I confessed last week that I only coupon at one store now, which is one reason I have a 20 minute couponing system that works for me and still saves me thousands each year.
The main reason I can still maintain my grocery budget without being an extreme couponer? ALDI. They are my secret weapon.
Since ALDI does not accept coupons and their prices are already so low, I’ve discovered that I need to get a little creative when it comes to finding ways to save even more. But believe it or not, it is possible to score even greater savings at ALDI. So, grab a notepad, and look up Aldi openings, because here are six simple secrets to help you score rock-bottom deals at ALDI Food Stores:
1. Save extra with receipt-scanning apps:
Checkout 51: I was just tickled when I realized that I could use Checkout 51 to score even better prices at ALDI. (It’s how I scored blueberries for $0.74 and a dozen eggs for $0.39.) Even better, a smartphone is not required! Not all Checkout 51 offers will work at ALDI since they don’t carry many brand name items. But look for Checkout 51 offers for ANY brand to slash your savings even more.
Receipt Hog: Receipt Hog is another fun way to save by scanning your receipt – and they allow receipts from any store!
2. Look for In-Store Price reductions:
I get all a-flutter, when I spot signs like this in the store. Sometimes I find them in the Special Buys section, and sometimes they just pop up out of nowhere. Either way, keep your eyes open for that lovely little “Lower Price” sign.
3. Look for In-Store Coupons:
Occasionally, ALDI breaks their own “No Coupon” rule and slaps a coupon on something. Typically you can find these in the meat section, when a product is nearing its Sell-By date. Grab it up and your discount will come off at the cash register.
4. Shop the Seasonal Clearance section:
Typically there is a seasonal clearance section at ALDI. These deals are usually super low – and who says you can’t eat Red Velvet cake even after Valentine’s Day?
5. Look for unadvertised limited time promotional offers in store:
Again, I get a little giddy when I spot limited-time promotions in store like this Buy One Get One Free bread deal which scored me loaves of bread for just $0.65 each – no coupons involved! Keep your eyes open for these offers – you just never know when they will pop up.
6. Bring Your Own Bags.
I’m throwing this one in for ALDI newbies. Be sure to bring your own bags. One way ALDI keeps their prices so low is by charging a few cents per bag. Bring your own bags and you’ll keep your savings in your pocket! (You’ll also want to read my ALDI 101 post to find out why you should bring a quarter and a couple other important details.)
Of course, the best way to score great deals at ALDI is by shopping their sales. I post the ALDI Weekly Ad each Wednesday for my local ALDI chain. (Be sure to check your ad to see if your store offers the same deals.) Their regular prices are pretty awesome, so you can imagine how amazing their sale prices are!
How about you? Can you think of any other ways to get the most bang for your buck at ALDI?
I linked up to Thrifty Thursday.
I am so frustrated!!! I’ve been to Aldi enough times to understand how much money I can save there, but I still don’t usually go.
When I shop without a solid idea of what I am going to find and what it will cost, meal planning gets really haphazard and I end up bringing home all sorts of random things that may not be used before they rot or even used at all, taking up my very limited closet and freezer space. There’s got to be a trick to it, but I haven’t figured it out. I can’t even go ahead of time to see what there is because it’s an expensive 45 minute drive to get there. How do you do it?
Good question, Sandra. ALDI continues to expand their line of products so that might help. The items that I usually have to buy elsewhere are certain name brand products that our family prefers and some produce/fresh herbs. Occasionally, they don’t carry the type of seasonings that I like as well. But other than that, I can find most items that I need for my meal plans – and those that I don’t, I just pick up on a quick trip into another store.
Another idea for you is the ALDI eMeals plan. I’ve used it for years. It’s nice because it’s based on the sales that week at ALDI, and most items can be found in the store. If an item can’t be purchased at ALDI, they will indicate that in your shopping list.
Hope that helps, Sandra!
Aldi advertise their stock online so I look before I go.
These are GREAT Aldi tips! I love love love shopping at Aldi!
Hi we are living in Switzerland they arrived here in 2007 Aldi I mean, It’s a very cheap place to buy but we need to have “time” to shop because the fruits and vegetables have to be chosen, and you can’t buy to store at home for a couple days because they don’t last so long, other than this wen they have known brands like Coca-Cola this are always cheaper others because they just have sales of the known brands.The quality in comparison with swiss shops of course it’s low but if have “spar” time you will find REALLY good deals children’s clothes/ shoes/ school material/toys.Pets sección to a all lot of sales food/toys. Most of cleaning products /shampoos etc they are low quality.So Aldi here its cheaper too but must go with OPEN eye’s. I am very happy they arrived here ……
What is checkout 51 how does it work and also more about receipt hog?
