Discounts

7 Reasons Why I Love Consignment Shops and not just for saving money

by Deb C February 28, 2023

Why I love consignment shops

There are so many reasons to love consignment shops and shopping, but here I am narrowing them down.

Shopping at consignment stores is more than about saving money. It’s also a fun and entertaining hobby. Each consignment shop has its own personality, partly from the owners, the policies and pricing, the ambience, the consignors, and the shoppers. Shopping at consignment shops is a hobby for people of all ages, incomes, and lifestyles.

I’ve listed the reasons I love shopping at consignment shops. They are in no particular order.

Reason 1 why I love consignment shops: Free entertainment

Not only do consignment shops save you money, but they also offer free and fun entertainment. I may not buy anything during a visit, but I am usually entertained, one way or another.

Most of the shops I go to have a great play list of background music, which, for me, is mostly classic rock music.

Sometimes the people, either in front or behind the counter, are the entertainment. As you are browsing, you may hear the most intriguing stories, or gossip. Then there are times I feel sorry for the owner or employee. They get trapped by a customer who pours out their health, marital, or other woes.

Once at my favorite shop, Classic Consignments, a long-time fixture in Sudbury, Mass. I overheard a a particularly annoying browser. She let everyone within hearing know, that she had been living in Asia for years. She kept insisting that the hand-painted Japanese china was priced too low for the work that was put into it, not knowing the going rate. She treated the employees as if they were volunteers in a charity thrift shop who didn’t know what they were doing. She was the ignorant one.

Sometimes I meet someone I haven’t seen in years. A few times I discovered someone who remembers the same shops I used to go to when I was growing up. We have several pleasant moments mentally traveling down memory lane.

Then there’s the times when there are items that stun you, amuse you, or educate you. You may not want to take them home, but they make for an interesting visit.

Reason 2 why I love consignment shops: Education

This relates to Reason #1: Consignment shops can be educational, as your world is expanded by the eclectic nature of the items on display. You may get glimpses into high end tastes and designs you might never otherwise experience. The closest I chose to get to new high-end merchandise is through the windows in the mall. At some consignment shops I can handle lots of items up close.

The sheer variety of items I never knew existed and can study up close is incredible. Some shops which lean towards antiques and collectibles, can resemble mini-museums.

Reason 3 why I love consignment shops: Adding to your collection at reasonable prices

At some shops, you have a chance to add to your collection at a significant savings, rather than buying at an antique mall or shop, or on eBay. The owner of the consignment shop doesn’t wait for the top dollar and most shops have an automatic markdown system, so you may find some great items at reasonable prices. I buy vintage photos and ephemera and many times I have picked they up after their final markdown.

Reason 4 why I love consignment shops: Finding old favorites and repurposing

If a shop has a blend of eras, you may find items of character and design that are better made of better materials that suit your taste and living space. And, you can find items to repaint, refinish, and repurpose. You might also find a replacement for something that you loved and wore out. I am searching for some kitchenware that were my favorites. I don’t like the design or feel of some of the utensils available today.

Reason 5 why I love consignment shops: Better goods at lower prices

I touched on this before, but it’s not just saving money, it’s also having opportunities to buy higher quality gently used items for the same or less than those of much lower quality. We recently bought a piece of furniture at a well-known online retailer as a requested gift. We assembled it in the recipient’s home. Some components didn’t line up as well as they should have. And it was smaller than expected. It was definitely not designed for long term use. I would have rather put the money into a slightly used solid wood, better constructed item with some character.

I pick up charming English porcelain plates and pressed and lead glass dishes and serving ware for use when we have company. I also use vintage damask cloth napkins and tablecloths when entertaining.

Reason 6 why I love consignment shops: Learning the value of heirlooms

Consignment shops can also give you an idea of the value, or not, of your family heirlooms, or your household goods. You might think, or hear “Oh, my grandmother had one of these!”

But, as a sign that I have seen in some vintage and collectible shops says: “The only one who’s interested in what your grandmother had, was your grandfather.”

