After my Publix shopping trip fail, I decided to go back to my roots and try ALDI here in TN. I was planning to go last night, but Jesse was out running errands with Silas and offered to swing by ALDI to grab the items on my list. I was happy to oblige.
Here’s what we bought:
ALDI Shopping Trip
1 package tortillas — $1.19
2 cans refried beans — $0.79 each
2 boxes of aluminum foil — $1.99 each
Frozen green beans — $1.49
2 bags of chicken breasts — $5.99 each
1 package thick sliced bacon — $5.99
2 packages center cut bacon — $3.69 each
2 Cucumbers — $0.33 each
2 bags of Gala apples — $3.49 each
Strawberries — $1.99
4 Avocados — $0.99 each
Baby carrots — $0.99
Olive Oil — $2.99
Total with tax: $55.39
It wasn’t the most amazing shopping trip ever, but it did give me hope that, with some practice, we’ll be able to get back to most of the prices we were used to paying in Kansas! 🙂
Laura B says
Welcome to TN! You have been such an encouragement to me over the years (found you back when you had the Biblical Womanhood blog). We love Aldi as well! I know it is hard to get oriented to the area “secrets,” so I wanted to let you know about a bulk food co-op that is available here in TN, bulk natural foods. It seems similar to azure standard from what I can tell. We get our wheat and grains from them as well as fruit (apples, peaches, pears, etc). I found them via internet search when we first moved here a few years ago and we sure have appreciated their hard work in helping us get good whole foods on the table at a decent price. Blessings to your family as you settle in!
Nicole says
This makes me feel alot better about shopping at Aldi. We do the majority of our shopping there and sometimes I feel guilty and I can hear myself saying, “but crystal from moneysavingmom.com uses coupons for EVERYTHING i have to get it together!” and avocados are so yummy…but..cant eat them anymore because they made me sick during my last pregnancy 🙁
Billene says
Aldi is great but being 45 miles it is not worth the travel time to Paducah. Have been very happy so far with the Ruler Foods ( which is only 20 miles away) I love Kroger brands and find them much cheaper there unless Kroger is having a sale.
Elizabeth says
I’m going to really have to figure out Aldi there was an article apparently my town is getting one within the next year. I’ve always just gone to Kroger for weekly, Save-A-Lot for frozen and Sam’s for bulk meat. What is Aldi generally really good at I’m curious?
Meredith says
The produce is way cheaper than you are going to pay any where else. The problem is that it is hit and miss. I’ve never had any problems with their melons, pineapple, oranges, carrots, celery, broccoli, etc. However, the berries, onions, bananas (especially this one) can be of extreme low quality. However, the next time you go in, they will be beautiful. I don’t buy much meat there except bacon and occasional lunch meat. They do have a nice array of cheeses at great prices and they have just the basics of everything else. Some basics though (like eggs and milk) are cheaper at your local chain. Not a lot of name brands at all so don’t plan on it. I’ve noticed over time it’s a roll of the dice but you can always plan and getting just what you need there.
Mandy says
I’m in WV and we’ve had an Aldi’s nearby my home for a while. I have not bought much in the way of meats from there, but they have always had great deals on produce and milk. I must check out their other products. I am currently working to set a budget for my family and would love to trade shopping at Walmart or Kroger for the lower prices and good quality of Aldi’s. Thank you for all your insight to these deals. I will start paying better attention to their weekly ads.
ArdenLynn says
I had gotten away from Aldi. Mine was making me mad by not being stocked with basic items on my list and just being kind of unpleasant to be in. How many times can they get away with telling customers that there is a distribution problem at the warehouse? Our city council voted down their zoning to move and since then I have seen them improve some.
But, the further I get from Aldi, the more our grocery bill goes up. I was doing most of my shopping at a local chain and Sam’s. I also noticed the variety of fruits and veggies I served went down too because I couldn’t afford $2.99 a pound strawberries or $4 melons. I feed 10 of us so it takes quite a lot for everyone to even get a serving.
I have been shopping Aldi since the early mid 90’s and sometimes I get annoyed with them, especially the recent push on name brand items but I am a huge fan.
Meredith says
Crystal,
Since you have Harris Teeter now, make sure you check out their actual meat case. Ours always has fresh chicken for 1.99/lb. It’s not as cheap as the frozen but it’s the lowest price around if you want fresh. Also, that is your main coupon place imo. Kroger bought them out last year. They still double, triple, and super double! ‘
Denise says
We have bacon and eggs once a week! We are struggling a little since moving from OH to IN though since both are more expensive here. But since it is a quick and easy and protein packed meal we still buy it.
I like the bagged Aldi chicken too 🙂
I just wish Avocado prices weren’t so high right now. I’d love to buy a few each week but just can’t justify the money most weeks.
Crystal Paine says
I’m hoping to see some more $0.25 Avocados soon! I LOVE it when they’ve offered that deal in the past!
Greg Smith says
Aldi has recently moved into our area (Houston, TX). How do their prices generally compare to the others? All we have is Kroger’s & HEB. We also have Walmart & Target but their meat prices are are even higher than Kroger’s.
Crystal Paine says
Generally, their prices for staple items are less expensive than you’d find anywhere else. Which is why I LOVE ALDI! 🙂
Jackie B. says
Hi Crystal, what great deals you’ve shared! I stopped going to Aldi several months ago but only because we were trying to go all-organic and such. Well, our budget is not really going for it lately, so I’m glad that your post just confirmed our need to go back. BTW, are you in the Nashville area now? We are just south of there and shop at the one in Franklin. Would love to meet you someday! 😉
Crystal Paine says
Yes, we’re in the Nashville area now! We LOVE it here!
