Saving Money At Aldi, Netto, Lidl

Rockingsurfer

We currently spend about £80 per week at Tesco on all the usual things. My wife works for them and with staff discount this costs about £72. Trying to be MSE we are thinking of downshifting and visiting one one of the continental 'value' supermarkets once a month to buy most of our shopping and only do weekly 'top-up's' at Tesco.

Given that the nearest Netto would involve a 30 mile round trip and the nearst Aldi a 40 mile trip (Lidl is even further away and we are even a 40 mile round trip from Asda) would we realistaically save enough money pay for the fuel and to make the extra effort worthwhile?

Thanks
RS

msgnomey

Have you tried down shifting at Tesco and switched to value brands?

My weekly shop a Tesco was topping £100 but I now spend £60 at Aldi and we like their stuff but the Aldi is close by so there's no change in petrol costs to think about

HTH

Rockingsurfer

We have downshifted mostly from branded to own label in most areas other than soap powder, ketchup, tea and coffee. We have tried downshifting to value and for the most part have moved back up to ordinary own label

I should add the is a very small person in the family so there considerable expenditure on milk, kids foods and nappies in the £80

RS

Pink.

Hi RS,

As your thread has dropped down the Old Style board I've moved it over to the Shop But Don't Drop board to see if you can get some more replies.

In the meantime these threads from that board may help:

Great What/What Not to Buy at Lidl, Aldi and Netto Hunt

Aldi Virgin

Aldi or Lidl?

is Aldi any good....

Aldi/Lidl/Tesco/Asda ??? Which would you choose??

Aldi or Lidl?

What does everyone think of Lidl and Aldi?

What's hot and what's not at Aldi/Lidl/Netto Article Discussion Area

Netto. What to buy.

If you search on the shop but don't drop board there are more threads but too many to list here I'm afraid.

Pink

Mum_of_3_3

I agree with you that the drive to the cheaper supermarkets would probably eat up most of the savings you would make.

From your posts one area you may be able to save on is kids food. I really wouldn't bother buying your little one different foods, just give him/her the same as you are eating, however if you add a lot of salt to your cooking then, if possible take their share out before you add the salt.

Mine have always eaten the same as us and when they were weaning I just mashed up fruit or veg and gave them that.

A lot of those jars of food & childrens biscuity things are very, very expensive.

If you want to cook special meals for your little one then look here http://www.annabelkarmel.com/ and you should be able to adapt the amounts in the recipies to feed you all.

M_o_3

PS I have found that some things in Aldi & Lidl are actually more expensive or the same price as Tesco's own brands :rolleyes:

Li0nhead

Personally i dont think the distances would make it worthwhile.

The way they are expanding it may be worth keeping an eye out if the open one closer to you.

I find Aldi/Lidl are not aways cheaper than main supermarkets value stuff but the quality on 'most' things is at least as good as the leading main brand (personal taste).

norm_diploom

I would certainly recommend the Lidl own brand nappies, and you should make good savings on these plus other baby consumables like wipes, bath stuff etc. versus regular Tesco prices. Obviously if you can bulk buy when offers are on then even better!

I agree with mum of 3 above, and if you can go with whatever fruit and veg deals they have and maybe cook in bulk and freeze some, you could make some good savings.

I tend to go about once a month, and buy lots of their tinned veggies and things like cheese which is much cheaper, as well as noodles, pasta, etc.

I suppose if you're going to go with quite a prescriptive set list you might not save as much as if you're prepared to see what's available and go with the good deals - and then cherry pick tesco's best offers as well!

So short answer - try it once and see what you think and do the sums, what have you got to lose?

mrsfarnie

Hello. My 2 boys were both brought up on "jars" of baby food- not done them any harm. No time to cook as above as work full time. - shifts. Try looking in home bargains and pound land for baby food. They often do really good deals on them, ie 29p for a heinz 12month+ meal. Netto also do good baby food deals and offers on baby milk.

MrsKelly_2

mrsfarnie wrote: »

Hello. My 2 boys were both brought up on "jars" of baby food- not done them any harm. No time to cook as above as work full time. - shifts. Try looking in home bargains and pound land for baby food. They often do really good deals on them, ie 29p for a heinz 12month+ meal. Netto also do good baby food deals and offers on baby milk.

Baby Jars were so expensive when my DD was weaning but now there are very cheap, especially at places like Poundland but i agree with a poster above feeding your child the same as you yourself are having is a good idea i have done this since DD was about one, it also means you will be eating healthier yourself because you cannot cook big greasy, salty food if a child is going to be eating it too. (There's nothing wrong with the jars of baby food though) It just works out cheaper if you all eat the same afterall you are cooking for 2 anyway it doesn't take much more to feed another little mouth with it.

dominiquereynolds

I have noticed that our Aldi is getting a lot more people shopping there

katskorner

I like the Lidl nappies and wouldn't buy them anywhere else if can't get coupons off them in the Tescos / Waitroses of this world.

I buy baby wipes every few weeks from Wilko on the regular BOGOF offers - £1.09 a pack BOGOF and they are great quality. Ther bedtime baby bath is great there too - 99p for a HUGE bottle.