While a lot of “yesterdays” items are interesting or durable, or usable, like old Federal bureaus, only a fraction have any significant value. I owned an antique and collectibles consignment shop for 12 years. A memorable consignor insisted on discussing each item he consigned often saying “Now, this is really old,” expecting a high price just because it was old.

Well, it is true that sadirons like the one he had are old. But, unless the example is unusual in some way, and even then, they are common and not particularly sought-after.

Every winter I see vintage wooden sleds like Flexible Flyers, at consignment shops like Classic Consignments, but I also notice that they either don’t sell, or are coming to the end of their consignment period without any takers. They just give the shop a seasonal ambience.

So, either I see something my mother or grandmother had, and get a sense of the going prices, or if I try to sell something they owned, the market tells me what is valuable, and what isn’t.

Reason 7 why I love consignment shops: Make money

While it may not be, buy low, sell high somewhere else, sometimes I have made money doing just that. Either I bought an item at a consignment shop and sold it at another place, or online on eBay or Etsy, or bought an item at a yard sale and sold it on consignment.

Sometimes, it’s just easier to have someone else do the pricing and selling for you. I bought a group of vintage Easter postcards at a thrift shop. I scanned them and created a digital product and sell the images for download on Etsy. I also created a book for scrapbooking, junk journaling, and crafting that you can buy here on Amazon. Then, I consigned them in groups four to eight and most of them sold. I made back my investment and more just from consigning them. However, I do have a lot of sweat equity invested in the scanning, layout, and design of the digital and physical products sold on Etsy and Amazon.

Above are the main reasons I love consignment shops. They offer so much, as far as entertainment and education and they don’t cost you anything until you buy something.

Why do you love consignment shops? Leave your comments below.

Also visit my other blog posts about collectibles and consignment shops:

Clear your clutter and cash in with consignment shops

The British Royal Family: Memorabilia feeds collectibles mania

I talk about other ways to save money on my blog. Here is a post about it.

Want to learn how to start a blog?

Here’s some courses to get you started: Start A Travel Blog

or Start A Blogging Business.

February 28, 2023 0 comment

Budget-minded Discounts

How You Can Save Money and Fight Inflation Shopping Clearance

by Deb C January 23, 2023

How You can save money shopping clearance and fight inflation

If you’re looking for ways to save money in the face of inflation, shopping clearance could be a great option for you. I’ve made it a habit when I shop and found amazing deals. From clothing and electronics to furniture and appliances, there are plenty of opportunities to save.

Shopping Clearance saves in more ways than one

Shopping clearance is a great way to save money and fight inflation. Whether I shop for specific items or not, shopping clearance helps me stretch a dollar further. I also treat myself to items I might not buy at full or sale price.

Whenever I am shopping in person, whether for groceries, clothing, or hard goods. I check for clearance items. Sometimes I buy things that we don’t really need, but are something I wouldn’t buy otherwise. Sometimes it’s a treat that ends up being a gift, or surprisingly useful. Either way, it’s a win, and light on the wallet.

When my kids were growing up, I used to have a designated drawer full of generic gift type items. Every so often, one of our sons would ask if they could pick a gift to take to school the next day. Having on hand gift items I’d bought on sale saves money and last-minute trips to the store. At times, I raid the drawer for donations for local non-profit raffles.

A lucky find at Lowe’s saved a lot of money

There are times when my husband or I have come across something we knew we would be needing one at some point in the foreseeable future.

One example is our 10+ year old washer. It still worked great, but I was getting a bit concerned about the rust around the holes in the basket in the bottom and at times there were suspicious damp spots extending from underneath it.

My husband and I discussed washers in general. We agreed that we didn’t like the front-loading type after studying our son’s and reading up on them. But we didn’t actively look for a replacement.

My husband often checks for clearance items when he shops at Lowe’s and has found items with great markdowns. One day he sent me a photo by text of a top-loading washer with a dent in the front. Regularly upwards of $800, and as of this writing on sale for $748.00, it was marked $208.00. It wasn’t a return, but was dinged in transit or unpacking. As our laundry area is in the cellar where no one sees it but us, the dent didn’t matter to us. It came with a full warranty just in case we had a problem.

It did have a minor issue, which a repairman fixed under the warranty, along with banging out the dent to ensure that the drum didn’t bang it when spinning.

