Back when I lived alone, buying groceries wasn't such an expensive endeavor. And it's not just because that was a long time ago -- it's because it's easier and cheaper to feed one person than a family of five.
But these days, I'm tasked with the latter, which means groceries comprise a pretty large chunk of my household budget. And because of this, I'm always looking for ways to save money on food.
To that end, I employ a few different tactics. First, I make a point to look out for coupons -- not to an extreme like some people do, but I'm willing to spend a little time each week seeing what offers are available in case there's a savings opportunity.
Another way I save money on groceries is buying items I go through regularly in bulk. My Costco membership helps with that.
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At one point, another money-saving strategy of mine was to shop at Aldi. I've found that buying groceries there vs. my regular supermarket can result in a much lower tab.
But I've largely stopped shopping at Aldi despite the financial benefit. Here are three reasons I don't enjoy the store as much as I once did.
1. The inventory is inconsistent
My first few Aldi shopping trips happened to be successful ones, and I was able to get almost everything I needed without breaking a sweat. I've since learned that being able to tackle your entire shopping list with a single Aldi visit is a rarity.
Most of the time, when I shop at Aldi, I can check off two-thirds of my grocery list at best. But that's not particularly helpful given that I have a busy schedule with limited time to shop.
Rather, I need to be able to complete my entire shopping list in a single visit during those weeks when I'm pressed for time. And more often than not, Aldi doesn't allow me to do that.
2. The "Aldi Finds" aisle doesn't tempt me
If you visit Aldi, you'll no doubt come across the "Aldi Finds" aisle, which contains rotating and/or seasonal products. Many people love this aisle because it features a wide mix of products, from cooking tools to household decor. But I don't happen to be a fan.
I try to maintain as clutter-free a household as possible. Now I can't do anything about the numerous kids' items that inevitably end up all over my living room. But since I have a fully stocked kitchen and ample home decor items, Aldi's special aisle doesn't excite me. In fact, I make a point to try to not spend money on those types of products because they're not things I need.
3. I don't enjoy throwing my money away
Aldi shoppers are able to save money on groceries because the store features lesser-known brands that are typically sold at a lower price than national brands. At first, I was excited to lower my grocery bills by purchasing off brands since, well, I don't care about brands in the slightest.
My picky eater kids, however, are a different story. All it takes is a box they're not familiar with for them to refuse to eat a given item -- even if it tastes the same as what they're used to.
Because of this, I've found that buying off brands at Aldi doesn't save me money in my grocery budget like it should. If anything, it puts me at risk of throwing money away, which I don't care for at all.
It pains me to say that my initial love affair with Aldi has fizzled. I do think there's value in shopping there if you have a flexible schedule that allows you to visit multiple supermarkets in case Aldi doesn't have everything you need. And if you live alone or don't have picky eaters at home like I do, then you might as well spend less on things like bread, granola bars, and peanut butter.
But otherwise, proceed with caution when shopping at Aldi. You may find that it's not the amazing experience you might expect it to be.
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