Utica, New York - The produce is so-so at best. It's all in cardboard and Saran Wrap as if it came from some centralized location God-knows-where. I can tell you what it isn't, and that's local.
I often use Groupon or its several clones to snag a deal. Either to get something I like or to try something new. Also, get water, and avoid ordering dishes that have pictures.
We make environmentally friendly, non-toxic, hypo-allergenic anti-tarnish products for you silver and anything else that tarnishes. You may want to check out our blog and our post "How to clean you silver jewelry" http://blog.interceptjewelrycare.com
My husband has been drinking more water instead of buying soda at a restaurant. We also typically divide our meals immediately and plan to bring home the extras for another meal. Our kids are small enough that they can easily split a kids meal as well, saving us the cost of buying two meals for them.
This isn't a place to sell stuff, but we use Paperback Swap and Swap A CD to get rid of books we don't want or need anymore and to clear out our CD collection. For each book or CD we swap, we get a credit to get a book or CD we really want. They are great sites!
A variation on The Greyhound Bus vacation is The Megabus/Bolt Bus vacation. I've found them to be more reliable, and depending on how early you book, even cheaper. Megabus goes to more cities, but Bolt has more reliable WiFi plus power outlets at almost every seat. And I always combine it with The Traveling Mooch vacay, since I'll reciprocate:-)
We are planning a vacation in the downtown area of the our city (we live in the suburbs). We are using hotel points my husband got from business trips to stay for free, and will do cheap tourist things and eat at hole in the wall restaurants. It's inexpensive, easygoing (no pressure to do everything since we can always go back!), and only requires a couple days off of work.
We're a lot like Therese --- portions are so big that we stop half-way and bring balance home for lunch or for another dinner, also always drink water. We also use coupons if they're available.
I LOVE road trips, and I'm going on a mini one sometime in May. The one I took last summer when I moved from the East Coast to Los Angeles was one of the best things I've ever done. I made sure to structure a couple of extra days into the trip so I could stop and see things I didn't plan on.
I've been working on some projects that make this very timely for me. Even if people are willing to help you with something, I think that "no one will work on your project as hard as you" is a really helpful reminder.
I must say that our Aldis has just as good of produce as our regular grocery stores, only at about half the price! So maybe it depends on the store. I have to cook from scratch because of dietary reasons, so it's great to not be bogged down by all that processed stuff. Aldis produce, frozen veggies, and meat and dairy products are fantastic. The only time I go to another grocery store is if they have an item on sale cheaper than Aldis.
I'm proof that you don't have to be an expert in staining or painting to renew old furniture. I had an old microwave cart that was not looking too good because of years of use and irregular cleaning. I can't remember exactly what I used but I applied some type of white washing finish -- basically, it was cheap, easy, and gave the cart a pickled (and expensive) looking finish.
For those who are scared to try something new, well, if you are ready to scrap something unless you can improve its appearance, then experiment with staining, painting, etc. on that item -- if you mess it up, there's really no harm. But if you really improve its look, then you've salvaged the item for possibly years of more use.
I love Aldi's. I agree that not having hundreds of brands to choose from is a benefit! Makes shopping so fast and easy.
I've found the produce to be hit and miss in my stores. Just being careful and not buying if it doesn't look right seems to work mostly, although sometimes I do end up with some spoiled stuff.
Another thing to add to the list of yucky stuff is their tuna. Pretty lousy. But nearly everything else I've had is good. I agree the cereals are as good as brand name, as are cookies, chips, etc.
For me the downside is that if you are looking for extra healthy stuff you won't find that much. A lot of processed foods, snack foods, convenience things.
I'm not a parent, so things like this are usually off my radar, but I appreciate the tips. It looks like a great resource. Heck, I might even be able to list some of my clothes on the site; sometimes I shop in the kids' section. It's a tad embarrassing but if it fits it saves a lot of money. :)
I have been making more frequent stops at Aldi myself, and I agree: for some things, Aldi is great. What I dislike is the fact that many of their food items are filled with non-food/unhealthy fillers. Their canned beans have added sugar; their peanut butter includes hydrogenated oil; jelly is made with corn syrup, etc. If I wanted to save money on junk food, Aldi would be great. As is, it can only supplement my shopping at other stores. Aldi has the cheapest eggs (I stock up!), perfectly good chocolate, good prices on dry beans (when they have them), the cheapest old fashioned oats. Those things I buy regularly and I have been pleased with them.
I drink water, eat vegetarian entrees, which are usually a few dollars cheaper (I'm a vegetarian), and only order what I'm hungry enough to finish, often an appetizer or a small salad.
Aldi came to my area a little over a year ago and I've really enjoyed shopping there. I agree that a lot of things are cheaper and taste just as good as or better than many other brands (store as well as national brands). I really like their hummus and the price is half that of any of the other stores around me. Their milk and eggs are the cheapest (even with most sales) of any of my local stores. And, best of all, they have real European chocolate at affordable prices! And, about once a year, they carry stroop waffles (a Dutch caramel filled waffle-like cookie).
I agree that you have to be careful about the produce. Some things I haven't had a problem with: bagged spinach, carrots, potatoes, oranges. But many other things you have to choose carefully and plan to eat fairly quickly. That's not a big issue for me, as long as I know it up front.
Utica, New York - The produce is so-so at best. It's all in cardboard and Saran Wrap as if it came from some centralized location God-knows-where. I can tell you what it isn't, and that's local.
https://twitter.com/#!/linjiunhan/status/190173662933032960
I follow you on facebook.
I often use Groupon or its several clones to snag a deal. Either to get something I like or to try something new. Also, get water, and avoid ordering dishes that have pictures.