We also used a credit card with rewards so we would save on booking a hotel or airfare. If we used our Lowe’s rewards card we might get more rewards, but we had so much trouble trying to make it work at checkout, we gave up.

We’ve also bought a storm door, kitchen cabinets, and a fire pit ($15) at Lowe’s on clearance.

More items to save money on by shopping clearance

You can find big savings on everyday items, like groceries, paper goods, toiletries and personal care, too.

I just bought a 12 ounce bottle of Pantene Pro-V Volume and body 2 in 1 Shampoo and conditioner for $.60, yes 60 cents, on clearance at a Walgreens. The receipt said the regular price was $5.99. Online Foodline listed it for $8.49 and Amazon listed it for about $12.00. I wasn’t in the market for shampoo, but for $.60, I bought it. At the same time I bought another hair product on clearance for $2.29 that the receipt said the regular price is $22.99. I was shocked to find that the prices online ran from about $15 to $22.

At the same Walgreens, I’ve bought a box of Quaker Oatmeal Squares for $ .50, a box of confectionary sugar for $.15, and paper plates significantly reduced. Walgreens brand of daytime and nighttime cold and flu relief medicine is much less than the leading brand. There’s more savings when it goes on sale. I picked up a pack for $6.99 once and I did find a bottle of the honey version on the clearance shelf for a great price another time. None of the above were anywhere near their expiration date.

I also find good buys on kid’s toys, too, like this toy car from the Cars movie was under 50 cents on clearance.

I usually find some good buys in Ulta’s clearance section, too. One year I bought some makeup cases at a great price. I gave one as a gift and donated another to a charity auction.

Sometimes I’ve gotten lucky at Shaw’s supermarket and bought hair care products for about 75% off. I recently bought packages of paper goods with the logo of my favorite sports team for 50 cents each there. You save even more at Aldi when they mark down an item, esp. some of their hard goods.

You can especially save money when you shop the clearance and sales areas in consignment and thrift stores. One of my favorite stores, Classic Consignments in Sudbury, Mass., recently had several quality gently used furniture pieces marked down. A trendy like new glass-topped table with four chairs was about $150. New the set cost significantly more.

Save more money shopping Clearance by using Coupons, Deals, and Discount Days

If a store has a discount day for seniors, get even more savings. Kohls and Walgreens are two chains that have weekly Senior Discount Days.

Through various websites and promotions, shoppers can find discounts on a wide variety of items. This can include anything from groceries, home goods, electronics, clothing or even travel packages.

One year we booked a cruise through Choice Hotels that was already discounted. We also received better rates on excursions while earning credits. This past year we found a deal on an off-season cruise which included the tip as well as a $50 credit towards either and excursion or onboard purchase. We’ve paid a lot more for shorter cruises.

There are many resources available online which specialize in finding and compiling the best coupons and deals across multiple platforms.

Save money and fight inflation by shopping clearance online

Shopping for clearance items online is another great way to save money and fight inflation. By shopping around on different websites and comparing prices, you can ensure that you get the best value possible while still saving money in the long run. Many times these stores offer additional coupons or discounts which make them even more appealing. Plus, most of these sites provide free shipping when your order is over a certain amount. That means you don’t have to worry about paying extra fees just to get your purchase delivered right to your door!

You can also earn rewards, not only from the stores you are shopping at, but from platforms like Swagbucks and Rakuten.

I earn rewards from online stores like Kohl’s and Macy’s and at the same time earn points from Rakuten. Honey will tell you the best coupons to use, too. There are many resources available online which specialize in finding and compiling the best coupons and deals across multiple platforms.

When I shop online, I select “Clearance” and then the “low to high price” options. I’ve found some great buys in brand name children’s clothes, books, and accessories, as well as clothing and gifts for family and friends. Some stores, like Kohls, give you rewards dollars if you have your order shipped to a store for pickup.

