I love Aldi - haven’t been to Lidl as it’s not as convenient for me. Like others, I don’t do all of my shopping there but it makes a big difference in our grocery bill. You’re welcome to shop elsewhere - more peanut butter cups for me.

Anonymous wrote:I'm jealous! I would love to do that. Are you retired or just super efficient?

No, no. we don't go to all the stores every week.

I am a sahm, and DH and I love eating and cooking. we have 2 teens who are fond of food and cooking too, plus, we entertain a lot. Over the years our cooking skills have become pretty good. and we can cook most cuisines. Not bragging but we feel our food is at par or better than most restaurants and we get complimented by our guests and kids too.

we are particular about getting the freshest ingredients and we make grocery runs almost every third day. Through trial and error and we have figured out where we can get the best deals and freshest ingredients from. Everything is pretty close by and for some items that are farm fresh, we do not mind making a longish trip. Quality is pretty good at Aldis and I do make special trips for certain products.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you ever shop at the lower end store like Aldi and Lidi? How good are the foods? Is it worth saving $100 a month?

I would not shop there. They are the grocery stores for low income people. I would be very embarrassed.

You’re a troll. Wealthy people know there’s a hyphen in “low-income”. Pathetic.

Definitely not, OP. The poor might rub off on you, and you definitely wouldn’t want that to happen.

I have tried to like Aldi but I just can't. I've found some good produce there but all the off brand stuff...I just feel sad in there and I don't have enough time in the day to stop there in addition to the big grocery store that has EVERYthing. I've just decided on spending significantly more for the convenience and my own happiness.

Anonymous wrote:Would you ever shop at the lower end store like Aldi and Lidi? How good are the foods? Is it worth saving $100 a month?

I would not shop there. They are the grocery stores for low income people. I would be very embarrassed.

Yes, I shop at both stores, and I don't consider them "low-end".

Stupid question.

I love Aldi. My favorite part is how close you can park. It's a smaller store so you can park pretty much right next to the door. I feel like I can get in and get out very quickly.

Last time I was at Harris Teeter there were 4-5 handicapped spaces and other reserved spaces on each of the 6 rows, plus a large street in front of the store. I have nothing against handicapped spaces, but these are always 100% empty and I don't get why they have like 30 spots. Plus, 2-3 cars are "parked" in the fire lanes, so it makes it difficult for pedestrians to see oncoming cars.

Is your time at that much of a premium that you have to ask here before popping in for 10min after work to see for yourself? What's holding you back? It's just another grocery store, grow a pair and go already. If you hate it you hate it, if you love it, you'll save more than $100 over time!

FWIW I wouldn't go there for the stellar fruit selection, though there can be some great in-season picks from time to time. Get what looks good to you and forget the rest. I love that it is small and easy.

The oven fresh bakery at Lidl is the best!

Like others, I love Aldi (and Lidl, but it's too far from us to go regularly). No, you can't get everything you need there. No, not every product is great, but I'd say I've liked 80% or more of what I've tried.

But here's the thing: It's not like buying a car or a house, where making the wrong purchase creates a big problem. It's a grocery store. Go. Buy stuff that looks good to you. If you like it, go back. If you don't, you're out a few dollars and eat a few meals that aren't quite as good as you otherwise would have had. Or if you're like me and you like most but not all of what you buy, go back and buy more of what you liked, just like at other stores.

I shop in both and Trader Joe's. The only time i get lost in Safeway or Giant is when I haven' planned well.
Blueberries, blackberries were closer to a dollar than $2 the other day. The cherries were also very sweet. Lidl bakery is great.

Aldi is my go-to for milk, eggs, cheese, bread, yogurt.

I used to live in Germany and I love Lidl for fresh bakery items especially. It’s funny to me to think of it as something low class or whatever you’re implying here.