Former Grocery Store Snob

I must admit, I have been quite the grocery store snob in my day. It all started right when I graduated college.... one of my friends actually ran into the poo of a child smack dab in the middle of a discount grocery store aisle, and from that day forward, I vowed to spare no expense in an attempt to avoid this type of trashery.

However, my husband & I have recently read the book, "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey and are trying to identify different habits in our daily lives that we could change in an attempt to save some money on a day-to-day basis. Right off the bat, my husband (the non-grocery shopper that he is) clued in on my grocery habits. "Babe, you're going to have to hit Shop-n-Save.... and while you're at it, why don't you stop at Aldi, too???"

Immediately, a flashing red warning light started to sound in my mind. Shop n Save?!?!?!? Aldi?!?!?!?!? Who exactly does my husband think I am? Someone who bags her on groceries??? Um, I don't think so!

But, in the financial interest of our family, I decided to give in and at least give it a try. Shop n Save has not been bad at all - and surprisingly, I do get quite excited about the deals that I find there - esp the $10 off $50 Thursdays! My husband & I have been known to join forces on these days with 2 carts, take the store by storm, and end up getting $20 off $100 of groceries. For a gal who does not have all day to cut coupons, this is quite the accomplishment, I feel!!!

However.... Aldi. I pulled up into the parking lot and decided I had nothing to lose and walked inside. Initially, I realize that everyone has a cart except for me. "Dang, I missed grabbing a cart outside!!!!" Amateur.

Then, I realize out of the people who had no carts, they were carrying their own plastic grocery bags to use as a "basket" while shopping. Crap. I had not thought of this either.

I tried to keep my head up and start shopping the price tags, and I was pleasantly surprised! $1.49 for a pound of butter!! $1.99 for a gallon of milk!!! 85 cents for a loaf of bread!!! And, don't even get me started on how great the fruit/veggie prices are!!!

My head started to spin and my hands started to grab all the deals in sight. Before I knew it, my grab was filled to the brim, and I got in line. This is when I really noticed that everyone had brought their own bags. I quickly grabbed a re-useable grocery bag (to the tune of $1.99) and checked out without too much embarassment at my obvious lack of knowing how the heck to work an Aldi!

Since I couldn't take advantage of all the deals initially, I did not hesitate to return the next week. Upon this trip, I remembered that I needed to (a) bring my own bags and (b) grab a cart prior to entering the store. However, a word to the wise - you need a quarter to grab a cart (you get it back when you return it).

2 months have passed and I think I have only been to Schnuck's once and Dierberg's maybe twice since then (all for just little odds & ends) and I have to smile when I think of all the money I've saved!!!