One time I went to pick up an order at Kohls on Senior Discount day. I picked up my order and also found some things to buy – on clearance. Instead of the Senior Discount a cashier suggested I take the 25% off Family and Friends discount they offered that day. They also accepted $10 in Kohls cash that I earned with my online order. When I got home, waiting for me was an email from Kohls with $5 Kohls cash reward for instore pickup. Save, save, save…

Shopping Clearance as a life habit

This fun mug on Etsy pretty much sums it up.

An over-arching benefit of shopping clearance is that it can help balance inflationary prices in other areas of your life. Milk and eggs or car repairs may be more, but they are offset by the savings on other purchases.

Not only do you get discounts, but clearance sections are constantly restocked with new merchandise. This means that you have access to new finds every time you visit your favorite store. I don’t make special trips to stores, but if I’m picking up a prescription, for example, I always check the Walgreens clearance area, and for their clearance tags around the store.

Shopping clearance is an excellent way to save money without compromising on quality. From home décor to clothing, there are great buys out there.

Take time to search out online and in-store discounts on products you need or want. Take advantage of end-of-season sales, holiday promotions, and special offers from retailers or manufacturers.

If you need school supplies, some office supply stores offer great buys just as the school year ends and the kids are sent home with supply lists for the next year. Then, once school starts, the stores slash prices on back-to-school items. I’ve found quite a few bargains in the clearance section at Staples all year ’round.

By taking advantage of clearance shopping opportunities, you can save enough, like I have, to offset inflation on many everyday necessities as well as larger more discretionary purchases.

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How have you saved money by shopping clearance? What are your tips? Leave comments below.

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Want to learn how to start a blog?

Here’s some courses to get you started: Start A Travel Blog

or Start A Blogging Business.

January 23, 2023 0 comment

Budget-minded Discounts Nostalgia Quirky Finds

If You Like Collectibles and Consignment Shops, You’ll Love Classic Consignments

by Deb C August 31, 2022

You don’t have to be 50plus to love shopping in consignment and thrift shops, but you tend to have more time to do so. Also, you may have more reasons to do so, like new hobbies, stretching retirement funds, and people to buy for, like grandchildren.

If You Like Collectibles and Consignment Shops, You’ll Love Classic Consignments, a shop on Rt. 20 in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

I love shopping at thrift and consignment shops, and Classic Consignments is my favorite. It ticks all the boxes.

Note: It is not a clothing store, but might have vintage and quality fashion accessories.

If You Like Collectibles and Consignment Shops, you’ll love the selection at Classic Consignments

The sandwich board sign reads: “home furnishings, jewelry, etc.” Well, the “etc.” is a bland word for what you may find at Classic Consignments. Unlike some shops, that limit themselves to recent decades, or to mostly furniture, or to antiques and collectibles, or a niche, items hundreds of years old may be mixed in with items across the years to today. The items range from practical to whimsical, from paper to chrome, and cover a broad range of interests and collecting niches. And it’s just plain fun hunting for collectibles and antiques there.

You may find items about British Royalty:

to immigrants:

What kind of collectibles might you find at Classic Consignments?

One day when I walked in, I was greeted by several boxed dolls circa the 1950’s. One of the boxes had a note that said something like “to Gramma, love from xxxx.” Evidently it was time for the collection to be disbursed and enjoyed by new owners.

It often seems that way, as you might see a large grouping of items, like miniatures, such as Sebastian figurines, or Longaberger baskets, Flow Blue or Dedham pottery, or its re-iteration of style from The Potting Shed.

Some shelves and cabinets are designated areas for things like linens, quality handbags, pottery, and vintage kitchenware and glassware.

The linen corner.

Long view of kitchenware, vintage cans and bottles, and utensils etc.

Handbags and totebags.

Close up of jugs on kitchenware shelf.

Here’s some Hall’s and Fiesta-style ware:

If you like British Royalty memorabilia, they often have something or other in china, tin, or paper.

They occasionally have comic books and usually have ephemera, from postcards to early advertising.

The walls and floor space offer an ever-changing cornucopia of visual and collecting delights.

What I also like about Classic Consignments is their pricing and mark down policy.

