As you well know, ALDI is hands down one of my very favorite grocery stores. I’ve sung the praises of ALDI over and over here on my blog.
A few reasons I love ALDI:
- I love the low prices on staple ingredients — We’ve found that we’ll usually save at least $30 to $40 per week by shopping at ALDI over the regular grocery store. I love that we can consistently get low prices without having to even mess with pairing coupons with sales.
- I love the simplicity — they only carry one brand/type of item to choose from so it streamlines my grocery shopping.
- I love the small atmosphere — it’s so quick to get in and out of the store because it’s small. I can grab what I need,
- I love the no-frills approach — ALDI is all about keeping the main thing, the main thing. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles, which keeps their overhead costs down significantly and allows them to keep their prices low.
- I love the produce prices — A 3-pound bag of Gala apples for $1.99? Yes, please! I love that I can count on ALDI to always have at least 2-3 really amazing produce sales each week!
Yes, my love for ALDI runs deep and wide! So I was excited to see that they were named the nation’s low-price grocery store for the fourth year in a row, according to a survey conducted recently.
Here’s the press release:
Batavia, Ill. – August 6, 2014 – Discount grocer ALDI was recognized as the nation's low-price grocery leader for the fourth year in a row, according to a recent consumer survey* conducted by Market Force Information, Inc., the world's leading customer intelligence solutions company. When asked to rank the top grocers offering low prices, consumers ranked ALDI ahead of competitors such as Costco, Walmart and Trader Joe's. Consumers also named ALDI one of the top three favorite grocery store chains in America**.
"It's no surprise that ALDI continues to be recognized as the low-price grocery leader," said Jason Hart, president, ALDI. "However, these latest survey findings prove that a growing number of consumers are choosing to shop at ALDI for more than just low prices."
In addition to remaining the low-price grocery leader, ALDI maintained a top five ranking in the categories of Good Private Label Brands, Accurate Pricing and Tags and Sustainable Environment / Green Policies. ALDI also earned top-five rankings in three new categories: Courteous Staff, Fast Checkout and Nutrition / Health information.
"Our accelerated expansion plan is a testament to the millions of shoppers who have embraced the ALDI approach to offering the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices, in a simple and easy-to-navigate shopping environment," added Hart. "Consumers are increasingly impressed with the high quality of our food and the fact that we offer a growing number of healthy, organic, gluten-free and better-for-you options, including nearly 70 varieties of fresh produce."
ALDI announced in December 2013 that it intends to open 650 new stores across the country in the next five years.
This just makes me happy on so many levels. I’m happy that ALDI is receiving the recognition that they deserve for having such great prices. I’m happy that this means more people are saving money. And I’m thrilled that they are opening 650 new stores.
I’m really, really hoping that some of those 650 stores are going to be opened close to some of you who don’t have an ALDI nearby!
Not familiar with ALDI or need more convincing to try shopping there? Read my post on How Shopping At ALDI Saves Us Close to $1,000 Per Year.
Are you a fan of ALDI? Why or why not?
{Note: This post was underwritten by ALDI. All opinions are my own. As you well know, I’m kind of an ALDI groupie so I was more than happy to talk about this recent survey when they approached me about writing this post. 
Read our disclosure policy here.}
Aldi
1 large Pumpkin (to cook up and freeze) – $2.99
1 gallon Milk – $3.69
2 packages bagged Italian Salad (@$0.99/each) – $1.98
1 quart Half & Half – $1.69
2 24-oz packages Zucchini (@1.39 each) – $2.78
1 3-lb package frozen Boneless Chicken Breasts – $6.49
1 3-lb bag Onions – $0.99
1 2-oz pure Almond Extract – $1.99
1 2-oz pure Peppermint Extract – $1.99
1 Cucumber – $0.49
1 3-lb bag Lemons – $2.69
1 24-oz package Roma Tomatoes – $1.19
3 1-lb packages frozen Ground Turkey (@1.69/each) – $5.07 (This is my first and probably last time buying these. I figured it was worth a try, since they are less than half the price of ground beef!)
