This is a follow up from yesterday’s post about my first ALDI shopping experience. Yesterday was all about the actual experience of visiting the store and today is a break down of what I bought, what I paid and how much I saved. I went to Harris Teeter and priced out the same items I purchased at ALDI. I used the Harris Teeter Private Label brand whenever possible for a more accurate comparison. I think you’ll be very interested to see this breakdown. It’s pretty crazy. Before I get started I have to say that I consider Harris Teeter to be a more expensive grocery store in general but it is by far the leading grocery store in our area. I much prefer Publix when it comes to traditional large grocery stores (you can read my ode to Publix in this post) and I’m excited they’re moving into Charlotte.
I’m going to break down everything that I bought, what I paid at ALDI and what the cost was at Harris Teeter. Here we go!
Meats
Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon
$3.89/$8.99
Wild Caught Salmon
$7.99/$9.97
TOTALS: $11.88/$18.96
Cheese and Dips
Guacamole Ready to Eat Pouches
$0.79/$2.79
Goat Cheese Small Log
$1.99/$6.99
Hummus
$1.99/$3.49
Crumbled Feta Cheese
$1.99/$2.99
Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese
$1.99/$2.99
TOTALS: $8.75/$19.25
Cold & Jarred Stuff
Organic Tomato Basil Sauce
$1.99/$3.99
Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
$3.89/$4.48
Bolthouse Farms C-Boost Juice
$2.99/$4.99
Unsalted Butter
$2.49/$2.97
TOTALS: $11.36/$16.43
Chocolate, Museli & Milk
Chocolate Bars
$1.99 x 3/$2.50
Organic Museli
$2.99/$6.59
Unsweetened Almond Milk
$2.49/$2.99
TOTALS: $11.45/$17.08
Randoms
Sea Salt Pita Crackers
$1.99/$3.99
Sandwich Bags
$1.99/$1.97
Jiffy Mix (impulse buy!)
$0.52/$0.57
Pecans (unpictured!)
$2.99/$5.79
TOTALS: $7.49/$12.32
Veggies
Organic Grape Tomatoes
$1.99/$4.99
Baby Portobello Mushrooms
$1.39/$2.29
Broccoli Crowns
$1.19/$2.69
Spring Mix
$1.99/$2.99
Avocados
$0.89 x2/$1.25 x2
Asparagus
$2.99/$1.79
TOTALS: $11.33/$14.56
Fruit
Bananas
2.5lb @$0.44/lb/2.5 lb @$0.63/lb
Strawberries
$1.49/$3.50
Dried Cranberries
$1.19/$2.49
Dried Apricots
$1.99/$3.49
Pineapple
$1.19/$4.99
Frozen Organic Blueberries
$2.99/$4.99
Frozen Peach Blend
$2.29/$3.29
TOTALS: $12.23/$24.32
GRAND TOTALS: $74.49/$122.92
SAVINGS: $48.43
I told you the end result was crazy. I saved nearly FIFTY DOLLARS. That is a huge savings! I can buy a tank of gas for that amount (and then some!). I’m working my way through the food that I bought at ALDI but so far there have been no issues with quality or taste. Shopping at ALDI is definitely not the same experience as a high-end grocery store but you have to take it for what it is and appreciate the money you are saving. I don’t think I could do all of my shopping at ALDI because there are many ingredients that I use on a regular basis that they don’t carry (and my whole meat/egg buying preference) but I could definitely do a once a month stock up on the items where there’s some significant savings.
Let me know if you have any questions!
This post is sponsored by ALDI as part of my participation in their ALDI Fresh Blogger Ambassador program but the experiences are totally honest and my own!
Our Aldi’s is a much longer trip for me, but I think I’m going to give it a try because $50 is a huge deal! Thank you for sharing this and breaking it down for us! Also, speaking of gas in cars, did you ever decide on buying a new one? 🙂
Great post! I randomly passed by an Aldi’s a few weeks ago and decided to stop in because it was convenient. I was shocked that they had some organic products. I help people out with budgeting for gluten free living as a health coach and this place definitely got added to my list of ways to save. I didn’t even look at the cold stuff so I’ll have to check out the almond milk and frozen stuff next time!
