Save Money On Groceries! Each week I share one simple tip that you can implement to start saving on your grocery bill right away.
Many of the tips will be familiar, but if you take the Save Money on Groceries Challenge with us, you will actually take the steps each week instead of just filing them in the “I should do that” file. 
[To join in, just leave a comment saying that you already use the tip of the week, or that you will start this week.]
[Click here to see all the tips in this series.]
Todays Tip
Shop at a discount store.
I admit it, I have been lazy. I know that prices at discount stores like Save-A-Lot and Aldi are cheaper, but I grew tired of driving the extra few miles so I stopped shopping there. This week, for the sake of journalistic research, I shopped at Aldi and I’ve got three reasons you should stop at discount stores too.
You Need To Save Time
Discount stores (not Big Box stores like Costco) are usually smaller in scale, which limits the amount of products they can offer. This helps you in two ways. First, you end up buying less because there are fewer options, and second, you can get in and out of the store much more quickly.
Sure it’s a pain to make sure you have a quarter for the buggy and to bring your own bags, but the time saved is worth it!
You Need To Limit Your Plastic Bag Collection
Yes, those plastic shopping bags make handy trash can liners for your bathroom, but do you really need to add five or six more each week to the growing collection under the kitchen sink? I am not an environmentalist, but even I can see the benefit of being forced to use my own recyclable shopping bags.
You Need To Spend Less On Groceries
If the budget is tight at your house, or you just want to rein in the grocery spending to have money for other priorities, discount stores are a great option. Check out some of the best deals that I found this week at Aldi and how the prices compare to the Walmart in my area:
Milk ($.84 cheaper) and Eggs ($.59 cents cheaper)
100% Whole Wheat Bread ($1.30 cheaper)
Kettle Chips ($1.00 cheaper)
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts ($.01 more per pound)
Sliced Cheese ($.49 cheaper)
Specialty Peppers ($2.00 cheaper, Cucumbers ($.50 cheaper), Grape Tomatoes ($2.00 cheaper)
One of the best deals at Aldi’s is the produce. I have previously had bad experiences with the quality of the produce, but today everything looked amazing!
The difference in some of these prices may seem small to you, but when everything that you purchase is 15%-25% cheaper than other stores, your overall bill is much lower.
I purchased all of the groceries pictured above for $100.94, well under my $125/week budget. If you haven’t tried a discount store yet, why not make a trip this week and see how the prices compare in your area.
RESOURCES
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Click here to see what others are saying.
Do you have a discount store in your area? What’s your favorite item there? Share in the comments. 🙂
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Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman, FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
What meals will you make with the pictured groceries? I have 3 teens, 2 of whom are big eaters and 1 who is gluten free and dairy free and I don’t feel that would be enough food for us. I buy 5 packages of meat a week. Our local butcher shop has a pick 5 for 19.99 option. Also, I visit a local salvage grocery as often as possible to save money on shampoo, feminine products, canned goods and boxed cereal. Still, I get discouraged trying to feed all of us and 6 pets on our budget. 🙁
Here is our menu for these groceries: https://thepeacefulmom.com/2013/08/09/125-budget-weekly-menu-easy-recipes-89/. I have marked the items we already had in the freezer, fridge or pantry with an asterisk. I am not saying that everyone can, or will want to, do what we do, but just encouraging readers to explore options they may not have thought of. It sounds like you are doing the best you can with your situation, especially with so many pets. That adds a lot to the budget. Let me know if you have other questions. 🙂
It’s not unusual for my youngest son to eat 4-5 sandwiches at a time and he only weighs 145 pounds. I don’t know where he puts it. I spend about 150 a week when my oldest son is home from college and about 120 when he’s not home. and there are only 4 of us (and the 6 pets). One of my dogs is diabetic and on an expensive food, so I guess we don’t do too terribly bad.
I use to shop at Aldi’s all the time. I got away from it for awhile. Just stopped there last week on a whim, I couldn’t believe how much I saved. This will be one of my regular stops from now on.
I was surprised too. I think that the prices at other stores have been steadily rising and I have not noticed just how much they have gone up.
Kimberlee,
You would save a lot of money gardening and the outlay isn’t horrendous if you start a little at a time. Once you get moved of course (and recover from that, lol) you can start off with containers. Little herb pots inside the house even will start paying off almost immediately. Plus the taste is so amazing 🙂
Later on you can either container garden or do raised beds which are quicker and easier for busy families. Both options provide a lot of food. As for learning how to garden, if you know how to take care of a house plant then you know the basics 🙂 and there is so much information from growing cooperatives, cooperative extensions, colleges, dept of Agriculture etc on the internet you can research your questions and concerns. Most growers & gardeners are very happy to help “newbies” get growing 🙂
I started an herb container garden at the end of May this year, I spent 5 bucks on a huge bag of potting soil (Home depot Memorial Day sale) and when I had a little leftover money or a big sale I’d purchase 2-4 herb starts from my local Fred Meyer/Kroger store for .99 to $1.50 to 1.99 each and transplant into a container. For $1.50 (average) an herb start is a good learning tool and if somehow it does die, (most are very hardy but it happens, lol) you aren’t out big bucks and chalk it up to gaining experience, lol. Here it is August and I quit buying almost all my herbs by the end of June. I’ve spent under $25 bucks total and I’m just getting ready for my third herb harvest, so far I’ve saved a bundle and my containers (and containers can be almost anything you want to use, lol) can come inside when the weather gets colder and I’ll still have fresh herbs year round 🙂 (sorry this is so long).