1 jug Pumpkin Spice Creamer (Bad me, I know! I have been craving this stuff and between nursing a big baby and training for a half marathon next weekend, I am consuming massive amounts of calories. I am trying for healthy calories overall, but this is my splurge :))
1 3-ct package Green Peppers – $1.29
1 2-lb bag Carrots – $1.19
1 16-oz bag frozen Strawberries – $2.19
1 bunch Bananas (2.85lbs @ $0.44/lb) – $1.25, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51
Total: $41.44, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51
Harris Teeter (Trip #1)
1 jar Sharwoods Curry Sauce – $1.99, used $1/1 printable (doubled), plus $1/1 Harris Teeter evic – $1.00 MM after coupons
6 packs Trident Gum (@$1.00 each) – $6.00, used 3 $1/2 off Trident Singles exp. 11/22/14 (SS 10/12/14) (doubled) – FREE after coupons
2 boxes Muellers Hidden Veggie Pasta (@$1.00 each) – $2.00, used $1/2 Mueller’s Pasta Product, exp. 11/20/14 (SS 09/21/14 R)(doubled) – FREE after coupons
1 tube Colgate Optic White Toothpaste – $3.00, used $1/1 printable (doubled), plus $1/1 Harris Teeter evic – FREE after coupons
1 can Vidal Sassoon Hairspray – $3.49, used $2/1 Vidal Sassoon Shampoo or Conditioner, exp. 10/31/14 (SS 09/21/14) (doubled) – FREE after coupons
2 4-pk Dannon Yogurt (@2 for $4.00) – $4.00, used 2 $1/1 (These were insert coupons, but I am not seeing them in the database, so I am not sure where I got them from!) (doubled) – FREE after coupons
2 jars Earth Balance Coconut Peanut Butter – (@2 for $5.00) – $5.00, used 2 $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.50 each after coupons
1 box Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch – $2.09, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.59 after coupons
2 jars Smuckers Natural Fruit Jam (@2 for $4.00) – $4.00, used $1.50/2 Harris Teeter catalina (doubled) – $0.50 each after coupons
2 12-oz packages Sorrento Stringsters – $6.00, used 2 $1/1 printable (doubled) – $1.00 each after coupons
2 Bird’s Eye Voila Alfredo Chicken (B1G1) – $5.69/2, used 2 $1/1 Birds Eye Voila Variety, exp. 11/13/14 (SS 07/27/14) (doubled) – $1.69/2 after coupons
2 18-ct cartons Eggs (@$1.77 each) – $3.54
Total after all Sales, Coupons, and Tax: $9.03
Harris Teeter (Trip #2)
1 container Dole Garden Soup – $2.50, used $1.00/1 printable (doubled), plus $1.00/1 Harris Teeter evic – $0.50 MM after coupons
4 packages Maruchan Bowls (@$1.00/each) – $4.00, used 2 $1/2 coupons (SS 08/17/14) (doubled) – FREE after coupons
4 packages Yakisoba Noodles (@$1.00/each) – $4.00, used 2 $1/2 coupons (SS 08/17/14) (doubled) – FREE after coupons
2 single El Monterey Burritos (@$1.00 each) – $2.00, used $1/2 printable (doubled) – FREE after coupons
4 cans Healthy Request Campbells Soup (@$2.15/each) – $8.60, used 2 $1/2 printable (doubled), plus $1.00 Harris Teeter evic and $0.50 Harris Teeter evic – $3.10/4 after coupons, plus receive a $1.00 catalina for buying 4 (which should doubled to $2.00 if I use it before next Wednesday)
1 jar Vlassic Farmer’s Garden Pickles – $2.50, used $1.00/1 printable (NLA) (doubled) – $0.50 after coupons
1 package Campbells To Go Soup – $3.19, used $1.00/1 printable (doubled), plus $1.00/1 Harris Teeter evic – $0.19 after coupons
2 Yellow Squash, reduced – $0.49
2 8-oz packages Kraft Cheese (@$1.69/each) – $3.38
Total after all Sales, Coupons and Tax: $7.16, plus receive $1.00 catalina back
Total for all Groceries for the Week: $57.63, plus receive $1.25 back in rebates
Weekly Menu
Breakfasts
Oatmeal x 3 (My kids have been BEGGING for oatmeal for breakfast recently! I stir in frozen fruit which they love and it helps it cool off faster!), Eggs and Toast x 2, Cereal x 2
Lunches
PB&J on Homemade Bread/Cucumbers/Apples; Leftovers x 2; Build-Your-Own-Salad Bar; Veggie Omelettes/Bananas; Tuna Sandwiches/Carrot Sticks; Baked Potatoes with Cheese/Green Pepper Slices
Dinners
Taco Salad, Peas
Venison in the Crockpot (The last of the venison from last year…REALLY hoping my husband gets some venison this year as well!), Sautéed Zucchini, Pumpkin Crescent Rolls
Out to Dinner with Friends
Best Chicken Pot Pie, Tossed Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing, Apple Slices
Leftovers
BBQ Chicken Pizza (without cilantro), Carrots
Three Cheese Baked Spaghetti, Steamed Broccoli, Leftover Pumpkin Crescent Rolls
Snacks
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Baked Apple Oatmeal
Guest post from Abi of The Modern Prairie Girl
This bag was made for those LONG road trips.