The staff at Classic Consignments work with their consignors to price their items fairly, given local and online markets. They urge their consignors to point out anything that will indicate what their expectations are and what characteristics might influence the price. They also have a computerized ticketing program showing automatic markdowns at dated intervals. If you are a buyer, this may influence your buying decisions. I know I am more likely to buy something if it’s marked down. Sometimes I pass on an item at full price, because I don’t NEED it, but figure if it’s still there the next time I visit, I can (sort of) justify buying it.

Here’s a ticket example on a Boyd’s Teddy Bear:

The original price is on the bottom and the markdowns with dates appear above the barcode.

What I also love about Classic Consignments is the staff and ambience.

The staff members are always pleasant and helpful. The employees are also very patient and tactful with customers and consignors. They wrestle with all kinds of calls, sometimes those that are all about the would-be customer’s needs and wants and last minute, that kindly, but firmly have to be told, “No, we can’t take…or you need an appointment…or just sorry, but no.”

They really should keep a journal of some of their stories. I know when I had my shop, I should have written down some of them.

One time when I was shopping, a woman who I gathered had been living in Japan for quite some time, and was now returning state-side, was particularly showing off her knowledge of Asian china to a friend. She insisted to the staff that some of the china should be priced higher, because she knew it was all hand-painted. She also talked down to one of them, as if the shop was a charity shop and the woman behind the counter just a volunteer, not a knowledgeable employee. The atmosphere in the store changed for the better once she and her companion left. I went over to the employee and made a commiserating comment and we both had a chuckle.

If you love jewelry, you will love Classic Consignments

David, who is their jewelry expert, and from what I gather, truly trained and certified in fine gems and jewelry, is particularly friendly and ready to share his expertise and recent consignments. He made a point of showing me a particularly unusual neck ornament, I would call it, that had just come in. It has a wonderful story, too.

According to him, the jewelry was consigned by a woman who was an Olympian in Paris in the 1970’s. Someone there gave her the neckpiece in honor and memory of her being an Olympian. The owner is moving away from the area and was downsizing. David noted that the style was “kind of Twiggy-ish” and that you would have to have a long neck to wear it. He said it is made of chrome, a mirror, and with sterling chain links. It came in the box he is holding. I looked up the name and it is of a chic hair salon in Paris.

David sang the praises of a particularly lustrous string of Mikimoto pearls. David also pointed out this custom-made shade to refurbish a period lamp. They used Czechoslovakian beads and re-purposed some embroidered linens and Chintz fabric.

David and I have discovered a common bond. Not only are we from the same hometown, we share our first childhood experience – I was probably 8 – of visiting a consignment shop. Our mothers both took us to a shop that we recall as a maze of piles of stuff and was only open at night. Hence, it’s name, The Owl Shop. When I cleaned out my Mom’s house a few years ago I found something that I bought there . It still had the faint consignor number and price written in pencil.

What the bargain-hunter in me really loves about Classic Consignments

The bargain-hunter in me really loves, not only the mark-downs, but the “back room.” As unsold items enter their final month of their consignment period, the staff move them to a back area of the shop. I generally save that section to browse in last. There I have picked up some great pictorial or coffee table books that were marked down to $2. I also find items that I hadn’t noticed before, as well as some that are marked down to what I am willing to pay. (Or justify buying.)

Here’s a few photos of the back area from a recent visit. There had been a round table there that they kept marking down. (It seems they sometimes keep furniture past the sell buy date and drastically mark it down.) I don’t know why, but I liked it, but had no use for it. Even at I think $10. I was glad when it wasn’t there anymore.

If you love collectibles, some final reasons to love Classic Consignments

With some exceptions for holiday weekends, Classic Consignments is open seven days a week. Yes, seven days to feed your browsing, collecting, and bargain-hunting soul. It’s a collector’s paradise.

Classic Consignments can be the best free entertainment if you like a fun, eclectic shopping experience with nostalgia and history thrown in.

The inventory is ever-changing as new consignments are going on the floor with regularity. Appointments are booked up months ahead.

The employees are continually moving and removing items, and rearranging so that browsers have a great experience as well as get a sense of how an item might look at home.

Finally, the consignors, customers, and staff are all interesting and entertaining in and of themselves. There is that saying: “You can’t make this stuff up.”