Shann
That is a great idea to start with herbs. I did grow tomatoes and basil in a container a few years ago, and I absolutely LOVE fresh herbs, so I will put that on the to do list. 🙂
I am not a big Aldi fan but I love save-a-lot stores. I have to watch the produce I buy there, but a lot of their brands are just as good as name brands. I am a happy person when I have put a lot of vegetables and sauces in the freezer for the winter from my garden. We live on a fixed income and every penny counts.
We need to learn to eat to live and not live to eat.
I am so glad about the house and hope you will make many great memories there.
Thanks Sandy! I need to learn to garden. I know that would save us a lot of money.
The Aldi’s in our area (Dallas, TX) has eggs for $.99/dozen and milk is $1.99 a gallon. Sure, I can price match at Wal-Mart but like you say, it saves me time to go to Aldi and I don’t get overwhelmed by too many choices. Produce is hit or miss in our area, too. Kind of a bummer but it is always cheaper! I like the Veggie Chips and Veggie Straws the most! Thanks for the tips!!! God bless you!
I love – love – love Aldi. We tell everyone we can that it is the best deal in town. Yes, I have to make a special trip to get to the store but the savings are huge week after week.
A few items not in your list that we see as big savings – toilet paper ($1 less), water softener salt ($1-2 less) and almond milk ($0.50 less)
I am continually shocked at the prices people are willing to pay for food while at the same time complaining about being broke. These same people have turned up their nose at the “off brands” we eat buying at Aldi. I have had the occasional produce issue but no more then any other store. Our bill for a family of 5 (our kids are much younger so eat less) averages $60 a week. This includes bags full of produce, meats, milk and other wonderful options that keep out pantry full.
I hope many people will give this chain a chance, I am confident they will be pleasantly surprised! Just remember that quarter 🙂
So sad. We have no Aldi. But since we are on a mini vacation, was able to indulge my Trader Joes obsession.
Great deals. We shop at cheaper stores here too, once a month I go to a Winco where prices are really great and our once weekly shopping is at a local Mexican market with low prices. We spend between 300-400 for me, my husband and my 2 year old a month, I try to keep it closer to 300.
Interesting to see price differences in states. Here in my part of Cali
Milk- 3bucks Eggs- same Bread- 2bucks Chips- same Chicken- same Sliced Cheese- 2bucks Specialty peppers- 4bucks!!!!!! Cucumber 50 cents
I gave Aldi a good try for 6 months, but the quality just doesn’t stack up. Thankfully, they happily refund so I didn’t lose anything more than time. That is the only discount food store in my area that I know of. I’ve found that shopping sales at my regular store and stocking up on loss leaders in the cycle saves me almost the same without the loss of good tasting food. My favorite grocery store also send me almost $10 in usable a week to help offset any small price differences.
I love, love, love aldi! It’s the only way I can stay in our grocery budget. I buy everything I can there. The only thing I need to go to other stores for are dishwasher tabs, protein powder, and pharmacy items- and those are occasional items. Luckily, Aldi is very close in distance. I’d be so sad if we didn’t live near an Aldi.
I’ve never gotten anything that didn’t turn out well. Occasionally, bags of produce like apples and potatoes will have a few bad ones but I’ve had that happen at other stores. Their diapers work great too! For $4.99 a pack you can’t go wrong. The only leaks we’ve had was due to size as once I moved up a size we had no more leaks. I can diaper my toddler full time and my pre-schooler at night for $25 a month.
The wine is great too and cheaper than two buck chuck!
Also, I love having such a small store. It’s perfect when you have to take several small children- or when you are potty training your child! (Or even when I was pregnant and could barely walk! Lol)
PS: I’m trying to lower grocery expenses,but I realize food is much more expensive in Brazil. Milk: R 2.35 – Eggs: R4.00 – Whole wheat bread: R5.00
Chips: R3.00 – Chicken breasts:R 5.00 – Sliced cheese: R4.00 – Fruits: R2 to 4.00/kg – Beef: R11.00 to 16.00/kg. (note:our money is called Real (R) and 1 Real=US 2.30
I spend around R500.00/month for two, and I’m trying to lower to R300-400, following your tips!
Dear Kimberlee, I want to thank you very much.You have been a God’s blessing in my life! I live in Brazil,and the last years haven’t been easy,as I became alone to raise my son,who is 12 now. But,I’m a Christian(baptist church)and I really believe my savior can change this situation. I have learned a lot in your blog about managing money,saving,cooking,and,most important,about the love of God for us.I know my son and I aren’t alone at all, our Father is taking care of us! We have seen true miracles every day. In the past I was a exchange student in Washington State and loved it! Your country and american people are really great,I dream of going back someday,with my son,to visit the nice american family who hosted me. I’m saving for that! God bless you,your wonderful family,your blog. Thank you very much for all your help in my life!
Love,
Sandra
Hi Sandra! Thank you so much for letting me know that you have been helped by the blog. You are right, you are very loved by God! I hope you are able to return to the U.S. soon. 🙂