Groceries are one of the biggest expenses for most people. As long as we are alive, we can’t escape paying them. A study suggests families of four pay more than $1,000 a month for food [source]. What’s worse, prices are climbing even higher. 

However, you can do something about this. Smart shoppers head to Aldi, a discount grocery store without all the frills or fuss you find at other retailers. Savvy consumers have discovered they can save a nice chunk of change by shopping at the award-winning “Retailer of the Year” [source].

If you are looking for ways to cut down on your grocery bill, head to Aldi and use these 9 Aldi hacks to get the most bang for your buck.

1. Shop with Intention

Shopping when hungry? Bad idea. Shopping without a list? Worse idea. Both are easy ways to fill your cart with stuff you don’t need and overspend. Instead, you should shop with intention. Know what you need to get from Aldi before you walk through the doors. Make a list and stick to it. 

Save Even More with Ibotta 

Not only can you save money by shopping at Aldi using a grocery list, but you can also save even more money when you use Ibotta, a cash back app for groceries and everyday essentials. When you pay through the Ibotta app, use the browser extension, or submit a receipt for your grocery shopping, you earn free money. It also works for grocery delivery and pick-up orders. Aldi has great prices, and Ibotta offers you a free way to keep more of your cash.

Want to hear even more ways Ibotta can save you money? Check out our Ibotta explainer video, here!

Download the free Ibotta app (+ grab a $20 welcome bonus).

2. Remember Your Quarter

Aldi is all about cutting costs in running its company, and it passes those savings on to you. One of the ways they save money is by not having to pay someone to collect grocery carts in the parking lot. That’s your responsibility. The way they make this work is by requiring guests to insert a quarter into their cart locking system in order to retrieve a grocery cart. So, keep a quarter in your wallet or your car’s console just for Aldi shopping.

What if you don’t have a quarter? Go inside and let the cashier know. Aldi has said if a shopper does not have a quarter, it will provide one. However, keep that quarter close by and save the time and hassle of going into the store and asking for one.

Free Workshop – Join our free Simplify Money Workshop

The *only* way to save money is to spend less than you earn. That means you need to decrease your expenses or increase your income.

We want to help you do both.

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What’s more? We’ve got a bunch of free money-hacks to share with you:

  • Hacks to lower your monthly bills
  • Hacks to spend less on debt
  • Hacks to start investing
  • Hacks to increase your income by $20/month (with no extra effort)

This workshop has everything you need to accomplish the cardinal rule of personal finance: keep your income over your expenses.

Join our free 5-day Simplify Money Workshop, and start growing your wealth today.

3. Know the Best Days to Shop at Aldi

Savvy shoppers know the best days to shop Aldi to get the best products and the best prices. When popular products go on sale, they will sell out quickly. You don’t want to miss out on a great deal because you heard about it too late. Fortunately, there are several ways to know when to shop at Aldi.

  • Shop on Wednesday. This is the day when Aldi rolls out new prices and when they restock.
  • Follow Aldi Finds. In the Aldi flyer and on the website, they list “Aldi Finds.” These items are only available for a limited time, so it is wise to shop these deals when you see them listed as Aldi Finds. Even better, Aldi publishes “Upcoming Aldi Finds” so you can plan in advance.
  • Subscribe to Aldi’s newsletter. If you sign up for the Aldi newsletter, you will get emails announcing limited-time deals.
  • Download the Aldi app. On the Aldi app, you can receive notifications for price drops on items you frequently buy, as well as see current and future “Aldi Finds” deals.

Follow the tips above to find more Aldi savings.

4. Try Aldi Brand Products

Why pay about $3 for a brand name oat-based cereal at a place known for “always low prices” when you can pay about half that for Millville Crispy Oats at Aldi? Some people hesitate to buy food products that are not name brands because they are afraid the quality will be lacking. This is not a problem at Aldi. In fact, Aldi thrives when it comes to producing high-quality exclusive foods at great prices.

Aldi was tied for first with Procter & Gamble for most awards from Product of the Year USA in 2021. Products, such as Aldi Emporium Selection 1,000 Day Gouda & 4 Year Cheddar, Aldi Stonemill Everything Bagel Seasoning, and Aldi Specially Selected Indulgent Greek Yogurt, are all award-winning products. [source].

5. Shop Their Seasonal Products 

Stop going to bigger stores and overspending on seasonal products. Aldi has everything you need. Plus, it is usually better quality at a better price! For example, during the Christmas holiday season, Aldi offers a variety of advent calendars, wine, cheese, coffee, chocolate, etc., at significantly better rates than competitors. Their advent calendars are so popular they sell out quickly.

6. Get Your Pantry and Household Staples for Less

Not only are Aldi-exclusive food products great quality, but their pantry and household staples are also excellent. When stores were facing toilet paper shortages, Aldi customers were relieved to discover Aldi’s TP and paper towels work just as well as national brands. Plus, Aldi’s Little Journey baby diapers hold their own against mega brands and are almost half the cost. 

7. BYOB: Bring Your Own Bags (or Boxes)

Another way Aldi cuts costs is by not giving away grocery bags for free. Instead, guests have the option of buying bags at the checkout counter or bringing their own. No one wants to balance a teetering pile of groceries to their car, but if you don’t have a bag, that’s what you must do unless you pay for a bag. Don’t be this person. Instead, save money by bringing your own bags. You can even bring a box (or grab some of their empty ones) if that works better.

Pro Tip: By bringing your own bags, you save money and reduce waste, which is better for the environment. We recommended these reusable grocery bags with reinforced sides. These bags are truly a grocery-shopping game changer. Carrying groceries inside the house has never been easier. And you’re helping the environment. Major win-win. 

Invest Your Bag Savings with Acorns and Watch Your Money Grow

Acorns is a simple investment app. Acorns scoops up the extra change from your everyday purchases and automatically rounds up your purchases to the next dollar and then invests the extra money into stocks. Instead of buying a bag, invest the money you save on bags and watch your wealth grow.

Download the Acorns app to start investing without even thinking about it.

8. Get the Inside Scoop 

It always helps to have a friend who’s “in the know.” Whether it is an Aldi employee, a friend, or a social media group, these people can help you find the best deals and products. The ALDINerd.com Community on Facebook has over one million members. These members post great finds and deals in real time. In addition, there are Instagram accounts dedicated to posting about Aldi deals, such as AldiFavoriteFinds.

9.  Take Advantage of Aldi’s Twice as Nice Guarantee

Another reason Aldi is the best is because of its amazing refund policy, known as the “Twice as Nice Guarantee.” According to their website, “If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with the quality of any product, we will gladly replace the product AND refund your money” [source]. This means that on top of getting your money back, you will also get a new free product. 

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9 Aldi Hacks You Need to Know Story