8 Things You Should Never Buy at Aldi If You Have a $50 Grocery Budget

Aldi is the place to go if you’re grocery shopping on a tight budget. The discount grocery store can save shoppers about $100 per grocery bill, as previously reported by GOBankingRates, but not everything is a bargain.

If you don’t have much money to spend, it’s worth comparing prices at stores and shopping for the best deals. Here are eight things you should never purchase at Aldi if you only have $50.

If you want to save money at Aldi, your best bet is to shop off-brand. Buying a name-brand product is almost always more expensive than buying products from a similar Aldi brand. For example, a 12-pack of  Coca-Cola is $8.45 at Aldi, while a 12-pack of Summit Cola, the grocery store’s generic cola, is only $4.39. If you prefer name-brand, you can find a better deal at Walmart.

Paper products, including toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels, often go on sale at grocery stores. Manufacturer coupons, which aren’t accepted at Aldi, can also frequently be found to help lower prices. And if you purchase in bulk, you’re much more likely to find lower prices at warehouse clubs like Costco. Aldi sells a pack of six double rolls of paper towels for $16.49, but you can find a pack of 12 two-ply Kirkland Signature paper towels from Costco for $22.99. 

Aldi sells a variety of toiletries, including shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and more. However, they’re usually name-brand, and you’ll be able to find better deals elsewhere. For instance, Walmart sells deodorants for as low as $1.18, but Aldi’s start at $3.47.

Meats are a hit or miss. According to Mashed, Aldi’s meats are cheaper than other stores when on sale, but everyday prices are typically higher. Also, not every type of meat is included in the store’s weekly special promotions, so you may not get a better price on the meat you want.

Aldi’s fresh berries are known to go bad quickly. Unless you plan to use them quickly, you’ll have better luck at your local supermarket. “Although you may pay less for berries at Aldi, their quality isn’t as great in my experience, meaning you are wasting your money,” savings expert Lauren Greutman explained to Reader’s Digest. “Skip the fresh berries and shop at a larger grocery store that can rotate produce at a much faster pace or go to your local farmer’s market.”

When using coupons, you’ll probably get a lower price on chilled, premade dough at other grocery stores. Refrigerated ready to bake pie crust is slightly cheaper at Walmart. Aldi’s Bake House Creations can of jumbo flaky biscuits are also pricier than similar biscuits from Walmart’s Great Value brand.

Just looking at prices, baby food and other baby items are cheaper at Aldi. However, Reader’s Digest pointed out that many name-brand baby food companies offer coupons on baby foods, which you can use on top of sale prices at standard grocery stores.

If you’re stocking up on animal crackers, you’ll save a lot more money by shopping elsewhere. A bag of Stauffer’s animal crackers is 13 cents per ounce at Walmart versus 30 cents per ounce at Aldi. The box of Benton’s animal crackers costs ($3.85), but you only get 13 ounces. At Walmart, a 32-ounce bag costs $4.28.

Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only.