organic items, Naked juice, Kraft Miracle Whip/Mayo, and more when they are available. Items do rotate out though, so if the price is right, stock up!

A few things I don’t personally buy at Aldi are lunch meat, select condiments and dressings we’re picky about, and meat has been hit/miss with me {I do not like their beef, but we’re spoiled most of the time with beef from the in-laws farm}, but almost everything else I have enjoyed. In fact, I LOVE their animal crackers, graham crackers and cheez-it style crackers better than the big brands’ version 😉

If Aldi is confusing to you, here’s a few extra tips:

• Bring a quarter because you’ll need it to get a cart. No worries, you’ll get it back when you return it. This is to cut down on having an employee go out and fetch carts. Smart move, right?
• Bring your own bags. They occasionally have boxes, but not often. You’ll need your own bags because you’ll be packing them at the end of your trip. Personally, I LOVE this. I like organizing my items in the bags with how my pantry is organized. It makes putting everything away a cinch!

Join the following and shop Aldi. Go in with an open mind and have some fun! If you’re disappointed in anything, return it and they will refund your money. How can you NOT love them?!

*This is NOT sponsored. I just seriously love Aldi and want to help you all save money.*

What items do you love from Aldi?