Half an hour to spare.. Aldi or Lidl?

chaliepud

It was better than I expected though it was a little frustrating not being able to get everything on my list but I think I might go once a month to buy what I can.. just need to think about how much I need and to create some freezer space by using up a lot of what we have.

Fruball, it was the Blackwater branch, up past the Meadows.. have popped into the Atrium one but usually only just for a pint of milk or a loaf of bread.

donny-gal

Currently there is a FB £5 off £35 for Lidl if you like their page, it just needs printing.
http://www.hotukdeals.com/vouchers/5-off-35-spend-2nd-5th-perfect-for-a-bank-holiday-weekend-shop-using-printable-voucher-1891158

I can also recommend Lidl meat. Aldi's staples are growing all the time, and rarely need to go elsewhere now, and use their meat too, but they came into fresh meat later. We do the same as the "drop a level" test, buy their brand of something, if don't like go back to the brand we do like, however, can't think of anything we have to now. Only things missing for me are low fat rice pudding and custard, for DH who cannot tolerate fat. Can always make my own I know . Lidl do have a LF Rice.

Only problem is they are becoming a victim of their success, getting busier. DG

chaliepud

Thanks donny, will head over to FB and take a look!

I bought custard (have Ambrosia for 50p, think it is double that in Tesco as a rule!) Thought I saw low fat as have to avoid that or other half complains but I may be wrong, there was a lot to take in yesterday!

CH27

I've become more flexible since I started shopping at Aldi.
I shop around the super 6 & meat offers rather going going in with a meal plan set in stone.
I go to Aldi weekly.

mazza245

I very rarely shop at either as there aren't either shop anywhere near us, unbelievably. I go to Aldi if I'm passing which I like as they have Warburtons Toastie for £1 and other things I like. Went to Lidl the other day, what a disappointment! No Warburtons, nothing that I needed that day at all! I still wish one of them would open somewhere near us. Our little town only has a small Sainsburys, a very small Coop and Booths, a classy local firm but it's a bit expensive!

DUKE

Lidl, no one else even comes close!

welshee

Link here from another MSE'er for £5 of £35 shop at lidl..Just print off and use.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4958425

OOps i seen its already been posted.

Dark_Star

Lidl


Ours is clean, tidy, lots of staff & now has a bakery


Our Aldi is half hour away & can never find anything in it.

Long_tall_sally

Mainly Aldi but do like Lidl for the gluten-free meat balls, the rice and the chocolate cookies!

Scritti

Hope you enjoy your Lidl stuff. I prefer Aldi because they have a larger range of things I buy but I also have a Lidl just 2 minutes walk from my house and often do a top-up shop there or pop in for some Lidl-only treats or to pick-up some bargains from their Half-Price Weekends. To be honest, I've rarely disliked anything I've bought from either shop though.

I'm always dismayed when I read people complaining about the lack of "brand" name goods sold in Lidl and Aldi. I'd prefer LESS, not more. There are plenty of supermarkets that sell these brands - part of the joy of shopping at Lidl and (especially) Aldi is discovering their own stuff is always cheaper, nearly always as nice and sometimes better than the more expensive branded stuff.

Regardless, I hope you try Aldi as well. It's a learning experience finding out what you like but one that's constantly surprised me for the better on most occasions. Stuff that at first looks like a gaudy replica of "the real thing" often turns out to taste suspiciously exactly the same as the thing you've been paying 30% more for in Tesco's, Sains, et al.

Whichever shop you use, I think you'll be pleased with most things. The "basics" (eggs, bread, jam, milk, etc) are fine in both shops but don't miss out on the many other things they sell, there's a treasure trove of goodies to be discovered. I always make an effort to try at least one new thing each time I go into either shop - the savings are so good that you'll be able to try a new treat and will still have saved money. I've founds loads of things that I now love and buy regularly so now do about 90% of my monthly grocery shop in Aldi (and a bit in Lidl). There are very few big-brand items that I am happy to pay extra for in Tesco or whatever.

Do let us know how you get on and what you think of the things you've bought!