3 Things You Must Know About Shopping at Aldi
The discount supermarket has a few quirks to go along with its low prices.
If you like to save on groceries, you’ll really like Aldi, the discount supermarket chain. The secret to its success is simple: no frills, low overhead and cheap store brands.
But shopping at Aldi has its quirks. Here are three things you should know.
1. Want to use a shopping cart? Bring a quarter. Aldi requires a 25-cent deposit, but you'll get it back if you return the cart. The system means Aldi isn’t paying employees to round up carts from the parking lot.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
2. Be prepared to bag your own groceries. Aldi asks shoppers to pitch in at checkout to keep labor costs in check and speed up the line. And speaking of bags: Bring your own. Otherwise you'll be charged.
3. Leave the coupons at home. Most of Aldi's products are store brands, so coupons for name-brands don’t apply. Leave your checkbook at home too. Aldi only accepts cash, credit or debit.
Take a look at even more things you must know about shopping at Aldi.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Browne Taylor joined Kiplinger in 2011 and was a channel editor for Kiplinger.com covering living and family finance topics. She previously worked at the Washington Post as a Web producer in the Style section and prior to that covered the Jobs, Cars and Real Estate sections. She earned a BA in journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She is Director of Member Services, at the National Association of Home Builders.
-
Stock Market Today: Nasdaq Jumps Ahead of Nvidia Earnings
It was a mostly positive start to a new week of pricing in more Donald Trump.
By David Dittman Published
-
Senior LIving and Memory Care Facilities Are Improving
Here are the best senior living communities in 2024, according to a J.D. Power survey.
By Kathryn Pomroy Published
-
Five Reasons You Shouldn't Shop on Amazon Prime Day
Smart Buying Think twice before getting lured into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need just because it's on sale.
By Andrea Browne Taylor Last updated
-
Best Cash Back Credit Cards November 2024
Smart Buying Trying to compare the best cash back credit cards? Unlike most reviewers, we include cards from small banks and credit unions, as well as from large issuers.
By Ellen B. Kennedy Last updated
-
How to Spend $1,000: Find Cheap (or Free) Online Courses to Build Career Skills
Smart Buying There's a huge array of skill-building online courses that can level up your career for under $1,000.
By Kim Clark Published
-
MoviePass is Relaunching. Should You Sign Up?
Smart Buying The subscription discount movie card company has a checkered past and an army of disillusioned former cardholders. If you want to try the reboot, you’ll need to hurry.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
HBO Max Is Offering Huge Discounts
Smart Buying Looking for a streaming service deal? Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting the price of HBO Max.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
Are You Streaming Too Much? What the Discovery+/HBO Max Mashup Means
Smart Buying Fewer original scripted series? Maybe. And maybe it’s time to unsubscribe.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
How Big Should My Emergency Fund Be?
Brandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the importance of building an emergency fund.
By Brandon Copeland Published
-
Homeowners Insurance: How to Protect Your Home
Brandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the ins and outs of homeowners insurance.
By Brandon Copeland Published