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Did my first-ever Aldi shop last week and...

71 replies

KindleMum · 07/04/2013 19:13

I've never lived near an Aldi before but we moved a few months ago and having read about it on here, I decided to try it. So we went last weekend and didn't really like the feel of it. Spent £45, came home, decided to run the same shop through the Sainsbury site and was astonished to find it would have cost me £92 at Sainsburys! Unsurprisingly, that price difference somewhat changed my view of the shopping trip! And all the products we've tried have tasted great.

Went again this week, tried Sunday morning which was much nicer than the Sat morning experience of last week. A bigger shop this week as we needed more things so we spent £62. Ran it though Sainsburys again and although not as good a saving as last week, it would have cost me £97 in Sainsburys.

And I figure I will also save a bit more money as there is less junk to tempt me in Aldi. In Sainsbury etc more things we don't really need will end up in the trolley. It seems much easier to stick to the list in Aldi.

So thanks for the threads - I'm a convert. I will still need the main supermarkets for a few things but I'm hoping to do a monthly top-up of those. It will save me loads.

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LovesBeingWokenEveryNight · 07/04/2013 19:37

It does and I have tried loads of things I probably won't have changed brands from and liked them. In fact there are a few things I do prefer from aldi

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KindleMum · 07/04/2013 19:53

Our nearest Aldi is quite small. If we go a mile further, I think the next one would be bigger - does the variety of stuff stocked change much?

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Fluffycloudland77 · 07/04/2013 20:49

I didn't like it at first, but after a while you go into a normal supermarket and you really notice the noise, the advertising everywhere, the lighting and how many people are in there.

It feels like an assault on the senses.

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RedPencils · 07/04/2013 21:06

Fluffy - I hate normal supermarkets now as well. I always used to go to tesco but now I can't cope with it. It's too big and confusing. I like the fact that in Aldi you don't have 8 types of beans to choose from. And the price is the price, don't have to buy three, or spend £30 to get 10p off.

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usualsuspect · 07/04/2013 21:08

I find the choice very limited in Aldi, it's ok for a few things but I prefer Asda for a 'big' shop.

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SEWannabe · 07/04/2013 21:22

Hi.
There is an Aldi opening up near me next week, and i am going to see what all the fuss is about.
I already do my weekly shopping in Lidl, but it's quite out the way of my normal drive and any other shops.

Are there any particular products in Aldi that you really recommend?

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Fluffycloudland77 · 07/04/2013 21:30

The toro loco rose wine.

Pretty much all of it really. The ports really nice.

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SEWannabe · 07/04/2013 21:32

Thanks Fluffy, I will have a good look :)

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inchoccyheaven · 12/04/2013 23:53

I love the aldi fruit fools and the frozen salmon wellington. Wish Lidl did them too would save me a trip.

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FaceLikeAPickledYonion · 13/04/2013 00:02

I love the cute little flavoured tins of tuna, sweet Thai chilli, lemon & pepper, tomato & onion. In salads, on jacket potatoes on sandwiches, lush!
Oh and the chilled soup is made by covent garden!
I love aldi

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ThingummyBob · 13/04/2013 00:12

It would be quicker for me to tell you things I don't prefer now from Aldi!
So, I don't buy (after testing) baked beans, tinned soups or hot chocolate. Oh, and the minced beef wasn't nice.

Everything else I've tried is as good, or better, than my old morrisons equivalent Grin

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WhitesandsofLuskentyre · 18/04/2013 17:59

ThingummyBob We think Aldi's meatballs have more flavour than anyone else's, but other than that we're Morrison meat-lovers - a supermarket that actually packs decent stewing steak/mince in 750g packs, so you can actually feed a family of 4. Or the Co-op for chicken.

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dementedma · 20/04/2013 21:08

Aldi is fab. Only thing I dont like is the coffee. Cleaning products are excellent,cold meats lovely. Saves us a fortune. Bought padded gel insoles for my trainers today for only £1.99
LAcura moisturiser is excellent too

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chickensaladagain · 20/04/2013 21:16

if you have a new one opening up near you avoid it for the first few days

a new one opened near my parents and they were mentally busy

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hereshecomesnowsayingyoniyoni · 21/04/2013 21:19

i have an aldi and lidl near to me which are both great
i've been doing a monthly shop at asda then topping up at aldi or lidl
last month i saved about £100

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Mytholmroyd · 21/04/2013 21:26

Aldi creme brûlée is wonderful - better than M&S!

Toro loco red and their prosecco are fab. Their savoury crackers are very good and the chocolate. And their caramel wafers are good too - the kids prefer them to tunnocks! They have the slight nutty flavour that a lot if continental chocolate biscuits have.

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SinisterSal · 21/04/2013 21:31

Love aldi. But then (stealth boast)I only ever buy fresh /frozen veg, plain cuts of meat, unprocessed stuff. A carrots a carrot. Love the super six on fruit and veg.

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Mytholmroyd · 21/04/2013 21:31

Creme brulee!

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PigletJohn · 21/04/2013 21:35

Not everything, but Aldo mayo, bread, croissants, other frenchy morning goods, batteries, german sausages (especially the ones in glass jars).

Much better than tescos.

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mrspaddy · 21/04/2013 21:38

Hi I now am ALDI convert - was Tesco. I now go to Tesco every third week for brands I love- Aerial, Marmalade etc. I have saved so much.

In ALDI the ketchup is great, museli, jams, butter, veg offers are fantastic.
I don't buy any meat in it. Go to the butchers (esp concerned since horsemeat scare).
I find the beans ok. Pasta, rice, gnocchi - perfect.
Love the soups.
Try the lemon curd ice-cream - gorgeous.
All cereals/biscuits are cheap and really good.
Love the decaff coffee - not tea bags.

It's hard to go back to the big stores when you get used to the savings.
Ps I can treat myself to fresh flowers weekly now.

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GeorgianMumto5 · 21/04/2013 21:44

Keep talking...I went to Aldi last week and declared, 'Never again!' We need a lot of free-from ingredients, so I have to go elsewhere too. The card reader wouldn't accept my debit card, till operator assured me it was because I'd input the wrong pin too many times (er...no) so I had to dash across the road to the bank and withdraw cash (with the same card, which worked fine). It was all just such a palaver.

I have to say though, we've really liked all the food I bought there.

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SinisterSal · 21/04/2013 21:59

The meat in the Irish stores are all bord via approved - same as any other supermarket in Ireland. Can't afford craft butchers at the mo.

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HolyFocaccia · 21/04/2013 22:05

I love their gingernuts. In fact I have just totally outed myself to anybody reading this. Prefer them to names brand version.

Thats not the only thing I buy...I promise, lol.

I like their veg, yoghurt, meat-if you use reasonably quickly. Crisps are nice too. Also a fan of their lemonade and Southern Comfort-a-like Southern Belle.

God, I sound so healthy Grin

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Fluffycloudland77 · 24/04/2013 09:21

I bought the dark thick cut marmalade, 59p and its really nice.

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GiveMumABreak · 24/04/2013 17:20

It takes a while to get used to the speedy till checkout system, lack of variety etc. it isn't exactly a pleasant shopping experience - but the savings are fantastic - I am a convert!

I don't buy any meat there though.

So far I have been impressed with: brioches, pasta, pasta sauces, fruit and veg, tinned beans, cheeses,yogurts,fruit juice, pet food, cleaning products, toiletries, pickles, frozen veg, frozen fish, energy drinks, wine, sweets chocolates,biscuits, coffee (DH coffee snob Aldi ground coffee is a winner!)

I have not been impressed with: hot chocolate

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