I'm frugal. Let me clarify - I am not a cheapskate. I do not believe in spending money on nonessentials. I do not believe in purchasing $85 dollar jeans, when I can get the same style for $30. My closet is not full of Gucci or Prada. I drive a fuel-efficient car (I love Glacy Blue). I get my hair cut at Cost Cutters.
I shop at Aldi.
Laugh if you want, but I cherish my local Aldi. Stereotypes be damned. There are just as many crazies at the local superstore as there are at my beloved discount store. At least with Aldi they don't even pretend to be glamorous. You know what to expect when you walk in the door.
For those of you that have not experienced the frugal shopping experience that is Aldi - let me enlighten you. If you want a cart, bring a quarter. You have to insert a quarter into the cart in order for it to be released into your hands. Never fear, you will get it back when it is returned. Brilliance! Saves your cars from being dinged.
If you opt not to get a cart, you'd better grab a box. There are too many deals to pass up. Fresh vegetables are 50 percent less than the bigger-named stores. Meat products, pre-made meals, kitchenware and pet food. (Some even have alcoholic beverages).
Last night, as I headed home from work, I passed our local Aldi. Knowing that our refrigerator was bare and the dogs had about 5 kernels of food left, I decided to turn in to the parking lot. I opened my purse searching for the must-have quarter, and there was none in sight.
I knew I needed a cart in order to get the dog food...and all the other items I tend to throw in as I peruse the aisles. I searched my car some more. No quarter. But, thankfully I saw a woman returning her cart, so I decided to grab her (not literally) before she placed her cart back to retrieve her quarter.
Armed with two dimes and a nickel, I asked the woman if I could 'buy' the cart from her. She mumbled 'yes' and I proceeded in handing her my change. All of a sudden her eyes popped open wide, she yanked the cart away and said - in a louder than normal voice - 'no. no. sorry. no'. And she returned her cart.
Standing amidst the light, falling snow like a complete idiot, with 25 cents in hand, I watched the woman make her way to her car. I felt defeated. There was no way for me to get a cart. So, head held low, I walked into Aldi prepared to pick up only a few items.
As I reached the checkout, I looked to my right and saw the bags of dog food. I had to get it. I couldn't let my girls starve. So, with one arm visibly bandaged up, I asked the gentleman behind me - sporting a Michigan stocking cap in Michigan State territory - if he could help me lift the food onto the conveyor belt.
Not only did this wonderful Wolverine help me at checkout, he brought the 20lb bag of dog food to my car. I thanked him profusely - he restored my faith in humanity.
So while there are a lot of crazies in the world, there are also a lot of kind-hearted individuals (shopping at Aldi). But the biggest lesson I learned from my latest shopping excursion is that while two dimes and a nickel equals 25 cents, they do NOT spend the same as a quarter at Aldi.
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