I know ALDI is not a new phenomenon, but I’ve found that there are people who are hesitant and painfully unaware of just how life-changing this non-traditional grocery store can be. Especially for college students on a low-budget, it only makes sense to keep our options and minds open and pinch pennies where we can, and this is an extremely easy way to do so. Here is the low-down on some essentials as well as some extras and treats that I have found are most worth the trip.
1. SNACKS
Now, we all know most college students run on snacks, and lunch just might end up being 2 smashed granola bars and the least hard pack of fruit snacks you can find. Have no fear, ALDI has the snack game on lock-down; from pre-portioned packages of nuts, crackers, and knock-off girl scout cookies (did someone say Samoas?), to chips, hummus and salsa. If you can name it, they’ve got it- and all at extremely competitive prices, with all the crunch and scrumptiousness of the real deal.
2. PRODUCE
Not to neglect the somewhat health conscious, ALDI’s quality and variety of fresh fruits and veggies have yet to disappoint me. They’ve got berries (keep an eye out for sales), lettuce and spinach, sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados, and many other things for much cheaper than our beloved mainstream stores. Even if the greenest thing in your fridge is a bag of baby carrots, the couple of dollars you save every trip will definitely add up!
3. DAIRY
Milk and cheese (cottage, shredded, sliced and cream) are all no-brainers when it comes to trumping the competition. This one got me: a full-sized carton of almond milk that tastes just as great as the name brand for $1.99, and a large carton of Greek yogurt for less than $4, instead of $6-$7. Is this even real life?
4. GLUTEN FREE
To whom it may concern, ALDI has their own brand with a full line of gluten-free products, from pasta and baking mixes to snacks and bread! Whether your health depends on it or you just prefer these gluten conscious alternatives, they’ve got you covered.
5. NON-PERISHABLES
Boxed pasta (most at only $0.79), canned and bagged beans, soups, tins of tuna and chicken, jars of sauce and salsa, and even boxed cereal in whichever flavor you prefer. ALDI cannot be beaten when it comes to prices on these guys.
6. BAKING SUPPLIES
Flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, spices, they’ve got it all and at a shockingly low price that will probably make you want to buy 3 vanilla extracts just because you can. I’ve even snagged Ghiradelli brownie mixes more times than I’d like to admit, for under $2 a box.
7. HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES
Another find that will save you those precious dollars: their thick toilet paper, sandwich baggies, aluminum foil, napkins and paper towels, kleenex from as low as $1.09, and even triple blade women’s razors for $2.99. All these things have proven to be of decent quality and will be much cheaper than the name brand.
8. ORGANIC PRODUCTS
ALDI has recently expanded their organic offerings, even beyond the produce section. Their in-house brand “Simply Nature” includes tons of healthier alternatives from peanut and almond butter, wildflower honey, to oats and oils, rice, snack bars, and fair trade and organic versions of many other staples at a fraction of any competitors health market price.
9. ALDI FINDS
Constantly changing, you never know what exciting, name brand products will surprise you next in the ALDI Finds aisle. Choices range from Bolthouse farms juices, Specialty Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramels, to LaCroix sparkling waters, Pop Tarts, Winking Owl wines (Moscato is $2.19 on the regular!!), Angie’s BOOM CHICKA POP popcorn, seasonal coffee flavors- K-Cups and beans, Valentine’s special edition Reese’s hearts, among many other seasonal steals. Yesterday I even saw some GT’s Kombucha in stock for only $2.88- ALDI officially has my heart!
Whether you are a health-nut, snack fanatic, or just could go to save a few dollars on your next grocery haul, ALDI has something for everyone. Check it out for yourself; you won’t be sorry and neither will your wallet!