We do a lot of shopping for staples at Aldi and are generally really pleased with the quality of what we buy. Once you get past the sometimes less than stellar shopping experience, it’s worth it!
Awesome job! That is why I LOVE to shop at ALDI! Save so much!
Aldi’s is our main grocery store staple (mainly because we save money and there are plenty around us). I just wished they carried a better meat selection, kale (occasionally I’ll find it there), and raw nut butters (almond is my favorite). My husband really, really likes shopping here!
Did you find much difference in the nutritional content of the product versus where you normally shop?
I’m torn… I’ve been an Aldi fan for years and think everyone should know about it… but selfishly I don’t wat my store to get too crowded with shoppers. 🙂 I do stop at Aldi every week or every other week, and our savings on cheese, non-dairy milk and cereal alone is worth every single trip!
Okay you have officially convinced me to go to Aldi’s this weekend and try it out! We have one here but I am embarrassed to say now that we have never been. We are on a really tight budget so I think this might be just the thing to help us stick to a healthy budget.
Hi Jen,
I am an avid Aldi shopper and a college student, so budgeting my groceries is VERY important. I love Aldi and think it is a great place to shop for college students who are looking for healthy, affordable food. I am intrigued by this Aldi Ambassadors program. How did you get involved? And, is there any way that I could get involved too? I would love to start blogging about my budget and how to still eat healthy on a college student paycheck.
Thanks!
Kate
I hated Aldi the one time I went in there, but you are making me think I should try it again. Great savings!
Wow! What an awesome post! Thanks so much for doing this. There is an Aldi near my house (I moved here about a year ago), but I’ve never visited. Now that I know it is legit, I will definitely check it out!
PS I am from Greenville, SC, and love, love, love Publix, too! Read your “Ode to Publix.” I’m with ya! The only time I am homesick is when I think about my Publix. So happy they’re branching to Charlotte!!
This has been SO informative. Thank you! I am also from small town, GA and do most of my shopping at Publix, which I am happy with, but I’ve definitely felt like I could possibly save more shopping elsewhere occasionally. There is an Aldi about 20 miles from my house. Now that it is no longer a mystery, I think I’ll check it out!
Thanks so much for this breakdown & enlightening description of Aldi’s…I’d always thought of it as the cheap place my grandmother (who still thinks it’s the Great Depression) shops. I’m so glad to see that they are shaking things up to stay current, and I am definitely encouraged to take a visit to my local Aldi’s! YAY for saving $$$
Ahhhh now I am convinced that I need to go here stat!
That is amazing. I have never been in an Aldi. I heard something recently that they found horse meat in one of their products.. Not sure if it was reliable though.
My Mom SWEARS by shopping at Aldi…seriously this is a great post. I haven’t really made the effort to shop there, but after seeing this, it’s crazy not to!
This is such a great comparison, Jen! I used to shop there religiously and only went to the Teeter or Trader Joe’s for a few specific items. I knew I was saving money but I never realized how much! Aldi isn’t as convenient to where I live now, but the savings warrants the few extra miles and time in the car 🙂
Whoa! The prices look great like I’d expect, but I’m impressed at some of the things you found. When I shopped there in high school and undergad, there was definitely no greek yogurt or organic veggies to be found. I’ll be checking out the one near me soon, I hope it’s as good!
I want to love ALDI, even just like it, but the smell that hits me when walking into the store is so offensive to me, I can’t get past that. Also, every produce item I ever buy there has to be eaten that day or possibly the day after, or it goes bad. Sadly, I’m just not a fan 🙁 So happy to hear of all the other positive experiences, maybe I just have a bum one by me.
So clearly I need to give Aldi a shot!! I was oblivious until I read your post that they carry many items that I buy now. Like you, I couldn’t make this my only shopping source, but great to hit every two or three weeks. You are such a rockstar for taking the time to do the legwork! So a huge thank you Jen!!
That’s a lot of savings!!! I’ll have to see if there is one near me.
That’s an amazing savings! I kept my receipt from my last Aldi trip so I could do my own cost comparison, so it’s great to see yours as well.