Courtney says
I found some great deals at Aldi last night. 25 cent bags of pretzel rolls and 10 cent cans of frosting leftover from Easter. The frozen Aldi chicken isn’t the best but it is a decent price and individually frozen so it works great for the crockpot.
Crystal Paine says
Wow! What great deals!
Sara@Save Money, Live Joyfully says
Next time you’re near Trader Joes, try their Applewood Smoked Bacon. Oh my. Heaven. It is a staple around here!! For soups/recipes that need a less sweet component, I use their Black Forest bacon. All delicious and nitrate free! ($4.99 a lb!)
Jennifer B. says
We don’t have either store here where we are now, but I looked and saw there is a Trader Joe’s in Nashville. (No idea if it is convenient for you.) When we lived where we had Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, we preferred Trader Joe’s. You should definitely give them a try (if you can). I’ve even read online that Trader Joe’s has better pricing than Whole Foods (but obviously it would depend — on the item and sale pricing, for example).
Diane says
I have found Trader Joe’s to have better prices in general.
Sara@Save Money, Live Joyfully says
I’ve stopped couponing for the most part, and do 90% of my shopping at Trader Joes. Great inexpensive organic products. My grocery budget has gone down about $150 a month!
Jen says
I’m not 100% sure if this is true, but I’ve heard that Trader Joe’s is owned by the same company as Aldi. Big and Little brothers, I guess.
Susan Arthur says
It is true. Some of the people who own Trader Joe’s own Aldi. Sometimes you will see some of the same products in Aldi that you have seen in Trader Joe’s – but cheaper!
Brooke says
Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find all the deals and work out a new grocery shopping strategy soon. When we moved to Florida from Maryland 4 years ago, I had to do the same thing, and it took a bit of time. I had to learn to work Publix deals (yeah, not so great on produce!) and figure out the best places to get some of my staples (i.e., CVS, Walgreens, Earth Origins, and the local farmer’s market). I’m still working out the kinks, but I’ve learned to get some really good deals. I know you will, too!
Erin@The Humbled Homemaker says
LOVE Aldi! It’s my favorite! I think they will always be. As they keep introducing more (and better) products, they are now where I get about 90+% of our food.
Amy Dunn says
If you have a Harris Teeter nearby, here’s a great deal on bacon, through next Tuesday:
Smithfield bacon (12-16 oz.): BOGO or $3.99
$1/2 5/4 SS2
= $3.49 each.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for this tip!
Margaret says
How is that frozen chicken from Aldi? They are new to us here in Texas, and I’m loving them, but I’m nervous about trying the meat- fresh or frozen. Thoughts, anyone?
Crystal Paine says
We’ve purchased frozen chicken from Aldi for years and always had good experiences. It’s definitely every bit comparable with Kroger frozen chicken — and usually at least a dollar or two less expensive per bag.
Margaret says
Great to know- thanks!
Carlye Rankin says
We also buy our meats from Aldi. I have never had a problem with them. 😀
Elizabeth says
Seeing 3 pkgs of bacon on there…makes sense it was your hubby shopping!! My hubby and son would do same if shopping!!
Crystal Paine says
😉
Kim in Cali says
How many pounds of chicken in your bag of frozen chicken? I’m getting about a 3 lb bag for that price in Cali but wondering if your bags there are the same weight as ours.
There is always hope as far as grocery budgets go. You’ve taught us that! 🙂
Last weekend I bought a bunch of marked down bacon $2.99 from $7.99 for organic nitrate/nitrite free. Hope we like it.
Crystal Paine says
Yes, the bags are 3-lbs. And what a great deal on bacon!
Heather says
I can’t wait until your venture out to Whole Foods. 🙂 You must try their uncured nitrate free 365 brand bacon. It is amazing!
Crystal Paine says
Oh, that sounds delicious! I’ve shopped at Whole Foods a few times and LOVE their 365 brand!
Brandy @ The Prudent Homemaker says
What a deal on those cucumbers!
Crystal Paine says
I know!! I was excited about that!
Becky says
I must have missed why you went to TN and the job your husband has now. Sorry if it’s repeating but it has to be good!
Crystal Paine says
I shared a little about it here: https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/04/headed-nashville-changes-coming-blog.html We’re LOVING it here and are so glad we made the leap!
Jennifer B. says
That is still very cryptic, I think. Any idea when you’ll share more details about the new business venture?
Crystal Paine says
We’re not sure what all the future holds as there are many different opportunities and options right now and we’re just taking it one day at a time, but we’re excited to see where it leads. I’ll definitely keep blogging about things as they unfold. Thanks so much for joining us on this journey!
Brandee says
We love bacon too! We have two particular brands we prefer. I get real excited when I find coupons for them, sales, or BOGOs. It freezes well too. ;).
Crystal Paine says
I’m hoping for a deal on bacon soon!
Jennifer says
Okay, I’m dying to know what you’re going to do with all that bacon? We love bacon! But unless I’m hitting an unusually good sale, I tend to only buy one or two packages because it disappears quickly in our household!
Crystal Paine says
What are we going to do? Eat it. 😉
We’re on a bacon and eggs kick right now and since Jesse is working from home now and the kids are playing outside so much, I’m trying to have plenty of protein around for everyone… even though it does mean a higher grocery bill. 🙂
Jennifer says
Ah, bacon, just as it is, that’s great. I think it’s one of the most delicious forms of protein!