Aldi and 3 More Grocery Stores Frugal People Love For Healthy, Affordable Food
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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If you’re a frugal shopper on the lookout for the best deals on healthy, affordable groceries, you know that not all stores are created equal. So, when you’re restocking your pantry and refrigerator, where you shop can make all the difference in your budget. That’s where stores like Aldi come in, offering grocery items for those who want to stretch their dollars without sacrificing quality.
Read on to find out what other stores are favorites among budget-conscious consumers shopping for healthy food and learn some savings tips.
Aldi
Consumer Analyst Julie Ramhold with DealNews said that while Aldi may be the only store on this list that’s known as a discount grocery store, you shouldn’t let that classification fool you.
“The quality of items on Aldi’s shelves are an excellent value given their price and quality,” Ramhold said. “Aldi has a smaller selection of produce than what you’ll find at other retailers, but the prices are great, so it’s a good place to stock up on various fresh fruits and veggies to incorporate into a healthy diet.
“They also have a decent selection of things like oatmeals and cereals that are on the healthier end of things and not just packed full of sugar.” she said. “Plus, you can buy affordable meats and dairy that ensure you can eat well without spending a fortune.”
“The one thing I would say to avoid at Aldi stores is anything that’s name-brand; for example, especially around some holidays, they may have things like Oreo cookies or bags of holiday-themed candy, but they’re typically more expensive than what you’ll pay by shopping elsewhere, such as big-box stores,” Ramhold said.
Target
Ramhold said Target is her personal favorite because she really loves Target’s Good & Gather brand for its affordability and high-quality goods.
“The great thing about shopping at Target, though, is that you can find good prices and save even more if you’re a Target Circle Card holder (formerly Target RedCard) since you save an additional 5% on your purchases by using it.”
“Plus, Target’s app offers a ton of different offers and coupons, some of which can now be redeemed automatically so you don’t even have to browse all of them and save the ones you’re interested in,” she said. “Some still need to be saved, so that’s good to keep in mind, but many will just be redeemed automatically as long as you shop or check out via the app or with your loyalty barcode if shopping in-store.”
Walmart
“This may be one of the most affordable big-box stores for shopping, period — but especially when it comes to groceries,” Ramhold said. “It’s worth checking out even more now since the launch of its in-house brand Bettergoods a few days ago that offers trendy flavors, plant-based items and a ‘made without’ line that features products that are gluten-free or made without things like artificial flavors or colorings or have no-added sugars.”
“Most of these new items fall under $5 each, though the range starts at $2 and goes as high as $15. Even so, Walmart is still an excellent store to shop for affordable groceries, thanks to its Great Value brand,” she said. “Some shoppers complain about produce and meat prices, but they may just be better than what you’ll find elsewhere — it helps to shop around to know for sure, though.”
Trader Joe’s
Ramhold said that although not everything at Trader Joe’s is an amazing value, it does offer some unique finds and affordable picks for your pantry.
“Given the package sizes of a lot of these products, you’ll need to be prepared to either stock up by buying several to feed a larger household or stick to just one if you’re shopping for just one or two people,” she said. “Trader Joe’s has really excellent frozen food options that won’t make you feel bad, but they also have indulgences that are affordable too.”
Ramhold said that at Trader Joe’s, it’s a good idea to shop around to ensure you’re getting the best price. She also mentioned you might want to steer clear of some produce items, such as larger quantities of standard lettuces, tomatoes, oranges or apples, because the price on those may be better at big-box stores like Target or Walmart.
“That said, if you’re looking for solo salads or wraps, among other things (especially for quick lunches) it’s worth browsing the selection to see what sounds good,” Ramhold said. “Trader Joe’s is really good about offering items you may not find elsewhere, as well as flavors that may only come around seasonally, so it can be a good way to mix things up and get out of a stale food routine.
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