Aldi? "Al"does

Quite a while back, I posted about the opening of an Aldi store in Southwest Durham (you can read about it here). From what I can figure, the store opened in December, but I just made my first visit yesterday.

Couponing websites typically skip sharing weekly Aldi deals, as the chain doesn't allow manufacturer coupons, which is due to the fact that most of their merchandise is store brand, rather than national brands. Within the past few weeks, though, I've noticed that one major coupon site has begrudgingly added Aldi deals. Under the deals, this site lists stores that beat Aldi's prices, almost as a, "See, I told you that you'll spend less using coupons than shopping Aldi!"

While it's true that you can definitely beat many Aldi prices by shopping other stores that allow coupons, I really do feel that Aldi has it's place in a savvy shopper's shopping routine.

For example...

Produce
Aldi's fresh produce selection is meager when compared to large chain stores, but the produce they do sell is of good quality and at rock bottom prices. Each week, a number of produce items are featured, with prices that I have not seen matched by other retailers. For example, this week, I was able to buy a pint of cherry tomatoes for $0.69, as well as a pound of broccoli for $0.89. Cherry tomatoes were over $3.00 a pint at Kroger this week, and broccoli was selling for nearly $2.00/lb. I was also able to buy avocados for $0.49 each, while they were on sale for $1.00 at Kroger and $2.50 at Harris Teeter.

Need it Now Items
Sometimes, you just can't wait for a good coupon to come along before you buy an item. When you need something ASAP, and you don't have the right coupons, Aldi's prices often beat other retailers. For example, I bought a can of Harris Teeter store brand black beans this week for $0.77 (didn't have any coupons for black beans). Aldi store brand black beans were $0.55/can.

Items that Rarely Have Coupons
Some products/companies just don't put out coupons. For example, I really like Stacy's Pita Chips, but they're usually over $4.00 a bag, and I almost never find coupons for them. At Aldi, I was able to buy a generic form of Stacy's for just over $1.00 a bag. I also noticed that Aldi's prices for milk and eggs this week had both Harris Teeter and Kroger beat.


So, while it's definitely possible to cut spending by using coupons, I don't suggest writing Aldi off completely. Approach shopping there with an open mind, realizing that it won't be your only shopping stop if  spending the least amount of money possible is your goal. Know that you can coupon shop elsewhere but score some great Aldi deals to round out your grocery shopping and fill in those couponless gaps.

Harris Teeter and Kroger Savings

This week's shopping trip was a big success, thanks to a few great store promos and a $20 Harris Teeter credit, thanks to a prescription transfer deal that's available until the beginning of April.

Between Harris Teeter and Kroger, I spent just $31 for the items pictured, worth ~ $125 (sorry, the hubs threw away my receipts), a savings of about 75%.

Harris Teeter was a running a promotion (ended Tuesday, sorry) where you received an instant $5 savings when you bought $15 worth of Unilever food products. There were some great Unilever coupons in Sunday's paper, and there were also many e-vic coupons to stack. After the $5 savings, I actually MADE money buying the Unilever products.

In working this deal, though, I purchased a few items we definitely won't eat, like the Lipton Soup, Knorr Sides, and likely the Ragu, but these items, being freebies and non-perishables, seemed like perfect food bank donations!

Harris Teeter Unilever Deal:

2 I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Tubs - BOGO $1.79 each x 2 = $3.58

- two $0.60/1 coupons x 2 (doubled) (1/29 insert)

- $0.60 e-vic coupon
= $0.58 for two

2 Knorr Sides - $1.00 each x 2 = $2.00

- $0.50/2 coupon x 2 (1/29 insert)

-$0.50/2 e-vic coupon

= $0.50 for two

2 Wishbone Salad Dressings - $2.00 each x 2 = $4.00

- two $0.70/1 coupons x 2 (1/29 insert)

- $1.00/2 e-vic coupon
= $0.20 for two

2 Lipton Tea Bags - $1.35 x 2 = $2.70

- two $0.40/1 coupons x 2 

- $0.40 e-vic coupon
= $0.70 for two

2 Lipton Soups - $1.79 each x 2 = $3.58

-  two $0.50/1 coupons x 2 (1/29 insert)

- $0.75 e-vic coupon
= $0.78 for two

3 Ragu Pasta Sauces - $1.39 each x 3 = $4.17

- $1.25/3 coupon (1/29 insert)

- $1.00 e-vic coupon
= $1.92

- $5.00 instant savings = - $0.38 A MONEY MAKER!