It holds everything, while still being slouchy enough to get crammed into the car with everything that's brought along for a vacation! The Long Road bag is super quick and fun to make – so let’s get started!
Walk through it carefully, so you don't miss anything that might be needed. Lay out your fabric pieces as you go, so it comes together without any mishaps!
I give you some ideas about what fabric choices that would be extra fun to use when you decide to whip up this bag. The handle is really unique. Having the knot or bow option leaves way for it being sized for a petite, regular or tall lady. You can adjust the length of your bag for a cross body style or if you just want it to hang from your shoulder.
The Long Road Bag
Finished flat measurements: 12" wide x 14 ½" tall x 2 ½" deep
Handle strap: 35" to 56"
Required Supplies:
- fabric straps
- for outside bag two pieces 13"x10" top half
- for outside bag two pieces 13"x 6 ½" bottom half
- for lining two pieces 13"x 15 ¾"
- for handles two pieces 4"x36"
- 13" piece of lace (optional)
- sewing machine
- scissors
- sewing pins
- matching/coordinating thread
Notes on fabric:
I love to play with my fabric combinations, and I would encourage you to do it also! This bag would be super cute out of burlap, cotton velveteen, or a cotton home décor as well as a fun quilting weight cotton print.
Also, play off of your special piece of lace that you want to show off on your Long Road bag. Sew, have fun!
DIRECTIONS:
1. Sew outside bag pieces, right sides together, along the 13" side. Press seam open. Pin and sew optional lace down to front of bag along the middle seam.
2. Sew outside bag right sides together. Turn bag to the side, matching bottom seam, with side seam. Pin both corners of bag.
Using a ruler, make a straight 2 ½" line. Use a pencil or marker to make your line. Sew down line and cut off excess peek of fabric. Turn bag right side out.
3. Take handle strips. Take one short end of each strip and turn the fabric in on itself ½". Press. Turn the long sides in to meet in the middle of your strip. Fold over again, so raw fabric edges are encased. Sew along both long sides and the finished short end at 1/8". Repeat with other strip.
4. Sew handles at each side of finished outside bag.
5. Take lining pieces and sew right sides together, leaving a 3" gap in the middle of the bottom of the bag. Repeat making gussets from step 2 for your lining.
6. Put finished outside bag inside lining. Stitch bag around the top at 5/8". Clip off excess fabric around the top.
7. Pull outside bag through gap. Sew gap closed and push lining into the outside bag.
8. Topstitch around the mouth of your bag at ¼". Put your bag on your should and knot or bow your handles at the top.
Your Long Road Bag is finished!
Keep in mind that this bag isn't just for road trips, but any good times!
This bag is a great Christmas or birthday gift – especially if the recipient loves a beautiful handmade gift!
Sew… what are you waiting for? Have fun and please share your success story with me on the Modern Prairie Sewing facebook page.
designed & made by Abigail A. Long, author of Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You & Your Friends. Head on over to her blog: The Modern Prairie Girl.