And you can’t. The synergy of the shop comes together all on its own.

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Do you have a favorite consignment shop? Do you love browsing thrift and consignment shops?

Please share below.

Also visit my other blog posts about collectibles and consignment shops:

7 Reasons why I love consignments shops and not just for saving money

The British Royal Family: Memorabilia feeds collectibles mania

Want to learn how to start a blog?

Here’s some courses to get you started: Start A Travel Blog

or Start A Blogging Business.

August 31, 2022 0 comment

50+ Guide and Tips Budget-minded Discounts Quirky Finds Weightloss

Aldi Helped Me Lose Weight and Save Money

by Deb C June 29, 2022

How Aldi Helped Me Lose Weight and Save Money

When an Aldi Supermarket opened near us, we quickly realized we could save money by shopping there. Then as we got to know the products, I realized I could save calories as well as money. This post is about how Aldi helped me lose weight and save money.

Just by Shopping There Aldi Helped Me Lose Weight

First, let me say that, as of this writing, I have lost about a dress size since shopping at Aldi. I didn’t change much of anything else in my lifestyle, except adding a stationery bike (bought at Aldi) to my usual exercise methods. And I don’t use that bike daily. See my other post about Aldi.

I haven’t felt hungry or deprived, and the weight was gradual, but it is staying off, not fluctuating, like it used to. What some refer to as a “set point” of my weight has gone down and is heading down again. I think it’s better for those 50-plus to lose weight slowly but steadily as our skin tends to lose it’s elasticity. Rapid weight loss can leave loose wrinkled skin.

I’m not slender, but it’s such a great feeling to put on last year’s summer clothes and find that they are loose. And, I can buy things a size smaller now.

Aldi helped me and can help you lose weight just by making you move more

There’s a little more physical activity to shopping at Aldi. The shopping carts are locked together and released by inserting a quarter. This encourages shoppers to return their carts to the store in order to get their quarter back. So, added steps, depending upon how far away you park. This also helps you save money as Aldi doesn’t have as much overhead as there’s less need for an employee to be paid to retrieve the carts.

You have to do your own bagging. The Aldi cashiers just place everything in a shopping cart and you bag your own groceries in the bagging area. Either bring your own bags, buy them, or pick up an empty box from a cage around the store.

Until you get the lay of the store, and sometimes afterwards, you find yourself retracing your steps to locate a product. Even if you learn where most things are, you may cruise the aisles looking for either new items or something you’ve never bought there before.

Aldi helped me lose weight and save money due to their somewhat limited selection

As Aldi limits it’s inventory to mostly store brands, and limited shelf space. You won’t find your favorite breakfast cereal, and endless choices, but you will find the basic and comparable ones, at a significant savings. As the selection is limited, you are less tempted to overbuy. Not that some of the baked goods and snacks aren’t tempting, but with less variety, the temptation is reduced.

Saving calories while enjoying snacks is easy with Aldi brands

Aldi’s Fit&Active Brand has some snacks that will satisfy your cravings for crunch without you loading up on calories. You can enjoy 17 of their about half dollar sized cheddar cheese rice snacks for a total of 170 calories. They are tasty and filling. They are popped, not fried, gluten free, and there’s no high fructose corn syrup. A six ounce bag has about 6 servings and, at this writing is $2.99. Comparable or less than a bag of higher calorie, less healthy potato chips.

Their Simply Nature non-gmo USDA organic White Cheddar Puffs of baked corn and rice, also gluten free, runs 130 calories for about a one cup serving. The package says not a low calorie food, but if you have a handful or two with a sandwich instead of chips, you are automatically eating better.

Savoritz woven wheat crackers are comparable to Triscuits. No calorie savings, but you can enjoy a similar taste for the same or less money.

Savoritz also makes a Pita Cracker in sea salt and garlic and chive varieties. You can enjoy about 11 crackers at 130 calories, and under $3.00 a box. If you like Trader Joe’s Pita Crackers, these are close. Enjoy them with hummus from Aldi’s refrigerated section.