We make environmentally friendly, non-toxic, hypo-allergenic anti-tarnish products for you silver and anything else that tarnishes. You may want to check out our blog and our post "How to clean you silver jewelry" http://blog.interceptjewelrycare.com
I also "like" WiseBread on Facebook.
My husband has been drinking more water instead of buying soda at a restaurant. We also typically divide our meals immediately and plan to bring home the extras for another meal. Our kids are small enough that they can easily split a kids meal as well, saving us the cost of buying two meals for them.
This isn't a place to sell stuff, but we use Paperback Swap and Swap A CD to get rid of books we don't want or need anymore and to clear out our CD collection. For each book or CD we swap, we get a credit to get a book or CD we really want. They are great sites!
I think the produce might be a regional issue as well. My Aldi (usually) has wonderful produce and such great prices!
A variation on The Greyhound Bus vacation is The Megabus/Bolt Bus vacation. I've found them to be more reliable, and depending on how early you book, even cheaper. Megabus goes to more cities, but Bolt has more reliable WiFi plus power outlets at almost every seat. And I always combine it with The Traveling Mooch vacay, since I'll reciprocate:-)
We are planning a vacation in the downtown area of the our city (we live in the suburbs). We are using hotel points my husband got from business trips to stay for free, and will do cheap tourist things and eat at hole in the wall restaurants. It's inexpensive, easygoing (no pressure to do everything since we can always go back!), and only requires a couple days off of work.
We're a lot like Therese --- portions are so big that we stop half-way and bring balance home for lunch or for another dinner, also always drink water. We also use coupons if they're available.
I LOVE road trips, and I'm going on a mini one sometime in May. The one I took last summer when I moved from the East Coast to Los Angeles was one of the best things I've ever done. I made sure to structure a couple of extra days into the trip so I could stop and see things I didn't plan on.
Readers -- have any favorite frugal vacations?
I've been working on some projects that make this very timely for me. Even if people are willing to help you with something, I think that "no one will work on your project as hard as you" is a really helpful reminder.
I must say that our Aldis has just as good of produce as our regular grocery stores, only at about half the price! So maybe it depends on the store. I have to cook from scratch because of dietary reasons, so it's great to not be bogged down by all that processed stuff. Aldis produce, frozen veggies, and meat and dairy products are fantastic. The only time I go to another grocery store is if they have an item on sale cheaper than Aldis.
Tweeted answer:
https://twitter.com/#!/KelRo1/status/190127304180105217
Like you on FB.
I use coupons whenever possible and sign up for membership programs if a restaurant/chain offers them.
I'm proof that you don't have to be an expert in staining or painting to renew old furniture. I had an old microwave cart that was not looking too good because of years of use and irregular cleaning. I can't remember exactly what I used but I applied some type of white washing finish -- basically, it was cheap, easy, and gave the cart a pickled (and expensive) looking finish.
For those who are scared to try something new, well, if you are ready to scrap something unless you can improve its appearance, then experiment with staining, painting, etc. on that item -- if you mess it up, there's really no harm. But if you really improve its look, then you've salvaged the item for possibly years of more use.
I love Aldi's. I agree that not having hundreds of brands to choose from is a benefit! Makes shopping so fast and easy.
I've found the produce to be hit and miss in my stores. Just being careful and not buying if it doesn't look right seems to work mostly, although sometimes I do end up with some spoiled stuff.
Another thing to add to the list of yucky stuff is their tuna. Pretty lousy. But nearly everything else I've had is good. I agree the cereals are as good as brand name, as are cookies, chips, etc.
For me the downside is that if you are looking for extra healthy stuff you won't find that much. A lot of processed foods, snack foods, convenience things.
Hi, Katie! Thanks for the comment.
I'm not a parent, so things like this are usually off my radar, but I appreciate the tips. It looks like a great resource. Heck, I might even be able to list some of my clothes on the site; sometimes I shop in the kids' section. It's a tad embarrassing but if it fits it saves a lot of money. :)
Thanks again!
M
I have been making more frequent stops at Aldi myself, and I agree: for some things, Aldi is great. What I dislike is the fact that many of their food items are filled with non-food/unhealthy fillers. Their canned beans have added sugar; their peanut butter includes hydrogenated oil; jelly is made with corn syrup, etc. If I wanted to save money on junk food, Aldi would be great. As is, it can only supplement my shopping at other stores. Aldi has the cheapest eggs (I stock up!), perfectly good chocolate, good prices on dry beans (when they have them), the cheapest old fashioned oats. Those things I buy regularly and I have been pleased with them.
I drink water, eat vegetarian entrees, which are usually a few dollars cheaper (I'm a vegetarian), and only order what I'm hungry enough to finish, often an appetizer or a small salad.
Aldi came to my area a little over a year ago and I've really enjoyed shopping there. I agree that a lot of things are cheaper and taste just as good as or better than many other brands (store as well as national brands). I really like their hummus and the price is half that of any of the other stores around me. Their milk and eggs are the cheapest (even with most sales) of any of my local stores. And, best of all, they have real European chocolate at affordable prices! And, about once a year, they carry stroop waffles (a Dutch caramel filled waffle-like cookie).
I agree that you have to be careful about the produce. Some things I haven't had a problem with: bagged spinach, carrots, potatoes, oranges. But many other things you have to choose carefully and plan to eat fairly quickly. That's not a big issue for me, as long as I know it up front.
Good article!
One other thing that helps avoid nagging entirely is to talk about problems before they happen.
That way when nagging happens, it's more of a reminder than a nag :)