Are Aldi prices the same everywhere? What can you expect to spend if you visit a different store location? This should give you a little insight as a shopper who likes to get the best deals like me!
I used to be able to shop anywhere but money is tight for us now. I only recently began shopping at this discounted grocery store. It's taking a little getting used to.
I normally shop where all the products are brand name and familiar. This supermarkets' products are much cheaper but their selection isn't as vast. For instance, if you want tomato soup, you don't have a dozen varieties to choose from. The same can be said for most of their selections.
For a lot of items this is really no big deal. But, I'll admit, I do go back to brand name stuff for a few special things as a bit of a splurge. Counting every penny isn't easy, but when you get down to it, there are a LOT of corners that can be cut.
Groceries is probably the easiest way to do it. I mean, if you think about it, your lunch today is just one meal. They may not all be winners, or gourmet masterpieces, and so what? It's one meal and food is a necessity. So today's lunch wasn't 5 star. You made a turkey and cheese sandwich on honey wheat bread and that sandwich costed you less than .50 cents when you break it down.
Are you dead because the mayo wasn't quite as flavorful as the one you used to spend 4 times as much for? You settle, you adapt. So your homemade salad wasn't as stellar as the one from Panera. Choices need to be made. Changing your perceptions is probably the fastest and easiest way to save money.
Once you accept that you're not giving up functionality when steering away from over-priced brand names the whole process is so much easier. I can get an attractive, functional handbag at Target for $30, or I could spend the equivalent of 2 mortgage payments for a designer handbag at a boutique.
At the end of the day, I just need a vessel to carry my crap. I need water to survive, not FIJI water. I need a reliable car to get from A to B, it doesn't NEED to be an Audi or BMW, it just need to get me where I'm going.
Perception is the key to saving money. once you really put in perspective how much money you waste for a "name", you'll kick yourself for all the times you put status over function. Now this mugget will definitely save you some dimes and dollars!