What's in your cart?

[J-Mann]

Have you tried Aldi, J-Mann? Their prices are unbeatable and because the stores are small, you can be in and out in 15 minutes. They're awesome!

I've been around plenty of them, although I've never actually been in one. There are two relatively close to me. My grandmother used to go to one ... this has been 15 or 20 years ago ... and I seem to remember her saying that the prices were lower but you had to bag your own groceries. I've always thought of it like one of those no-frills airlines: cheap but not worth the hassle.

That being said, I have no actual experience with the store and no reason to think that. I suppose I ought to try it. I see from their website that you put a quarter in for carts, can't use credit, have to bring or buy bags, etc.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Have you tried Aldi, J-Mann? Their prices are unbeatable and because the stores are small, you can be in and out in 15 minutes. They're awesome!

You can be in and out of a regular supermarket in 15 minutes if you're going there for a few specific items.  I'm not impressed by Aldi.  Essentially no name brands, so if you're going to compare prices, you need to compare their stuff to the generic brands you find in other stores.  Was not particularly impressed by the quality of their meat or produce.  The quarter for a shopping cart gimmick isn't to prevent cart theft but to force customers to return the carts to the store so they don't have to send employees out to gather carts.  There are other bargain basement stores out there that aren't nearly so inconvenient.  If I did go to Aldi, I'd still need to shop at other supermarkets to get what I need, so once I add in the cost in time and gas, it's just not worth it.  The only way I'd consider Aldi would be if it were in walking distance.

[Potus]

My family typically splits our groceries into three categories. The first is the bushie category of things like pizza rolls, chips, coke, etc. The second is the foreign stuff my mother knows how to cook. For example, we have Indian good way more often than the typical family in our area. Or even Greek food for that matter. The third is the more traditional category consisting of vegetables, fruits, dairy, etc.

We buy our meat in bulk with the rest of my family. We've got a pretty substantial deep freeze. My family will buy a cow and a pig to have slaughtered and we just stuff everything in the deep freeze.

I am by no means a 5 lbs of Brussels Sprouts paragon of virtue, however. And I have a feeling all of these other, "All I eat is veggies and fruit" people are just trying to find some way to distinguish themselves from those icky plains people.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Have you tried Aldi, J-Mann? Their prices are unbeatable and because the stores are small, you can be in and out in 15 minutes. They're awesome!

I've been around plenty of them, although I've never actually been in one. There are two relatively close to me. My grandmother used to go to one ... this has been 15 or 20 years ago ... and I seem to remember her saying that the prices were lower but you had to bag your own groceries. I've always thought of it like one of those no-frills airlines: cheap but not worth the hassle.

That being said, I have no actual experience with the store and no reason to think that. I suppose I ought to try it. I see from their website that you put a quarter in for carts, can't use credit, have to bring or buy bags, etc.

Aldi is a German chain...competing successfully in the US in a market that no one else can crack. Trust me...Aldi aint Whole Foods...but for the price... Youll be surprised.

[memphis]

Have you tried Aldi, J-Mann? Their prices are unbeatable and because the stores are small, you can be in and out in 15 minutes. They're awesome!

I've been around plenty of them, although I've never actually been in one. There are two relatively close to me. My grandmother used to go to one ... this has been 15 or 20 years ago ... and I seem to remember her saying that the prices were lower but you had to bag your own groceries. I've always thought of it like one of those no-frills airlines: cheap but not worth the hassle.

That being said, I have no actual experience with the store and no reason to think that. I suppose I ought to try it. I see from their website that you put a quarter in for carts, can't use credit, have to bring or buy bags, etc.

You get the quarter back when you return the cart. They accept debit. They sell reusable plastic bags that are much larger and more durable than regular plastic grocery bags for 10 cents each. 3 of them will easily hold a week's groceries, which, to me, is much more convenient than carrying 15 small plastic bags that tend to rip easily. They don't have the selection of a big supermarket, but they have all the basics, usually just in one brand. All the stuff you mentioned in the original post will be there. They also close at 8, so no late night shopping. But all those quirks really do allow them to cut prices for the consumer. They make WalMart look expensive in comparison. Oh, and they also pay their employees a living wage. They start cashiers at $11/hour.

[KCDem]

Pork shoulder is an extremely tough piece of meat, full of chewy connective tissue. There's a reason people bbq it over a low heat for 12-24 hours. Pork is very cheap meat. For less hassle, just get the tenderloin. They sell it at Aldi for $3.99/lb.

Crockpot it

[KCDem]

Yesterday's grocery haul for the week:

5 lbs brussel sprouts
7 grapefruits
4 yams
1 lb portobello mushrooms
2 onions
3lb pork shoulder
1lb Ahi tuna
3lb chicken breasts

5 pounds of Brussel sprouts? you cray

They're just so easy to make and they stay good even after I cook them. They last me all week for dinner and lunch I bring in to work.

Also the above cost me $57 which is actually high for my weekly grocery bill. It's very possible to eat healthily and cheaply. I would guess I would spend this much by going out to eat three times. I usually only try to go out to eat once a week. And when I do I usually go to nice place, maybe a $40 meal. But yes, I usually only allow myself to spend about $80 per week and I leave my wallet at home most days so I'm not tempted to eat out.

Where do you typically do your shopping? I'm still trying to find the "best" place for me in Kansas City. I used to shop at HyVee when I lived elsewhere, but I was disappointed in the one KC HyVee that I found.

Michigan wants to make sure that people recycle and don't litter (and if they do so homeless people will pick up the cans) so they charge you 10 cents per can at checkout which you can get back when you bring them in for recycling.

HP state

JMann, I usually go to Cosentino's downtown because I don't have a car and SunFresh is garbage. Also the City Market down in River Market is good, but at this time of year they only really sell veggies. Other than that I like the Trader Joe's on Ward Parkway.

[MATTROSE94]

Have you tried Aldi, J-Mann? Their prices are unbeatable and because the stores are small, you can be in and out in 15 minutes. They're awesome!

Aldi's is actually a decent store and very inexpensive (I believe my mom once spend $80 there and got enough food for several weeks), though the quality of their meats isn't that great IMO.

[Sopranos Republican]

Last night I had to go grocery shopping as a matter of fact. I actually am a cashier in a supermarket, but my store (shaw's) was closed by the time I actually went shopping, so I ended up heading to Stop & Shop. I only ended up buying a few things on the below list, as I'l buy the rest when I get my paycheck tonight, and can use my employee discount at shaw's. So this is mostly my planned shopping list, and you'll notice it's very Italian.

Chocolate Cream Pie
Prosciutto and Provolone stuffed peppers
Raspberries
Bananas
Granny Smith Apples
Mini Carrots
Celery
Boneless Chicken Breast
Mozzarella
Crushed Tomatoes
Bacon
Olive Oil
Ranch Dip
Fruit Loops
Frosted Flakes
Milk
Coffee
12 pack of Pepsi (need to stay hydrated)
Bagels from the bakery
Mushrooms
Lasagna
Kale