Help me learn more I do shop at Aldi an love the weekly specialty items .
What is checkout 51 & how do you use it.
I don’t understand checkout 51 or receipt scan
Found you from Pinterest! We are new Aldi lovers since we moved about 6 months ago and now have one nearby. Another way I save, which is kind of a no brainer, is I shop their ad so that I can plan on purchasing their fruit or veggie of the week as part of our healthy snacks. Obviously, one other way, is that I comparison shop…I shop Meijer and Aldi every week. Thanks for the tips!
In addition to Checkout51 I use the Snap by Groupon app which also accepts receipts from any retailer. It is very similar to checkout51 and offers rebates on items you actually want to buy.
I am an avid Aldi shopper too and sometimes go browsing there just to see what bargains they have.
I like going to Aldi’s website, prices and sales may vary according to location. I see what is on sale this week, and they also give a preview of what is on sale next week. I like the prices on the household/non-food items, too. Check out the recipes. Some sound really good. And there is a video game on the website – something for everyone.
One trick I use (at Aldi and every store) is that I look at the price per weight. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy 2 smaller items than one larger, and visa versa. For example at Aldi I bought a small bottle of taco seasoning from the mexican food section rather than buying the packet, it has almost the same ingredients and it was 1.5 cents cheaper per ounce, this saved almost 5 cents.
I also buy their powdered milk to use in cooking and baking. We are not big milk drinkers at my house and so I just keep this on hand to mix up when its needed.
I just recently started shopping at Aldi, and it’s amazing. I had no idea Checkout51 took the Aldi receipt. I’m new to that app as well. Thanks for sharing.
I love Aldi!
I have waited for years to have one here.
Now, very soon we will have one in my area!
I am so excited!
Thanks for sharing about Checkout 51. I can’t wait to start using it!!
The first ‘secret’ was new to me, but unfortunately all of the other things were old news. I was really hoping maybe I was missing something at Aldi, and could save even more.
Thanks for sharing about Checkout 51! I’d never heard about it, but I just started!
You are welcome, Aliesha! It’s a super easy and fun app. Enjoy!
We LOVE Aldi too! But I’ve never seen coupons on anything there. I wonder if that is something new or if it varies by location. Definitely going to keep my eyes open for them. And yes, Checkout 51 is awesome!
It’s kind of funny to read that Aldi is a new thing overseas. I’ve known Aldi since my childhood (I’m 35 now) and we even have ‘a brother Aldi, called Lidl’ (the actual owners are family).
Aldi doesn’t work with coupons and I doubt it they ever will because of their low prices.
And maybe something nice to know:
I’ve been having skinproblems since puberty and even a dermatologist couldn’t get it right. Tried all of the expensive products you can think of and they only made it worse.
But after reading an article in wich they compared day cream (quality – price), Aldi came out with the best results.
I was like: “I’ve wasted tons of money on these things, so trying a cream that doesn’t even costs 3€ won’t mind”.
And I must say it’s the best day cream I’ve used in years and I finally have my skin under control.
Last weekend I scored eight hams. Each priced btwn $9 and $12 with a $7 off coupon on each! Just in time for Easter ham!
Wow, Kelly! That’s amazing!
I LOVE shopping at ALDI! We moved to England last summer and we have cut our grocery bill in HALF just shopping at ALDI! Our local store is quite small (and maybe because it is in the UK) so I don’t see all the discounts that you see at your store… but I too love the discount signs… esp. the BOGO. Just before Christmas we picked up a few bags of oranges (8 count) for ~$.50 each!!!
I hope our next military move, will send us somewhere near a stateside Aldi so I can use all your tips to save even more! LOL. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I found your blog via the Living Well Spending Less link party!
Oh wow – I didn’t realize ALDI was in England too, Nichole. That’s awesome!
Just FYI, Aldi started in Europe. There are two divisions, depending on where you are, but that is their home market (and they own Trader Joe’s, too). Here are the long details…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi.
I love shopping at Aldi since the prices are so great! I’ve used a lot of the same tips you mention here and I really thing it’s saved me a lot of money!
They really do a whole lot right, don’t they? 🙂
I too bought red velvet cake and pink icing. LOL Stocked up. 😀
I got excited at Aldi yesterday! I also saw the BOGO sign on the bread- 44 cents per loaf, AND I found pink and red icing (clearanced from Valentines Day) for only 25 cents a can! Red will be great around July 4th and the pink- hey I have 2 girls who love cupcakes! I was so excited.
I also used to be an extreme couponer, but times have changed and so have things in my own life. May I ask which one store you still coupon at?
I coupon at CVS, Wendy. I’ve discovered it’s the easiest store for me to get awesome deals in less time. 🙂 And yes…gotta love those BOGO deals at ALDI!