Saving calories while enjoying sweet snacks is also easy with Aldi brands

Simply Nature has packages of dried fruit, including strawberries, mangoes, and Fuji apples. I find that I am satisfied to have a third to half a bag as a snack. It’s $2.99, but better than pricey diet food snacks. And better for you.

If you like Greek yogurt, try Aldi’s Friendly Farms Non-Fat versions, 5.3 oz, only 59 cents each, the summer of 2022.

Seasonal fruit, like strawberries and blueberries, have been $1.79 a quart, and under $2 for a pint of blueberries. Green seedless grapes have been comparable, or less than other local supermarkets.

Aldi Cookie Thins also helped me lose weight and save money

If you are like me, and like to have a little something with your coffee or tea break, check out Aldi Cookie Thins. So far I have bought and tried Lemon, Key Lime, and Toasted Coconut. At 140 or 150 calories for 6 cookies, you can satisfy your cravings for less calories and money.

The Toasted Coconut have no hydrogenated oil, no artificial ingredients, real toasted coconut, and no corn syrup. The lemon cookie thins also have no hydrogenated oil, no corn syrup, and, no artificial flavors or preservatives. So, tasty, crunchy, sweet, but without many of the bad things in many store-bought cookies. They are about the size of a half-dollar. I break them in half to have the portion last longer.

I will update this post with more Aldi products periodically.

See my other post about Aldi.

Do you like shopping at Aldi? What products do you like?

Leave comments below.

Want to learn how to start a blog?

Here’s some courses to get you started: Start A Travel Blog

or Start A Blogging Business.

June 29, 2022 0 comment

Budget-minded Discounts New experience

Hooked on Aldi Supermarket

by Deb C May 26, 2021

How we got hooked on Aldi Supermarket

An Aldi supermarket opened up five minutes away from our house and, after a few trips, we became hooked.

We had vaguely heard of Aldi’s and for a long time there was only one in our state and it wasn’t close to us. We’d heard it was a place where you could save money, but we didn’t make the trip.

Out of curiosity, we stopped in at one in South Carolina about two years ago. We weren’t terribly impressed. We thought it had a limited selection. We thought it was a store for odd lots, especially as most of the goods are displayed in the corrugated boxes they are shipped in. It just seemed an off-price, close-out store and not all that attractive.

Our attitude changed. Below explains how we got hooked on Aldi Supermarket.

Getting Hooked on a neighborhood Aldi Supermarket

As Aldi started opening up more stores in our state, we stopped in one we happened to spy while out exploring some of the sights in our state. Our impression kicked up a couple of notches, and we bought a few things.

Fast forward a year, and Aldi’s is open in our general neighborhood. Not only that, it is right next to one of my husband’s favorite stores: Harbor Freight. And, talk about one-stop shopping, one store over is a Total Wine & More store, where we scout craft beer to try. It also happens that my husband’s “mistress,” The Home Depot, is along the way. Talk about a convenient store for husbands to go grocery shopping!

Trial run to “our” Aldi

Our first visit to our new neighborhood Aldi was at night. We tried to take a cart, but it was chained up to a row of them. We thought this odd, but shrugged and went inside without one. When we visited in daylight we noticed the sign explaining that you put a quarter into the handle of the cart to free the chain.

We wandered around the store, getting acclimatized. During COVID, we also followed the directional arrows through the aisles. Some of the produce prices are amazing. That day Dole Celery was only 99 cents. Avocadoes were 69 cents. The prices of the salad kits are generally under what we might pay elsewhere. Aldi’s is a place to save on groceries.

Learning the “ropes” of shopping at Aldi grocery stores

We admit that getting in the habit of shopping at Aldi took a little while.

First, we learned that Aldi charges 10 cents for their bags. They are a sturdy reusable plastic, so not a bad thing. We try to remember to bring our reusable bags when we shop. Second, or neck and neck with first, we need to bring a quarter for the shopping cart, or risk tired arm syndrome. Third, you have to bag your own groceries.

The cashiers quickly ring up your goods and place them into a second cart and then they take your empty cart. After paying, you push your cart to a nearby bagging platform and bag up your purchases. Or, you can just take your cart to your car and unload it. if you want your quarter back, you need to return your cart to the lineup and reattach the chain, which then releases your quarter.

