Good Times at the Grocery Store

If you've ever been to my house, you know you should probably pack a snack bag if you want anything to eat or drink. I really never have food in my house. In the past, I'd truly do well to go to the grocery store every six months. It's not that I don't like food (that's obvious from my figure), or that I don't like grocery stores. Really I don't know what the problem was, but regardless, it's been solved.

Have you ever been to Aldi? I hadn't been, but I knew a few people who always went. I always heard them talk about how much money they saved. I thought that sounded nice, but I wasn't really interested. Well, one day I decided it was about time to try the place out.

The first time was a little overwhelming to me. I mean, no one told me that I had to have a quarter to get a cart. I never ever carry cash or change. So, I just stood there, looking like an idiot. I was wondering if the carts took debit cards, but they don't. Luckily, someone noticed that I was very confused, and they gave me a cart. Well, I made it into the store, and then I was confused again. Nothing was on shelves--just boxes. I got a few things, but not a lot. I didn't really know what I was doing. The problems continued when I got to the checkout. Unfortunately, I didn't know you had to bring your own bags. I also didn't realize that they had bags for sell, or I totally would have bought some. Don't worry, I did take everything out and just throw it in my car. That definitely took me about 42 trips back and forth from the car to unload.

I'm obviously not too easily discouraged, or I never would have gone back. But, one day when I had extra time, a quarter, and some bags, I decided to go back and do some real shopping. I loaded up my cart until it was completely full. I was a little worried, because I knew I had probably spent way too much. I got to the checkout (which is ridiculously fast), and found that my total was only $67! WHAT!?! I had gotten an entire month worth of groceries, for only $67? That's pretty much crazy!

I tried all of the food, and it was great! Since then, I have definitely become a believer in Aldi. The food is great, the price is amazing, and I can get in and out so quickly. I've tried to encourage everyone to go to Aldi and give it a try.

Here are some tips to try:

1) Keep a quarter someplace in your car. Make that your Aldi quarter--put it right back when you leave.

2) Keep some bags in your trunk so that you always have them handy. (You can also buy them for five cents if you forget.)

3) Try the produce...it's the best ever.

4) Look closely at everything,....things are packed tightly in there, and just because you didn't see it doesn't mean they don't have it.

Have fun shopping...let me know what you think, and how much money you saved!