Puff’s Tissues and Cheerios. Some items just have to be purchased in their name brand, with no compromise. Well actually, now it is just Puff’s tissues, as I have finally found a suitable (though not perfect) substitute for Cheerios at Aldi.
Which brings me to the main point of this post … grocery shopping. I grew up shopping at King Sooper (so named in Colorado) or as it is named in Texas – Kroger. Sure there were times in my childhood when food came from other sources … local store in the middle of nowhere Colorado. The years when government surplus was handed out and we ate government cheese (I don’t know if we ate other food distributed by the government, but I remember the government cheese … huge blocks of it). And the time when my mom was running a day care facility and we had Schwan’s delivery. But by and large I remember Kroger. And thus as an adult that was where I shopped.
My mom was good at coupon-clipping. I try to be, but I always forget to have my coupons on hand when I am shopping. And price comparisons of a variety of stores didn’t fit my lifestyle of last minute shopping when I realized I was almost out of grocerties. So I just happily when to Kroger.
Then I got married. My husband was used to going to where the best prices were and had determined that Kroger wasn’t the best price. What was a girl to do? Well, we shopped at Albertson’s on occasion, but really Wal-mart became the store, I wouldn’t say “of choice” as no one near where I live willingly ventures into the Wal-mart, but I guess I would say “of default”.
We really don’t like Wal-mart though. I think they have built on the reputation of having the lowest prices, and then don’t actually have the lowest prices anymore. They are just another store on the map. So I was left with the old hassle of finding the time to comparison shop the advertisements. Until now ….
In the past week or two, I have quickly become a fan of Aldi. How can you not be a fan of somewhere that has a dozen eggs for 75 cents and a gallon of milk for $1.69. Oh sure, Aldi is definitely unique, you have to have a quarter to access the shopping carts, they only take cash or debit cards, and you bring your own bags and stock your own groceries. They also carry their own brands of most products. So, we are back to the Cheerios question. I have never found anywhere that makes a decent substitute for toasted O’s until now. Aldi’s brand is edible, not soggy styrofoam. Not quite the same as Cheerios, but for the price savings, worth the compromise.
However, I have not determined to give up my name brand preference for Puff’s tissues as yet. Haven’t tried Aldi’s brand on that. We shall see if I do …
How do you approach grocery shopping? Are you a loyal shopper like I am, finding one store and sticking with it? Or do you scour the ads each week and drive to five different places to get the best deals of the week? What products are you willing to compromise for an off brand, and which do you demand must be “the product” in original form?
Ahhhh…the big block of government cheese. I remember that cheese and still believe it is the best cheese on earth! I tend to stick with one grocery store. When Cubs Foods closed up shop in the Chicago area I was devastated. But found a nice alternative in Woodman’s grocery store. Prices are comparable to Cub Foods and I like that it is employee owned so you get great service!
I wish we had Aldi’s in Houston.