We slowly got a feel for layout, and what we can expect. While we can’t always buy all that we need, it’s close.

We look forward to getting the weekly flyer in the mail. Not only for the specials in groceries, but also for their special hard goods. They offer some hard goods that are one week specials and in an aisle leading to the registers.

Learning about Aldi Supermarkets

Thanks to an online article about Aldi’s we learned that the supermarket sells it’s own brands as well as name brands and isn’t an off price or odd lot store. We also now know that it’s exclusive brand food products don’t have certified synthetic colors, added MSG, or partially hydrogenated oils. So, we are buying healthier food at Aldi’s.

Definitely hooked on Aldi Supermarket

About two months after we started shopping at Aldi’s, my husband came home, triumphant. He burst into my office with two tote bags full of groceries. He said, “I can’t believe it! Look at all I bought for only $20 at Aldi’s!”

Then I saw in the flyer that they were selling an exercise bike for $89.99. I use a so-called under desk bike, but wanted a full model. I found a positive review online, which also explained how to put it together. The review mentioned that the Crane Foldable Exercise Bike came with a two year warranty. The reviewer had bought the bike at Aldi and used the bike for over a year and was very happy with it.

What did I have to lose if the bike had a two year warranty? So far we are happy with everything else from Aldi.

Buying an exercise bike from Aldi

The day the bike was available I went over and bought one. It was in a smaller box than I expected. I got it into my car without a problem.

It is a slightly different one from the one in the review. Actually better. More of the bike is pre-assembled. The screen with all the data about speed, distance, calories, pulse rate, etc. seems better than described in the review. There’s a drink holder that’s already attached to the bike, too.

It took me perhaps a half an hour to assemble it just using the tools that come with it. While you can pull out a pin and fold it up to move or store it, I just tip it and roll it from room to room as needed.

The only drawback, is that I am short and it is a bit challenging to raise my leg up over the crosspiece. I use a step stool to mount the bike.

What I really like about the bike is the lip or ledge that can hold not only a tablet or cellphone, but also a book. As I prefer to read a physical book over a digital one, this is a plus. I love to read and I can pedal for miles without effort while reading. Love it!

Oh, and now the bike comes with a three year warranty, instead of two, as mentioned in the review. I put the receipt, booklet with assembly instructions, and warranty page into a folder. I filed them with other product manuals and warranties of our larger purchases.

Aldi also features lots of garden and summer items

Just as the hot weather started, Aldi featured a gazebo with netting for $169.00. After having a good experience with the exercise bike, we bought it. Assembly is pretty simple. One thing is that we used tiewraps to help keep the corner shelves attached to the corner supports.

Here’s the gazebo. We haven’t added the netting yet. It measures 10′ x 10′ and the top is water resistant, like a tent. It’s not as sturdy as some that we’ve seen, but it should be fine for the amount of time that we will use it.

Aldi’s hard goods aisles have featured gardening clogs, tools, and gloves as well as summer backyard fun items at very reasonable prices. They also sell potted plants and cut flowers. I bought some hosts plants and hanging flower baskets for under $7 each. They are thriving.

Here is another big thing to know about Aldi: things like the bike, and a gazebo, are available for a limited window. Also, if you want plants, go early on the day the flyer says they will be available. Shoppers pick them up quickly. So he or she who hesitates, may lose out.

Shopping at Aldi saves you money

If inflation has made a dent in your grocery shopping budget, try Aldi. Even though some items at Aldi have increased a bit in price, overall, it is very competitive with other supermarkets. Where can you buy a dozen eggs for under $2.00? Or a package of hotdogs for 99 cents and hotdog rolls for 89 cents? Large bags of snacks, like wavy rippled chips and tortilla chips are still under $2, as of April, 2022. Baby food is competitively priced, as is produce. Yes, variety is somewhat limited, but you also spend less because there are less temptations. Although, the baked goods, and many frozen entrees and side dishes may find their way into your cart. Whether you need to budget, or just like saving money, check out Aldi. You may find yourself hooked on Aldi like we are.

Do you like shopping at Aldi? What products do you like?

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May 26, 2021 0 comment