Aldi vs. Wal-Mart

Recently, Jesse and I have been trying to think of ways we can cut back on what we spend. Here is what we have been doing so far:
1) Cut off Netflix
2) Take packed lunches to work instead of going out to eat
3) Only eat out one time a week ( I still refuse to cook after church on Sundays)
4) Turn the air condition up to 80 while we are gone during the day
5) Cut coupons for groceries

This last one has been a challenge. I have to be really careful what coupons I use because half of the time it is stuff I would not usually buy, so in the end I spend more! I mean come on, do I really need to try that new type of ice cream that is 10 cents off its regular price? I don't think so.

So I started looking into other options and that's when someone suggested I shop at Aldi.
I was curious so I checked it out. First of all they provide almost all of the same groceries you would find at any small grocery store but at lower prices.

If you plan on going, there are a few things you might want to know:
1) Take a quarter. You need a quarter to get a shopping cart, but you get it back when you are finished with it. Sounds crazy, I know, but part of them offering lower prices is by cutting back on staff. The customers are in charge of maintaining the carts rather than having a cart boy.

2) Bring your own shopping sacks (they can be from Wal-Mart). You have to bag your own groceries and believe me its not that bad. This is another way they can offer their customers lower food prices.

3) They almost always carry off-brand stuff.

The best part, other then the lower prices, is that there is hardly ever a crowd! I hate the crowds at Wal-Mart, I always feel rushed and frustrated and end up forgetting things on my list. Am I the only one that feels that way about Wal-Mart?

Anyway, here is what I have started doing even though it is a bit more time consuming. I first go to Aldi with my grocery list and get what I can there. Since they are small, they don't always carry everything on my list. Then I go to Wal-Mart and get the rest. This last time, I decided to do some research. Listed below are the foods I bought at Aldi and their prices versus what I found at Wal-Mart (Great Value or any off-brand):

Grocery Item	Aldi’s	Wal-Mart
Strawberries	$ 0.99	$1.88
Whole Carrots	$ 0.99	$1.48
Bag of Salad	$ 1.99	$2.38
5 lb sack of potatoes	$ 1.99	$2.97
Tortillas	$ 0.99	$1.38
Loaf of Bread	$ 0.99	$1.78
Rotini pasta	$ 0.78	$2.08
Eggs	$ 0.99	$1.18
½ gallon of Milk	$ 1.77	$1.98
TOTAL	$11.48	$17.11

These are just a few comparisons. You can make the decision if you think its worth it.

Check out their website: www.aldifoods.com. They have a one week food shopping challenge and a meal planner that I think are cool.

I am still looking for ways to cut down on costs so if anyone has any ideas that don't include cutting off the air condition completely, let me know!

-Heather