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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?
Leave comments below.
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