Yeah, people always give me shit for shopping at ALDI, but I eat like a damn king for less than $50 a week and that makes up 95% of my meals and snacks. NOT TO MENTION I always make cookies/cakes/treats for work and everyone goes nuts about them (gluten free / allergy friendly you name it they have effen eaten it from ALDI). I always feel so terrible when I go to the ‘real grocery store’ now because ALDI is a godsend. I have the skrill to make it rain at whole paycheck and TJs but why would I do that?! WELCOME TO THE ALDI CLUB GIRL. I mean they even have a pretty clean version of stevia!
Um we need an ALDI in New Orleans and stat. I love savings!!
What a great idea for a post – i’m so glad you did this. I love Aldi and their prices and luckily there is one here in Chapel Hill also 🙂 Thanks for all the information!
Not sure if anyone commented on this yet, but the same company that owns ALDI owns Trader Joe’s!!
The prices you paid at the more high end grocery store are equivalent to what I pay for the same things at Superstore (a lower end grocery store) in British Columbia, Canada. A box of spring mix usually runs me $4.99 here! I can’t believe how much cheaper groceries are down there!
We love to shop at Aldi., so it was so nice to see a blogger we read actually shop there and post about it. For a family of 4 with 3 being vegetarian it has been a life saver. The organic options are becoming more plentiful and they do offer local produce in season. The sweet potatoes I just purchased form there were local. I agree you can’t get everything there but still alot. I could never walk out of any other store with that much for that price!!! I also email them on their website about loving the organic options, because they stock stores based on public feedback and demand. Thank you for this post!!
One question…did you notice or will you look next time you shop there if you notice gluten free items at Aldi? I’m not talking processed crap like gf cookies necessarily but more like did the nuts you bought say processed in a wheat facility or anything like that ? This is the one reason I have not yet tried Aldi. I mainly shop at giant eagle where I live because they are good at labeling gf things salsa (can have gluten added for thickener or barley malt for sweetener), almond milk <(again w barley malt sometimes), or corn chips. Because I have celiac and must stay away from all gluten even cross contaminated items made on the same lines as gluten items I am very careful w what I eat and rarely change brands. BUT…I spend a ton on food since I cook so much and pay more sometimes if I'm certain a food is gf. I'm wondering if Aldi might be worth considering. Would appreciate your feedback next time you go!
I learned of ALDI from my daughter when she studied abroad, as ALDI is huge in Europe. The first visit was awkward, but once I got over that, the savings and selection of great pastas, cheeses, and items from Italy and Germany, etc. convinced me that ALDI is a diamond in the rough. I go out of my way to buy staples there, and fill in at a regular grocery.
I love Aldi, too, and do most of our shopping there. They now carry organic spinach and fruits, too. We buy almost no processed foods from any grocery store, but I need to mention that if you are NOT buying fresh veggies or fruits, you should carefully check ALL of the Aldi labels for objectionable ingredients – even things like dry spices which you would expect to contain only the actual spice such as ground cumin. Now I know the tolerance for unnatural ingredients varies from person to person, and my criteria for natural ingredients is exceptionally high. I’m just pointing out that at Aldi (and all grocery stores for that matter), you should read the ingredient list. Aldi’s processed foods are pretty unhealthy.
hey kay – great reminder! i always check the ingredients regardless of where i’m shopping and try to limit processed foods wherever i can.
I did the same thing — pretty much — I bought milk, bread, eggs (!!!), butter, cheese, hamburger, bacon, frozen chicken and orange juice, frozen waffles, you get the idea. A basic buy of everyday items. I bought a few off the wall things like almond milk for my one daughter. Coffee (canned and k-pods), sugar, etc.
My total was (wait for it . . . ) $69+!!! The same “basic shop” at Kroger in Houston . . . $152!!!!! If you have it to waste, go for it! That is more than HALF! I tell you there was a time when I did have it — and I STILL would have shopped there! If you don’t like it, they take it back — there you go.
Love this cost breakdown! I recently started shopping at Aldi and have noticed a savings for sure but never really knew how much. Definitely feel like my dollar goes further there. For me the shopping experience is just how I want it, everything in one location and not too many options as that gets overwhelming for me! Thanks again for breaking this down and also Hello to fellow Charlotte resident!