Okay, ladies born before 1970 listen up! We are up against the tree-huggers and Federal Government energy savers (you know, the HE guys- who, by the way, have never filled, let alone ran a dishwasher, picked up an article of clothing or stood waiting for the washer/dryer to complete a cycle!). I'm here to say, keep your waterless washers (wrinkle makers), heatless dryers (slow dry the wrinkles in on low ... so you can't even iron them out), and the HE 4-hour dish rinsing machines - - you got me once. I'd paid way too much for my new machines only to dispose of my newest HE washer, dryer, and dishwasher at the metal recycle place and buy used, older units on Craigslist and Facebook - so much happier!

A new Aldi's just opened not far from us. There is another one on the other end of town but I had never shopped there. DH and I went in a few days after the madness of the grand opening wore off. It was ok but I would not buy meat there, mainly because I am very picky about where I do buy any meat when I do buy it. I had been told their chocolate is very good. My friend was right. They sell, for $1.99, large bars of very good Austrian and German chocolate. I would go back just for that. But not for much else. Maybe some fruit, and the breads and bakery items looked ok. We typically make only 1-2 grocery stops a week at our favorite regional store (Publix) and occasionally go to Fresh Market or Whole Foods. No Trader Joe's here, sadly.

You gotta admit, people are strange. They'll complain about a 25 deposit (which you get back when you return the cart) at Aldi's, yet think nothing of paying $30-$50 to walk into Costco or Sams! And there you DON'T get your deposit back! I'd go to Aldi far more often if it was more conveniently located for me but I still go there occasionally. You have to know your prices because not everything is a bargain, but I still like the stores. It's sort of a garage sale trip because you never know for sure what they'll have. So if you like something and they have it, you might want to stock up because it might be a long time before you get it again. I've always seen good produce and excellent meat. Meat prices are fair, but quality is excellent. I always caution people that you probably won't be able to do all your shopping there (but then again, same applies to the warehouse clubs) but considering the savings, it's worth the trip for me. Every store can have a section, especially produce, picked over so one trip during a busy time is a bad way to judge a small store. Even big places aren't always well-stocked. I'm not crazy about the canned goods I've gotten there. I can usually do better on sales at the other stores. I do buy some junk food but eggs, milk, bagged salad are almost always far cheaper than anywhere else. They have a frozen pecan pie that's the best I've had, but again, they don't have it often. There's a frozen pizza that is actually quite good and they have pork sausage patties that are the best I can buy. They have a 12 grain bread that is great and much cheaper than at other stores and they have gourmet cookies that are great. I also like the muffins and bread sticks. Their spaghetti sauce is fairly cheap but only mediocre. They have an excellent pizza sauce, at least that I like, although it's more expensive. They often have excellent and cheap fruit and I've never been disappointed in their grapes. I don't know where they get them but I seldom find grapes that good in the other grocery stores. I usually make a trip there when I need sausage. I consider it a "Mini Walmart" since both stores I bring a list and seldom get everything on the list. They just don't have it all the time. Product mix changes often. I really like the size of the store. I can handle it. However it gets packed and people buy a lot of items there so you might have a wait at the checkout on busy days. They've extended their hours so that's an improvement. Their cleaners are generic/store brand like you get anywhere else and the prices are OK, but not great. I can generally do better on cleaners at Walgreens or Target but I bought some bleach there that was a reasonable price and face it, bleach is bleach for my use. I think a lot of people who have big disappointments about Aldi might have some unreasonable expectations. They will not always be cheaper on everything, no different than any other store. They will not carry the variety that Walmart will carry. They do require cash since margins are slim. If you go in expecting too much, you'll be disappointed. I wish they had more consistent inventory, a few more items, but there's a price to be paid. Again, it's a store for some of your shopping. I made up a list of things I like and didn't like there and consult that before going to the store. I also track where there's better prices. By knowing prices I know if I'm getting a good deal or not. I hope other stores pay attention that a neighborhood grocery store CAN survive in today's market. I'd like to see the small corner grocery store come back. Otherwise I might just go to the delivery services. They're actually a reasonable alternative. I say GOOD FOR THE CASHIERS! to be able to sit. The cash only is an inconvenience but I understand not wanting the check & credit card losses when you're working on such slim margins. The deposit for the cart? Brilliant! Saves labor and wear and tear on the carts. Yes it's slightly inconvenient to walk to the side of the building but I'm OK with that. Often I'll see someone loading their car near me and just give them a quarter and take the cart - saves them from walking back and forth again and saves me time and walking too. It's a unique store with very unique sales approaches. I find their history to be interesting. This is not a new store by any means. Oh, and yes, if you will only shop Whole Foods, you won't like Aldi!

For those of you who have a problem with no shopping bags given at Aldi's, are you aware of the fact that you ARE paying for them at the regular grocery stores? I'm not sure about now, but the regular grocery stores used to take of about 5 cents per bag I brought of my own. Since all my tote bags disappeared a few years ago cause they got used for other things and not put back, I got out of the habit of taking my own bags, so I don't know if they will still take off for them. As to the quarter for the shopping cart, I think it's a great idea. I very seldom have a cart in the lot to worry about hitting my car. I don't like the paper products, except for the TP for use in the camper. I find them rather thin. The milk and eggs have been rather high priced lately. As with anywhere else, I have to read labels carefully due to my garlic allergy. (Which reminds me I need to email Vlassic, who doesn't have garlic on the ingredients list, ut has it in the pickles!) DH hasn't complained about the Salmon. I don't eat it, so I don't know. I buy my tomato paste there and canned mushrooms. Legos were a great price a couple of weeks before Christmas, but I didn't get there to get any before they were gone. Darn. Bought a LOT of Legos for DGS for Christmas! I seldom have a problem with thier produce, and it's usually a good price. Tami