I admit it....I miss the downtown Oconomowoc Sentry. I can't tell you how many times a week I would run in there for something! As someone who enjoys cooking, I must admit, I HATE grocery shopping, or at least UNLOADING the groceries. Also, in my busy schedule, I am an "in and out of the store as fast as I can do it", grocery shopper. Sentry was convenient to my home, and carried just about everything I needed.
When
Aldi's opened up, I was sceptical. I thought, why would they put a discount grocery store near Pabst Farms? Do we really NEED another grocery store, etc, etc, etc. I also was under the impression that the majority of the food there was canned and the portions for chips, etc. was small. Wrong on both counts. After much urging by a couple of friends, I decided to give it a try.
Wow! The prices on the essentials: eggs, milk, cheese, chicken breasts, etc., were a fraction of what I had been paying at the name brand grocers. Also, items that I usually reserved for purchase at Sam's Club, were also attractively priced and right in my back yard.
My friends know that I've been tooting the "Aldi Horn" all summer, so it should come as no surprise to them that I'm blogging about it. I couldn't help but post this, after my last shopping trip there.
With 3 growing boys, it's hard to keep the pantry filled, so this week, I was stocking up. I bought, several gallons of milk, dozens of eggs, several bags of cheese, burgers, chicken, turkey and specialty meat, chips and salsa, cereal...regular and granola, toaster pastries, bread, apples, oranges, candy, yogurt, paper products, olive oil, lip balm and ice cream treats. My cart was overloaded top and bottom. It filled 13+ large, eco bags. A woman in the parking lot stopped me to ask how much it was. I was as excited to tell her, as she was to find out...a whopping $168.76! I purchased 85 items, averaging $1.99 per item. This would easily have cost over $250 at the other local stores.
Mind you, there are some items that they don't carry, but for the day to day essentials, they have it all...FOR LESS. Aldi's carries organic products, fresh produce from the Midwest, and a mix of high quality and name brand products. Their center aisle features special buys. I recently purchased a new high end steam iron for $15, and collapsible laundry sorting bins for $5. I bought the exact bags at Target a couple of years ago for almost $30 a piece!
If you haven't given Aldi's a try, stop in. They take debit cards or cash for payment. Bring your own bags (they have some available for purchase) and a quarter to use the cart (returned when you bring the cart back). These little quirks more than make up for the cost savings you will enjoy.
Aldi...My new favorite store!