I also shopped the Kroger Mega Event, where you receive an instant $5 savings when you purchase any ten participating items. I bought six cans of Hunt's tomatoes, using three $0.40/2 printable coupons, making them just $0.19 per can after coupon and instant savings. I also bought two bottles of Chi Chi's Salsa, (never had it before, really disliked it - second bottle will go in the donation bag), one pack of Chi Chi's Tortillas, and one Kraft Easy Mac (why can't I give up the Mac 'n Cheese???). I spent about $3.00 for all ten items.

Overall, not too bad. :)

Share your shopping trip successes by leaving a comment or 

linking up!

Couponing Basics Part 6: Shopping With Coupons

You've got your coupons clipped and organized and a grocery list ready to go. Let's get shopping!

Really, the hard work of couponing is already done. Locating coupons, clipping them, and finding deal match ups takes more effort than the actual shopping, but I do have a tip or two to help make your trips to the grocery store more smooth.

• Preview Coupon Policies
• Store coupon policies will tell you information like whether or not the store doubles coupons, which types of coupons are accepted, how many coupons a customer may use, etc. You will find links to the coupon policies of some Durham area grocery stores below.

                   Kroger - check with your local store, policies vary
                   Harris Teeter
                   Food Lion
                   Lowes

• Get a Store Loyalty Card
• Before you head to the grocery store aisles, be sure you have a store card in hand. If you don't already have a card for the store you plan to shop, stop at the service desk when you arrive and ask for one. A store card will allow you to access sale prices. At some stores, you will also earn rewards (gas points, money back, etc.) for purchases, which are tracked using your card.

• Match Products to Coupons
• When picking an item off the shelf, look carefully at the size and variety of the item. Locate the item's coupon and make sure the item and coupon match. On occasion, a coupon might be very specific, for example, stating something like $0.75 off a certain type of Cheerios. You'll only be able to use the coupon at check out if the coupon matches the product you're buying.

• Keep Track of Items with Coupons
• I like to keep items with coupons on one side of the cart. When I place the item in the cart, I locate its coupon in my coupon envelope and keep it in my hand. Before checking out, I scan the cart and match the coupons in my hand to my shopping list and cart items. This helps me make sure I've picked up the items I wanted and that I'm handing the correct coupons to the cashier. It can be easy to accidentally hand the cashier extra coupons or to forget to hand over a coupon you meant to use. Find a strategy that works for you that will help prevent this from happening.

• Keep Your Cool at Check Out
• Occasionally, you'll hear a beep when the cashier tries to scan one of your coupons. This could mean a number of things - the coupon doesn't match the item, the internet printable is too fuzzy to read, the system doesn't recognize the coupon...who knows. When it happens, though, you have some options. Ask the cashier to try again. Ask them to try using the hand scanner. Ask them if it's possible to enter the coupon in manually. Ask them to void the item from your order (if you don't want it without the coupon savings). Whatever happens, keep your cool. Couponers get a bad name from coupon users who let cashiers have it when things don't go as planned.

Reader Response: Have you tried using your coupons? How did it go? Any successes to share or questions to ask?

Baby Bargains

Here are some of this week's best baby deals and printable coupons. 

Diapers

Printable Coupons

$2.00/1 Huggies Little Movers Slip-On (Target printable)

$2.00/1 Huggies Snug and Dry (Amazon)

$1.00/1 Pampers (Amazon)

Online Deals

FREE Pack of Huggies Little Movers Slip On Diapers - Post a video of your squirmy baby, submit for a pack of free diapers (sizes 3, 4, and 5)

Amazon - Luvs Ultra Leakguard Big Pack - Size 3 (234 ct.) - pay $30.39 with Amazon Mom and Subscribe and Save discounts - $0.13 per diaper

Amazon - Huggies Little Snugglers - size 1 (168 ct) - pay $26.13 with Amazon Mom and Subscribe and Save discounts - $0.16 per diaper

Wipes

Kroger - Pampers 216 ct. - $4.99 - $0.50 Kroger e-coupon = $4.49 - $0.02 per wipe

Baby Food (not deal match ups, just printable coupons)

Beech Nut Cereal and Baby Food coupons

FREE Beech Nut Starter Kit (one box of cereal and two jars) - must register

$1/7 Earth's Best Jars

$0.55 off on Earth's Best Cereal

Enfamil Samples and Coupons (including $5 off 1)

Toys/Apparel/Misc.

$1.00 off Desitin Products 

$1.00 off Johnson & Johnson Baby Lotion

Reader Response: Have you come across a baby deal you'd like to share? Post a comment or e-mail me at allisondurhamdeals@gmail.com. I will update the list with any deals I receive.